Comparison

Vlahi CERES vs ICS NOW

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

Head to head
About

Vlahi CERES

This platform aids in chemical emergency planning and response by integrating plume dispersion models with real-time meteorological and sensor data. It offers free access to hazard modeling tools and optional subscription modules for enhanced capabilities like live weather, sensor-driven identification, and advanced reporting.

Highlights
  • Plume dispersion modeling
  • Real-time meteorological data
  • Gas sensor integration
  • Google Maps integration
  • Incident planning and response
  • Subscription modules for enhanced features
Features
Read full description

CERES (Chemical Emergency Response E-Service) is our incident planning and response platform that brings together plume dispersion models with google maps and real-time meteorological and gas sensors data. It is designed with love by our team at Vlahi Systems LLC. Our software can be used anywhere, anyplace, on any device, phone, tablet or PC. You get free access to ALOHA® model which is the hazard modeling program for the CAMEO® software suite, widely used to plan for and respond to chemical emergencies. What to expect? A modern no-cost chemical event modelling application, integrated with google maps, location search services, street view, traffic, real time current location, distance measurement, impacted places, contours and zones. Subscription modules which enable enhanced capabilities: Internet live weather Sensor Driven Plume and Release Location Identification CERES integrates gas sensors and local meteorological data to plot an accurate gas plume based on the real-world conditions Location Tracking for Personal Devices (phones, tablets, G7s and others) Chemical Mixtures Google Places Local live meteorological station integrated through our Data Acquisition Application Advanced reporting including map images, impacted contours, zones and impacted places Infiltration analysis for multiple impacted places Model additional chemicals (Gasoline, LPG, Diesel, Formaldehyde, Sarin(GB) ...), and prioritize "My Chemicals" Share incident data by incident link Quick access to 5 minute footprint intervals Predefined scenarios Sharing and Collaboration KML import / export Planning, sharing and collaboration Import your high resolution aerial imagery Meteorological and Sensors Hardware: Tempest WeatherFlow, Honeywell Area RAE, AirMar NMEA 200,WeatherPack, ALOHA SAM, MODBUS RTU/TCP ERG Guide Integration Enterprise support - multiple sites and multiple users per site managed under the same account New ! - Monitoring Package Explosive materials (TNT blast equivalence for the most common explosive substances) IBM Weather enhanced current conditions (4km x 4km resolution weather data for any point in the world) Live Facility Monitoring (meteorological conditions and mobile and fixed sensors) Visual and Audible Alarms (met and sensors) Quick Response for immediate identification of receptors downwind from the event (using live downwind cone) Upwind cone to help identify likely / possible emission sources to assist with odor complaint investigation, regulatory compliance and claims management Optimizing Mobile Gas Sensors Deployment Time interval reporting and meteorological wind rose Historical data archiving, analysis and reports Wide Area Package Remove the 50 miles diameter limitation Model your predefined scenarios in transit anywhere Continuous development and support We wish you a pleasant experience and welcome your feedback and questions at ceres@vlahi.com.

About

ICS NOW

This tool simplifies Incident Command System (ICS) documentation for emergency responders. It allows for offline form creation, resource management, and instant PDF report generation, all with secure local data storage.

Highlights
  • Offline ICS-214 Activity Log forms
  • QR code team roster import
  • Excel template support for personnel
  • Smart resource management
  • Customizable PDF report generation
  • Secure local data storage
  • Email integration for reports
Features
Read full description

ICS NOW - Professional ICS Form Management for Emergency Response Teams Streamline your Incident Command System (ICS) documentation with ICS NOW, the complete mobile solution designed specifically for emergency responders, firefighters, and incident management professionals. DESIGNED FOR THE FIELD Work completely offline with all data stored securely on your device. No internet connection required. Perfect for remote incidents and areas with poor connectivity. NOW FEATURING ICS-214 ACTIVITY LOG • Create and manage unlimited ICS-214 forms • Track activity logs by date and time • Document operational periods accurately • Generate professional PDF reports instantly • More ICS forms coming soon QUICK TEAM SETUP • Import team rosters via QR code scanning • Upload Excel templates directly • Manage personnel, equipment, and resources • Select different resources for each incident SMART RESOURCE MANAGEMENT • Centralized resource database • Import entire team roster once • Select relevant personnel per incident • Track names, positions, agencies, and contact info EMAIL & FILE CUSTOMIZATION • Generate PDFs with custom file naming • Configure email recipients (Plans, Logistics) • Automatic subject line formatting • Professional output ready for distribution PRIVACY & SECURITY • 100% local data storage on your device • No cloud sync or external servers • Complete control over your information • FEMA ICS guideline compliant SEAMLESS WORKFLOW • Intuitive form creation • Pre-filled default settings • Quick activity log entries • One-tap PDF generation and email BUILT BY FIRST RESPONDERS, FOR FIRST RESPONDERS ICS NOW is developed by Cato Technologies with a deep understanding of the challenges faced by emergency response teams. We've combined technical expertise with practical field experience to create a tool that actually works when you need it most. IDEAL FOR: • Emergency Response Teams • Fire Departments • Search and Rescue Units • Incident Management Teams • Task Force Operations • Disaster Response Organizations • FEMA ICS Professionals KEY FEATURES AT A GLANCE: Offline-first design ICS-214 Activity Log forms QR code team import Excel template support Resource management Custom file naming Email integration PDF generation Local data storage Professional output Easy-to-use interface GETTING STARTED: 1. Download the Excel template from our website 2. Fill in your team information and settings 3. Import via QR code or file upload 4. Create your first ICS-214 form 5. Track activities and assign resources 6. Generate and email your completed form NO SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED One-time purchase with all features included. No monthly fees, no hidden costs, no data collection. SUPPORT & RESOURCES • Comprehensive user guide • Excel template download • QR code setup instructions • Email support: josh@catotechnologies.us • Website: [Your website URL] Download ICS NOW today and experience professional ICS form management designed for the realities of emergency response. Follow FEMA ICS guidelines with confidence. Work offline with peace of mind. Document incidents with precision. ICS NOW - When every minute matters, trust your documentation to the professionals.

Screenshots

Vlahi CERES4 screens
ICS NOW4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Vlahi CERES at 80% against ICS NOW's 0%. Vlahi CERES also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.0) and ratings volume (8 vs 1). ICS NOW's advantage is monetization model (free vs freemium) and update cadence (weekly vs monthly). 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Vlahi CERES holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Vlahi CERES has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Vlahi CERES's written reviews are positive against 0% of ICS NOW's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Vlahi CERES ships an update monthly, ICS NOW weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Vlahi CERES versus ICS NOW: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVlahi CERESICS NOW
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (8 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size70 MB58 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperVlahi Systems LLCCato Technologies LLC

Customer experience

Vlahi CERES

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

ICS NOW

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Vlahi CERES

No in-app purchases

None

ICS NOW

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Vlahi CERES free?
Vlahi CERES is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ICS NOW free?
ICS NOW is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Vlahi CERES or ICS NOW?
Vlahi CERES is rated higher. Vlahi CERES averages 4.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while ICS NOW averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Vlahi CERES or ICS NOW have ads?
Neither Vlahi CERES nor ICS NOW shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Vlahi CERES or ICS NOW?
Vlahi CERES ships an update monthly, and ICS NOW weekly. Most recently, Vlahi CERES was updated on November 6, 2026 and ICS NOW on November 5, 2026.

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