Comparison

USMLE Exam Prep vs CLA NBME

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

Head to head
About

USMLE Exam Prep

Prepare for the USMLE Step 1 exam with a comprehensive practice guide. It offers hundreds of questions, offline access, and personalized review options to track your progress and focus on challenging areas. Create custom quizzes for targeted study.

Highlights
  • Offline access
  • Hundreds of practice questions
  • Modern design
  • Answer review
  • Progress tracking
  • Targeted question practice
  • Custom quiz creation
Features
Read full description

A great practice guide to get prepared for the USMLE Step 1 exam. Here are some features: • No internet required • Hundreds of questions • A modern design • Review the answers • Keep the past tests to track progress • Only practice the questions you previously answered incorrectly • Practice more effectively by creating your own random quizzes This app is just a practice app and is not affiliated with USMLE® • Disclaimer: We have made every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided on this app. However, the information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. This app is not intended to provide any medical advice.

About

CLA NBME

This tool helps healthcare providers enhance their communication skills through video-based learning. It requires a username and password for access and features actor portrayals of patients.

Highlights
  • Communication skills improvement
  • Video patient simulations
  • Healthcare provider focused
  • Requires login credentials
  • Actor portrayals
Read full description

The Communication Learning Assessment (CLA) is a tool designed to help healthcare providers improve their communication skills. Note: A username and password is required to use this app. Please contact NBME (http://www.nbme.org) for details. Videos of patients are actor portrayals.

Screenshots

USMLE Exam Prep4 screens
CLA NBME4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: USMLE Exam Prep at 4.3 against CLA NBME's 2.8. USMLE Exam Prep also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). CLA NBME's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On price, review sentiment, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

USMLE Exam Prep holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 6 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 0% and 0% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

USMLE Exam Prep ships an update every 4 months, CLA NBME monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
USMLE Exam Prep versus CLA NBME: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUSMLE Exam PrepCLA NBME
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (12 ratings) — better2.8 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB69 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperGolden Mind Services LTDNational Board of Medical Examiners

Customer experience

USMLE Exam Prep

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

CLA NBME

All ratings6 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

USMLE Exam Prep

No in-app purchases

None

CLA NBME

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is USMLE Exam Prep free?
USMLE Exam Prep is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CLA NBME free?
CLA NBME is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, USMLE Exam Prep or CLA NBME?
USMLE Exam Prep is rated higher. USMLE Exam Prep averages 4.3 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while CLA NBME averages 2.8 from 6 ratings.
Do USMLE Exam Prep or CLA NBME have ads?
USMLE Exam Prep shows ads; CLA NBME does not.
Which is updated more often, USMLE Exam Prep or CLA NBME?
USMLE Exam Prep ships an update every 4 months, and CLA NBME monthly. Most recently, USMLE Exam Prep was updated on November 3, 2026 and CLA NBME on November 4, 2026.

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