Comparison

EMS Explained vs First Responder Retirement

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

EMS Explained

This comprehensive study aid helps students prepare for various Emergency Medical Services exams, including NREMT, Paramedic, and AHA certifications. It offers thousands of practice questions with detailed explanations and progress tracking to optimize study strategies.

Highlights
  • Thousands of practice questions
  • Detailed explanations
  • Progress tracking
  • Covers EMR, EMT, Paramedic, CCP
  • Supports AHA BLS, ACLS, PALS
  • State-specific and NREMT prep
Features
Read full description

Chart your path to EMS success with EMS Explained, an all-inclusive study aid crafted for EMR, EMT, Paramedic, Critical Care Paramedic, and Flight Paramedic students, as well as those seeking to become NYC REMAC Paramedics. Our app serves as your strategic ally for acing a range of EMS exams, including state-specific, NREMT, Paramedic, and NYC REMAC, along with focused study support for American Heart Association BLS, ACLS, and PALS exams. Thousands of practice questions spanning essential subjects such as EMS Operations, Cardiology, Resuscitation, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Airway Respiration, Ventilation, Trauma, Pediatrics, Pharmacology, and Medical Math. Detailed explanations aid comprehension while progress tracking optimizes your study strategy. Whether you're an EMS rookie or a seasoned professional, EMS Explained equips you with the tools to excel, setting the stage for a prosperous EMS career. Begin your Emergency Medical Services journey today with EMS Explained. Prepare, practice, and excel. Your triumphant EMS story starts here. Best of luck! See https://ems-academic-prep.web.app/terms_of_service for terms of use.

About

First Responder Retirement

Read full description

Inside the First Responder Retirement app, you can: Access all of your videos in one easy to use app Receive push notifications with the latest news and updates Access to all of your videos without having to remember your password Save your favorite posts so you can quickly find them later END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

EMS Explained4 screens
First Responder Retirement3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: First Responder Retirement at none against EMS Explained's 22. EMS Explained's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. EMS Explained sells 22 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. First Responder Retirement asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EMS Explained ships an update every 4 weeks, First Responder Retirement fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
EMS Explained versus First Responder Retirement: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMS ExplainedFirst Responder Retirement
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (29 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings29 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB45 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperMiguel HernandezEmily Sudduth

In-app purchases

22 purchases

EMS Explained

Subscriptions22
  • AHA Access$4.991 Month
  • EMR 1 Month3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • AHA Access$6.991 Month
Show 19 more
  • ACLS Prep 1 Month$9.991 Month
  • PALS Prep 1 Month$9.991 Month
  • EMT 1 Month - All Access3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Critical Care Paramedic Access$9.991 Month
  • REMAC 1 Month - All Access$14.991 Month
  • Paramedic 1 Month - All Access$14.991 Month
  • AHA All Access Bundle 1 Month$19.991 Month
  • Paramedic Bundle 1 Month3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • NYC Paramedic Bundle 1 Month3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • EMT 3 Months - All Access3 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Paramedic 3 Month - All Access$29.993 Months
  • REMAC 3 Months - All Access$29.993 Months
  • EMT 6 Months - All Access3 Days trial$29.996 Months
  • Paramedic Bundle 3 Month3 Days trial$34.993 Months
  • NYC Paramedic Bundle 3 Month3 Days trial$34.993 Months
  • Paramedic 1 Year - All Access$89.991 Year
  • REMAC 1 Year - All Access$89.991 Year
  • NYC Paramedic Bundle 1 Year3 Days trial$99.991 Year
  • Paramedic Bundle 1 Year3 Days trial$99.991 Year
None

First Responder Retirement

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EMS Explained free?
EMS Explained is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is First Responder Retirement free?
First Responder Retirement is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do EMS Explained or First Responder Retirement have ads?
Neither EMS Explained nor First Responder Retirement shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EMS Explained or First Responder Retirement?
EMS Explained ships an update every 4 weeks, and First Responder Retirement fortnightly. Most recently, EMS Explained was updated on September 9, 2026 and First Responder Retirement on September 18, 2026.

Other comparisons