Comparison

NIMS ICS Guide vs AskRail

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

Head to head
About

NIMS ICS Guide

This interactive reference app provides first responders with fast access to incident command information. It features dynamic checklists, customizable contact information, and all-hazards content to support training and on-scene decision-making.

Highlights
  • Dynamic checklists
  • Incident-specific contact information
  • Import contacts from address book
  • Color-coded ICS charts
  • All-hazards content
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

“TIMELY AND THOROUGH… AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE TOOL.” —Cynthia Kellams, Journal of Homeland Security and Emergency Management When the NIMS ICS Guide® was introduced in 2006, it was the first pocket reference to give first responders fast access to information needed for effective incident command. Now updated with National Response Framework (NRF), this must-have pocket reference is used by more than 150,000 public safety and health professionals. Now available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, this interactive application allows you to customize contact information for each incident for rapid on-scene communication, and provides detailed dynamic checklists that ensure that no detail is missed. The content is all-hazards, non-jurisdictional and discipline-specific, and includes responsibilities and rules for applying the Incident Command System (ICS). In addition to being an indispensable field tool, it is ideal for NIMS/ICS training and functional exercises, with dozens of detailed illustrations, charts and checklists. Designed for responders at the local, state or federal level or in private industry, this will quickly become your preferred NIMS training and field decision-support tool. