Nursing Central vs Mesa Pharmacy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Nursing Central
This comprehensive nursing app integrates multiple best-selling resources to provide quick access to vital clinical information. It offers detailed data on diseases, drugs, tests, and procedures, along with a medical dictionary and access to the PubMed database. Features include study tools, custom notes, and multimedia content to enhance learning and efficiency for healthcare professionals and students.
- Drug information with updates
- Medical dictionary with 75,000+ entries
- Laboratory and diagnostic test details
- Disease and disorder information
- PubMed database access
- Exclusive study system (Grasp™)
- Custom notes and highlights
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Five best-selling nursing apps combine to form the premier, integrated clinical nursing solution. Use valuable tools to find and apply the information you need. Purchase includes iOS app, macOS app, and web access. PLEASE NOTE: Current customers and institutional subscribers can use this app to download content to their iOS devices. ABOUT NURSING CENTRAL Nursing Central helps nurses and students be more efficient by providing detailed information on diseases, tests, drugs, and procedures where and when it is needed. The moment a question arises you can consult the updating database of 5,000 drugs, find a definition in the dictionary with 75,000+ entries, interpret hundreds of laboratory and diagnostic tests, and consult the latest disease information. You can also search the entire PubMed database or study unfamiliar topics using the exclusive study system - Grasp™, all from your mobile device Five best-selling nursing applications combine to form Nursing Central. DAVIS’S DRUG GUIDE FOR NURSES Refer to regularly updated information on dosing, contraindications, drug interactions, and patient education for more than 5,000 medications. TABER’S MEDICAL DICTIONARY Define over 75,000 medical terms and enhance learning with images, videos, and audio pronunciations. DAVIS’S LABORATORY AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTS Access rationale and results for tests as well as pretest requirements, intratest procedures, and post-test patient care. DISEASES AND DISORDERS Review complete coverage of more than 250 medical conditions. Prime PubMed Connect to the full PubMed journal citations and abstracts database on your mobile device. Stay up to date with your favorite nursing and medical journals with Prime Journals, perform powerful searches, receive suggestions on relevant articles with Prime ForYou, link directly to the publisher’s full text, and share articles via email or social media. Visually explore the literature using Grapherence®, a unique way to find related and relevant articles. FEATURES • Receive 1-year of drug updates • Create custom notes and highlights within entries • Consult trusted disease and test information • Jump quickly between resources using Cross Links • View thousands of colorful images, figures, and videos • Learn on the go with our exclusive study system - Grasp™ • Access the full PubMed database • Use the Full Text Search to help find topics across all resources • Bookmark important entries with “Favorites” • Get access to Nursing Central website for one year • Personalize your app by re-ordering resources to match your unique needs and preferences. DRUG AND CONTENT UPDATE RENEWAL • After initial Nursing Central purchase you will receive updates for one year • After one year, you can purchase updates for an additional year, at the discounted rate of $99.99. If you do not choose to purchase, you can continue to use the product but will not receive updates. • If you purchase updates, they will automatically renew annually at the renewal rate ($99.99) and charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of purchase, unless auto-renew is turned off 24 hours prior to the conclusion of the one-year subscription period. • Account will be charged ($99.99) for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the yearly subscription term. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Unbound Privacy Policy: www.unboundmedicine.com/privacy Unbound Terms of Use: https://www.unboundmedicine.com/end_user_license_agreement
Mesa Pharmacy
Easily manage prescriptions, schedule appointments, and chat with pharmacists. Access health resources, medication information, and coordinate care for family members all from your mobile device.
- Manage prescription refills
- Schedule appointments
- Chat with pharmacists
- Coordinate family care
- Access medication information
- Browse pharmacy services
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Our user-friendly mobile app makes it easier than ever to manage prescriptions, schedule appointments, chat with our team members, and access health resources from wherever, whenever. With our app you can easily: Manage medication refills: Submit refill requests, receive pickup/refill reminders, and view your order history with just a few clicks. Update your patient profile: Keep track of your medication history and never forget an Rx number again. Our app allows you to access a comprehensive history of your prescriptions, including dosage information, refill dates, and instructions. Update your personal information and preferences to ensure you receive the best care possible. Coordinate your family’s care: Manage your family member’s healthcare needs with our People Under My Care functionality. This feature enables users to refill prescriptions, manage appointments, and more for those under your care. Whether it’s your children, elderly parents, or other family members, you can ensure they never miss a dose or an appointment. Chat with your Pharmacist: Have questions about your medications, billing, or appointments? Use our secure chat feature to communicate directly with our pharmacists while keeping your private information protected. You can send images of prescription barcodes, insurance cards, and more to get quick and accurate assistance. Pharmacy services: Browse a list of healthcare services offered by your pharmacy, such as vaccinations, point-of-care testing, and health consultations. Use this section to explore what's available and find information to help plan your visit. Access medication information: Want to learn more about your medications and conditions? Our app provides on-demand videos and downloadable Medication Guides. These resources offer detailed information on dosage, proper administration, potential side effects, and more, empowering you with information about the medications you and your family are taking. Experience the convenience and enhanced care that comes with having Mesa Pharmacy at your fingertips, 24/7. Download our app today and take control of your health with ease. *Access to some features requires being a registered pharmacy patient with a valid prescription.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Nursing Central at 4.8 against Mesa Pharmacy's 1.0. Nursing Central also leads on ratings volume (11K vs 1) and chart position (#58 vs unranked). Mesa Pharmacy's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 13). On price, update cadence, ads and iOS requirement 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. Nursing Central sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per year. Mesa Pharmacy asks for nothing beyond the download.
Nursing Central holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nursing Central has 11K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Nursing Central ships an update every 6 weeks, Mesa Pharmacy every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Nursing Central | Mesa Pharmacy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (11K ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 74.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 11K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 4 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #58 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Unbound Medicine, Inc. | Bestcare Mesa LLC |
Customer experience
Nursing Central
Mesa Pharmacy
Bugs and requests
Nursing Central
Reported bugs
4 issues- Login and account issues
- Syncing problems across devices
- Outdated content and lack of updates
- Compatibility problems with newer devices
Requested features
5 requests- Offline access to content
- More detailed disease and medication information
- Integration with electronic medical records
- Video tutorials and demonstrations
- Improved search and filtering capabilities
Mesa Pharmacy
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Nursing Central
- Intravenous Medications$49.991 Year
- Drugs and Tools Renewal$49.991 Year
- Nursing Central$99.991 Year
- NCLEX-RN Quest$19.99
- RNotes 5th Edition$29.99
- RNotes$29.99
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- Disaster Nursing$39.99
- Taylor's Clinical$42.99
- Nurse's Pocket Guide$49.99
- Nurse's Pocket Guide 16e$49.99
- Nurses' Health Assessment2 variants$59.99
- Nursing Central$199.99
Mesa Pharmacy
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Nursing Central free?
Is Mesa Pharmacy free?
Which has better reviews, Nursing Central or Mesa Pharmacy?
Do Nursing Central or Mesa Pharmacy have ads?
Which is updated more often, Nursing Central or Mesa Pharmacy?
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