Comparison

Compendium vs DrDrugs

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

Head to head
About

Compendium

Access comprehensive drug information for medical professionals. Quickly find details on medicines approved in the USA, Switzerland, and Spain with powerful search and export functions. Supports multiple languages for global use.

Highlights
  • Complete FDA drug data set
  • Spanish AEMPS-certified medicines
  • Swissmedic-certified medicines
  • Multi-language support
  • Fast search function
  • PDF export
  • Content sharing
Features
Read full description

Com­pendi­um con­tains the com­plete data set of med­i­cines ap­proved in the USA, Switzer­land, or Spain, based on your lan­guage se­lec­tion. The application provides medical professionals with detailed information about the drugs approved for use in the United States, Switzerland, Spain and Europe (BG, CS, DA, DE, EL, EN, ES, ET, FI, FR, HR, HU, IT, LT, LV, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SL, SV) The long process of leafing through and searching is over. Using the search function, you can find all the information within seconds. Language of the data: English / Spanish / German / French Functions: • Directly to the desired content via table of contents • PDF export • Share content via Messages, Mail, AirDrop, Notes ... • Print function • Search function • Open content in different tabs ----------------------------------- English (USA) ----------------------------------- The Compendium App contains the complete data set of the FDA: • «Human Drugs» • «Human OTC Drugs» • «Animal Drugs» • «Medical Devices» Table of Contents*: • Package Photos • Boxed Warning • Highlights of Prescribing Information • Prescribing Information • Indications and Usage • Dosage and Administration • Dosage Forms and Strengths • Contraindications • Warnings and Precautions • Adverse Reactions • Drug Interactions • Use in Specific Populations • Overdosage • Description • Clinical Pharmacology • Nonclinical Toxicology • Clinical Studies • Ingredients and Appearance Total: ~ 140'000 Records ----------------------------------- Spanish (Spain) ----------------------------------- The application contains the complete data set of AEMPS-certified medicines in Spain. (Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios)

• Ficha técnica
• Prospecto • Evaluación 
Table of Contents*: • Fotos del producto • Nombre del medicamento • Composición cualitativa y cuantitativa • Forma farmacéutica • Datos clínicos • Propiedades farmacológicas •  Datos farmacéuticos
• Titular de la autorización de comercialización Total: ~ 28'175 Records ----------------------------------- German / French (Switzerland) ----------------------------------- The application contains the complete data set of Swissmedic-certified medicines in Switzerland. Table of Contents*: • Zusammensetzung • Galenische Form und Wirkstoffmenge pro Einheit • Indikationen/Anwendungsmöglichkeiten • Dosierung/Anwendung • Kontraindikationen • Warnhinweise und Vorsichtsmassnahmen • Interaktionen • Schwangerschaft/Stillzeit • Wirkung auf die Fahrtüchtigkeit und auf das Bedienen von Maschinen • Unerwünschte Wirkungen • Überdosierung • Eigenschaften/Wirkungen • Pharmakokinetik • Präklinische Daten • Sonstige Hinweise • Zulassungsnummer • Packungen • Zulassungsinhaberin Total: ~ 4000 Records ----------------------------------- (* Incomplete list - depending on article) ----------------------------------- Terms of Service: https://api.treeinspired.com/kp/TermsofService.pdf Privacy Policy: https://api.treeinspired.com/kp/PrivacyPolicy.pdf -----------------------------------

About

DrDrugs

This medical reference app provides comprehensive drug information, including over 1,400 monographs and 700 dosing calculators. It focuses on safe practice and patient care, offering audio pronunciations and updated content for various patient populations and high-alert medications.

Highlights
  • 1,400+ drug monographs
  • 700+ built-in dosing calculators
  • Audio pronunciations for 1200+ drugs
  • NDC codes for 1300+ monographs
  • BEERS, REMS, and NDC indices
  • Pediatric, geriatric, and OB dosing
  • High Alert Medication identification
Features
Read full description

