# WebMD vs AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS)

The clearest difference is ads: AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) at none against WebMD's shown. AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). WebMD's advantage is review sentiment (70% vs 43%) and ratings volume (136K vs 64). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

WebMD holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WebMD has 136K ratings behind it against 64, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of WebMD's written reviews are positive against 43% of AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS)'s.

WebMD ships an update every 3 weeks, AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WebMD | AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (136K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/webmd-symptom-checker/id295076329/reviews)** | [4.4 (64 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/askfirst-formerly-ask-nhs/id1222121280/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **136K** | 64 |
| Positive reviews | **70.0% of reviews** | 43.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 151 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [WebMD](https://appshunter.io/developer/295076332) | [Sense.ly Corporation](https://appshunter.io/developer/871632287) |

## What reviewers say

### WebMD

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/webmd-symptom-checker/id295076329)

This app helps you check symptoms, get medication reminders, and find doctors. It also offers prescription savings and information on conditions and drugs.

**Highlights:** Symptom Checker, Medication Reminders, Prescription Savings, Doctor Directory, Condition Information, Drug Interaction Checker

**Features:** Apple Wallet, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Useful medical information
- 🚀 Easy to navigate
- 💊 Helpful medication reminders
- 📚 Valuable medical resource
- 🧠 Informative health articles

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- 🔍 Limited search functionality
- 💻 Outdated or missing information
- 🌙 Lack of dark mode
- 📢 Excessive ads

**Reported bugs**

- Medication reminders not working correctly
- Symptom checker providing inaccurate results
- App freezing or crashing on launch
- Notifications not clearing properly

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved symptom checker
- Expanded medication database
- Better location-based features
- Customizable medication reminders


### AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/askfirst-formerly-ask-nhs/id1222121280)

This AI-powered symptom checker uses clinically validated medical intelligence to help you assess your condition. It provides insights into urgency, offers guidance on next steps, and supports informed healthcare decisions without replacing professional medical advice.

**Highlights:** AI symptom assessment, Conversational symptom checking, Urgency assessment, Next step guidance, Supports healthcare decisions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Quick and efficient appointment booking
- 👍 User-friendly interface for simple tasks
- ⏱️ Saves time compared to phone queues
- 📱 Easy to navigate once familiar with app
- 🎯 Provides appointment options and flexibility

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes and 'Access Denied' errors
- 🔄 Logging out mid-process without saving progress
- ❌ Poor age calculation and data handling
- 😕 Limited diagnostic capabilities beyond triage
- 🔐 Login and authentication issues

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes with 'Access Denied' popup
- Logs out unexpectedly mid-booking process
- Age calculation incorrect despite correct birthdate input
- Login credentials not recognized (NHS and Ask First)
- Forgot password link not sent

**Requested features**

- Back button to navigate and correct mistakes
- Ability to save progress and return later
- Preview available appointments before answering all questions
- Support for multiple family members with same date of birth
- Better integration with NHS records and existing systems


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WebMD free?

WebMD is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) free?

AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, WebMD or AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS)?

WebMD is rated higher. WebMD averages 4.7 out of 5 from 136K ratings, while AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) averages 4.4 from 64 ratings.

### Do WebMD or AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) have ads?

WebMD shows ads; AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) does not.

### Which is updated more often, WebMD or AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS)?

WebMD ships an update every 3 weeks, and AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) every 2 months. Most recently, WebMD was updated on November 8, 2026 and AskFirst (formerly Ask NHS) on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*