# Handbook vs CritiCalc

The clearest difference is update cadence: CritiCalc at every 2 weeks against Handbook's every 14 months. Handbook's advantage is iOS requirement (12 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Handbook ships an update every 14 months, CritiCalc every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Handbook | CritiCalc |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 24 MB | 53 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [BCEHS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1259383056) | [Jason Richmond](https://appshunter.io/developer/1659125082) |

## What reviewers say

### Handbook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/handbook/id1269664271)

This app serves as the official resource for emergency medical treatment guidelines and operational content. It provides clinically accepted best practice models for paramedics, ensuring access to up-to-date information for emergency health services.

**Highlights:** Official BCEHS Treatment Guidelines, BCEHS-specific operational content, Clinically accepted best practice models, Resource for paramedics, Up-to-date medical information

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### CritiCalc

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/criticalc/id1659125080)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Handbook free?

Handbook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is CritiCalc free?

CritiCalc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Handbook or CritiCalc have ads?

Neither Handbook nor CritiCalc shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Handbook or CritiCalc?

Handbook ships an update every 14 months, and CritiCalc every 2 weeks. Most recently, Handbook was updated on October 8, 2026 and CritiCalc on October 1, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*