Comparison

USMLE vs CLA NBME

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
Currently charting
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

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.

Highlights
  • Communication skills improvement
  • Video patient simulations
  • Healthcare provider focused
  • Requires login credentials
  • Actor portrayals
Read full description

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

USMLE4 screens
CLA NBME4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

USMLE ships an update every 6 weeks, CLA NBME monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
USMLE versus CLA NBME: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUSMLECLA NBME
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (5K ratings) — better2.8 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews48.9% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings5K — better6
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#180 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB69 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperMedIQ Learning, LLCNational Board of Medical Examiners

Customer experience

USMLE

All ratings5,006 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.5%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews135 reviews
Positive48.9%
Neutral17.0%
Negative34.1%

CLA NBME

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

USMLE

Subscriptions1
  • RX360+$49.991 Month
None

CLA NBME

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is USMLE free?
USMLE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CLA NBME free?
CLA NBME is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, USMLE or CLA NBME?
USMLE is rated higher. USMLE averages 4.7 out of 5 from 5K ratings, while CLA NBME averages 2.8 from 6 ratings.
Do USMLE or CLA NBME have ads?
Neither USMLE nor CLA NBME shows ads.
Which is updated more often, USMLE or CLA NBME?
USMLE ships an update every 6 weeks, and CLA NBME monthly. Most recently, USMLE was updated on November 2, 2026 and CLA NBME on November 4, 2026.

Other comparisons