ECHO On vs LabRef
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ECHO On
This medical education app helps users learn Transesophageal Echocardiography with a question bank, cognitive aid, case log, and reference library. It provides guidance on performing and interpreting a standard 28-view exam, including anatomy, function, and Doppler interrogations.
- Transesophageal Echocardiography education
- Enlarging question bank
- Rescue TEE cognitive aid
- Case Log system
- Perioperative Quick Reference library
- Offline echo loops
- Pathology, technique, and normal loop examples
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ECHO On is a free medical education resource for learning Transesophageal Echocardiography including a free, enlarging question bank, a Rescue TEE cognitive aid, a Case Log system for submission to the NBE, and a growing perioperative Quick Reference library with offline echo loops that work even in the OR without internet access, and includes pathology examples, techniques, and normal loops of the heart. ECHO On will walk you through an entire standard 28 view exam teaching you the anatomy, function and Doppler interrogations you should perform at each view, and how to interpret them. ECHO On is and will remain free, and the best way you can contribute is to submit boards-style questions or echo stills and echo loops to help grow the QBank, Quick Reference and Pathology libraries. Disclaimer: This app was written to provide an accessible perioperative tool for residents and fellows learning TEE in the cardiac OR and ICU, and for generalist anesthesiologists looking to refresh their knowledge of TEE. It is not meant for patients to self-diagnose. It is not meant to be a definitive reference. Despite my best efforts, there may be errors or inaccuracies in this app, so please do not use it for medical decision making, as doing so may lead you misdiagnose or seriously harm your patient. If you are not a qualified medical doctor, please see a qualified medical doctor before making any medical decisions, including those based on echocardiograms.
LabRef
This medical reference app provides concise interpretations and reference ranges for common laboratory values across various disciplines. It's designed for quick access at the bedside, aiding in clinical decision-making. The app is for educational and informational purposes only.
- Interprets common laboratory values
- Covers hematology, nephrology, critical care, and perioperative medicine
- Provides concise interpretations
- Includes reference ranges
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Optimized for bedside use
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LabRef is a clinically focused reference for interpreting common laboratory values. Covering disciplines from hematology and nephrology to critical care and perioperative medicine, it delivers concise interpretations and reference ranges through a clean, intuitive interface optimized for rapid use at the bedside. This app is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of information provided by this app. About Rishi Kumar, MD, FACC ("RK.MD") I'm an adult cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and cardiovascular ICU intensivist practicing in academic medicine. I'm passionate about teaching with free, open-access medical education. Learn more on my site: https://rk.md
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: ECHO On at weekly against LabRef's every 5 weeks. ECHO On also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 26). On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for ECHO On against 5.0 for LabRef. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 14 and 25 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
ECHO On ships an update weekly, LabRef every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ECHO On | LabRef |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (14 ratings) | 5.0 (25 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 14 | 25 — better |
| Update frequency | Weekly — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 26 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 414 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Robert Arrigo | Rishi Kumar |
Customer experience
ECHO On
LabRef
In-app purchases
ECHO On
No in-app purchases
LabRef
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is ECHO On free?
Is LabRef free?
Which has better reviews, ECHO On or LabRef?
Do ECHO On or LabRef have ads?
Which is updated more often, ECHO On or LabRef?
Other comparisons
