Comparison

Handbook vs PedMed

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

Head to head
About

Handbook

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
Read full description

The BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) Handbook is the official source for the BCEHS Treatment Guidelines. In addition, it contains BCEHS-specific operational content and various clinically accepted best practice models for Paramedics.

About

PedMed

Features
Read full description

From the creators of PedMed.org, the website developed in 2013, comes the new PedMed app for iOS. The PedMed website was developed to provide a quick reference of pediatric and neonatal drug dosages for healthcare providers. The new iOS app provides offline access and a user-friendly interface, ensuring accurate information at your fingertips. Designed for both iOS and computers, PedMed offers seamless access to a comprehensive drug database for infants and children. The drug monographs and practice recommendations reflect the current practices at a tertiary children’s hospital. Drug information evolves constantly as a result of ongoing research and clinical experience. PedMed is updated as new treatments and information become available. It provides a quick reference for healthcare providers working with infants and children and includes citations and links to other resources. Download the PedMed iOS app now and experience the convenience of having up-to-date drug dosing information for neonates and children whenever and wherever you need it. Access 3 individual drugs per day or pay the cheap yearly subscription price for full access and to help fund development for the app and website. For more information, please see Apple's Standard End User License Agreement: [https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/] Medical Disclaimer: The PedMed app is a resource for healthcare professionals familiar with pediatric treatment and provides information on pediatric and neonatal drug dosages. Please remember that this app is designed for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a physician or other qualified healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about a medical condition. Relying solely on information from this app without seeking professional medical advice is not advised. The drug monographs and practice recommendations contained in this reference reflect the current practices at BC Children’s Hospital, a tertiary care and teaching hospital and may not be suitable for all settings in which children may be treated. Medication information evolves constantly, and every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, but it is the responsibility of the prescriber to evaluate the recommendation in each situation. Other reverences should be consulted if there is uncertainty. The authors, editors, reviewers, contributors, and publishers cannot be responsible for the any errors, omissions or for how this information is applied to individual patients.

Screenshots

Handbook4 screens
PedMed4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Handbook at none against PedMed's 1. Handbook also leads on iOS requirement (12 vs 17.6). PedMed's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months). On price, ads 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

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. PedMed sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $1.99 per year. Handbook asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Handbook ships an update every 14 months, PedMed every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 21, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 5 level
Handbook versus PedMed: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHandbookPedMed
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews33.3% of reviewsβ€”
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsEvery 2 months β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
MonetizationFreeβ€”
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12 β€” better17.6
Further details β€” not scored
Size24 MB9 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperBCEHSJames Greatorex

In-app purchases

None

Handbook

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

PedMed

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Premium Access$1.991 Year

Questions

Is Handbook free?
Handbook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PedMed free?
PedMed is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Handbook or PedMed have ads?
Neither Handbook nor PedMed shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Handbook or PedMed?
Handbook ships an update every 14 months, and PedMed every 2 months. Most recently, Handbook was updated on September 21, 2026 and PedMed on September 21, 2026.

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