# AHA ACLS vs AHA Knowledge Booster

AHA ACLS and AHA Knowledge Booster both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 71% of AHA Knowledge Booster's written reviews are positive against 26% of AHA ACLS's. AHA Knowledge Booster also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). AHA ACLS's advantage is chart position (#63 vs unranked). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AHA ACLS sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per year and AHA Knowledge Booster sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for AHA ACLS against 4.8 for AHA Knowledge Booster. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 277 and 544 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 26% of AHA ACLS's written reviews are positive against 71% of AHA Knowledge Booster's.

AHA ACLS ships an update every 2 months, AHA Knowledge Booster monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AHA ACLS | AHA Knowledge Booster |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (277 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443/reviews)** | [4.8 (544 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-knowledge-booster/id1586998263/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 277 | **544** |
| Positive reviews | 26.3% of reviews | **70.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#63** | — |
| Size | 48 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Massachusetts General Hospital](https://appshunter.io/developer/376928206) | [Trivie, Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/510337124) |

## What reviewers say

### AHA ACLS

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

**Currently charting:** #63 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


### AHA Knowledge Booster

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-knowledge-booster/id1586998263)

Reinforce critical CPR and emergency care knowledge with personalized quizzes. Choose topics like BLS, ACLS, and PALS to build mastery and improve long-term retention of lifesaving information.

**Highlights:** Personalized quizzes, Adaptive learning algorithm, Proficiency mapping, Multiple topic choices (BLS, ACLS, PALS, First Aid, CPR), Neuroscience-based retrieval practice, Long-term knowledge retention

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PALS | $1.99 | per year |
| BLS | $1.99 | per year |
| ACLS | $2.99 | per year |
| All-Access Bundle | $3.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great refresher app
- 👍 Simple and functional
- 👍 Helpful for learning
- 👍 Enjoyable quizzes
- 👍 Concise information files

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App doesn't work
- 🐛 App is empty
- 🐛 Never sends link
- 🐛 Requires login
- 🐛 Paid app requires login

**Reported bugs**

- Literally doesn't work
- App opens but is completely empty
- Asks for email, never sends link
- Requires a login when already paid
- Can't sign on

**Requested features**

- Explanations for incorrect answers
- New update


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AHA ACLS free?

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

### Is AHA Knowledge Booster free?

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

### Which has better reviews, AHA ACLS or AHA Knowledge Booster?

AHA ACLS is rated higher. AHA ACLS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 277 ratings, while AHA Knowledge Booster averages 4.8 from 544 ratings.

### Do AHA ACLS or AHA Knowledge Booster have ads?

Neither AHA ACLS nor AHA Knowledge Booster shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AHA ACLS or AHA Knowledge Booster?

AHA ACLS ships an update every 2 months, and AHA Knowledge Booster monthly. Most recently, AHA ACLS was updated on September 29, 2026 and AHA Knowledge Booster on September 25, 2026.

---

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