Comparison

Hope Virtual vs ACS CARES

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

Head to head
About

Hope Virtual

Connect with City of Hope oncology experts for scheduled virtual visits. Discuss your diagnosis, treatment options, and receive support from your mobile device. Include family or caregivers in your consultations for comprehensive care.

Highlights
  • Virtual oncology expert consultations
  • One-on-one video visits
  • Multiway video for family/caregivers
  • Discuss diagnosis and treatment
  • Optional Apple Health data sharing
Features
Read full description

Connect with a City of Hope oncology expert directly and securely –– all from your mobile device. Through a scheduled visit, you can access your City of Hope physician with ease A cancer diagnosis can be scary. HopeVirtual from City of Hope is available to you as a City of Hope patient. HopeVirtual Highlights: One-on-one or multiway video to include your family members or caregivers in your visit HopeVirtual wants to make sure you can connect with your City of Hope physician conveniently. You have a trusted partner in your cancer care to turn to for your cancer journey. During your scheduled visit, you can ask questions about your diagnosis, get help understanding treatment choices or get support and information to help prepare for your next visit. With just a few clicks, you will be connected with your expert focused on your type of cancer. You can choose to speak alone with a qualified physician, or you can enable multiway video so that your loved ones can participate in the conversation. About City of Hope: City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Designated as a comprehensive cancer center, the highest recognition bestowed by the National Cancer Institute, City of Hope is also a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, with research and treatment protocols that advance care throughout the nation. Our scientists work with doctors to treat both the physical and emotional needs of our patients. By attending to the individual, not just the illness, your life afterwards can be fuller and more rewarding. At City of Hope, we combine science with soul to make medical miracles every day. If you are an Apple Health user you will have the option to share important health information with your provider during your video visit. Sharing Apple Health data is optional but allows the provider to see heart rate, weight, and other health information to help them make a more accurate diagnosis.

About

ACS CARES

Navigate a cancer diagnosis with personalized guidance and support. Connect with peer volunteers, access reliable information on treatment options and resources, and explore survivor stories. Find free services for cancer-related needs and speak with information specialists anytime.

Highlights
  • Peer support connections
  • Personalized cancer information
  • Survivor stories and articles
  • Access to free support services
  • 24/7 information specialist support
Features
Read full description

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with cancer, your first thought may be "what's next?" ACS CARES provides answers by helping you navigate cancer with guidance, information and hope. With ACS CARES, you can: » Connect one-on-one with peer support volunteers who match your lived experiences with cancer, including diagnosis and personal characteristics. » Access personalized, reliable cancer-related information like treatment options and other resources that update as your situation changes or new evidence becomes available. » Explore articles, interactive activities, and real stories from cancer survivors tailored to your unique experience.  » Access free services to help with cancer-related needs like transportation and lodging, and more.  » Speak to an American Cancer Society information specialist when you have questions day or night, 365 days a year. » Download the ACS CARES app today and gain the trusted support you need!

Screenshots

Hope Virtual4 screens
ACS CARES4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Hope Virtual at 4.9 against ACS CARES's 4.3. Hope Virtual also leads on ratings volume (413 vs 22) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). ACS CARES's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hope Virtual holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Hope Virtual has 413 ratings behind it against 22, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hope Virtual ships an update every 4 months, ACS CARES every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Hope Virtual versus ACS CARES: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHope VirtualACS CARES
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (413 ratings) — better4.3 (22 ratings)
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings413 — better22
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB142 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperCity of HopeAmerican Cancer Society Inc

Customer experience

Hope Virtual

All ratings413 ratings
Positive98.5%
Neutral1.0%
Negative0.5%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%

ACS CARES

All ratings22 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%

In-app purchases

None

Hope Virtual

No in-app purchases

None

ACS CARES

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hope Virtual free?
Hope Virtual is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ACS CARES free?
ACS CARES is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Hope Virtual or ACS CARES?
Hope Virtual is rated higher. Hope Virtual averages 4.9 out of 5 from 413 ratings, while ACS CARES averages 4.3 from 22 ratings.
Do Hope Virtual or ACS CARES have ads?
Neither Hope Virtual nor ACS CARES shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hope Virtual or ACS CARES?
Hope Virtual ships an update every 4 months, and ACS CARES every 3 weeks. Most recently, Hope Virtual was updated on October 10, 2026 and ACS CARES on October 2, 2026.

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