Comparison

EMS ALS Guide vs Paramedic PASS

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

Head to head
About

EMS ALS Guide

This app provides critical emergency medical information for advanced life support professionals. It offers quick navigation, search functionality, custom bookmarks, and calculators for medications, dosages, and emergency algorithms.

Highlights
  • Quick navigation to critical information
  • Custom bookmarks
  • Search capability
  • Add notes to pages
  • Interactive calculators
  • Current ACLS Algorithms
  • 12-Lead EKG interpretation
Features
Read full description

The original EMS Field Guide® from Informed Publishing—the trusted leader in emergency reference information since 1986—now has a new version for the iPhone and iPod Touch. FEATURES * Quick navigation to critical information * Custom bookmarks let you quickly return to your favorite pages * Search capability * Add notes to a page * Calculators TOPICS INCLUDE * Current ACLS Algorithms * 12-Lead EKG Section & Acute MI * Airway Management / RSI * Top Prescription Drugs * Emergency & ACLS Drugs * IV Drips, Drug Infusions, Dosages * Poisons & Overdose / “Rave” Drugs * Medical Emergencies Section * Fibrinolytics for AMI & Stroke / CVA * Childbirth, Diabetic, Respiratory Distress * Pediatric Resuscitation, Drug Doses, Vitals * Trauma, Triage, MCI, Glasgow Coma Scales * Pulse Oximetry, Infectious Diseases * Quick EMS Spanish Translations * Lab Values, Metrics, Notes * Interactive calculators “THE ORIGINAL AND STILL THE BEST” —EMS Magazine Twenty-three years after publication, the EMS Field Guide remains the most widely-used reference in EMS history. Carried in the pockets, phones and emergency vehicles of millions of first responders, this is the guide EMS Magazine calls “the original and still the best.” The EMS Field Guide app puts critical information at your fingertips with rich content, detailed illustrations and pioneering features. This app is available in two editions— Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic & Intermediate Life Support (BLS)—designed specifically to correspond with each tier of EMT certification and practice, so you know you have the right tool for your job. The Advanced Life Support (ALS) app equips the Paramedic or EMT-P to triage and address trauma. It provides fast, easy access to vital assessment information, medications, and drug doses; quick interpretation of 12-Lead EKGs; and the latest CPR and ACLS algorithms from the American Heart Association (AHA). The ALS app is also suitable for Intermediates whose practice orders require a more detailed understanding of these topics. REVIEWS “The EMS Field Guide by Informed is probably the most popular pocket reference guide carried on ambulances across the country.” “I love your guides. I’ve been a paramedic for 25 years and your ALS guides are the best source of reliable on-scene information.” “This is a great review tool as well as a resource.” “…Highly recommended in some of my advanced cardiac life support training courses.” “One of the best things a paramedic can have. A cheat sheet for the things you may not always remember.” FOR MORE INFORMATION Informed Publishing offers a full product line of references for the medical and first response markets, as well as a consumer line for home and family emergency preparedness. Informed references are available in a variety of formats: pocket-size print guides, and now, apps for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Learn more at www.informedguides.com. SUPPORT For questions, comments, or suggestions concerning this guide, contact Informed® Publishing at apps@informedguides.com

About

Paramedic PASS

Prepare for your NREMT certification exam with this comprehensive app. It features over 550 review questions, detailed rationales, and two full-length simulated exams to help you master critical paramedic knowledge and clinical judgment scenarios.

Highlights
  • Over 550 review questions
  • Detailed rationales for each question
  • 10 key topic areas covered
  • Two full-length simulated exams
  • NREMT clinical judgment scenarios
  • TEI questions
Features
Read full description

