# VisualDx vs ClinicalKey

The clearest difference is review sentiment: VisualDx at 84% against ClinicalKey's 9%. VisualDx also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks) and chart position (#10 vs unranked). ClinicalKey's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11). On price, ads, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VisualDx sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $39.99 per month. ClinicalKey asks for nothing beyond the download.

VisualDx ships an update fortnightly, ClinicalKey every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | VisualDx | ClinicalKey |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (186 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visualdx/id348177521/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **186** | — |
| Positive reviews | **84.3% of reviews** | 8.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Subscription | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#10** | — |
| Size | 226 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Logical Images](https://appshunter.io/developer/348177524) | [Elsevier Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/367031326) |

## What reviewers say

### VisualDx

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visualdx/id348177521)

**Currently charting:** #10 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

This visual reference tool aids medical professionals in improving patient engagement and diagnostic accuracy. It utilizes AI and a vast image atlas to help build custom differentials, share patient-specific images, and access comprehensive diagnostic information. Earn continuing education credits while making better medical decisions.

**Highlights:** Build custom differentials, Engage patients with visual aids, Improve diagnostic accuracy, Access therapy and test options, Recognize infectious diseases, Earn CME credits

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Complete (1 Month) | $39.99 | per month |
| VisualDx Core Monthly | $39.99 | per month |
| Complete+DermExpert (1 Month) | $49.99 | per month |
| VisualDx Elite Monthly | $49.99 | per month |
| Add DermExpert (1 Year) | $99.99 | per year |
| Complete (1 Year) | $149.99 | per year |
| VisualDx Core Annual | $249.99 | per year |
| VisualDx Elite Annual | $299.99 | per year |
| Complete+DermExpert (1 Year) | $499.99 | per year |
| Add DermExpert (1 yr) | $99.99 | one-time |
| Complete (1 yr) | $399.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📸 Excellent clinical images and kodachromes
- 👍 User-friendly interface and easy navigation
- 🎓 Comprehensive differential diagnosis tool
- 📚 Detailed disease summaries and treatment information
- 🌍 Inclusive representation of skin of color

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription cost
- ❌ Difficult subscription cancellation process
- 🐛 App crashes and performance issues
- 📱 Quiz feature laggy and unreliable
- 😤 Poor customer service responsiveness

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when using quiz feature
- CME credit claiming functionality fails
- Subscription cancellation not processed
- Renewal charges despite cancellation requests
- Quiz unable to load properly

**Requested features**

- Make app free again (previously free)
- Simplify subscription cancellation in-app
- Improve quiz functionality for mobile
- Add quiz feature to desktop version
- Expand patient information handouts


### ClinicalKey

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clinicalkey/id1041998175)

This app provides medical professionals with instant access to a vast library of clinical knowledge, including synoptic content and in-depth reference materials. It helps users stay updated on medical advancements, confirm diagnoses, and advance their research skills, all while offering CME/MOC/CE credits.

**Highlights:** Access to 30+ medical specialties, Synoptic content for quick answers, Full-text reference books and journals, Mobile-optimized medical calculators, Earn CME/MOC/CE credits, Intuitive search functionality

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 High-quality, evidence-based clinical content
- 🎯 Intuitive interface and quick reference format
- 🔍 Similar functionality to website version
- 👍 Browse feature restoration appreciated by users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔓 Constant forced logout issues
- 🔐 Institutional login authentication failures
- ⏳ App freezes and perpetual loading screens
- 🚫 Missing textbook access in app vs website
- 📵 Frequent crashes and force closures

**Reported bugs**

- App stuck on loading screen after initial login
- Forced logout when closing or minimizing app
- Institutional login not working despite web access
- App crashes during search queries
- OpenAthens authentication failures

**Requested features**

- PDF download capability within the app
- Favorite/bookmark textbooks and articles
- Landscape mode support for iPad
- Find-on-page text search function
- Automatic session persistence and page memory


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VisualDx free?

VisualDx is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is ClinicalKey free?

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

### Do VisualDx or ClinicalKey have ads?

Neither VisualDx nor ClinicalKey shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VisualDx or ClinicalKey?

VisualDx ships an update fortnightly, and ClinicalKey every 5 weeks. Most recently, VisualDx was updated on September 23, 2026 and ClinicalKey on September 25, 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.*