Surgical Technologist Mastery vs CSTSetup
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Surgical Technologist Mastery
Prepare for your CST exam with over 1,800 practice questions and detailed explanations. This app features adaptive learning, expert support, and in-depth performance analysis to help you study smarter and pass your certification.
- 1,800+ exam-like practice questions
- Detailed explanations and images
- Adaptive learning engine
- How-to videos on techniques
- Community discussions with experts
- In-depth performance analysis
- Offline study capability
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Pass your CST® exam with the Surgical Technologist Exam Prep Mastery—the #1 CST prep. Features 1,800+ exam-like questions, detailed explanations, adaptive learning, in-depth metrics and more! Start free today and get 10 practice questions every single day. No credit card required. 1,800+ Exam Like Questions & Study Tools • 1,800+ CST-style practice questions with detailed explanations and images • 30+ high-yield review chapters with comprehension check-ins • How-to videos covering suturing techniques, instrument use, and more • Study content aligned with the NBSTSA CST exam blueprint Adaptive Learning Engine • AI-driven algorithm adjusts question difficulty based on your answers • Personalized learning to help you study smarter • Focuses on your weak areas to help you study more efficiently • Keeps you challenged without feeling overwhelmed Discussion & Expert Support • Access community discussions after every question • Ask questions and get answers from experts • Learn from shared insights and real experiences • Never feel stuck, support is just a tap away In-Depth Performance Analysis • Instant feedback and detailed progress reports • Identify strengths and focus on weak areas • Track your readiness with clear insights Built for Surgical Technologist Students • Designed by experts who understand the CST exam inside and out • Custom quizzes to zero in on your problem areas • Study anytime, anywhere—even offline • Perfect for students, grads, or working techs needing a refresher Our Unmatched 300% Money-Back Guarantee • Pass your exam or get triple your money back — seriously! • We’re confident in our product and dedicated to your success • Study worry-free with zero financial risk • Our Customer Success Team supports you every step of the way AST® is a registered trademark of the Association of Surgical Technologists. CST® is a registered trademark of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. This app and its content are not endorsed, sponsored by, or affiliated with the Association of Surgical Technologists or the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. Get access to all questions when you subscribe: • 1 Month auto-renewing payment of $23.99 • 6 Month auto-renewing payment of $99.99 • 12 Month auto-renewing payment of $149.99 This app offers three auto-renewing subscription options to help you pass your exam. Auto-renew may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after purchase. Upon confirming your purchase, you'll be billed immediately. Your subscription will automatically renew unless you turn off the auto-renewal feature at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. After purchase, you can manage your subscription and deactivate auto-renewal through your Account Settings. Note that any unused portion of a free trial, if offered, will be forfeited when you buy a subscription. Privacy Policy - http://builtbyhlt.com/privacy Terms of Conditions - https://hltmastery.com/eula About Higher Learning Technologies (HLT Mastery): We’re a U.S.-based leader in educational technology, dedicated to helping students pass their exams with confidence and ease. Join millions who’ve trusted Mastery apps to launch their careers. Check out our entire Mastery app suite for continued success. Customer Support: Your CST exam success matters to us. Talk to a real person at support@hltcorp.com or (319) 246-5271.
CSTSetup
This app provides surgical technologists, students, and educators with a comprehensive library of surgical setups, instrument details, and case log verification. Master hundreds of procedures, identify over 2,700 instruments, and ensure your clinical experience counts towards your logbook.
- Hundreds of surgical setups
- 2,700+ instrument library
- Instrument identification and details
- Surgical case log evaluator
- Procedural blueprints
- Instrument handling cautions
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Step into the operating room with confidence. CSTSetup is the clinical companion built for surgical technologists, students and OR educators — your setups, your instrument library, your exam prep and your case log, all in one place. SURGICAL SETUPS 250+ step-by-step setups across General, Cardiac, ENT, Neuro, OB/GYN, Ophthalmology, Orthopedic, Plastics, Urology and Vascular, each with the exact instruments and supplies for the case. General Surgery is free; Pro unlocks every specialty. THE FULL INSTRUMENT LIBRARY Its own tab now: 2,800+ surgical instruments with real photographs, alternate names and handling notes. Pro members can turn, zoom and open real 3D models of hundreds of them. STUDY FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION EXAM A full exam-prep home on the Study tab for the CST (NBSTSA), TS-C (NCCT), CRCST (HSPA), CSPDT (CBSPD) and CSFA (NBSTSA) exams: practice by area, timed exams matched to the real pass mark, and a daily five questions to keep your streak going. CASE LOG EVALUATOR Choose AST, NCCT or CC4SA, check off what you did in the room, and get an instant First Scrub / Second Scrub / Observation answer before you submit it to your program director. CAN'T FIND A SETUP? Ask for it from the Help Desk, right in the app, and we'll notify you when it's built. ONE SUBSCRIPTION CSTSetup Pro unlocks every specialty, the full library, 3D models and every certification exam — in this app, in Instruments, and on cstsetup.com. Download CSTSetup and put the whole back table in your pocket.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: CSTSetup at freemium against Surgical Technologist Mastery's subscription. CSTSetup also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). Surgical Technologist Mastery's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.4) and review sentiment (78% vs 50%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and chart position there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Surgical Technologist Mastery sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $17.99 per month and CSTSetup sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Surgical Technologist Mastery holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Surgical Technologist Mastery has 3.2K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Surgical Technologist Mastery's written reviews are positive against 50% of CSTSetup's.
Surgical Technologist Mastery ships an update every 3 weeks, CSTSetup weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Surgical Technologist Mastery | CSTSetup |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (3.2K ratings) — better | 4.4 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 78.0% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3.2K — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Freemium — better |
| Best chart rank | #200 | #183 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 91 MB | 59 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Higher Learning Technologies | CSTSetup |
Customer experience
Surgical Technologist Mastery
CSTSetup
Bugs and requests
Surgical Technologist Mastery
Reported bugs
2 issues- Subscription cancellation issues
- Compatibility problems on certain devices
Requested features
2 requests- Quick review feature like the book
- Improved customer support responsiveness
CSTSetup
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Surgical Technologist Mastery
- Surgical Tech Exam - 1 Month$17.991 Month
- Monthly Subscription3 Days trial$23.991 Month
- Surgical Tech Exam - 6 Months$74.996 Months
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- 6 month subscription3 Days trial$99.996 Months
- Surgical Tech Exam - 12 Months$111.991 Year
- Surgical Technologist - Yearly3 Days trial$149.991 Year
- Expansion Pack$64.99
CSTSetup
- CSTSetup Monthly Pro$12.991 Month
- CSTSetup Yearly Pro$155.991 Year
Questions
Is Surgical Technologist Mastery free?
Is CSTSetup free?
Which has better reviews, Surgical Technologist Mastery or CSTSetup?
Do Surgical Technologist Mastery or CSTSetup have ads?
Which is updated more often, Surgical Technologist Mastery or CSTSetup?
Which is more popular, Surgical Technologist Mastery or CSTSetup?
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