# NurseBrain® Synapse vs plusRN

The clearest difference is rating: plusRN at 4.7 against NurseBrain® Synapse's 4.1. plusRN also leads on ratings volume (279 vs 31) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NurseBrain® Synapse sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per month and plusRN sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

plusRN holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: plusRN has 279 ratings behind it against 31, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 85% of NurseBrain® Synapse's written reviews are positive against 82% of plusRN's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

NurseBrain® Synapse ships an update weekly, plusRN every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NurseBrain® Synapse | plusRN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nursebrain-synapse/id1528871626/reviews) | **[4.7 (279 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plusrn-digital-preceptor/id6460050800/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 31 | **279** |
| Positive reviews | **85.1% of reviews** | 82.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 146 MB | 18 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Nursebrain LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1528871628) | [Intuitive RN LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1323174937) |

## What reviewers say

### NurseBrain® Synapse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nursebrain-synapse/id1528871626)

This app digitizes nursing report sheets, allowing nurses to manage their entire shift from a single, connected platform. It helps organize patient information, tasks, and notes, facilitating confident handoffs and efficient documentation.

**Highlights:** Customizable digital brain sheets, Real-time shift tracking, Organized patient handoff views, Voice and quick entry documentation, Generate progress notes and care plans, Cross-device compatibility (phone, watch)

**Features:** Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Premium Access | $29.99 | per month |
| Quarterly Student Access | $29.99 | per 3 months |
| Yearly Premium Access | $149.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Organizes patient info and shifts
- 👍 Improves time management
- 👍 Enhances patient care
- 👍 Minimizes charting time (AI suggestions)
- 👍 Centralized information reduces stress

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Cannot sign up/create account
- 🐛 Cannot log in after signing up
- 🐛 Annoying to not see app without paying
- 🐛 Expensive monthly/yearly fee
- 🐛 Glitches and doesn't load

**Reported bugs**

- App won't let users sign up and make an account
- Cannot log in after signing up
- App glitches and won't load
- Cannot edit active patient list
- Patient list duplicates entries

**Requested features**

- Include more specialties, specifically for outpatients
- Add a 'Return' button for new lines in text fields
- Ability to time medications
- 24-hour clock option


### plusRN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/plusrn-digital-preceptor/id6460050800)

This AI-powered clinical companion assists nursing students and professionals in developing clinical judgment and core competencies. It guides users through patient care scenarios and offers on-demand answers from an AI preceptor. The tool supports learning the nursing process and enhances confidence in providing safe, effective care.

**Highlights:** AI-enhanced clinical training, On-demand AI preceptor (Nurse Gia), Clinical Judgement Measurement Model (CJMM) alignment, Real-world patient care scenarios, SBAR communication script, Best-practice skills and care tips

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PlusRN Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| PlusRN Yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| PlusRN Yearly | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for students/new grads
- 🚀 Boosts confidence
- 💡 Essential for pharmacology/patho/care planning
- 🤝 Clinical instructor in your pocket
- 🧠 Reinforces learning and retention

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💸 Subscription cancellation issues
- 🚫 Scam reporting
- 🐛 Sign-up glitches
- 🐛 Empty error text box

**Reported bugs**

- Unable to cancel subscription
- Sign-up process has empty error messages
- App glitches prevent sign-up


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NurseBrain® Synapse free?

NurseBrain® Synapse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is plusRN free?

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

### Which has better reviews, NurseBrain® Synapse or plusRN?

plusRN is rated higher. NurseBrain® Synapse averages 4.1 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while plusRN averages 4.7 from 279 ratings.

### Do NurseBrain® Synapse or plusRN have ads?

Neither NurseBrain® Synapse nor plusRN shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NurseBrain® Synapse or plusRN?

NurseBrain® Synapse ships an update weekly, and plusRN every 2 weeks. Most recently, NurseBrain® Synapse was updated on October 16, 2026 and plusRN on October 13, 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.*