EchoRef vs SonoSim
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
EchoRef
This educational reference app provides comprehensive information on point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), echocardiography, and cardiac measurements. It includes lessons on interventional procedures and hemodynamic calculations for medical professionals.
- Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)
- Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)
- Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
- Cardiac dimensions and valve measurements
- Hemodynamic and ultrasound calculations
- Interventional procedure lessons
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EchoRef is a free iOS ultrasonography educational reference covering point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Additionally, it contains cardiac dimensions, native/prosthetic valve measurements, hemodynamic/ultrasound calculations, and lessons ranging from interventional procedures to mechanical circulatory support. This app is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of information provided by this app. About Rishi Kumar, MD, FACC ("RK.MD") I'm an adult cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and cardiovascular ICU intensivist practicing in academic medicine. I'm passionate about teaching with free, open-access medical education. Learn more on my site: https://rk.md
SonoSim
This app provides members with quick access to ultrasound education, imaging protocols, and reference guides, usable both online and offline. It features a library of courses, concise summaries of key concepts, and helpful tips for bedside use.
- Access to 80+ peer-reviewed courses
- Concise key concept summaries
- Bedside reference guides
- Offline access to content
- Case-based ultrasound education
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The SonoSim App, available exclusively to SonoSim members, provides access to critical ultrasound knowledge quickly - both on- and offline. Get access to ultrasound education, imaging protocols, and sonographic reference guides, whether learning at home or needing a quick refresher at the bedside. Join over 120,000 members of the patented SonoSim Ecosystem of Case-Based Ultrasound Education, the easiest way to learn & teach ultrasonography (TM). SonoSim Course Library - Access 80+ peer-reviewed SonoSim Courses by leading ultrasound experts and educators. Key Concepts - Short on time or need a quick refresher on an ultrasound topic? Access concise summaries that highlight key elements of SonoSim Courses. Bedside Reference – Need ultrasound tips at the bedside? Quickly find helpful hints and key imaging criteria.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: EchoRef at none against SonoSim's shown. EchoRef also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.5). SonoSim's advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 26.0). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
EchoRef holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EchoRef has 1.4K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of EchoRef's written reviews are positive against 67% of SonoSim's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | EchoRef | SonoSim |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (1.4K ratings) — better | 4.5 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.4K — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 9.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 105 MB | 22 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | Rishi Kumar | SonoSim, Inc. |
Customer experience
EchoRef
SonoSim
In-app purchases
EchoRef
No in-app purchases
SonoSim
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is EchoRef free?
Is SonoSim free?
Which has better reviews, EchoRef or SonoSim?
Do EchoRef or SonoSim have ads?
Which is updated more often, EchoRef or SonoSim?
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