# TrueLearn SmartBanks vs Core Anesthesia

TrueLearn SmartBanks and Core Anesthesia both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 90% of Core Anesthesia's written reviews are positive against 28% of TrueLearn SmartBanks's. TrueLearn SmartBanks's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Core Anesthesia sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. TrueLearn SmartBanks asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for TrueLearn SmartBanks against 4.9 for Core Anesthesia. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.7K and 535 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 28% of TrueLearn SmartBanks's written reviews are positive against 90% of Core Anesthesia's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TrueLearn SmartBanks | Core Anesthesia |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/truelearn-smartbanks/id1504512677/reviews) | [4.9 (535 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/core-anesthesia/id1635172045/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | 535 |
| Positive reviews | 27.8% of reviews | **90.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 48 MB | 52 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TrueLearn, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1770147541) | [Student Nurse Anesthesia LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1630193394) |

## What reviewers say

### TrueLearn SmartBanks

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/truelearn-smartbanks/id1504512677)

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.

**Highlights:** Exam-style practice questions, Rich answer explanations, Custom quizzes by topic, Performance dashboards, Multiple question types, Computer-simulated testing environment

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great for test prep
- 👍 Clean and visually appealing UI
- ✨ Impressive with new updates
- 💯 Helpful for exam preparation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Missing crucial features like highlighting
- 🔒 Difficult login process
- 🔧 Needs optimization and stability improvements
- 📱 Limited functionality on mobile devices

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- Landscape mode support
- Ability to highlight and annotate questions
- Offline question access
- Feedback mechanism for questions
- Password/biometric login options


### Core Anesthesia

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/core-anesthesia/id1635172045)

This app offers a curriculum of audio episodes for CRNAs and students to earn CEUs, pass tests, and review for boards. Designed for busy schedules, episodes can be listened to anywhere and include printed outlines and sources.

**Highlights:** Continuing education episodes, Board review content, Podcast format for on-the-go learning, Printed outlines and sources included, Designed for CRNAs and students

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Student Premium Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| CRNA Premium Monthly | $64.99 | per month |
| Student Premium Yearly | $99.99 | per year |
| CRNA Premium Quarterly | $179.00 | per 3 months |
| CRNA Premium Yearly | $599.00 | per year |
| Airway Core Module | $49.99 | one-time |
| Equipment Core Module | $49.99 | one-time |
| Pharmacology Core Module | $49.99 | one-time |
| Anatomy Core Module | $149.99 | one-time |
| core_crna_10 | $199.00 | one-time |
| core_crna_30 | $299.00 | one-time |
| CRNA USAP 25% | $449.99 | one-time |
| CRNA Promotion | $539.00 | one-time |
| core_crna_60 | $599.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎓 Excellent content quality and depth
- 👨‍🏫 Talented hosts (Cole and Tanner) who explain complex topics clearly
- 🚀 Perfect episode length for commutes and busy schedules
- 📱 Easy-to-use app interface
- 🎯 Content aligns well with CRNA school curriculum

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🗂️ Poor episode organization and filtering options
- 🧭 Confusing navigation and discoverability of content
- 🐛 Playback issues without Wi-Fi connectivity
- ❓ Inconsistent premium content access and display
- 📍 Difficulty locating specific episodes despite search function

**Reported bugs**

- Episodes won't play offline or without Wi-Fi despite having data
- Premium subscription doesn't always unlock premium-labeled episodes
- Home screen categories don't display all available episodes
- Inconsistent episode visibility between app and podcast platforms
- Playback buffering and connectivity issues in the car

**Requested features**

- Chronological episode listing (1 to most recent)
- Better filtering and sorting options
- Episode download capability for offline listening
- Improved search functionality for specific topics
- Clearer distinction between free and premium content


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TrueLearn SmartBanks free?

TrueLearn SmartBanks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Core Anesthesia free?

Core Anesthesia is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, TrueLearn SmartBanks or Core Anesthesia?

TrueLearn SmartBanks and Core Anesthesia are both rated 4.9 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1.7K and 535 ratings respectively.

### Do TrueLearn SmartBanks or Core Anesthesia have ads?

Neither TrueLearn SmartBanks nor Core Anesthesia shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TrueLearn SmartBanks or Core Anesthesia?

TrueLearn SmartBanks ships an update every 3 weeks, and Core Anesthesia every 3 weeks. Most recently, TrueLearn SmartBanks was updated on September 24, 2026 and Core Anesthesia on September 18, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*