MSD Manual Professional vs Oxford Foundation Programme
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
MSD Manual Professional
Access comprehensive medical information for healthcare professionals and students. This app provides detailed explanations of thousands of conditions, diagnostic options, and treatment strategies, updated regularly by medical experts. It includes photos, illustrations, and instructional videos for procedures and examinations.
- Thousands of medical topics
- Photos and illustrations
- Instructional videos
- Quizzes for knowledge check
- Medical news and commentary
- Editorials by experts
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SPECIAL NOTES ABOUT DOWNLOAD *** Downloading this app is a 2-step process: the first step is a download of the app template, and the second step is a full download of app content. This can take 5 to 10 minutes. Please do not navigate away from the app until both steps have been completed. *** App Permissions Install Settings Note: • We do not collect or use any personal information. There are, however, some permissions necessary for the app to function properly. 1. Photos/Media/Files – This allows the app to store the medical content and multimedia for offline use without requiring the user to reload all the large content when the app updates. 2. Device and App History – This is used only to keep the app and content up to date. The amount of clinical information currently doubles every 18 months and the pace is only getting faster. Stay up-to-date with the MSD Manual Professional App. The MSD Manual Professional App provides health care practitioners and students with clear, practical explanations for thousands of conditions in all major medical and surgical specialties. It covers etiology, pathophysiology, and options for evaluation and treatment. The trusted MSD Manual Professional medical app offers: • Thousands of topics written and updated regularly by more than 350 academic physicians • Photos and Illustrations on thousands of disorders and diseases • “How to” Videos on numerous outpatient procedures and physical examinations. Concise instructional videos by medical experts on these key topics: - Casting and splinting techniques - Orthopedic examinations - Neurologic examinations - Obstetric procedures - Outpatient procedures (including IV lines, tubes, catheters, dislocation reductions and more) • Quizzes* check knowledge of medical disorders, symptoms, and treatments • Medical News and Commentary* covering the most current and important medical topics • Editorials* written by top medical experts *Internet access needed. About MSD Manuals Our mission is simple: We believe that health information is a universal right and that every person is entitled to accurate, accessible and usable medical information. We have a responsibility to protect, preserve and share the best current medical information to enable more informed decisions, enhance relationships between patients and professionals, and improve health care outcomes around the world. That’s why we are making the MSD Manuals available for free in digital form to professionals and patients around the world. No registration or subscription required, and no ads. NOND-1179303-0001 04/16 This mobile application is intended for Healthcare Professionals. For more information please read the End User License Agreement at https://www.msd.com/policy/terms-of-use/home.html. For more information about our privacy practices, please see our privacy commitment at http://www.msdprivacy.com. Adverse Event Reporting: In a country outside the United States, there may be specific procedures in place to address reports of adverse events. Please contact your local MSD office or local health authority for more information. For questions or help with the app, please contact msdmanualsinfo@msd.com
Oxford Foundation Programme
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Start your medical career with confidence using the Oxford Handbook for the Foundation Programme app. Designed for students and newly graduated physicians, this app delivers practical, evidence-based guidance on both patient care and professional responsibilities, helping you thrive in your first clinical rotations. The Oxford Handbook for the Foundation Programme features: * Comprehensive Clinical Guidance: Access the most current clinical guidelines and protocols, fully updated to reflect the latest standards and curriculum changes. * Key Areas Covered: Includes essential topics and major specialties such as cardiology, respiratory medicine, gastroenterology, neurology, psychiatry, hematology, dermatology, surgery, emergency medicine, and primary care. * New Topics: Explore expanded content on primary care and end-of-life care, plus updated sections on infection control, obstetrics & gynecology, and surgery. * Practical Tools: From interpreting results to performing essential procedures, get step-by-step instructions and practical tips for everyday clinical tasks. * Career Support: Learn how to plan your career progression, and choose your speciality with confidence. * Expert Insights: Benefit from the combined knowledge of senior clinicians and junior doctors who’ve been through the process. * Easy Reference: Search, bookmark, and access content offline—perfect for busy hospital shifts and on-the-go learning. Unbound Medicine Features: * Highlighting and note-taking within entries * Favorites for bookmarking important topics * Enhanced Search to find topics quickly More about the Oxford Handbook for the Foundation Programme: Part of the world-renowned Oxford Medical Handbooks series, this trusted reference provides early-career physicians with practical, evidence-based guidance for safe, effective patient care, offering clarity and confidence from day one. Authors: Tim Raine Consultant Gastroenterologist Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK George Collins Cardiology Registrar Barts Health NHS Trust, UK Fraser Brown Internal Medical Trainee Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK Sophie Howarth Internal Medicine Trainee Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK Publisher: Oxford University Press Powered by: Unbound Medicine
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MSD Manual Professional at none against Oxford Foundation Programme's 1. MSD Manual Professional also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). Oxford Foundation Programme's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 4 months). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Oxford Foundation Programme sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. MSD Manual Professional asks for nothing beyond the download.
MSD Manual Professional ships an update every 4 months, Oxford Foundation Programme every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | MSD Manual Professional | Oxford Foundation Programme |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (174 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 87.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 174 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 193 MB | 14 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC | Unbound Medicine, Inc. |
Bugs and requests
MSD Manual Professional
Reported bugs
12 issues- Images and figures not showing in app
- App crashes on launch or during use
- Dark mode causes black screen display
- Navigation back button returns to search results instead of article
- Download interruption prevents app functionality
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- Font rendering issues on Mac version
- Slow performance on certain devices
- Case studies not displaying properly
- App resets when minimized
- Keyboard functionality issues
- Initialization process hangs indefinitely
- Incompatibility with iPhone X
Requested features
15 requests- Russian language support (most requested)
- Italian language version
- French language translation
- Spanish language option
- German language support
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- Vietnamese language addition
- Portuguese language version
- Dark mode improvement/fix
- Annotation/highlighting feature
- Larger quiz and case study database
- eGFR calculator for CKD-EPI
- Clinical algorithms for complex diagnoses
- EPUB/MOBI format for e-readers
- Better table display and navigation
- Improved search and indexing
Oxford Foundation Programme
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
MSD Manual Professional
No in-app purchases
Oxford Foundation Programme
- Oxford Foundation Program$49.99
Questions
Is MSD Manual Professional free?
Is Oxford Foundation Programme free?
Do MSD Manual Professional or Oxford Foundation Programme have ads?
Which is updated more often, MSD Manual Professional or Oxford Foundation Programme?
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