Comparison

BackpackEMR vs MobilEM

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

Head to head
About

BackpackEMR

This lightweight electronic medical records system is designed for remote areas with limited internet and power. It enables offline data sharing between devices, ensuring continuous operation and no data loss during power outages. Features include streamlined workflows, specialty modules, and secure, encrypted data storage.

Highlights
  • Offline data-sharing network
  • Streamlined patient flow
  • Specialty modules
  • Voice-to-text integration
  • Secure, encrypted data
  • Integrated patient photos
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

BackpackEMR is a light-weight, electronic medical records (EMR) system for use in rural areas. Our app is often used for medical outreaches to remote communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where access to the internet and electricity is often limited. This is the first EMR to share data with other clinic devices without using a local server, which requires electricity, or cloud server, which requires the internet. BackpackEMR enables a "no single point of failure" system where data is stored on each device, and data is shared without consistent power or the internet. So in a clinic where the power goes out, the clinic seamlessly continues to run, and no data is ever lost. Key features: • Offline data-sharing network • Easy-to-use screens • Low-clicks and less typing with: - Streamlined flow - Modules by specialty - Custom drop-down values - Voice-to-text integration • Secure, encrypted data • Integrated patients and exam photos • Available in multiple languages • Patients flow through station queues

About

MobilEM

Provides fast, evidence-based clinical guidance for emergency medicine professionals. Access updated recommendations on a wide range of topics, including antibiotics, toxicology, and critical care. Offers free content, individual purchases, and an all-access subscription.

Highlights
  • Evidence-based recommendations
  • Antibiotic and toxicology guidance
  • EKG and orthopedic injury protocols
  • Airway and pediatric emergency management
  • Critical care medication information
  • Fast navigation and universal search
  • Bookmarking and note-taking
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

One of our greatest privileges at EMRA is offering resources that can help make every clinical shift easier, through evidence-based guidance in your pocket. Get updated recommendations for antibiotics, toxicology, EKGs, orthopedic injuries, airway management, pediatric emergencies, splinting, critical care medications, and more. Enjoy free content, purchase our resources a la carte, or subscribe to our all-access pass (best value!) to take full advantage of these key features: • Fast, easy navigation • Powerful universal search • Bookmarking • Note-taking fields • Continual updates that require no action on your part We hope you find MobilEM to be useful; check back often, as we will be adding new content on a regular basis. Please note: EMRA is committed to your privacy. See our policy at https://www.emra.org/about-emra/privacy-policy/. Terms of Use: This and all other digital reference content, including all content offered under subscription is intended for a single user on devices belonging to that user. Use of this app running on a common device shared by an organization is disallowed. For further information on terms of use and EULA please see: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ This app is intended for the US healthcare market.

Screenshots

BackpackEMR3 screens
MobilEM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MobilEM at 45% against BackpackEMR's 0%. MobilEM also leads on ratings volume (39 vs 4) and chart position (#46 vs unranked). BackpackEMR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and rating (4.0 vs 3.6). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MobilEM sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. BackpackEMR asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

BackpackEMR holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MobilEM has 39 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 0% of BackpackEMR's written reviews are positive against 45% of MobilEM's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on August 13, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
BackpackEMR versus MobilEM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBackpackEMRMobilEM
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (4 ratings) — better3.6 (39 ratings)
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews45.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings439 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#46 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB205 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperBinary BridgeEmergency Medicine Residents' Association

Customer experience

BackpackEMR

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

MobilEM

All ratings39 ratings
Positive61.5%
Neutral10.3%
Negative28.2%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive45.0%
Neutral15.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

None

BackpackEMR

No in-app purchases

12 purchases

MobilEM

Subscriptions12
  • Ventilator Mgmt. Subscription$1.991 Year
  • Pediatric Qwic$1.991 Year
  • MobilEm Airway Management$4.991 Year
Show 9 more
  • Trauma Guide$4.991 Year
  • Antibiotic Guide Subscription$9.991 Year
  • MobilEm Ortho Guide$9.991 Year
  • MobilEM Tox Guide$9.991 Year
  • PressorDex$9.991 Year
  • EKG Guide Subscription$9.991 Year
  • Pain Management$9.991 Year
  • PEM Fundamentals Subscription$9.991 Year
  • MobilEm All Access Pass1 Month trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is BackpackEMR free?
BackpackEMR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MobilEM free?
MobilEM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BackpackEMR or MobilEM?
BackpackEMR is rated higher. BackpackEMR averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while MobilEM averages 3.6 from 39 ratings.
Do BackpackEMR or MobilEM have ads?
Neither BackpackEMR nor MobilEM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BackpackEMR or MobilEM?
BackpackEMR ships an update every 2 months, and MobilEM every 2 months. Most recently, BackpackEMR was updated on August 13, 2026 and MobilEM on September 20, 2026.

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