Comparison

Block Buddy Pro vs EXPAREL® NOW

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

Head to head
About

Block Buddy Pro

This app provides comprehensive guidance for ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks, point-of-care ultrasound, and non-surgical pain management. It features narrated videos, detailed descriptions, illustrations, and ultrasound images to teach users how to perform these procedures effectively. Access lessons and videos offline on various devices for continuous learning.

Highlights
  • Narrated video lessons
  • Detailed descriptions and instructions
  • Comprehensive illustrations and sonograms
  • Offline access to content
  • Personalized note-taking
  • Drug comparison guide (Rx Guide)
Features
Read full description

The NEW and IMPROVED Block Buddy Pro app is your ultimate resource for Ultrasound-Guided Peripheral Nerve Blocks, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), and Non-surgical Pain Management (NSPM). With its newly-updated interface and powerful features, Block Buddy Pro teaches you how to perform ultrasound-guided nerve blocks with narrated videos, detailed descriptions, comprehensive illustrations, and ultrasound images. Whether you're a student or an experienced medical professional, this app is any anesthesia provider’s best friend! * Download full app to access lessons and videos wherever and whenever you need them, regardless of internet connection. * Explore comprehensive lessons on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. * Watch narrated videos and view ultrasound images of nerve blocks. * Instantly learn detailed descriptions and step-by-step instructions. * Quickly review medical illustrations and sonograms when you need to. * Easily add helpful, personalized notes on important lessons. * Discover and compare the most effective drugs for your patient with our handy Rx Guide. Continue your education for safely and efficiently performing Ultrasound-Guided Nerve Blocks, Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS), and Non-surgical Pain Management (NSPM) all in ONE app. Download now and experience Block Buddy Pro for yourself!

About

EXPAREL® NOW

This medical resource app provides quick access to guidance on using EXPAREL in surgical procedures. It offers information on regional field blocks and nerve blocks, including dosing, neuroanatomy, and probe positioning with ultrasound imagery and video. Content is available offline.

Highlights
  • EXPAREL usage guidance
  • Dosing information
  • Neuroanatomy and probe positioning
  • Ultrasound imagery and video
  • Offline content access
  • Administrative case reports
Read full description

EXPAREL® NOW EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) dosing and regional block resource. EXPAREL® NOW delivers real-time, offline access to bupivacaine liposome dosing, approved nerve block techniques, and regional anesthesia guidance for the OR — EXPAREL® NOW is your trusted clinical companion for postsurgical pain management. Built by Pacira BioSciences, the makers of EXPAREL®. CLINICAL TOOLS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS: • Procedural dosing guidance • Ultrasound-guided probe positioning with full neuroanatomy references • Step-by-step surgical video walkthroughs for regional and field blocks • Complete case reports for clinical decision support • Offline access to all content • For full Prescribing Information, please visit Exparelpro.com DESIGNED FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: From residency to private practice, EXPAREL NOW informs your non-opioid multimodal approach to postsurgical pain management with the clinical depth your team needs. Download free. No login required. Works offline.

Screenshots

Block Buddy Pro4 screens
EXPAREL® NOW4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: EXPAREL® NOW at 100% against Block Buddy Pro's 20%. EXPAREL® NOW also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.8) and ads (none vs shown). Block Buddy Pro's advantage is ratings volume (75 vs 1). On price, 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

EXPAREL® NOW holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Block Buddy Pro has 75 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of Block Buddy Pro's written reviews are positive against 100% of EXPAREL® NOW's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Block Buddy Pro ships an update every 4 months, EXPAREL® NOW every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Block Buddy Pro versus EXPAREL® NOW: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBlock Buddy ProEXPAREL® NOW
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (75 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings75 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.514.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB48 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperBlock Buddy, LLCPacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Customer experience

Block Buddy Pro

All ratings75 ratings
Positive42.7%
Neutral1.3%
Negative56.0%
Written reviews35 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%

EXPAREL® NOW

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Block Buddy Pro

No in-app purchases

None

EXPAREL® NOW

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Block Buddy Pro free?
Block Buddy Pro is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is EXPAREL® NOW free?
EXPAREL® NOW is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Block Buddy Pro or EXPAREL® NOW?
EXPAREL® NOW is rated higher. Block Buddy Pro averages 2.8 out of 5 from 75 ratings, while EXPAREL® NOW averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Block Buddy Pro or EXPAREL® NOW have ads?
Block Buddy Pro shows ads; EXPAREL® NOW does not.
Which is updated more often, Block Buddy Pro or EXPAREL® NOW?
Block Buddy Pro ships an update every 4 months, and EXPAREL® NOW every 2 months. Most recently, Block Buddy Pro was updated on October 24, 2026 and EXPAREL® NOW on October 24, 2026.

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