# NurseBrain® Synapse vs Vitals

The clearest difference is price: NurseBrain® Synapse at Free against Vitals's $4.99. NurseBrain® Synapse also leads on ratings volume (31 vs 1). Vitals's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.1) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

NurseBrain® Synapse is free to download; Vitals costs $4.99 up front. NurseBrain® Synapse sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per month. Vitals asks for nothing beyond the download.

Vitals holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NurseBrain® Synapse has 31 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

NurseBrain® Synapse ships an update weekly, Vitals every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NurseBrain® Synapse | Vitals |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.1 (31 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nursebrain-synapse/id1528871626/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vitals-docs-nurses-emts/id6474643520/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **31** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 85.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#193** |
| Size | 146 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Nursebrain LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1528871628) | [Ian George Gillespie](https://appshunter.io/developer/1722182129) |

## 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


### Vitals

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vitals-docs-nurses-emts/id6474643520)

**Currently charting:** #193 Top Paid · Medical (US App Store)

This medical app helps healthcare professionals easily measure patient pulse rates by tapping along to the palpated beat. It also provides a persistent timer and a chart of vital signs by age group, accessible directly from a watch complication.

**Highlights:** Pulse measurement by tapping, Persistent timer, Vitals chart by age, Watch complication support, Offline functionality

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NurseBrain® Synapse free?

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

### Is Vitals free?

Vitals costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

Vitals is rated higher. NurseBrain® Synapse averages 4.1 out of 5 from 31 ratings, while Vitals averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

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

Neither NurseBrain® Synapse nor Vitals shows ads.

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

NurseBrain® Synapse ships an update weekly, and Vitals every 3 days. Most recently, NurseBrain® Synapse was updated on October 16, 2026 and Vitals on October 10, 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.*