CATALYST for Learning vs TrueLearn SmartBanks
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CATALYST for Learning
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CATALYST is a longitudinal formative assessment platform based on cognitive learning principles designed to promote more durable and complex learning. CATALYST offers practice-relevant content at spaced intervals with immediate feedback and related reference materials. It also offers mobile accessibility, improvement resources and short questions to fit busy schedules. CATALYST can be customized to meet client requirements and presents an alternative format for low/medium-stakes assessments as well as more high-stakes examinations traditionally administered by specialty medical boards.
TrueLearn SmartBanks
This app provides exam-style practice questions and detailed explanations to improve test-taking skills. It offers custom quizzes, performance dashboards, and a wide variety of question types for standardized tests.
- Exam-style practice questions
- Rich answer explanations
- Custom quizzes by topic
- Performance dashboards
- Multiple question types
- Computer-simulated testing environment
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We created the TrueLearn app to help learners become great test takers. Whether you need USMLE Step 1 practice questions or NBCOT® exam prep, we provide an unparalleled testing experience that improves exam performance. We believe every learner has the potential to become a better standardized test-taker. Because TrueLearn SmartBanks are not just another qbank. Our platform features include: -Exam-style practice questions with rich answer explanations that fundamentally improve your understanding to easily identify what you missed, understand why incorrect answers are wrong, and grasp why the correct answer is the best choice. -Custom quizzes around topics where you score low in a computer-simulated environment with practice questions written in the same style you will encounter on test day. -Performance dashboards that provide informative metrics on strengths and weaknesses in real-time – quickly see where you stand compared to peers across the nation. -Multiple question types, including multiple-choice, multi-part, SATA Basic and Advanced, matrix, open answer, matching, and ordering. Free to download, sign-in with your TrueLearn credentials, and start taking practice questions. Each of the SmartBanks are mapped to the corresponding exam and have thousands of practice questions written by board-certified professionals. -COMLEX: Level 1, Level 2, COMAT, & Level 3 -USMLE: Step 1, Step 2 CK, & NBME Shelf -Physician Assistant: PANCE & PANRE -APEX Anesthesia NCE/SEE SRNA Smartbank -Anesthesiology: ITE, BASIC, ADVANCED, ACA, & CME -Emergency Medicine: ABEM ITE & Qualifying -Family Medicine: ABFM ITE & Board Certification -General Surgery: ABSITE, ABS Qualifying, & CME -Internal Medicine: ACP IM-ITE & ABIM Board Certification -Neurology: AAN RITE®, ABPN Certification, & CME -OBGYN: CREOG, ABOG, & CME -Pediatrics: ABP ITE & Certification -Psychiatry: PRITE & ABPN Certification -Radiology: DXIT & CORE -Anesthesiology Assistant: NCCAA -Behavior Analyst: BCBA -Dental Hygiene: NBDHE -Medical Assistant: CMA, RMA, NCMA, CCMA -Nursing: NCLEX-RN® -Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): AANP & ANCC -Occupational Therapy: NBCOT OTR® & COTA® -Pharmacy: NAPLEX -Pharmacy Technician: PTCE® And ExCPT® -Physical Therapy: NPTE PT & PTA -Speech Language Pathology: Praxis® CCC-SLP
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: TrueLearn SmartBanks at every 3 weeks against CATALYST for Learning's every 48 months. CATALYST for Learning's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.1). 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
CATALYST for Learning ships an update every 48 months, TrueLearn SmartBanks every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CATALYST for Learning | TrueLearn SmartBanks |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.9 (1.7K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 27.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 1.7K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 48 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Internet Testing Systems (ITS) | TrueLearn, LLC |
Bugs and requests
CATALYST for Learning
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
TrueLearn SmartBanks
Reported bugs
4 issues- Inability to access previous tests and quizzes
- Inconsistent data between app and website
- Crashing when opening images or lab references
- Unreliable question submission and tracking
Requested features
5 requests- Landscape mode support
- Ability to highlight and annotate questions
- Offline question access
- Feedback mechanism for questions
- Password/biometric login options
In-app purchases
CATALYST for Learning
No in-app purchases
TrueLearn SmartBanks
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is CATALYST for Learning free?
Is TrueLearn SmartBanks free?
Do CATALYST for Learning or TrueLearn SmartBanks have ads?
Which is updated more often, CATALYST for Learning or TrueLearn SmartBanks?
Other comparisons
