# AHA ACLS vs SIR Guidelines

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SIR Guidelines at none against AHA ACLS's 1. SIR Guidelines also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). AHA ACLS's advantage is ratings volume (277 vs 23) and chart position (#37 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AHA ACLS sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per year. SIR Guidelines asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for AHA ACLS against 5.0 for SIR Guidelines. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AHA ACLS has 277 ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two.

AHA ACLS ships an update every 2 months, SIR Guidelines every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AHA ACLS | SIR Guidelines |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (277 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443/reviews) | **[5.0 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sir-guidelines/id1552455529/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **277** | 23 |
| Positive reviews | 26.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#37** | — |
| Size | 48 MB | 28 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Massachusetts General Hospital](https://appshunter.io/developer/376928206) | [Society of Interventional Radiology](https://appshunter.io/developer/508819578) |

## What reviewers say

### AHA ACLS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443)

**Currently charting:** #37 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

This app provides clinicians with a digital tool to assist in running cardiac arrest codes and delivering advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) at the bedside. It features the latest AHA recommendations and includes intuitive access to algorithms, drug dosing, and timers for efficient patient care.

**Highlights:** 4 ACLS algorithms (cardiac arrest, tachycardia, bradycardia, post-arrest), Latest 2025 AHA ACLS content, Drug therapy and dosing, Easy-to-read timers, CPR and epinephrine logging, Rapid transition to post-arrest care

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ACLS Pro | $3.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Accurate, up-to-date AHA ACLS algorithms
- ⏱️ Built-in timers and counters for code management
- 👍 User-friendly, intuitive interface
- 🏥 Trusted by Harvard/MGH and American Heart Association
- 📋 Helpful for documentation and PCR completion

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription paywall on previously free app
- 🚨 Dangerous surprise paywall during active codes
- ⚠️ No warning before transition to paid model
- 🔐 Requires payment even for basic ACLS information
- 😤 Perceived greed from wealthy organizations (MGH/AHA)

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to load information despite subscription payment
- Users locked out of app mid-code
- Unexpected app crashes during critical moments

**Requested features**

- Multiple log storage with dates
- More detailed code logging with event documentation (IO access, medications, rhythms)
- End code button and pause compressions feature
- Real-time log tracking for back-charting
- LVAD algorithm inclusion


### SIR Guidelines

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sir-guidelines/id1552455529)

Access evidence-based recommendations and tools for healthcare professionals. Features an interactive calculator for scenario-specific anticoagulation and antibiotic advice, simplifying clinical decision-making at the point of care.

**Highlights:** Access published guidelines and statements, Interactive periprocedural recommendation calculator, Scenario-specific anticoagulation and antibiotic recommendations, Tailored recommendations based on patient and procedural risk, Clinical Practice Guidelines for IVC Filters, Continual updates with new guidelines and tools

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AHA ACLS free?

AHA ACLS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SIR Guidelines free?

SIR Guidelines is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, AHA ACLS or SIR Guidelines?

SIR Guidelines is rated higher. AHA ACLS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 277 ratings, while SIR Guidelines averages 5.0 from 23 ratings.

### Do AHA ACLS or SIR Guidelines have ads?

Neither AHA ACLS nor SIR Guidelines shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AHA ACLS or SIR Guidelines?

AHA ACLS ships an update every 2 months, and SIR Guidelines every 3 weeks. Most recently, AHA ACLS was updated on October 15, 2026 and SIR Guidelines on October 13, 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.*