# TrueLearn SmartBanks vs Elsevier eBooks+

The clearest difference is monetization model: TrueLearn SmartBanks at free against Elsevier eBooks+'s freemium. TrueLearn SmartBanks also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.6). Elsevier eBooks+'s advantage is review sentiment (43% vs 28%). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for TrueLearn SmartBanks against 4.8 for Elsevier eBooks+. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.7K and 1.8K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 28% of TrueLearn SmartBanks's written reviews are positive against 43% of Elsevier eBooks+'s.

TrueLearn SmartBanks ships an update every 3 weeks, Elsevier eBooks+ every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | TrueLearn SmartBanks | Elsevier eBooks+ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/truelearn-smartbanks/id1504512677/reviews)** | [4.8 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elsevier-ebooks-plus/id1643980050/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1.7K | **1.8K** |
| Positive reviews | 27.8% of reviews | **42.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 48 MB | 183 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TrueLearn, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1770147541) | [Elsevier Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/367031326) |

## 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


### Elsevier eBooks+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/elsevier-ebooks-plus/id1643980050)

Access your medical textbooks offline and enhance your learning with tools for note-taking, highlighting, and flashcard creation. Sync your progress and annotations across devices for a seamless study experience.

**Highlights:** Offline book access, Note-taking and highlighting, Flashcard creation, Cross-device syncing, In-book search, Figure viewing and zooming

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Student / Study friendly
- 🚀 Enhances content
- 👍 Ebooks from Elsevier
- 👍 Great app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unable to view images/tables
- 🐛 Useless for medical textbooks
- 🐛 Positioning issues
- 🐛 Scrolling and zooming problems
- 🐛 Slow loading times

**Reported bugs**

- Figures placed at the end of chapters
- Search function only works for single words
- Inability to clear search history
- Freezing and crashing issues
- Incompatibility with older devices

**Requested features**

- More highlighting and note-taking options
- Ability to write, draw, or paste images on pages
- Separate flashcard option integration with Anki/Quizlet
- More font size options
- Streamlined text selection for voiceover


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TrueLearn SmartBanks free?

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

### Is Elsevier eBooks+ free?

Elsevier eBooks+ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, TrueLearn SmartBanks or Elsevier eBooks+?

TrueLearn SmartBanks is rated higher. TrueLearn SmartBanks averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while Elsevier eBooks+ averages 4.8 from 1.8K ratings.

### Do TrueLearn SmartBanks or Elsevier eBooks+ have ads?

Neither TrueLearn SmartBanks nor Elsevier eBooks+ shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TrueLearn SmartBanks or Elsevier eBooks+?

TrueLearn SmartBanks ships an update every 3 weeks, and Elsevier eBooks+ every 2 months. Most recently, TrueLearn SmartBanks was updated on September 24, 2026 and Elsevier eBooks+ on September 24, 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.*