Comparison

Case Files vs Quick Reference Critical Care

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

Head to head
About

Case Files

Master critical care scenarios with real clinical cases designed for rapid decision-making and confident patient management. This app helps you develop clinical judgment for ICU settings and prepares you for exams like USMLE Step 2 CK.

Highlights
  • 40+ high-yield ICU cases
  • Step-by-step clinical decision-making
  • Clear explanations and clinical pearls
  • Exam prep for USMLE Step 2 CK
  • Progress tracking
  • Case-based learning
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Master Critical Care—Fast—Train for high-stakes ICU scenarios with real clinical cases. Case Files: Critical Care delivers high-yield content designed for rapid decision-making and confident patient management. Think Fast in Critical Situations: Each case mirrors real ICU scenarios, helping you develop the clinical judgment needed to manage critically ill patients. High-Yield Review for Life-Saving Decisions -Designed for both exam prep and real-world care: -40+ high-yield ICU cases -Step-by-step clinical decision-making -Clear explanations and clinical pearls -Built for rapid understanding and retention Built for Exam & ICU Success -Prepare effectively for USMLE Step 2 CK and clinical rotations with focused, high-impact content. Study Anywhere, Anytime -Review cases quickly -Track your progress -Learn in short, focused sessions Trusted Case Files® Series -Proven case-based learning -Real-world clinical scenarios -High-yield, exam-focused content Get Started -Download the app to access sample cases. Unlock the full set for complete critical care review. Expanded Apps Privacy Policy: https://expandedapps.com/privacy-policy/

 Expanded Apps Terms of Use: https://expandedapps.com/terms-of-use/ Second Edition

About

Quick Reference Critical Care

This app provides immediate, on-the-job answers for critical care professionals. It offers updated, evidence-based procedures and stabilization practices in a quick-read outline format, covering a broad range of patient topics by body system.

Highlights
  • Updated critical care content
  • Full-color images
  • Extensive abbreviations list
  • Bulleted outline format
  • Over 350 illustrations
  • Body system chapters
  • SmartSearch technology
Features
Read full description

"Try before you buy" - Download the FREE App, which includes sample content. An in-App purchase is required to unlock all content.   Need to brush up on your ICU skills? New to ICU, or a veteran? Get immediate on-the-job answers, with the popular and fully updated Quick Reference to Critical Care, 6th Edition. This indispensable pocket guide addresses a broad range of critical care patient topics, divided by body system and organized alphabetically within each chapter for quick access. Disease processes, disorders, medications, and titration, tests, lab results, formulas, ICU equipment and treatment strategies and goals are discussed. Each well-illustrated entry explains the latest evidence-based procedures and stabilization practices in a convenient, quick-read outline, making it the ideal quick reference for following proven protocols. Up-level your critical care expertise and confidence, with: * NEW and completely updated content that offers current information on cutting edge critical care topics * NEW full-color images throughout * NEW extensive abbreviations list that explains unfamiliar abbreviations found in progress notes, surgical reports and other medical documents * Ideal on-the-spot quick reference – Read-at-a-glance bulleted outline format that helps you grasp ideas quickly and take immediate action * More than 350 illustrations – figures, algorithms, photos, drawings and tables that outline core terms and concepts, with easy-to-retain definitions of key terms * Chapters for each body system – expert nursing guidance on evaluating and treating the neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and urinary, renal, endocrine, hematologic and immune systems * Each chapter offers an alpha-organized list of disorders and injuries pertaining to that topic or body system * Vital direction for on-the-unit action – includes sections on labs, imaging and miscellaneous items not covered in other sections * Expert direction on areas such as body system structures and functions, anatomy, diagnostic tools, surgical methods, signs and symptoms, treatments, monitoring, drug administration, catheters and electrode procedures, waveforms and more The quick-reference format offers: * Extensive cross-referencing – leads to related information * Tables and charts – vital info on medication, dosing, conversions, compatibilities, and more * “Troubleshooting” feature – practical guidance for solving technical problems or complications   No internet connection is required to access the content after the initial download. Find information quickly using powerful SmartSearch technology. Search part of term for those hard to spell medical terms. Content licensed from printed ISBN 10: 1975136837 Content licensed from printed ISBN 13: 9781975136833 SUBSCRIPTION : Please choose an auto renewable subscription plan to receive content access & continuous updates. Your subscription automatically renews as per your plan, so you always have the latest content.   Yearly auto-renewing payments - $59.99 Six-month subscription - $39.99   Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscription may be managed by the user & auto-renewal can be disabled at any time by going to your device “Settings” and tapping “iTunes & App Store”. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable.   If you have any questions or comments, email us any time: customersupport@skyscape.com or call 508-299-30000   Privacy Policy-https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/privacypolicy.aspx Terms and Conditions-https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/licenseagreement.aspx   Editor(s): Nancy H. Diepenbrock Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Screenshots

Case Files4 screens
Quick Reference Critical Care4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Case Files at none against Quick Reference Critical Care's shown. Case Files also leads on chart position (#187 vs unranked). Quick Reference Critical Care's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Case Files sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $8.99 per 7 days and Quick Reference Critical Care sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $39.99 per 6 months. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on August 12, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Case Files versus Quick Reference Critical Care: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCase FilesQuick Reference Critical Care
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.9 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings—10 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 6 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#187 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size24 MB46 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperExpanded AppsSkyscape Medpresso Inc

Customer experience

Case Files

Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Quick Reference Critical Care

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Case Files

Subscriptions4
  • 1 Week$8.997 Days
  • Weekly Access$11.997 Days
  • Monthly Access$19.991 Month
Show 1 more
  • 1 Year$79.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime Access$39.99
  • Case Files Critical Care, 2e$44.99
2 purchases

Quick Reference Critical Care

Subscriptions2
  • Quick Ref-Critical Care 6M Sub$39.996 Months
  • Quick Ref-Critical Care 1Y Sub$59.991 Year

Questions

Is Case Files free?
Case Files is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Quick Reference Critical Care free?
Quick Reference Critical Care is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Case Files or Quick Reference Critical Care have ads?
Quick Reference Critical Care shows ads; Case Files does not.
Which is updated more often, Case Files or Quick Reference Critical Care?
Case Files ships an update every 6 months, and Quick Reference Critical Care every 6 months. Most recently, Case Files was updated on August 12, 2026 and Quick Reference Critical Care on September 10, 2026.

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