Comparison

Cortex vs Nicutools

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

Head to head
About

Cortex

Features
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Cortex is a mobile-first patient care coordination platform. It provides clinical documentation, team task management, messaging, and emergency code calling (MET). See a unified timeline of clinical tasks, bedside notes and test results. Cortex replaces the out-dated paper patient lists that record and track tasks with a modern powerful iPad and iPhone app that brings the entire patient journey to your fingertips. Cortex lets you create your own list of unique departmental tasks and its powerful real-time sync engine ensures everyone is always up-to-date. You see the right information about the right patients at the right time. Connecting your team Communication and patient task visibility is at the heart of Cortex. Your entire clinical team is always on the same page even if they’re scattered around the hospital. All of a patient's care team is identifiable in the patients Circle of Care where tasks can be quickly and efficiently delegated to the right person on the team. Digital forms and orders replace your paper-based workflow Forms in Cortex are able to replace any existing paper based workflow. Secure and seamless HL7 integrations with other hospital data engines allow Cortex to be the primary point of care mobile platform for the entire care team. Emergency Calls allow you to replace obsolete paging systems with a modern smartphone and web-based Code Call management system, integrated into the Cortex care coordination platform.

About

Nicutools

Features
Read full description

Twenty-five evidence-based clinical calculators for neonatal intensive care, designed for the bedside. Built by an Australian neonatal clinician for fellow NICU professionals. CALCULATORS INCLUDED Respiratory & Physiology β€’ Alveolar-arterial Oβ‚‚ gradient β€’ Altitude physiology β€’ Base excess β€’ Low-flow Oβ‚‚ delivery β€’ Mean airway pressure β€’ Nitric oxide delivery β€’ Oxygenation index (with ECMO threshold alert) Fluids & Nutrition β€’ Dextrose infusion preparation β€’ Glucose infusion rate (GIR) β€’ Fluid & feeds rate Survival & Outcomes β€’ Extreme preterm outcomes β€’ Diaphragmatic hernia survival probability β€’ ECMO risk in diaphragmatic hernia Resuscitation & Procedures β€’ Apgar clock & CPR metronome β€’ ET tubes & umbilical catheters β€’ Partial exchange transfusion (polycythaemia) β€’ Percutaneous long lines Gestation Calculators β€’ Corrected gestational age β€’ Gestational age at birth Converters & Measurements β€’ Weight converter β€’ Bilirubin units (ΞΌmol/L ↔ mg/dL) β€’ Glucose units (mmol/L ↔ mg/dL) β€’ Pressure units (kPa ↔ mmHg) β€’ Body surface area β€’ Percentage weight loss DESIGNED FOR THE BEDSIDE β€’ Works offline β€” no data leaves your device, ever β€’ iPad-adaptive layout shows sidebar + calculator side by side β€’ System-wide search via Spotlight β€’ Haptic feedback on clinical warnings β€’ Dark mode and pressure-unit preferences sync across all calculators β€’ In-app Algorithm and References dialogs explain the maths and cite primary sources where applicable CLINICAL DECISION SUPPORT ONLY Nicutools is a reference tool for qualified healthcare professionals. All calculations must be independently verified against your local protocols and your patient's circumstances. Not a substitute for clinical judgement. The free web version is at nicutools.org. This iOS app adds native iOS conveniences β€” Spotlight search, iPad split-view, haptics, true offline support, and no analytics.

Screenshots

Cortex4 screens
Nicutools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cortex at Free against Nicutools's $4.99. Cortex also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.6). Nicutools's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 4 weeks). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Cortex is free to download; Nicutools costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cortex ships an update every 4 weeks, Nicutools weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 3 level
Cortex versus Nicutools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCortexNicutools
PriceFree β€” better$4.99
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksWeekly β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 β€” better17.6
Further details β€” not scored
Size51 MB3 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperSense Medical LtdMichael Hewson

In-app purchases

None

Cortex

No in-app purchases

None

Nicutools

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cortex free?
Cortex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Nicutools free?
Nicutools costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Cortex or Nicutools have ads?
Neither Cortex nor Nicutools shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cortex or Nicutools?
Cortex ships an update every 4 weeks, and Nicutools weekly. Most recently, Cortex was updated on October 13, 2026 and Nicutools on October 8, 2026.

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