Comparison

Quick Reference Critical Care vs Critical Care Tools

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

Head to head
About

Quick Reference Critical Care

This app provides immediate, on-the-job answers for critical care professionals. It offers updated, evidence-based procedures and stabilization practices in a quick-read outline format, covering a broad range of patient topics by body system.

Highlights
  • Updated critical care content
  • Full-color images
  • Extensive abbreviations list
  • Bulleted outline format
  • Over 350 illustrations
  • Body system chapters
  • SmartSearch technology
Features
Read full description

"Try before you buy" - Download the FREE App, which includes sample content. An in-App purchase is required to unlock all content.   Need to brush up on your ICU skills? New to ICU, or a veteran? Get immediate on-the-job answers, with the popular and fully updated Quick Reference to Critical Care, 6th Edition. This indispensable pocket guide addresses a broad range of critical care patient topics, divided by body system and organized alphabetically within each chapter for quick access. Disease processes, disorders, medications, and titration, tests, lab results, formulas, ICU equipment and treatment strategies and goals are discussed. Each well-illustrated entry explains the latest evidence-based procedures and stabilization practices in a convenient, quick-read outline, making it the ideal quick reference for following proven protocols. Up-level your critical care expertise and confidence, with: * NEW and completely updated content that offers current information on cutting edge critical care topics * NEW full-color images throughout * NEW extensive abbreviations list that explains unfamiliar abbreviations found in progress notes, surgical reports and other medical documents * Ideal on-the-spot quick reference – Read-at-a-glance bulleted outline format that helps you grasp ideas quickly and take immediate action * More than 350 illustrations – figures, algorithms, photos, drawings and tables that outline core terms and concepts, with easy-to-retain definitions of key terms * Chapters for each body system – expert nursing guidance on evaluating and treating the neurologic, cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal and urinary, renal, endocrine, hematologic and immune systems * Each chapter offers an alpha-organized list of disorders and injuries pertaining to that topic or body system * Vital direction for on-the-unit action – includes sections on labs, imaging and miscellaneous items not covered in other sections * Expert direction on areas such as body system structures and functions, anatomy, diagnostic tools, surgical methods, signs and symptoms, treatments, monitoring, drug administration, catheters and electrode procedures, waveforms and more The quick-reference format offers: * Extensive cross-referencing – leads to related information * Tables and charts – vital info on medication, dosing, conversions, compatibilities, and more * “Troubleshooting” feature – practical guidance for solving technical problems or complications   No internet connection is required to access the content after the initial download. Find information quickly using powerful SmartSearch technology. Search part of term for those hard to spell medical terms. Content licensed from printed ISBN 10: 1975136837 Content licensed from printed ISBN 13: 9781975136833 SUBSCRIPTION : Please choose an auto renewable subscription plan to receive content access & continuous updates. Your subscription automatically renews as per your plan, so you always have the latest content.   Yearly auto-renewing payments - $59.99 Six-month subscription - $39.99   Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscription may be managed by the user & auto-renewal can be disabled at any time by going to your device “Settings” and tapping “iTunes & App Store”. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable.   If you have any questions or comments, email us any time: customersupport@skyscape.com or call 508-299-30000   Privacy Policy-https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/privacypolicy.aspx Terms and Conditions-https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/licenseagreement.aspx   Editor(s): Nancy H. Diepenbrock Publisher: Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

About

Critical Care Tools

A medical calculator for emergency and critical care providers. It offers quick access to medication dosing, ventilation support, and oxygen duration calculations. Designed for high-pressure environments, it reduces cognitive load and supports clinical judgment with an intuitive interface.

Highlights
  • Medication and infusion math
  • Weight-based dosing calculator
  • Oxygen duration calculator
  • Customizable RSI assistant
  • Ventilation support
  • Protocol reader
Features
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Critical Care Tools is a fast and intuitive medical calculator designed for EMS, flight medicine, and critical care providers who need accurate answers in high-pressure environments. Built by a flight medic, this app focuses on real-world scenarios - medications, ventilation, oxygen management, and rapid decision support without clutter or unnecessary complexity. Designed for Emergency & Critical Care Whether on scene, in the aircraft, or in the ICU, Critical Care Tools reduces cognitive load and supports clinical judgment with clear, quick-access medical calculations. Key Features Medication & Infusion Math • Weight-based dosing calculator • Drip rate calculator (mL/hr or gtt/min) • Supports both kg and lbs entry for rapid conversions Oxygen Duration Calculator (NEW in V2) Know exactly how long your tank will last. • Select common EMS tank sizes (D, M, F, G, H, J, K, E, C) • Custom tank factor support for air medical and specialty operations Customizable RSI Assistant • Auto-calculated induction and paralytic dosing • Supports custom medication lists for agency-specific protocols • Ideal for ground, flight, and critical care transport teams Ventilation Support • Tidal volume calculator • Ideal Body Weight (IBW) auto-calculation Protocol Reader • Import, store, and view PDF protocols directly inside the app • Built-in search to instantly locate medications and procedures • Bookmark pages for fast reference Built for Real-World Use • Fast, offline operation — works anywhere you work • Intuitive layout designed around clinical workflow • Clear interface for stress-state usability (low clicks, big buttons, high contrast) Who This App Is For • Paramedics • Flight medics & flight nurses • Critical care transport teams • Rural EMS • ER & ICU clinicians • Military medics & international providers Disclaimer This app is intended for use by licensed healthcare professionals only and is not a substitute for clinical training, local protocols, or medical direction. Always follow agency guidelines.

Screenshots

Quick Reference Critical Care4 screens
Critical Care Tools4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Critical Care Tools at none against Quick Reference Critical Care's shown. Critical Care Tools also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 6 months) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Quick Reference Critical Care's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.4). On price, rating, ratings volume 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. Quick Reference Critical Care sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $39.99 per 6 months and Critical Care Tools sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Quick Reference Critical Care against 5.0 for Critical Care Tools. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 4 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Quick Reference Critical Care ships an update every 6 months, Critical Care Tools weekly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Quick Reference Critical Care versus Critical Care Tools: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterQuick Reference Critical CareCritical Care Tools
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (10 ratings)5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings10 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsWeekly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.4
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB5 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperSkyscape Medpresso IncKristopher Foote

Customer experience

Quick Reference Critical Care

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Critical Care Tools

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Quick Reference Critical Care

Subscriptions2
  • Quick Ref-Critical Care 6M Sub$39.996 Months
  • Quick Ref-Critical Care 1Y Sub$59.991 Year
3 purchases

Critical Care Tools

One-time3
  • Small Tip$0.99
  • Medium Tip$4.99
  • Large Tip$24.99

Questions

Is Quick Reference Critical Care free?
Quick Reference Critical Care is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Critical Care Tools free?
Critical Care Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Quick Reference Critical Care or Critical Care Tools?
Critical Care Tools is rated higher. Quick Reference Critical Care averages 4.9 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Critical Care Tools averages 5.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Quick Reference Critical Care or Critical Care Tools have ads?
Quick Reference Critical Care shows ads; Critical Care Tools does not.
Which is updated more often, Quick Reference Critical Care or Critical Care Tools?
Quick Reference Critical Care ships an update every 6 months, and Critical Care Tools weekly. Most recently, Quick Reference Critical Care was updated on October 24, 2026 and Critical Care Tools on October 24, 2026.

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