"Try before you buy" – Download the FREE app, which includes sample content. An in-App purchase is required to unlock all content. Davis’s Drug Guide for Physicians, 20th Edition is a trusted drug reference designed for medical students, residents, and practicing physicians. It delivers essential information needed to prescribe and manage medications safely across the lifespan. The guide features well-organized monographs for hundreds of generic drugs and thousands of trade names, emphasizing clinical prescribing, monitoring, administration, and patient management. This comprehensive resource enhances patient safety with high-alert medication markers, life-threatening side effects highlighted in red bold text, REMS icons for high-risk drugs, and detailed guidance on drug interactions. It also includes special considerations for pediatric, geriatric, pregnancy, lactation, and reproductive-age patients. The 20th Edition provides comprehensive prescribing information physicians need to deliver optimal patient care. DrDrugs includes 700+ built-in drug dosing calculation tools, enabling users to review a drug, calculate dosage, and administer medication seamlessly within a single workflow. Comprehensive coverage on 1,400+ drug monographs including more than: - 5,000 trade & generic drugs as well as expanded coverage of herbal products - 150 drug classifications, both therapeutic and pharmacologic (if available) - 500 commonly used combination drugs, including the dosage amount of the active generic ingredient - Most complete life-span drug dosing considerations for adult, pediatric, & geriatric patients Coverage on vulnerable populations including: - New indications & dosing recommendations for top 100 pediatric drugs - Pediatric, geriatric & OB medication administration considerations - A complete immunization schedule - Special techniques for administering medications to children - Oral rehydration solutions - Drugs and breast feeding - List of drugs associated with increased number of falls in the elderly More High Alert Coverage and Patient Safety Information than any other drug guide including: - Special highlights to identify High Alert Medications with high risks for patient injury & information throughout the monograph that explain what the physician can do to ensure patient safety - “Do not confuse with" & "Do not crush, break, or chew" caution statements highlighted to support safe practice - Information on how to prevent administration errors, detect dosing & dispensing errors & detect or prevent adverse drug reactions (ADR)s. - Explanations on how to administer medication safely by all routes–including signs and symptoms for toxicity & overdose, safe handling tips & how to educate patients for safe medication use in the home Plus integrated dosing calculators-700+ built in weight-based drug dosing calculation tools, simply review a drug, calculate the dose & administer all in a single step, without needing to switch to a separate drug dosing program. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Purchase a yearly auto-renewing subscription for full content access and updates. • Yearly auto-renewing subscription: $38.99 Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account upon purchase confirmation. Subscriptions renew automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. Users can manage subscriptions and disable auto-renewal anytime through device Settings > iTunes & App Store. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited upon subscription purchase where applicable. If you have any questions or comments, email us any time: customersupport@skyscape.com or call 508-299-3000 Privacy Policy- https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/privacypolicy.aspx Terms & Conditions- https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/licenseagreement.aspx Author(s): Cynthia A. Sanoski Publisher: F. A. Davis Company

Screenshots

Compendium4 screens
DrDrugs4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DrDrugs at 67% against Compendium's 25%. DrDrugs also leads on rating (4.5 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (35 vs 1). Compendium's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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

Both are free to download. Compendium sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month and DrDrugs sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DrDrugs holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DrDrugs has 35 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Compendium's written reviews are positive against 67% of DrDrugs's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Compendium ships an update every 3 weeks, DrDrugs every 4 months. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Compendium versus DrDrugs: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCompendiumDrDrugs
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)4.5 (35 ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings135 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB46 MB
Age rating12+17+
Developertreeinspired GmbHSkyscape Medpresso Inc

Customer experience

Compendium

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%

DrDrugs

All ratings35 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral2.9%
Negative11.4%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Compendium

Subscriptions4
  • Compendium one Month3 Days trial$3.491 Month
  • Compendium for 3 months3 Days trial$9.493 Months
  • Compendium for 6 months3 Days trial$17.996 Months
Show 1 more
  • Compendium for 12 Months3 Days trial2 variants$23.991 Year
6 purchases

DrDrugs

Subscriptions5
  • Drug Guide-Physicians 1/M Sub$3.991 Month
  • 25% off Limited Period Offer$29.491 Year
  • 20% off Limited Period Offer$31.491 Year
Show 2 more
  • 15% off Limited Period offer$33.491 Year
  • Drug Guide-Physicians 1/Y Sub$38.991 Year
One-time1
  • Drug Guide for Physicians,17Ed$49.99

Questions

Is Compendium free?
Compendium is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DrDrugs free?
DrDrugs is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Compendium or DrDrugs?
DrDrugs is rated higher. Compendium averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while DrDrugs averages 4.5 from 35 ratings.
Do Compendium or DrDrugs have ads?
DrDrugs shows ads; Compendium does not.
Which is updated more often, Compendium or DrDrugs?
Compendium ships an update every 3 weeks, and DrDrugs every 4 months. Most recently, Compendium was updated on October 29, 2026 and DrDrugs on October 29, 2026.

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