# AHA ACLS vs ACLSMED Sim

The clearest difference is update cadence: ACLSMED Sim at every 8 days against AHA ACLS's every 2 months. AHA ACLS's advantage is chart position (#36 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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 and ACLSMED Sim sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

AHA ACLS ships an update every 2 months, ACLSMED Sim every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AHA ACLS | ACLSMED Sim |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (277 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **277** | — |
| Positive reviews | 26.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | — |
| Best chart rank | **#36** | — |
| Size | 48 MB | 68 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.1** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Massachusetts General Hospital](https://appshunter.io/developer/376928206) | [Mark Daniel Figueroa](https://appshunter.io/developer/1890265406) |

## What reviewers say

### AHA ACLS

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

**Currently charting:** #36 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


### ACLSMED Sim

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aclsmed-sim/id6771604723)

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ACLSMED Pro — Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| ACLSMED Suite — Monthly | $29.99 | per month |
| ACLSMED Pro — Annual | $99.99 | per year |
| ACLSMED Suite — Annual | $179.99 | per year |
| ACLSMED Pro — Lifetime | $399.99 | one-time |
| ACLSMED Suite — Lifetime | $799.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AHA ACLS free?

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

### Is ACLSMED Sim free?

ACLSMED Sim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do AHA ACLS or ACLSMED Sim have ads?

Neither AHA ACLS nor ACLSMED Sim shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AHA ACLS or ACLSMED Sim?

AHA ACLS ships an update every 2 months, and ACLSMED Sim every 8 days. Most recently, AHA ACLS was updated on October 15, 2026 and ACLSMED Sim on September 29, 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.*