Paramedic PASS – The Ultimate NREMT Prep App Prepare confidently and increase your chances of passing the NRP on your first attempt with Paramedic PASS, the most comprehensive paramedic certification prep app available. Developed in collaboration with Bill Brown, former Executive Director of the NREMT, this app is designed to help you master the latest exam format. Stay ahead with new NREMT clinical judgment scenarios and TEI questions, reflecting the evolving NRP exam standards. These questions will train your brain to think critically, just like the National Registry requires. Get access to over 550 high-quality review questions covering the critical areas of paramedic knowledge, all with detailed rationales to reinforce your learning. Study smarter with questions organized into 10 key topics, including: Airway, Oxygen, and Ventilation Cardiology Trauma (Head, Neck, Chest, Ortho, Burns & More) OB and Pediatrics Pharmacology Respiratory and Neurology Abdominal, Immunology, Infectious Diseases, GU Operations When you're ready to put your knowledge to the test, challenge yourself with two full-length, 100-question simulated NRP exams. These practice tests provide diagnostic feedback to help you identify strengths and areas for improvement. Train your brain, sharpen your skills, and walk into your exam with confidence. Download Paramedic PASS today and take the next step toward your paramedic certification.

Screenshots

EMS ALS Guide4 screens
Paramedic PASS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: EMS ALS Guide at $5.99 against Paramedic PASS's $37.99. EMS ALS Guide also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months) and review sentiment (43% vs 33%). Paramedic PASS's advantage is rating (3.1 vs 2.3) and chart position (#28 vs unranked). On ads, 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

EMS ALS Guide costs $5.99 and Paramedic PASS $37.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Paramedic PASS holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 43 and 10 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 43% of EMS ALS Guide's written reviews are positive against 33% of Paramedic PASS's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EMS ALS Guide ships an update every 2 months, Paramedic PASS every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
EMS ALS Guide versus Paramedic PASS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMS ALS GuideParamedic PASS
Price$5.99 — better$37.99
Rating2.3 (43 ratings)3.1 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.5% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings43 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank—#28 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB50 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperInformed PublishingLimmer Creative

Customer experience

EMS ALS Guide

All ratings43 ratings
Positive32.6%
Neutral2.3%
Negative65.1%
Written reviews80 reviews
Positive42.5%
Neutral3.8%
Negative53.8%

Paramedic PASS

All ratings10 ratings
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

EMS ALS Guide

Reported bugs

37 issues
  • App is frozen and unavailable
  • Outdated and bug filled
  • Content is blank
  • Home page is black
  • Screen menu does not load
Show 32 more
  • App doesn't work
  • Black screen
  • Stuck on RSI page
  • Does not work
  • Topic screen is black
  • Blank screen 90% of the time
  • Screen goes black, requires re-download
  • Not reliable
  • Does not support landscape mode
  • App developer stopped updating
  • App not working properly
  • May not work on newer iOS
  • Needs to go away if not maintained
  • Not updated in years
  • Doesn't work
  • No content
  • Buttons don't work
  • Search button takes you to bookmarks
  • No home content screen
  • Unable to open app and go back to main screen without deleting
  • Cannot view main menu
  • Lost almost all content
  • Update eliminated 90% of content
  • Useless update
  • Blank topics screen
  • Pretty much useless now
  • Needs to be fixed
  • Junk app
  • Needs update for latest iPhones and treatments
  • Missing some drugs
  • Phone numbers no longer listed
  • Several medications taken off list

Requested features

13 requests
  • iPad version available
  • Update to reflect current guidelines
  • Update app with bug fixes
  • iPad compatibility
  • Update app
Show 8 more
  • Update app for newer iOS
  • Add ITLS
  • Add more drugs
  • Add phone numbers back
  • Add back removed medications
  • Input own protocols
  • Better organize protocol specific notes
  • Add categories to notes

Paramedic PASS

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

EMS ALS Guide

No in-app purchases

None

Paramedic PASS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EMS ALS Guide free?
EMS ALS Guide costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Paramedic PASS free?
Paramedic PASS costs $37.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, EMS ALS Guide or Paramedic PASS?
Paramedic PASS is rated higher. EMS ALS Guide averages 2.3 out of 5 from 43 ratings, while Paramedic PASS averages 3.1 from 10 ratings.
Do EMS ALS Guide or Paramedic PASS have ads?
Neither EMS ALS Guide nor Paramedic PASS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, EMS ALS Guide or Paramedic PASS?
EMS ALS Guide ships an update every 2 months, and Paramedic PASS every 6 months. Most recently, EMS ALS Guide was updated on October 18, 2026 and Paramedic PASS on October 15, 2026.

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