Comparison

DrugDoses vs SAMF

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

Head to head
About

DrugDoses

Provides precise medication dosages and critical medical information for healthcare professionals, particularly in pediatric intensive care. Includes extensive drug listings, lab values, cardiology data, and pediatric calculation tools for enhanced patient safety and treatment.

Highlights
  • Extensive drug database (2,150+ entries)
  • Pediatric calculation tools (PedCalc)
  • Lab values and cardiology database
  • Up-to-date medication information
  • Adult and pediatric drug listings
Features
Read full description

Designed for pediatric intensivists, DrugDoses provides precise and up-to-date medication information to ensure the safety and recovery of your patients. With over 2,150 drug entries, it’s a comprehensive resource for commonly prescribed drugs for both adults and children. Frank Shann’s DrugDoses booklet has been a trusted tool for nearly 40 years. The iOS version keeps you at the forefront of therapeutic advancements, updating drug information faster than the paper version. Beyond drug listings, the app includes over 150 lab values and a complete cardiology database, making it a versatile resource for critical medical information. The integrated PedCalc tool offers essential pediatric scores and formulas, including: ASA score Alveolo-arterial gradient Anion gap Apgar score Blunt abdominal trauma score Body mass index Body surface area Corrected Ca Creatinine clearance (measured & estimated) Endotracheal tube sizes FeNa Glasgow Coma Score Glasgow Outcome Scale Ideal Body Weight Maintenance fluids Mallampati score NACA score Neonatal central lines Oxygen index PaO2/FiO2 ratio Parkland formula Pediatric trauma score Predicted height & spirometry values QTc interval Tubular phosphate reabsorption Vital Signs Follow us on Facebook (http://facebook.drugdoses.net) for updates and to share suggestions. Our Privacy Policy is available at www.drugdoses.net/privacy. DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this app is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. It is based on the reference: Drug Doses, by Frank Shann, 17th edition, Melbourne, Australia, 2017, Collective Pty, Limited, ISBN: 9780648005308. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, the authors and developers cannot guarantee that it is free from errors or omissions. Users are responsible for making their own clinical decisions based on the information provided in this app. By using this app, you acknowledge that: - You are a healthcare professional. - You understand that the information provided is for educational purposes only. - You should consult relevant medical literature or colleagues when making clinical decisions, as this app is not a substitute for professional judgment. - You take full responsibility for the clinical decisions you make based on the information provided. - You understand that the authors and developers are not liable for any errors or omissions in the content or for any outcomes related to its use. This disclaimer must be agreed to upon first use of the app and will remain accessible in the settings for future reference. For questions, suggestions, or feedback, please email us at info@drugdoses.net.

About

SAMF

This medical reference app provides up-to-date, reliable, and unbiased information on medicines and clinical management protocols. It serves as a trusted guide for healthcare practitioners, offering evaluated content independent of the pharmaceutical industry.

Highlights
  • Up-to-date medicines information
  • Clinical management protocols
  • Reliable and unbiased content
  • Trusted reference guide
  • Independent from pharmaceutical industry
  • Mobile and web portal access
Features
Read full description

Regarded as the gold standard of medicines information and clinical management protocols in South Africa, the South African Medicines Formulary (SAMF), first published in 1988, is a trusted source of information and provides up-to-date, reliable, unbiased and evaluated information on medicines. Currently on its 15th edition , it has become a standard health practitioner's medicine reference guide, respected for accuracy of content and independence from the pharmaceutical industry. It is now available on this mobile application and supported by a web portal (https://samf-app.com/) which subscribers will have access to. The SAMF application and Book is a joint initiative of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town and the South African Medical Association (SAMA). Liquid thought maintains the application and web portal. To find information on each of the entities : - Medicines Information Centre, Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town: http://www.mic.uct.ac.za - South African Medical Association: https://www.samedical.org - Liquid thought: https://www.liquidthought.co.za All content provided in the Platform is for informational, educational and assistive purposes only, and is not a substitute for the professional judgement of healthcare professionals diagnosing and treating patients. UCT and SAMA do not provide medical advice or medical or diagnostic services through the Platform. Any reliance on the content obtained on or through the Platform is at your own risk. SAMF Citation: - Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences. (2024). South African Medicines Formulary (SAMF). SAMF website. https://samf-app.com Get access to SAMF app content with an in-app purchase. There are 2 subscription options to choose from: - 1 month subscription costs R93.99 (Prices may vary slightly depending on location) - 1 year subscription costs R929.99 (Prices may vary slightly depending on location) Payment will be made at the time of purchase confirmation via your App Store account The subscription will be automatically extended if you do not switch off the automatic renewal at least 24 hours before the premium membership expires

Screenshots

DrugDoses4 screens
SAMF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DrugDoses at 64% against SAMF's 13%. DrugDoses also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). SAMF's advantage is price (Free vs $14.99) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 9 months). On ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

SAMF is free to download; DrugDoses costs $14.99 up front. DrugDoses sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per year and SAMF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DrugDoses ships an update every 9 months, SAMF every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
DrugDoses versus SAMF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrugDosesSAMF
Price$14.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (36 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews64.4% of reviews — better12.5% of reviews
Number of ratings36 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaid — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size21 MB72 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperOliver KaramTHE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Customer experience

DrugDoses

All ratings36 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral2.8%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive64.4%
Neutral15.3%
Negative20.3%

SAMF

Written reviews16 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral18.8%
Negative68.8%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

DrugDoses

Subscriptions1
  • One year license renewal$4.991 Year
One-time3
  • PedCalc 1st bundle$0.99
  • PICU Guidelines$4.99
  • Lifetime license$4.99
2 purchases

SAMF

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$49.991 Year

Questions

Is DrugDoses free?
DrugDoses costs $14.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is SAMF free?
SAMF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DrugDoses or SAMF have ads?
Neither DrugDoses nor SAMF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DrugDoses or SAMF?
DrugDoses ships an update every 9 months, and SAMF every 3 months. Most recently, DrugDoses was updated on September 26, 2026 and SAMF on September 18, 2026.

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