# Compendium vs DrDrugs

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Compendium | DrDrugs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compendium-medication-guide/id373040910/reviews) | **[4.5 (35 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drdrugs-guide-for-physicians/id1249280046/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **35** |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 38 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [treeinspired GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/373040913) | [Skyscape Medpresso Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/818609416) |

## What reviewers say

### Compendium

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/compendium-medication-guide/id373040910)

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:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Compendium one Month | $3.49 | per month |
| Compendium for 3 months | $9.49 | per 3 months |
| Compendium for 6 months | $17.99 | per 6 months |
| Compendium for 12 Months | $23.99 | per year |


### DrDrugs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drdrugs-guide-for-physicians/id1249280046)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Drug Guide-Physicians 1/M Sub | $3.99 | per month |
| 25% off Limited Period Offer | $29.49 | per year |
| 20% off Limited Period Offer | $31.49 | per year |
| 15% off Limited Period offer | $33.49 | per year |
| Drug Guide-Physicians 1/Y Sub | $38.99 | per year |
| Drug Guide for Physicians,17Ed | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*