PeriOptimization Lite vs CSTSetup
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
PeriOptimization Lite
This app assists surgical staff in preparing for procedures by providing guidance on positioning, equipment, and instrumentation. It includes instructional videos and expert tips to ensure all necessary materials are ready before a case begins.
- Surgical procedure preparation guidance
- Equipment and instrumentation instructions
- Patient positioning advice
- Instructional videos
- Expert tips from perioperative nurses
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PeriOptimization Lite is an app designed to assist the Registered Nurse and/or Certified Scrub Technician to safely, accurately, and completely prepare for surgical procedures. PeriOptimization Lite provides guidance for several service lines and clinical competencies, including instructions for positioning, equipment, and instrumentation as well as instructional videos. The app is unique in that it provides "Tips From the Pro", a section under each procedure, with advice from experienced perioperative nurses. We encourage and welcome feedback from users for continuous improvement. Disclaimer: We do not provide medical recommendations or diagnosis, but rather a “check list” for perioperative staff to ensure the universally accepted materials, instruments, equipment, medications, and appropriate positioning are in place prior to the start of the case. PeriOptimization Lite does not give recommendations on performing a procedure or provide a diagnosis. This App does not give nor is it intended to provide health- or medical-related advice or information.Such Content is provided for general technician and nurse information only. We do not directly or indirectly practice medicine, render medical advice, or dispense medical services via our Services or otherwise, and nothing contained in our Services should be intended to be a medical diagnosis or treatment. No medical professional/patient relationship is created by your use of our Services or the Content.
CSTSetup
This app provides surgical technologists, students, and educators with a comprehensive library of surgical setups, instrument details, and case log verification. Master hundreds of procedures, identify over 2,700 instruments, and ensure your clinical experience counts towards your logbook.
- Hundreds of surgical setups
- 2,700+ instrument library
- Instrument identification and details
- Surgical case log evaluator
- Procedural blueprints
- Instrument handling cautions
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Step into the operating room with confidence. CSTSetup is the clinical companion built for surgical technologists, students and OR educators — your setups, your instrument library, your exam prep and your case log, all in one place. SURGICAL SETUPS 250+ step-by-step setups across General, Cardiac, ENT, Neuro, OB/GYN, Ophthalmology, Orthopedic, Plastics, Urology and Vascular, each with the exact instruments and supplies for the case. General Surgery is free; Pro unlocks every specialty. THE FULL INSTRUMENT LIBRARY Its own tab now: 2,800+ surgical instruments with real photographs, alternate names and handling notes. Pro members can turn, zoom and open real 3D models of hundreds of them. STUDY FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION EXAM A full exam-prep home on the Study tab for the CST (NBSTSA), TS-C (NCCT), CRCST (HSPA), CSPDT (CBSPD) and CSFA (NBSTSA) exams: practice by area, timed exams matched to the real pass mark, and a daily five questions to keep your streak going. CASE LOG EVALUATOR Choose AST, NCCT or CC4SA, check off what you did in the room, and get an instant First Scrub / Second Scrub / Observation answer before you submit it to your program director. CAN'T FIND A SETUP? Ask for it from the Help Desk, right in the app, and we'll notify you when it's built. ONE SUBSCRIPTION CSTSetup Pro unlocks every specialty, the full library, 3D models and every certification exam — in this app, in Instruments, and on cstsetup.com. Download CSTSetup and put the whole back table in your pocket.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: PeriOptimization Lite at 5.0 against CSTSetup's 4.4. PeriOptimization Lite also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 16.4). CSTSetup's advantage is chart position (#199 vs unranked) and ratings volume (7 vs 1). 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
Both are free to download. CSTSetup sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. PeriOptimization Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.
PeriOptimization Lite holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CSTSetup has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
PeriOptimization Lite ships an update every 6 days, CSTSetup weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PeriOptimization Lite | CSTSetup |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.4 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 7 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | — | #199 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 34 MB | 59 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Shankara Subramanian | CSTSetup |
Customer experience
PeriOptimization Lite
CSTSetup
In-app purchases
PeriOptimization Lite
No in-app purchases
CSTSetup
- CSTSetup Monthly Pro$12.991 Month
- CSTSetup Yearly Pro$155.991 Year
Questions
Is PeriOptimization Lite free?
Is CSTSetup free?
Which has better reviews, PeriOptimization Lite or CSTSetup?
Do PeriOptimization Lite or CSTSetup have ads?
Which is updated more often, PeriOptimization Lite or CSTSetup?
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