Comparison

NurseBrain vs plusRN

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

Head to head
About

NurseBrain

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
Read full description

Replace your report sheet. Run your entire shift. Nurses already rely on brain sheets to stay organized. NurseBrain Synapse takes that same workflow and turns it into something you can actually use throughout your shift. Instead of juggling paper, memory, and the EHR, everything stays connected in one place. WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH NURSEBRAIN SYNAPSE Brain sheets that match how you think Create customizable brain sheets that reflect your unit and your workflow. Use them digitally during your shift or export clean PDFs when you want paper. Stay on top of your shift in real time Keep track of everything without relying on memory: Patients, Tasks, Notes, Handoffs. See what needs attention now, what's done, and what's coming up next. Give report with confidence Each patient has a clear, organized view with SBAR, notes, and updates. Everything is already structured so you're not scrambling during handoff. Capture information as you go Use voice or quick entry to document updates during your shift. No need to remember everything later. Turn your shift into usable notes The information you already captured can be turned into progress notes and care plans you can reuse in the EHR. Works the way nurses actually work You're constantly switching between patients, report sheets, and the EHR. NurseBrain Synapse is designed to fit into that reality — use it at the workstation, on your phone during rounds, or on your watch for quick updates. Built for real nursing shifts Bedside nurses, Travel nurses, Charge and resource nurses, Nursing students. Secure and nurse-built NurseBrain Synapse is HIPAA-compliant and designed with patient privacy in mind. Built by nurses, based on real workflows — not theory. Free to start NurseBrain Synapse is free to use, with optional paid features available. Replace your report sheet and bring structure, clarity, and confidence back to your shift.

About

plusRN

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
Read full description

WHAT IS plusRN? Your #1 Digital Preceptor plusRN is your personalized, AI-enhanced clinical training and reference tool, built to accelerate your journey to becoming an experienced nurse by strengthening your Clinical Judgement and Core Competencies. Now featuring Nurse Gia, your on-demand AI Preceptor, ready to answer any question related to nursing or the medical profession—24/7. Whether you need quick clinical insights, guidance on patient care, or help with assignments, Nurse Gia is here to support you every step of the way. HOW DO YOU USE plusRN? plusRN is your clinical companion at the bedside and beyond. It aligns with the Clinical Judgement Measurement Model (CJMM)—the new nursing process—to guide you through real-world patient care scenarios. Assess clinical findings and recognize/analyze cues Prioritize hypotheses and generate nursing/medical solutions Fill out your care plan and TAKE ACTION And when you need help—just ask Nurse Gia. WHO IS plusRN DESIGNED FOR? Nursing Students New Graduates (BSN, ADN, LPN) Preceptors and Clinical Instructors Practicing Nurses needing just-in-time support WHY USE plusRN? We know how important it is to feel confident and competent while caring for patients. plusRN empowers you with the tools and knowledge you need to provide safe, effective care—from bedside interventions to SBAR communication. With Nurse Gia, you never have to feel alone during clinicals or your first year on the job. PLUS UP YOUR CLINICAL JUDGEMENT plusRN guides you through each step of the CJMM: Assess a Clinical Finding – Use a systems-based approach to identify and analyze cues. Diagnose & Manage Care – Prioritize hypotheses and generate care plan solutions. Nursing Interventions – Take Action! Access best-practice skills and nursing care tips. Discharge Planning – Evaluate outcomes and prepare for next-level care. SBAR – Communicate effectively with our structured script. Ask Nurse Gia – Get immediate answers to nursing questions and clinical uncertainties. GET 2-WEEKS FREE ACCESS Explore all features, including unlimited questions to Nurse Gia, access to every clinical guide, and full reference functionality. Don't feel paralyzed while developing your clinical skills—build confidence faster with plusRN. TESTIMONIALS: “Using plusRN at the bedside gives me confidence during my clinicals.” — Brenna McClung, Student Nurse, San Diego State University “I wish I had plusRN in nursing school! It would have been really helpful in my first job in Med/Surg as well.” — Kelsey Moe, BSN, RN, St. Luke’s Medical Center THE STORY BEHIND plusRN We’re nurses too—and we’ve been where you are. Many schools and employers don’t fully prepare you to practice independently. That feeling of being overwhelmed? We get it. That’s why we created plusRN. Our content was written and reviewed by nurses with over 100+ years of combined clinical experience. With best-practice guidance and now AI support through Nurse Gia, plusRN is your go-to app to strengthen your clinical judgement and sharpen your nursing core. HOW TO GET STARTED: Download plusRN Open any topic to start strengthening your clinical judgement Ask Nurse Gia anything—24/7 AI preceptor access Reference best-practice points and take confident action Approach every patient like an experienced nurse Stop second-guessing yourself. Start becoming the nurse you want to be—faster. Download plusRN today for FREE. Privacy Policy: https://www.nexgenclinicaleducation.com/privacy-policy Terms of Use: https://www.nexgenclinicaleducation.com/terms-of-use

Screenshots

NurseBrain4 screens
plusRN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: plusRN at 4.7 against NurseBrain's 4.1. plusRN also leads on ratings volume (279 vs 31) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). NurseBrain's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. NurseBrain 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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'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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NurseBrain ships an update every 5 days, plusRN every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
NurseBrain versus plusRN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNurseBrainplusRN
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (31 ratings)4.7 (279 ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.1% of reviews — better82.4% of reviews
Number of ratings31279 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size128 MB18 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperNursebrain LLCIntuitive RN LLC

Customer experience

NurseBrain

All ratings31 ratings
Positive77.4%
Neutral3.2%
Negative19.4%
Written reviews47 reviews
Positive85.1%
Neutral2.1%
Negative12.8%

plusRN

All ratings279 ratings
Positive98.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.1%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive82.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative17.6%

User reviews

NurseBrain

From 31 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

plusRN

From 279 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Bugs and requests

NurseBrain

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • 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
Show 2 more
  • Desktop version not functioning
  • Nursing AI feature returns errors

Requested features

4 requests
  • 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

Reported bugs

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

In-app purchases

3 purchases

NurseBrain

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly Premium Access7 Days trial$29.991 Month
  • Quarterly Student Access$29.993 Months
  • Yearly Premium Access7 Days trial$149.991 Year
3 purchases

plusRN

Subscriptions3
  • PlusRN Monthly14 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • PlusRN Yearly14 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • PlusRN Yearly14 Days trial$99.991 Year

Questions

Is NurseBrain free?
NurseBrain 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 or plusRN?
plusRN is rated higher. NurseBrain averages 4.1 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while plusRN averages 4.7 from 279 ratings.
Do NurseBrain or plusRN have ads?
Neither NurseBrain nor plusRN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NurseBrain or plusRN?
NurseBrain ships an update every 5 days, and plusRN every 2 weeks. Most recently, NurseBrain was updated on September 25, 2026 and plusRN on September 26, 2026.

Other comparisons