# Dermatomes vs Bedside EM

The clearest difference is price: Bedside EM at Free against Dermatomes's $0.99. Bedside EM also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.0) and review sentiment (85% vs 64%). Dermatomes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 5 months). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Bedside EM is free to download; Dermatomes costs $0.99 up front. Bedside EM sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Dermatomes asks for nothing beyond the download.

Bedside EM holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bedside EM has 60 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 64% of Dermatomes's written reviews are positive against 85% of Bedside EM's.

Dermatomes ships an update every 6 weeks, Bedside EM every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dermatomes | Bedside EM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dermatomes/id371093098/reviews) | **[4.2 (60 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bedside-em/id413192645/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **60** |
| Positive reviews | 63.9% of reviews | **84.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | **Paid** | Subscription |
| Size | 17 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Codev Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/341774650) | [Dark Medical Apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1046115244) |

## What reviewers say

### Dermatomes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dermatomes/id371093098)

This app offers a detailed, zoomable map of spinal nerve roots and their corresponding skin sensation areas. It includes charts of important landmarks and is designed for medical professionals and students as a quick reference for neuroanatomy.

**Highlights:** Zoomable dermatome map, Anterior and posterior views, Cutaneous nerve distribution, Reference chart of landmarks, Pinch-to-zoom functionality

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Bedside EM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bedside-em/id413192645)

This comprehensive medical reference app provides evidence-based, peer-reviewed information for emergency medicine providers and those caring for acutely ill patients. It features a searchable, offline database with continuously updated content and a user-friendly interface.

**Highlights:** Offline access, Searchable database, Evidence-based content, Peer-reviewed updates, Pediatric tape, Clinical decision rules

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great quick reference
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 👍 Useful for residents and attendings
- 👍 High-yield information
- 👍 Well-organized content

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Lost notes and bookmarks
- 🐛 Missing dental portion
- 🐛 New upgrade is lacking
- 🐛 Incomplete toxicology information
- 🐛 Basic information

**Reported bugs**

- Lost notes and bookmarks since update
- Categories reorganized and hard to find
- Temporarily lost access after rebranding
- EKG illustrations covered by back task bar

**Requested features**

- Update privacy label
- Add settings button to enlarge print
- Add an 'update' option for newest information
- Support French language
- Add more categories


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dermatomes free?

Dermatomes costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Bedside EM free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Dermatomes or Bedside EM?

Bedside EM is rated higher. Dermatomes averages 3.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Bedside EM averages 4.2 from 60 ratings.

### Do Dermatomes or Bedside EM have ads?

Neither Dermatomes nor Bedside EM shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Dermatomes or Bedside EM?

Dermatomes ships an update every 6 weeks, and Bedside EM every 5 months. Most recently, Dermatomes was updated on October 11, 2026 and Bedside EM on October 10, 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.*