# AHA ACLS vs Code Blue Flow

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Code Blue Flow at none against AHA ACLS's 1. Code Blue Flow also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.1). AHA ACLS's advantage is ratings volume (277 vs 1) and chart position (#53 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. Code Blue Flow 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 Code Blue Flow. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AHA ACLS has 277 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

AHA ACLS ships an update every 2 months, Code Blue Flow every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AHA ACLS | Code Blue Flow |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (277 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-blue-flow/id6772416460/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **277** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 26.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#53** | — |
| Size | 48 MB | 21 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Massachusetts General Hospital](https://appshunter.io/developer/376928206) | [Bruce Lim](https://appshunter.io/developer/6772416462) |

## What reviewers say

### AHA ACLS

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

**Currently charting:** #53 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


### Code Blue Flow

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/code-blue-flow/id6772416460)

This medical timer app helps healthcare teams manage critical care events like CPR cycles and medication dosages. It logs events, provides a detailed summary for handoffs, and exports reports in PDF or text format for easy charting.

**Highlights:** CPR cycle tracking, Customizable medication timers, Shock and pause functionality, One-tap event logging, Handoff summary generation, Shareable PDF and text export, Local history of codes

**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 Code Blue Flow free?

Code Blue Flow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, AHA ACLS or Code Blue Flow?

Code Blue Flow is rated higher. AHA ACLS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 277 ratings, while Code Blue Flow averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do AHA ACLS or Code Blue Flow have ads?

Neither AHA ACLS nor Code Blue Flow shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, AHA ACLS or Code Blue Flow?

AHA ACLS ships an update every 2 months, and Code Blue Flow every 2 days. Most recently, AHA ACLS was updated on October 11, 2026 and Code Blue Flow on October 6, 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.*