Comparison

EMS ALS Guide vs EMS Drip Calc Lite

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

EMS Drip Calc Lite

This medical app simplifies complex IV drip calculations for pre-hospital care providers. It follows AHA, PALS, and ACLS guidelines, offering quick math guides and built-in formulas for accurate medication administration in high-pressure situations.

Highlights
  • IV drip calculations
  • AHA, PALS, ACLS guidelines
  • Pre-hospital focus
  • Quick math guides
  • Built-in formulas
  • Error prevention double-check
Features
Read full description

Includes Wt conversion to kg Fluid calc Epi drip Dopamine drip Levophen drip Medication calc MAP Overview: IV Pro EMS is a specialized medical application meticulously crafted for EMS practitioners in the pre-hospital environment. This powerful tool simplifies complex IV drip calculations following AHA ACLS and PALS guidelines, ensuring precise medication administration and promoting the highest quality of patient care. Key Features: 1. Pre-Hospital Focus: Unlike most medical apps designed for hospitals, IV Pro EMS is tailored specifically for EMS providers. We understand the unique challenges you face in the field, and our app is designed to meet those needs. 2. Quick and Easy Math Guides: We've eliminated the need for manual calculations. IV Pro EMS provides you with quick and easy math guides, allowing you to calculate IV drip rates effortlessly, even in high-pressure situations. 3. AHA, PALS, and ACLS Guidelines: Our app adheres strictly to the latest American Heart Association (AHA), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) guidelines. You can trust that you're delivering care in line with the best practices endorsed by these organizations. 4. Double-Check for Error Prevention: IV Pro EMS encourages a culture of double-checking to prevent errors. Before initiating any IV drip, our app prompts you to review your calculations, ensuring the utmost safety for your patients. 5. Basic Formulas Built In: We've incorporated essential formulas right into the app, eliminating the need to memorize or reference complex equations. IV Pro EMS streamlines the process, giving you more time to focus on patient care. 6. Subscription-Free: Your focus should be on patient care, not dealing with ads or subscriptions. IV Pro EMS is always ad-free and never includes in-app purchases. It's a reliable, one-time investment in your practice.Ad based Why Choose IV Pro EMS? In the fast-paced and high-stress world of pre-hospital care, accuracy and efficiency are paramount. IV Pro EMS is your indispensable tool for precise IV drip calculations, ensuring that you deliver optimal care to your patients while adhering to the latest AHA, PALS, and ACLS guidelines. Don't leave anything to chance when it comes to IV administration. Download IV Pro EMS today and experience the peace of mind that comes with having a trusted IV drip calculator by your side in the field. Your patients deserve nothing less than the best, and IV Pro EMS helps you deliver just that.

Screenshots

EMS ALS Guide4 screens
EMS Drip Calc Lite4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: EMS Drip Calc Lite at Free against EMS ALS Guide's $5.99. EMS Drip Calc Lite also leads on rating (5.0 vs 2.3). EMS ALS Guide's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (43 vs 3). On update cadence, in-app purchases 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 Drip Calc Lite is free to download; EMS ALS Guide costs $5.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EMS Drip Calc Lite holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EMS ALS Guide has 43 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EMS ALS Guide ships an update every 2 months, EMS Drip Calc Lite every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
EMS ALS Guide versus EMS Drip Calc Lite: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMS ALS GuideEMS Drip Calc Lite
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating2.3 (43 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings43 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB72 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperInformed PublishingNational Emergency Resource Group

Customer experience

EMS ALS Guide

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

EMS Drip Calc Lite

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

EMS Drip Calc Lite

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

EMS ALS Guide

No in-app purchases

None

EMS Drip Calc Lite

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is EMS ALS Guide free?
EMS ALS Guide costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is EMS Drip Calc Lite free?
EMS Drip Calc Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, EMS ALS Guide or EMS Drip Calc Lite?
EMS Drip Calc Lite is rated higher. EMS ALS Guide averages 2.3 out of 5 from 43 ratings, while EMS Drip Calc Lite averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do EMS ALS Guide or EMS Drip Calc Lite have ads?
EMS Drip Calc Lite shows ads; EMS ALS Guide does not.
Which is updated more often, EMS ALS Guide or EMS Drip Calc Lite?
EMS ALS Guide ships an update every 2 months, and EMS Drip Calc Lite every 6 weeks. Most recently, EMS ALS Guide was updated on October 18, 2026 and EMS Drip Calc Lite on October 5, 2026.

Other comparisons