# PICU Essentials vs Learn ICU

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Learn ICU at none against PICU Essentials's 1. PICU Essentials's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.4). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PICU Essentials sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per year. Learn ICU asks for nothing beyond the download.

PICU Essentials holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 124 and 168 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of PICU Essentials's written reviews are positive against 58% of Learn ICU's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

PICU Essentials ships an update every 6 months, Learn ICU every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on August 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | PICU Essentials | Learn ICU |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (124 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/picu-essentials/id1207366521/reviews)** | [4.6 (168 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-icu/id1580836868/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 124 | **168** |
| Positive reviews | 55.6% of reviews | **58.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 130 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Atmosphere Apps, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/334077424) | [Society of Critical Care Medicine](https://appshunter.io/developer/444109983) |

## What reviewers say

### PICU Essentials

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/picu-essentials/id1207366521)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual Subscription | $9.99 | per year |


### Learn ICU

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/learn-icu/id1580836868)

Access critical care educational materials on your mobile device. Download content to learn on the go and enhance your skills in providing optimal care for critically ill patients.

**Highlights:** Downloadable learning content, On-the-go learning, Critical care education, Tools for practitioners, Right Care, Right Now™

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is PICU Essentials free?

PICU Essentials is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Learn ICU free?

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

### Which has better reviews, PICU Essentials or Learn ICU?

PICU Essentials is rated higher. PICU Essentials averages 4.8 out of 5 from 124 ratings, while Learn ICU averages 4.6 from 168 ratings.

### Do PICU Essentials or Learn ICU have ads?

Neither PICU Essentials nor Learn ICU shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, PICU Essentials or Learn ICU?

PICU Essentials ships an update every 6 months, and Learn ICU every 4 months. Most recently, PICU Essentials was updated on August 24, 2026 and Learn ICU on September 23, 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.*