# vSim for Nursing vs ICU Basics

The clearest difference is rating: ICU Basics at 4.6 against vSim for Nursing's 2.0. ICU Basics also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly). vSim for Nursing's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ICU Basics holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 5 respectively.

vSim for Nursing ships an update monthly, ICU Basics weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | vSim for Nursing | ICU Basics |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.0 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vsim-for-nursing/id1550296484/reviews) | **[4.6 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icu-basics/id6809866200/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **10** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | 11.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 136 MB | 54 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Laerdal Medical AS](https://appshunter.io/developer/1025710785) | [ALEXANDER STEPHEN GATELEY](https://appshunter.io/developer/6809866202) |

## What reviewers say

### vSim for Nursing

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vsim-for-nursing/id1550296484)

Enhance your clinical judgment and confidence with realistic virtual patient scenarios. This app provides an interactive simulation learning experience with integrated curriculum resources and personalized feedback, preparing you for real-world nursing practice.

**Highlights:** Virtual patient scenarios, Interactive simulation, Personalized feedback, Integrated curriculum resources, Point-of-care content, Realistic communication practice

**In-app purchases:** none


### ICU Basics

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icu-basics/id6809866200)

Prepare for critical care and respiratory therapy certifications with exam-level questions and detailed rationales. Features mock exams, rhythm strips, and smart study modes for effective learning.

**Highlights:** Exam-level questions, Detailed rationales, Full-length mock exams, Rhythm strips and waveforms, Smart study modes, Clinical calculators

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is vSim for Nursing free?

vSim for Nursing is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ICU Basics free?

ICU Basics is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, vSim for Nursing or ICU Basics?

ICU Basics is rated higher. vSim for Nursing averages 2.0 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while ICU Basics averages 4.6 from 5 ratings.

### Do vSim for Nursing or ICU Basics have ads?

Neither vSim for Nursing nor ICU Basics shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, vSim for Nursing or ICU Basics?

vSim for Nursing ships an update monthly, and ICU Basics weekly. Most recently, vSim for Nursing was updated on October 22, 2026 and ICU Basics on October 29, 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.*