Isosec Authenticator vs Alertive
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
Isosec Authenticator
This app provides secure and convenient access to NHS clinical systems using a cloud-based virtual smartcard. It offers faster authentication, simplified logins, and two-factor security for e-prescribing and other critical healthcare applications.
- NHS Spine and Windows AD authentication
- Faster, simpler, and safer access
- Two-factor authentication via QR code or push
- Digital signature for e-prescribing
- Cloud-based and device-agnostic
- Easy self-service portal
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Isosec Virtual Smartcard is now approved on the NHS Digital Virtual Smartcard Services Assurance Framework, including the use of Virtual Smartcards for e-Prescribing. Get faster, safer and easier access to your NHS clinical systems and workspace with Isosecβs Virtual Smartcard - the only cloud-based service available to the NHS. WHAT IS A VIRTUAL SMARTCARD? FASTER PROCESS - Saves significant time compared to physical smartcard use - no more lost cards, forgotten passwords or multiple credential delays. SIMPLER AUTHENTICATION - authenticates seamlessly into Windows Directory and NHS Spine authenticated apps, removing multiple logins and simplifying system access. SAFER ACCESS - get two factor authentication from within the app via QR code or push notification, making your Virtual Smartcard safer and easier to use. KEY FEATURES: NHS SPINE AND WINDOWS AD AUTHENTICATION - just like a physical card, Virtual Smartcard is completely transparent to Spine clinical apps EASY SELF SERVICE - the Virtual Smartcard Self Service portal gives you total control of your enrolment, device options and account settings, such as passwords and security recovery options. INTEGRATED AUTHENTICATION - Virtual Smartcard is cloud-based, and is device, systems and hardware agnostic, so you get the same integrated experience as a physical smartcard. DIGITAL SIGNATURE FOR E-PRESCRIBING - Virtual Smartcard authentication can now make issuing prescriptions faster and simpler with biometric authentication. WHO ARE ISOSEC? Weβre the UKβs market leader of cloud-based identity and access management solutions to the NHS. With over 120 health organisations working with us, we provide the NHS with powerful authentication solutions including Virtual Smartcard and our Mobile Authenticator app.
Alertive
This app streamlines urgent communication for healthcare professionals, enabling faster patient care and reducing administrative tasks. It facilitates secure information sharing, team assembly, and real-time collaboration across devices.
- Optimized care team assembly
- Advanced emergency alerting
- Integration with clinical systems
- Real-time collaboration
- Secure data handling
- Role-based access
- Multi-modal communication
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Improving Communication for Healthcare Workers Alertive aims to enhance urgent care delivery by simplifying communication processes, reducing administrative burdens, and allowing healthcare professionals to focus on patient care. The platform prioritises secure, swift information distribution to improve patient outcomes and workplace efficiency. Key Features Optimised Assembly of Care Teams Alertive simplifies team assembly, ensuring quick connections to the right individuals for urgent needs. The platform's role management efficiently identifies team members, enabling quick role assignments. A digital directory streamlines communication by enabling direct contact with individuals. Advanced Alerting Capabilities Emergency alerts are prioritised for prompt delivery, breaking through locked screens and silence modes. Alertive delivers 80% of emergency alerts within 5 seconds. Failover and escalation strategies handle undelivered alerts, achieving a 93% response rate. Integration with Clinical Systems Seamless integration with third-party systems allows data to be incorporated directly into Alertive communications. Integrated services include system-generated notifications, data requests, and updates, ensuring events captured within Alertive are transcribed to third-party systems. Universal Real-Time Collaboration Alertive facilitates secure access to and sharing of patient information across various formats and devices. The platform supports video calls, voice notes, dictation, and image sharing, leveraging smartphone capabilities. Core Product Security and Compliance Alertive ensures compliance with standards like ISO 27001:2022, Cyber Essentials, NHS Digital's Data Security and Protection Toolkit, and DCB0129. Robust encryption and threat protection are essential. Regular external penetration testing and AWS GuardDuty reinforce data safety. Workforce Enablement Role-based access ensures only authorised personnel access sensitive information. User status displays colleague availability, making immediate communication easier. A comprehensive user directory lists all staff members, streamlining contact processes. User management capabilities handle accounts efficiently, including adding, removing, and modifying roles. Assembling care teams is simplified, enabling quick formation based on needs. Inter-Staff Communication Multi-modal communication supports various forms of messaging, including text, voice, and video, allowing staff to choose the most appropriate method. Shift handovers are managed efficiently, ensuring that critical information is passed seamlessly reducing miscommunication risks. Improved communication tools support staff during nighttime hours, ensuring access to information and support. Historical records are easily accessible for audits and ongoing patient care. Transcription services convert spoken communication into written text for easy documentation. Emergency Communication Prioritising urgent alerts, enabling rapid team mobilisation, and integrating telephony, Alertive ensures immediate delivery of critical messages, even through locked screens, and facilitates quick assembly of response teams. Telephony integration replaces traditional switchboards, providing multiple communication channels, enhancing operational efficiency, improving patient triage times and ensuring swift, coordinated action in critical situations. EPR Integration Healthcare professionals have immediate access to complete patient records, enabling more informed decision-making and improved patient care. EPR integration enhances Alertive's functionality by incorporating comprehensive patient records directly into its communication platform. This simplifies workflows by reducing the need to switch between different systems. Direct integration with EPR systems ensures that data used within Alertive is accurate and up-to-date, reducing the risk of errors associated with manual data entry.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Isosec Authenticator at 100% against Alertive's 20%. Isosec Authenticator also leads on monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Alertive's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Isosec Authenticator ships an update every 4 months, Alertive monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 16, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Isosec Authenticator | Alertive |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews β better | 20.0% of reviews |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Monthly β better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free β better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 β better |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 62 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Isosec Ltd | Alertive Limited |
Customer experience
Isosec Authenticator
Alertive
In-app purchases
Isosec Authenticator
No in-app purchases
Alertive
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Isosec Authenticator free?
Is Alertive free?
Do Isosec Authenticator or Alertive have ads?
Which is updated more often, Isosec Authenticator or Alertive?
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