# spark@HOME vs NEXT STEPS USMLE

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: spark@HOME at none against NEXT STEPS USMLE's 4. spark@HOME also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). NEXT STEPS USMLE's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 weeks). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NEXT STEPS USMLE sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. spark@HOME asks for nothing beyond the download.

spark@HOME ships an update every 4 weeks, NEXT STEPS USMLE every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | spark@HOME | NEXT STEPS USMLE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-steps-usmle/id6499212421/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **3** |
| Positive reviews | — | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 57 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Quality Early Years Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1409560130) | [NEXTSTEPS CAREERS CORPORATION](https://appshunter.io/developer/1742770142) |

## What reviewers say

### spark@HOME

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sparkhome/id1517331593)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### NEXT STEPS USMLE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/next-steps-usmle/id6499212421)

This app offers a structured learning method for medical licensing exams, featuring daily testing, mock quizzes, and extensive video resources. It provides progress tracking and live classes to enhance preparation and retention.

**Highlights:** Daily scheduling and targets, Integrated daily testing, Weekend mock quizzes, Progress tracking and analytics, Over 500 hours of video resources, Revision and rapid review series, Live classes and recorded sessions

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Step 2CK Crash Course | $499.99 | one-time |
| Endocrine system | $1000.00 | one-time |
| USMLE STEP 1 Part 1 | $1000.00 | one-time |
| Crash Course Step 1 | $1000.00 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is spark@HOME free?

spark@HOME is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is NEXT STEPS USMLE free?

NEXT STEPS USMLE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do spark@HOME or NEXT STEPS USMLE have ads?

Neither spark@HOME nor NEXT STEPS USMLE shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, spark@HOME or NEXT STEPS USMLE?

spark@HOME ships an update every 4 weeks, and NEXT STEPS USMLE every 2 weeks. Most recently, spark@HOME was updated on September 10, 2026 and NEXT STEPS USMLE on September 16, 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.*