Comparison

Start North vs NMAS First Responder Protocols

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

Head to head
About

Start North

Features
Read full description

When dealing with a medical emergency, seconds matter. The Start North app lets hospital staff and emergency first responders to request a North Memorial Health Air Care helicopter at the touch of a button. The app immediately alerts our dispatch center and provides request details directly into the computer aided dispatch system.
 Our Start North app provides numerous features that allow users to: - Receive up-to-the-minute reports of our helicopter’s location displayed on a map, including estimated arrival time - View transport request data such as GPS location for scene calls or unit and room number information for inter-facility transports - Get timely, regular updates through push notifications - Review a hospital directory, searchable by name - Access our landing zone guide that provides key safety measures to prepare for the helicopter’s arrival Note: registration is required for all users. All registered users have access to the basic functions of this app. Only approved users can access the advanced app features, including the ability to request a helicopter transport.

About

NMAS First Responder Protocols

Read full description

NMAS First Responder Protocols is an app that provides quick offline access to the North Memorial First Responders protocols and supporting materials. Features include: •Quick indexed lookup of protocols in a matter of seconds •Search titles and text •Favorites tab for quick access of what's important to you •Updated shortly after new protocols are posted online making it more up-to-date than most printed protocol manuals •Customizable hospital contact information and mapping •Customizable notes for each individual protocol entry •Always with you as long as you have your device and never fades or tears

Screenshots

Start North4 screens
NMAS First Responder Protocols4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Start North at every 4 months against NMAS First Responder Protocols's every 11 months. Start North also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Start North ships an update every 4 months, NMAS First Responder Protocols every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 4 level
Start North versus NMAS First Responder Protocols: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStart NorthNMAS First Responder Protocols
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB27 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSofttech, Incorporated.Acid Remap LLC

In-app purchases

None

Start North

No in-app purchases

None

NMAS First Responder Protocols

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Start North free?
Start North is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is NMAS First Responder Protocols free?
NMAS First Responder Protocols is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Start North or NMAS First Responder Protocols have ads?
Neither Start North nor NMAS First Responder Protocols shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Start North or NMAS First Responder Protocols?
Start North ships an update every 4 months, and NMAS First Responder Protocols every 11 months. Most recently, Start North was updated on October 25, 2026 and NMAS First Responder Protocols on October 27, 2026.

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