Comparison

EchoRef vs HeartFocus

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)
  • Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)
  • Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)
  • Cardiac dimensions and valve measurements
  • Hemodynamic and ultrasound calculations
  • Interventional procedure lessons
Features
Read full description

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

About

HeartFocus

Read full description

Capture diagnostic-quality heart scans - and learn as you go. HeartFocus by DESKi is an AI-guided cardiac ultrasound app that enables clinicians to learn, perform, and repeat diagnostic-quality heart scans with confidence - even without prior echo experience. Now available on iPhone and iPad, HeartFocus brings powerful, real-time guidance directly to the point of care. IMPORTANT MEDICAL DISCLAIMER & JURISDICTION Medical Disclaimer: This app is intended to assist medical professionals in the acquisition of cardiac ultrasound images. It does not provide automated diagnoses or replace clinical interpretation. Users must seek a doctor’s advice in addition to using this app and before making any medical decisions. Regulatory & Jurisdiction Notice: HeartFocus is a regulated Software as a Medical Device (SaMD). This software is indicated for use exclusively within the United States (under FDA Special 510(k) clearance). Do not use this application in regions where regulatory approvals are not active. Prescription Status: Rx Only. This device must be sold by a doctor or with a doctor's prescription. Learn Cardiac Ultrasound - Faster Whether you're a physician, nurse practitioner, resident, or student, HeartFocus helps you build skills with every scan: - Learn by doing, with real-time AI guidance - Build confidence through repetition - Reduce reliance on expert supervision - Progress from first scan to consistency AI That Guides You Like an Expert HeartFocus mirrors how experts scan - helping you succeed in real clinical settings: Live Guidance On-screen cues guide probe positioning and movement in real time Diagnostic-Quality Detection Automatically recognizes when a view meets clinical standards Auto Record Captures clips when optimal quality is reached - no manual timing needed Best-Effort Record Ensures the best possible clip is saved, even in challenging conditions Capture the 10 Standard Cardiac Views HeartFocus guides acquisition of key transthoracic echocardiography views: PLAX PSAX (AV, MV, PM) A4C, A5C, A2C, A3C Subcostal 4C Subcostal IVC Built for Real Clinical Practice Primary & Family Care Assess symptoms like dyspnea or fatigue directly at the bedside and support earlier detection Acute & Emergency Care Enable rapid decision-making in time-sensitive situations Cardiology Teams Extend scanning capability beyond specialists and improve workflow efficiency Education & Training Accelerate skill development with AI-supported learning and repeatable practice Why HeartFocus - Learn and scan at the same time - Improve consistency across users - Expand access to cardiac imaging - Help support earlier detection of heart disease Compatible Devices Works with Butterfly iQ+ and iQ3 ultrasound systems No Heart Can Wait™

Screenshots

EchoRef4 screens
HeartFocus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: EchoRef at every 2 months against HeartFocus's every 5 months. HeartFocus's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EchoRef ships an update every 2 months, HeartFocus every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
EchoRef versus HeartFocus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEchoRefHeartFocus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.4K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.4K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size105 MB386 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperRishi KumarDESKi

In-app purchases

None

EchoRef

No in-app purchases

None

HeartFocus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EchoRef free?
EchoRef is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is HeartFocus free?
HeartFocus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do EchoRef or HeartFocus have ads?
Neither EchoRef nor HeartFocus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EchoRef or HeartFocus?
EchoRef ships an update every 2 months, and HeartFocus every 5 months. Most recently, EchoRef was updated on September 18, 2026 and HeartFocus on September 12, 2026.

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