Comparison

USMLE vs First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1

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

Head to head
About

USMLE

Master medical school and the USMLE with a comprehensive resource app. Access board-style questions, interactive learning modules, flashcards, and videos. Study anytime, anywhere with cloud syncing and personalized study tools.

Highlights
  • Thousands of USMLE board-style questions
  • Nearly 800 eLearning modules
  • Over 14,000 flashcards
  • Over 80 hours of high-yield videos
  • Cloud syncing across devices
  • Spaced repetition study tool
Read full description

USMLE-Rx (by ScholarRx) Ready to own the USMLE and master medical school? Now you can access any high-yield USMLE-Rx tool in one great app!* Get on-the-go access to USMLE board-style questions, Rx Bricks, flash cards, and videos. Qmax: Study anytime, anywhere with your USMLE-Rx Qmax Subscription: · Thousands of high-yield Step 1 questions, images, and explanations · All your tests sync to the cloud for immediate access on any device · Quiz yourself in multiple test modes with different question types · Get detailed performance stats Rx Bricks · Nearly 800 high-yield, patient-centered eLearning modules · “Need-to-know” topics succinctly explained with simple "clear language" explanations, often in under 20 minutes · Clinical correlations, real-world stories, memorable mnemonics, and more · Assess your understanding with measurable objectives, interactive flashcards, and practice questions built into each module Flash Facts Learning is literally at your fingertips with Step 1 Flash Facts: · Over 14,000 flash cards help you nail USMLE Step 1 content quickly and efficiently · Case-based flash cards put basic science concepts in a clinical context · Study Stream uses spaced repetition to give you flash cards based on your own study schedule as well as your strengths and weaknesses · Daily reporting helps you track your progress · All your cards and progress sync to the cloud for immediate access on any connected device · Searchable by organ system, discipline, and topic Express Videos · Over 80 hours of high-yield videos, over 1,300 videos in all · 600+ images, helpful diagrams, and multimedia clips · Integrations across multiple topics form strong, lasting connections to help you in class and on test day *Requires a valid subscription to Rx360+, USMLE-Rx Step 1 Qmax or Step 2CK Qmax, Rx Bricks, Step 1 Flash Facts, and/or Express Videos. Terms and Conditions: https://www.usmle-rx.com/terms-and-conditions/ Privacy Policy: https://www.usmle-rx.com/privacy/

About

First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1

Prepare for the USMLE Step 1 with a comprehensive Q&A review. This app offers 1,000 board-style questions, detailed explanations, and high-yield facts linked to a best-selling study guide. Access content offline after initial download.

Highlights
  • 1000 board-style questions
  • Detailed explanations for answers
  • Linked to First Aid study guide
  • 30+ high-yield images, diagrams, tables
  • One complete practice exam
  • Offline content access
  • SmartSearch technology
Features
Read full description

"Try before you buy" - Download the FREE App, which includes sample content. An in-App purchase is required to unlock all content.   1,000 questions and answers prepare you for the USMLE Step 1! The only comprehensive Q&A review for the USMLE Step directly linked to high-yield facts from Dr. Le's First Aid for the USMLE Step 1, this essential study guide offers 1000 board-style questions and answers, easy-to-navigate, high yield explanations for correct and incorrect answers, and more than 350 accompanying images. Key Features * 1000 board-style questions and answers -- reviewed and approved -- by students who just aced the exam * Detailed explanations for both right and wrong answers - with letter options in boldface for at-a-glance review * Chapters keyed to Dr. Le's First Aid for the USMLE Step 1 so you can simultaneously review questions and high-yield facts 1 * 30+ high-yield images, diagrams, and tables * One complete practice exam consisting of 7 blocks of 50 questions simulates the exam experience No internet connection is required to access the content after the initial download. Find information quickly using powerful SmartSearch technology. Search part of term for those hard to spell medical terms. Content licensed from printed ISBN 10: 0071744029 Content licensed from printed ISBN 13: 978-0071744027 SUBSCRIPTION : Please choose an auto renewable subscription plan to receive content access & continuous updates. Your subscription automatically renews as per your plan, so you always have the latest content.   Yearly auto-renewing payments - $39.99   Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscription may be managed by the user & auto-renewal can be disabled at any time by going to your device “Settings” and tapping “iTunes & App Store”. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable.   If you have any questions or comments, email us any time: customersupport@skyscape.com or call 508-299-30000   Privacy Policy-https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/privacypolicy.aspx Terms and Conditions-https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/licenseagreement.aspx   Editor(s):  Tao Le, James Feinstein Publisher: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Screenshots

USMLE4 screens
First Aid QA for USMLE Step 14 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 at 100% against USMLE's 49%. First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). USMLE's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 31 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. USMLE sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $49.99 per month and First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

USMLE holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: USMLE has 5K ratings behind it against 83, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 49% of USMLE's written reviews are positive against 100% of First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

USMLE ships an update every 6 weeks, First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 every 31 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
USMLE versus First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUSMLEFirst Aid QA for USMLE Step 1
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (5K ratings) — better4.5 (83 ratings)
Positive reviews48.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings5K — better83
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 31 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB147 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperMedIQ Learning, LLCSkyscape Medpresso Inc

Customer experience

USMLE

All ratings5,005 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.5%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews135 reviews
Positive48.9%
Neutral17.0%
Negative34.1%

First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1

All ratings83 ratings
Positive88.0%
Neutral3.6%
Negative8.4%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

USMLE

Subscriptions1
  • RX360+$49.991 Month
7 purchases

First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1

Subscriptions6
  • USMLE-1 Monthly Subscription$19.991 Month
  • USMLE-1 3 Month Subscription$25.993 Months
  • 25% Off for Limited Period$29.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • 20% off for Limited Period$31.991 Year
  • 15% Off for Limited Period$33.991 Year
  • First Aid Q&A for USMLE Step 1$38.991 Year
One-time1
  • First Aid Q&A for USMLE Step 1$39.99

Questions

Is USMLE free?
USMLE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 free?
First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, USMLE or First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1?
USMLE is rated higher. USMLE averages 4.7 out of 5 from 5K ratings, while First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 averages 4.5 from 83 ratings.
Do USMLE or First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 have ads?
First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 shows ads; USMLE does not.
Which is updated more often, USMLE or First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1?
USMLE ships an update every 6 weeks, and First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 every 31 months. Most recently, USMLE was updated on September 22, 2026 and First Aid QA for USMLE Step 1 on September 10, 2026.

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