Comparison

ECG Guide vs QuickEM

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

Head to head
About

ECG Guide

This comprehensive reference app provides over 200 high-quality ECG examples and in-depth explanations for medical professionals and students. It offers stepwise interpretation assistance, a large library of common and complex findings, and quiz questions to test knowledge.

Highlights
  • Over 200 high-resolution sample ECGs
  • In-depth reference text on ECG interpretation
  • Stepwise ECG Interpreter assistance
  • Over 100 multiple-choice quiz questions
  • Rapid Reference section for quick interpretation
  • Clear descriptions of arrhythmias and findings
  • Pediatric values included
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The most comprehensive ECG app in the iPhone App Store - over 200 examples of common and uncommon ECGs iPad version? bit.ly/ECGiPad or search iTunes "ECG Guide iPad" Praise for the ECG Guide: "The best ECG app currently available." -iMedicalApps.com "Core Medical App." - Georgetown Medical School. “This brand-new gem features concise explanations with ample high-quality ECG examples...” - American College of Emergency Physicians “...a 5 star application” - User review “...a must have application for doctors, residents and medical students.” - User review Succinct yet authoritative, this ECG reference is a critical companion for practicing physicians, medical trainees, nurses and paramedics. It is designed as a learning tool for those still training as well as a reliable reference for more experienced interpreters of ECGs. ***************************** Features: - Full reference text that includes in-depth information on topics such as: - Approach to ECG Interpretation - Analysis of rate, rhythm, axis, P wave, QRS complex, ST segment, T wave and QT interval - Ventricular hypertrophy and atrial enlargement - Assessment of ischemia - Approach to arrhythmia - Bradyarrythmias and tachyarrythmias, Heart block, and much more… (content based on national guidelines 2009 AHA/ACCF/HRS Recommendations for the standardization and interpretation of the electrocardiogram) - The largest ECG library available on the iPhone with over 200 high resolution sample ECGs with common and complex findings for easy reference - ECG Interpreter - Stepwise assistance with ECG interpretation. Helps create differential diagnosis based on simple to assess ECG features. - Over 100 multiple-choice quiz questions to test your knowledge - Rapid Reference section - one tap takes you to 11 summary pages used to confidently interpret ECGs - Clear descriptions of both common and complex arrhythmias and ECG findings - Review etiology and differential diagnosis of common and complex arrhythmias and ECG findings - Pediatric values included Compiled and written by Jason Andrade, MD, FRCPC.

About

QuickEM

This emergency medicine reference app provides clinicians with instant access to critical information, including differentials, treatments, and validated medical calculators. It's designed for rapid lookup of ED-specific care, organized by chief complaints and clinical categories, and works completely offline.

Highlights
  • 80+ chief complaint topics
  • 90+ medical calculators
  • Offline access
  • No login or ads
  • Adult and pediatric coverage
  • Evidence-based content
  • Customizable favorites
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The Essential Emergency Medicine Reference Trusted by Clinicians QuickEM is the comprehensive bedside companion designed by emergency physicians for emergency physicians. Whether you're a medical student on your first ED rotation or an attending managing a busy department, QuickEM delivers the critical information you need—instantly. Built for Real Emergency Medicine • Over 80 chief complaint topics with differentials, history, tests, and treatments focused on ED-specific care • Over 90 validated medical calculators / tools • No login required • Zero fluff—only ED-relevant information Organized by How You Think • Chief complaints structured by presentation • Calculators grouped by clinical category • Smart search finds tools • Customizable favorites list for your go-to references Trusted by Every Level • Medical Students: Essential differentials and workup basics • Residents: Quick access to decision rules and scoring systems • Attendings: Rapid reference for less common presentations and 2nd brain refreshers Key Features: • Complete offline access—works without internet • No ads, no subscriptions, no account required • Covers adult and pediatric emergency medicine • Includes trauma protocols and resuscitation guides • Evidence-based content with source citations • Professional medical illustrations and ECG examples Content Highlights: • Cardiovascular: HEART Score, CHADS2-VASc, Wells Criteria • Neurological: NIHSS, Canadian Head CT Rules, HINTS Exam • Trauma: NEXUS, Canadian C-Spine, PECARN • Pediatrics: PEDS Vitals, Croup Score, Bronchiolitis • Toxicology: Rumack-Matthew, CIWA-Ar, Anion Gap • And more! Developed by practicing emergency physicians who understand what you need at 3 AM with multiple critical patients. QuickEM is designed to be the fastest way to look up the info you need. This app is designed exclusively for medical professionals and students. Not intended for patient or public use.

Screenshots

ECG Guide3 screens
QuickEM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: QuickEM at 4.6 against ECG Guide's 3.6. QuickEM also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 76%). ECG Guide's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $9.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and monetization model 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

ECG Guide costs $0.99 and QuickEM $9.99 up front. QuickEM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ECG Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

QuickEM holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 10 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of ECG Guide's written reviews are positive against 91% of QuickEM's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 22, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
ECG Guide versus QuickEM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterECG GuideQuickEM
Price$0.99 — better$9.99
Rating3.6 (8 ratings)4.6 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.8% of reviews90.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings810 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#178#109 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB78 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperWebMDDirkes Medical, PLLC

Customer experience

ECG Guide

All ratings8 ratings
Positive62.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews132 reviews
Positive75.8%
Neutral7.6%
Negative16.7%

QuickEM

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive90.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

ECG Guide

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • App crashes at startup
  • Incompatible with iOS 4 (fixed in later updates)
  • Incompatible with iOS 11 (64-bit update needed)
  • UI appears blown-up and blurry on iPhone 6+
  • Cannot exit ECG view when rotated sideways
Show 2 more
  • Crashes after OS 3.0 update
  • Incorrect pricing display in some regions

Requested features

14 requests
  • iPad support and optimization
  • Highlight or circle abnormalities on ECG images
  • Search functionality for finding specific content
  • Customizable quiz difficulty levels
  • ACLS algorithms integration
Show 9 more
  • Pediatric reference tables and criteria
  • Arrows and annotations on ECG samples
  • Corrected QT calculator
  • Alternate lead placement information (Fontane, Brugada)
  • Notes and favorites functionality
  • Camera integration to analyze ECG photos
  • Device synchronization between iPhone and iPad
  • More heart block examples
  • Smoother landscape/portrait transitions

QuickEM

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

ECG Guide

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

QuickEM

One-time1
  • Premium Features$2.99

Questions

Is ECG Guide free?
ECG Guide costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is QuickEM free?
QuickEM costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ECG Guide or QuickEM?
QuickEM is rated higher. ECG Guide averages 3.6 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while QuickEM averages 4.6 from 10 ratings.
Do ECG Guide or QuickEM have ads?
Neither ECG Guide nor QuickEM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ECG Guide or QuickEM?
ECG Guide ships an update every 2 months, and QuickEM every 2 months. Most recently, ECG Guide was updated on September 22, 2026 and QuickEM on September 22, 2026.
Which is more popular, ECG Guide or QuickEM?
ECG Guide currently peaks at #178 in the App Store charts, and QuickEM at #109. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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