Comparison

WHO TB Guide vs SAMF

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

Head to head
About

WHO TB Guide

Access the latest WHO tuberculosis guidance, including recommendations and implementation aids, directly on your device. This app provides quick access to modular guidelines and operational handbooks, with offline functionality and an enhanced search feature.

Highlights
  • Latest WHO tuberculosis guidance
  • Recommendations and implementation aids
  • Modular guidelines and operational handbooks
  • Enhanced search function
  • Offline access
  • Bookmark content
Features
Read full description

Latest WHO tuberculosis guidance in your pocket! Find recommendations, implementation aids and links to the evidence on which they are based. This app was created by the World Health Organization (WHO) Department for HIV, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis and STI to give users quick access to its modular guidelines and operational handbooks. FEATURES * Guidelines available in easy to scroll format * Complementary implementation guidance (e.g. drug dose finder, algorithms) * Enhanced search function to locate information swiftly * A map with 200+ recommendations * Bookmark the content you need in your work * Works offline – always have access to the guidance * Always free – public data compiled by WHO * Available in English and French. Other languages expected in future * Possibility to provide feedback for continued improvement

About

SAMF

This medical reference app provides up-to-date, reliable, and unbiased information on medicines and clinical management protocols. It serves as a trusted guide for healthcare practitioners, offering evaluated content independent of the pharmaceutical industry.

Highlights
  • Up-to-date medicines information
  • Clinical management protocols
  • Reliable and unbiased content
  • Trusted reference guide
  • Independent from pharmaceutical industry
  • Mobile and web portal access
Features
Read full description

Regarded as the gold standard of medicines information and clinical management protocols in South Africa, the South African Medicines Formulary (SAMF), first published in 1988, is a trusted source of information and provides up-to-date, reliable, unbiased and evaluated information on medicines. Currently on its 15th edition , it has become a standard health practitioner's medicine reference guide, respected for accuracy of content and independence from the pharmaceutical industry. It is now available on this mobile application and supported by a web portal (https://samf-app.com/) which subscribers will have access to. The SAMF application and Book is a joint initiative of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town and the South African Medical Association (SAMA). Liquid thought maintains the application and web portal. To find information on each of the entities : - Medicines Information Centre, Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town: http://www.mic.uct.ac.za - South African Medical Association: https://www.samedical.org - Liquid thought: https://www.liquidthought.co.za All content provided in the Platform is for informational, educational and assistive purposes only, and is not a substitute for the professional judgement of healthcare professionals diagnosing and treating patients. UCT and SAMA do not provide medical advice or medical or diagnostic services through the Platform. Any reliance on the content obtained on or through the Platform is at your own risk. SAMF Citation: - Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences. (2024). South African Medicines Formulary (SAMF). SAMF website. https://samf-app.com Get access to SAMF app content with an in-app purchase. There are 2 subscription options to choose from: - 1 month subscription costs R93.99 (Prices may vary slightly depending on location) - 1 year subscription costs R929.99 (Prices may vary slightly depending on location) Payment will be made at the time of purchase confirmation via your App Store account The subscription will be automatically extended if you do not switch off the automatic renewal at least 24 hours before the premium membership expires

Screenshots

WHO TB Guide4 screens
SAMF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: WHO TB Guide at 100% against SAMF's 13%. WHO TB Guide also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.4 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. SAMF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. WHO TB Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
WHO TB Guide versus SAMF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWHO TB GuideSAMF
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better12.5% of reviews
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.4 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size332 MB72 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperWorld Health OrganizationTHE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Customer experience

WHO TB Guide

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

SAMF

Written reviews16 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral18.8%
Negative68.8%

In-app purchases

None

WHO TB Guide

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SAMF

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$49.991 Year

Questions

Is WHO TB Guide free?
WHO TB Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SAMF free?
SAMF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do WHO TB Guide or SAMF have ads?
Neither WHO TB Guide nor SAMF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WHO TB Guide or SAMF?
WHO TB Guide ships an update every 3 months, and SAMF every 3 months. Most recently, WHO TB Guide was updated on September 28, 2026 and SAMF on October 5, 2026.

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