# Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource vs StudyBucky

The clearest difference is update cadence: StudyBucky at every 2 weeks against Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource's every 3 months. StudyBucky also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource's advantage is ratings volume (9.4K vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

StudyBucky holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource has 9.4K ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource ships an update every 3 months, StudyBucky every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource | StudyBucky |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (9.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elsevier-ebooks-on-vitalsource/id1147791956/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/studybucky-arrt-radiography/id6802804473/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **9.4K** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 16.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 188 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Elsevier Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/367031326) | [Bricen Bolsen](https://appshunter.io/developer/6802804475) |

## What reviewers say

### Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elsevier-ebooks-on-vitalsource/id1147791956)

Access and read Elsevier textbooks on your iOS device. Download books for offline study, search your entire library, and add notes and highlights. Sync your progress across devices for a seamless learning experience.

**Highlights:** Download books for offline reading, Search entire library, Create notes and highlights, Sync across devices, Pinch to zoom figures

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Convenient digital access
- 📚 Helpful study tools (e.g., flashcards)
- 👍 User-friendly interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent login issues
- 📱 Poor mobile app experience
- 🔍 Difficult navigation and book access
- 🔊 Subpar text-to-speech quality
- 💻 Compatibility problems across devices

**Reported bugs**

- Repeated sentence/paragraph playback
- Highlighted text disappearing across devices
- Inability to download or access purchased books

**Requested features**

- Allow handwritten notes and annotations
- Improve page-turning and scrolling functionality
- Enhance diagram and image viewing experience
- Integrate seamless cross-device synchronization
- Provide more customization options (e.g., font, layout)


### StudyBucky

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/studybucky-arrt-radiography/id6802804473)

Prepare for the ARRT Radiography certification exam with adaptive practice, mock exams, and an AI tutor. Features include interactive diagrams, flashcards with spaced repetition, and guided learning paths to master key concepts.

**Highlights:** Adaptive practice targeting weak areas, Full-length timed mock exams, AI tutor for question explanations, Guided learning paths by category, Flashcards with spaced repetition, Interactive physics diagrams, Study reminders and readiness tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource free?

Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is StudyBucky free?

StudyBucky is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource or StudyBucky?

StudyBucky is rated higher. Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource averages 4.7 out of 5 from 9.4K ratings, while StudyBucky averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource or StudyBucky have ads?

Neither Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource nor StudyBucky shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource or StudyBucky?

Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource ships an update every 3 months, and StudyBucky every 2 weeks. Most recently, Elsevier eBooks on VitalSource was updated on November 1, 2026 and StudyBucky on October 29, 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.*