Comparison

SAMF vs eMIMSplus

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

Head to head
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

About

eMIMSplus

This digital medicine reference platform offers healthcare professionals instant access to comprehensive information on all registered medicines in Australia. It includes details on product information, drug interactions, and PBS restrictions, aiding in safer prescribing and better patient care.

Highlights
  • Access to all registered Australian medicines
  • Detailed product and consumer medicine information
  • Drug interaction checker
  • Allergy and contraindication insights
  • Comprehensive PBS medicines data
  • Regularly updated database
Features
Read full description

With over 17 years of trusted service, MIMS Australia presents eMIMSplus, a comprehensive and user-friendly digital medicine reference platform tailored for primary and allied healthcare professionals. eMIMSplus provides instant access to detailed information on all registered medicines in Australia, including product information, consumer medicine information, product images, drug interactions, and PBS restrictions and pricing. Key features include: Fast, accurate search by medicine name, company, or therapeutic action. Drug interaction checker highlighting potentially harmful combinations. Insight into drug allergies and contraindications. Comprehensive PBS medicines data for prescribing guidance. Regularly updated database with the latest Australian medicine information. Safer Medications, Better Care Disclaimer: eMIMSplus is strictly meant to be used by Healthcare Professionals โ€“ Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacists & Medical Students. For more information: https://emims.plus/emimsplus/ To access the platform: https://app.emims.plus/signup For Support: Email: subscriptions@mims.com.au Phone: 1800 800 629 Available: Monday โ€“ Friday, 9:00 AM โ€“ 5:00 PM AEST

Screenshots

SAMF4 screens
eMIMSplus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: eMIMSplus at none against SAMF's 2. eMIMSplus also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). SAMF's advantage is review sentiment (13% vs 0%). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

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

CostPrice ยท In-app purchases ยท Ads ยท Monetization

Both are free to download. SAMF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. eMIMSplus asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SAMF ships an update every 3 months, eMIMSplus monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences ยท 4 level
SAMF versus eMIMSplus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSAMFeMIMSplus
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews12.5% of reviews โ€” better0.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsMonthly โ€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo โ€” better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree โ€” better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod โ€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 โ€” better16.0
Further details โ€” not scored
Size72 MB47 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperTHE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONMIMS PTE. LTD.

Customer experience

SAMF

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

eMIMSplus

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

SAMF

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$49.991 Year
None

eMIMSplus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SAMF free?
SAMF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is eMIMSplus free?
eMIMSplus is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SAMF or eMIMSplus have ads?
Neither SAMF nor eMIMSplus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SAMF or eMIMSplus?
SAMF ships an update every 3 months, and eMIMSplus monthly. Most recently, SAMF was updated on September 18, 2026 and eMIMSplus on September 23, 2026.

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