# AHA ACLS vs NIH Stroke Scale Calculator

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NIH Stroke Scale Calculator at none against AHA ACLS's 1. AHA ACLS's advantage is ratings volume (277 vs 4) and chart position (#62 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. NIH Stroke Scale Calculator 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 NIH Stroke Scale Calculator. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AHA ACLS has 277 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

AHA ACLS ships an update every 2 months, NIH Stroke Scale Calculator every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AHA ACLS | NIH Stroke Scale Calculator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (277 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443/reviews) | **[5.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nih-stroke-scale-calculator/id6443905481/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **277** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 26.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#62** | — |
| Size | 48 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 15.4 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Massachusetts General Hospital](https://appshunter.io/developer/376928206) | [US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)](https://appshunter.io/developer/430646305) |

## What reviewers say

### AHA ACLS

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

**Currently charting:** #62 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


### NIH Stroke Scale Calculator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nih-stroke-scale-calculator/id6443905481)

This tool helps healthcare professionals quickly assess a patient's neurologic condition for stroke-like symptoms. Its user-friendly interface streamlines the diagnosis process, saving critical time during emergencies.

**Highlights:** Quick neurologic assessment, Stroke symptom evaluation, Intuitive user interface, Faster diagnosis, Severity determination

**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 NIH Stroke Scale Calculator free?

NIH Stroke Scale Calculator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, AHA ACLS or NIH Stroke Scale Calculator?

NIH Stroke Scale Calculator is rated higher. AHA ACLS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 277 ratings, while NIH Stroke Scale Calculator averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.

### Do AHA ACLS or NIH Stroke Scale Calculator have ads?

Neither AHA ACLS nor NIH Stroke Scale Calculator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AHA ACLS or NIH Stroke Scale Calculator?

AHA ACLS ships an update every 2 months, and NIH Stroke Scale Calculator every 4 months. Most recently, AHA ACLS was updated on September 24, 2026 and NIH Stroke Scale Calculator on September 20, 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.*