Comparison

PICU Essentials vs MedEClasses Pediatrics

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

Head to head
About

PICU Essentials

A practical handbook for medical professionals in pediatric intensive care units, drawing on 20 years of experience. Content is peer-reviewed and updated regularly, applicable across various settings. Proceeds support app maintenance and development.

Highlights
  • Practical handbook for PICU professionals
  • Based on 20 years of PICU practice
  • Peer-reviewed content
  • Regular content updates
  • Applicable in most settings
  • Supports app development
Features
Read full description

This app was designed to be used as a practical handbook for rotating residents, advanced practice providers, and fellows. It is based upon 20 years of PICU practice, and while much of the content describes practice or protocols here at UFHealth/Shands Children’s Hospital, it could be applied in most settings. This app is now in use in over 50 countries. All content is peer-reviewed, and content is reviewed for currency every 1-2 years and as needed. All proceeds from this app go toward maintaining and developing the app itself. Privacy Policy: https://skywave.io/picu-privacy-policy/ Terms of Use: https://skywave.io/picu-terms-of-use/

About

MedEClasses Pediatrics

Features
Read full description

This application includes 17 Approach Pathways encompassing all Pediatric Endocrine clinical scenarios including growth, puberty, thyroid, calcium, glucose, electrolyte and acid base disorders, 7 Management Pathways with state-of-the-art guide for pediatric endocrine disorders including diabetic ketoacidosis, thyrotoxicosis, congenital hypothyroidism, calcium and electrolyte disorders and over 15 calculators providing vital pediatric endocrine information instantly. It provides simplified, rapid, precise and accurate Bone Age Assessment validated against gold standard. Growth interpreter provides comprehensive growth analysis with detailed report including corrected height standard deviation score, height SDS for bone age and single capture output. Management calculators providing precise guidelines regarding treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia, hyponatremia and hypernatremia. It also includes comprehensive therapeutics with detailed information about drugs used in Pediatric Endocrinology, detailed diagnostics covering static and dynamic Pediatric Endocrine tests and test Your Knowledge section with questions based on Clinical Pediatric Endocrinology. The app comprises of offline storage to allow seamless access even without active internet and Signup to obtain free access to the entire application for a seven-day period.

Screenshots

PICU Essentials4 screens
MedEClasses Pediatrics4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PICU Essentials at every 6 months against MedEClasses Pediatrics's every 16 months. MedEClasses Pediatrics's advantage is iOS requirement (12.1 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. PICU Essentials sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year and MedEClasses Pediatrics sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PICU Essentials ships an update every 6 months, MedEClasses Pediatrics every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on August 24, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
PICU Essentials versus MedEClasses Pediatrics: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPICU EssentialsMedEClasses Pediatrics
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (124 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews55.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings124 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 months — betterEvery 16 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.612.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size130 MB30 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperAtmosphere Apps, Inc.MedEClasses

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PICU Essentials

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Subscription14 Days trial$9.991 Year
2 purchases

MedEClasses Pediatrics

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription$5.991 Month
  • Annual Subscription$51.991 Year

Questions

Is PICU Essentials free?
PICU Essentials is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MedEClasses Pediatrics free?
MedEClasses Pediatrics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PICU Essentials or MedEClasses Pediatrics have ads?
Neither PICU Essentials nor MedEClasses Pediatrics shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PICU Essentials or MedEClasses Pediatrics?
PICU Essentials ships an update every 6 months, and MedEClasses Pediatrics every 16 months. Most recently, PICU Essentials was updated on August 24, 2026 and MedEClasses Pediatrics on September 10, 2026.

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