Comparison

LogBox Academic vs SAMF

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

LogBox Academic

This app helps medical professionals efficiently record procedure and case details. It is endorsed by a prominent medical college and supports multiple specialties, with plans to expand coverage.

Highlights
  • Procedure logging
  • Case information recording
  • Supports multiple medical specialties
  • Endorsed by College of Medicine of South Africa
  • Designed for quick and convenient use
Read full description

LogBox Academic was designed for doctors to quickly and conveniently log procedures and case information. LogBox Academic is endorsed by the College of Medicine of South Africa and currently works with multiple specialities. Ultimately, LogBox Academic will cover all specialties.

About

SAMF

This medical reference app provides up-to-date, reliable, and unbiased information on medicines and clinical management protocols. It serves as a trusted guide for healthcare practitioners, offering evaluated content independent of the pharmaceutical industry.

Highlights
  • Up-to-date medicines information
  • Clinical management protocols
  • Reliable and unbiased content
  • Trusted reference guide
  • Independent from pharmaceutical industry
  • Mobile and web portal access
Features
Read full description

Regarded as the gold standard of medicines information and clinical management protocols in South Africa, the South African Medicines Formulary (SAMF), first published in 1988, is a trusted source of information and provides up-to-date, reliable, unbiased and evaluated information on medicines. Currently on its 15th edition , it has become a standard health practitioner's medicine reference guide, respected for accuracy of content and independence from the pharmaceutical industry. It is now available on this mobile application and supported by a web portal (https://samf-app.com/) which subscribers will have access to. The SAMF application and Book is a joint initiative of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town and the South African Medical Association (SAMA). Liquid thought maintains the application and web portal. To find information on each of the entities : - Medicines Information Centre, Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town: http://www.mic.uct.ac.za - South African Medical Association: https://www.samedical.org - Liquid thought: https://www.liquidthought.co.za All content provided in the Platform is for informational, educational and assistive purposes only, and is not a substitute for the professional judgement of healthcare professionals diagnosing and treating patients. UCT and SAMA do not provide medical advice or medical or diagnostic services through the Platform. Any reliance on the content obtained on or through the Platform is at your own risk. SAMF Citation: - Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences. (2024). South African Medicines Formulary (SAMF). SAMF website. https://samf-app.com Get access to SAMF app content with an in-app purchase. There are 2 subscription options to choose from: - 1 month subscription costs R93.99 (Prices may vary slightly depending on location) - 1 year subscription costs R929.99 (Prices may vary slightly depending on location) Payment will be made at the time of purchase confirmation via your App Store account The subscription will be automatically extended if you do not switch off the automatic renewal at least 24 hours before the premium membership expires

Screenshots

LogBox Academic2 screens
SAMF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: LogBox Academic at none against SAMF's 2. LogBox Academic also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). SAMF's advantage is review sentiment (13% vs 0%). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. SAMF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. LogBox Academic asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
LogBox Academic versus SAMF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLogBox AcademicSAMF
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews12.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB72 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperLogBox / EPI-USETHE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Customer experience

LogBox Academic

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

SAMF

Written reviews16 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral18.8%
Negative68.8%

In-app purchases

None

LogBox Academic

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SAMF

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$49.991 Year

Questions

Is LogBox Academic free?
LogBox Academic is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SAMF free?
SAMF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do LogBox Academic or SAMF have ads?
Neither LogBox Academic nor SAMF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, LogBox Academic or SAMF?
LogBox Academic ships an update every 3 months, and SAMF every 3 months. Most recently, LogBox Academic was updated on October 14, 2026 and SAMF on October 5, 2026.

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