USMLE vs CLA NBME
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
CLA NBME
This tool helps healthcare providers enhance their communication skills through video-based learning. It requires a username and password for access and features actor portrayals of patients.
- Communication skills improvement
- Video patient simulations
- Healthcare provider focused
- Requires login credentials
- Actor portrayals
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The Communication Learning Assessment (CLA) is a tool designed to help healthcare providers improve their communication skills. Note: A username and password is required to use this app. Please contact NBME (http://www.nbme.org) for details. Videos of patients are actor portrayals.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: USMLE at 49% against CLA NBME's 0%. USMLE also leads on rating (4.7 vs 2.8) and ratings volume (5K vs 6). CLA NBME's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). 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
Both are free to download. USMLE sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $49.99 per month. CLA NBME asks for nothing beyond the download.
USMLE holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: USMLE has 5K ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of USMLE's written reviews are positive against 0% of CLA NBME's.
USMLE ships an update every 6 weeks, CLA NBME monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | USMLE | CLA NBME |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (5K ratings) — better | 2.8 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 48.9% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5K — better | 6 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #180 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 40 MB | 69 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | MedIQ Learning, LLC | National Board of Medical Examiners |
Customer experience
USMLE
CLA NBME
In-app purchases
USMLE
- RX360+$49.991 Month
CLA NBME
No in-app purchases









