# VisualDx vs Bates' Pocket Guide

The clearest difference is review sentiment: VisualDx at 84% against Bates' Pocket Guide's 41%. VisualDx also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 14 months) and chart position (#14 vs #198). Bates' Pocket Guide's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and rating (4.8 vs 4.4). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VisualDx sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $39.99 per month and Bates' Pocket Guide sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Bates' Pocket Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 186 and 300 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 84% of VisualDx's written reviews are positive against 41% of Bates' Pocket Guide's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

VisualDx ships an update fortnightly, Bates' Pocket Guide every 14 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | VisualDx | Bates' Pocket Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.4 (186 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visualdx/id348177521/reviews) | **[4.8 (300 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bates-pocket-guide/id650795652/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 186 | **300** |
| Positive reviews | **84.3% of reviews** | 40.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 14 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#14** | #198 |
| Size | 226 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Logical Images](https://appshunter.io/developer/348177524) | [Unbound Medicine, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/300420400) |

## What reviewers say

### VisualDx

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

**Currently charting:** #14 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


### Bates' Pocket Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bates-pocket-guide/id650795652)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

This app provides essential information for obtaining health histories and conducting physical exams. It features step-by-step techniques, updated images, and differential diagnoses for quick and accurate interpretation of findings. Ideal for students and professionals needing a fast reference.

**Highlights:** Over 130 detailed topics, Step-by-step instructions, Updated photographs and illustrations, Two-column layout, New Algorithms for symptom approaches, Differential diagnoses, Highlighting and note-taking, Advanced search

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bates' Pocket Guide 9th ed. | $69.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is VisualDx free?

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

### Is Bates' Pocket Guide free?

Bates' Pocket Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, VisualDx or Bates' Pocket Guide?

Bates' Pocket Guide is rated higher. VisualDx averages 4.4 out of 5 from 186 ratings, while Bates' Pocket Guide averages 4.8 from 300 ratings.

### Do VisualDx or Bates' Pocket Guide have ads?

Neither VisualDx nor Bates' Pocket Guide shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, VisualDx or Bates' Pocket Guide?

VisualDx ships an update fortnightly, and Bates' Pocket Guide every 14 months. Most recently, VisualDx was updated on September 23, 2026 and Bates' Pocket Guide on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, VisualDx or Bates' Pocket Guide?

VisualDx currently peaks at #14 in the App Store charts, and Bates' Pocket Guide at #198. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*