# Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests vs NurseBrain® Synapse

The clearest difference is review sentiment: NurseBrain® Synapse at 85% against Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests's 0%. NurseBrain® Synapse also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months). Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per year and NurseBrain® Synapse sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 31 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests's written reviews are positive against 85% of NurseBrain® Synapse's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests ships an update every 4 months, NurseBrain® Synapse weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests | NurseBrain® Synapse |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lab-notes-and-diagnostic-tests/id1140857423/reviews)** | [4.1 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nursebrain-synapse/id1528871626/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 8 | **31** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **85.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#156** |
| Size | 46 MB | 146 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Skyscape Medpresso Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/818609416) | [Nursebrain LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1528871628) |

## What reviewers say

### Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lab-notes-and-diagnostic-tests/id1140857423)

This app serves as a portable reference for nurses, providing essential information on over 400 lab and diagnostic tests. It includes details on preparation, patient care, panic levels, and visual aids, with offline access after initial download.

**Highlights:** Covers 400+ lab and diagnostic tests, Includes radiography, imaging, and endoscopy, Identifies panic lab levels and nurse alerts, Features patient education guidelines, Offline access to content, SmartSearch technology for quick information retrieval

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests | $29.99 | per year |
| Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests | $29.99 | one-time |


### NurseBrain® Synapse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nursebrain-synapse/id1528871626)

**Currently charting:** #156 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

This app digitizes nursing report sheets, allowing nurses to manage their entire shift from a single, connected platform. It helps organize patient information, tasks, and notes, facilitating confident handoffs and efficient documentation.

**Highlights:** Customizable digital brain sheets, Real-time shift tracking, Organized patient handoff views, Voice and quick entry documentation, Generate progress notes and care plans, Cross-device compatibility (phone, watch)

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium Access | $29.99 | per month |
| Quarterly Student Access | $29.99 | per 3 months |
| Yearly Premium Access | $149.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Organizes patient info and shifts
- 👍 Improves time management
- 👍 Enhances patient care
- 👍 Minimizes charting time (AI suggestions)
- 👍 Centralized information reduces stress

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Cannot sign up/create account
- 🐛 Cannot log in after signing up
- 🐛 Annoying to not see app without paying
- 🐛 Expensive monthly/yearly fee
- 🐛 Glitches and doesn't load

**Reported bugs**

- App won't let users sign up and make an account
- Cannot log in after signing up
- App glitches and won't load
- Cannot edit active patient list
- Patient list duplicates entries

**Requested features**

- Include more specialties, specifically for outpatients
- Add a 'Return' button for new lines in text fields
- Ability to time medications
- 24-hour clock option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests free?

Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is NurseBrain® Synapse free?

NurseBrain® Synapse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests or NurseBrain® Synapse?

Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests is rated higher. Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests averages 5.0 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while NurseBrain® Synapse averages 4.1 from 31 ratings.

### Do Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests or NurseBrain® Synapse have ads?

Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests shows ads; NurseBrain® Synapse does not.

### Which is updated more often, Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests or NurseBrain® Synapse?

Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests ships an update every 4 months, and NurseBrain® Synapse weekly. Most recently, Lab Notes & Diagnostic Tests was updated on October 14, 2026 and NurseBrain® Synapse on October 20, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*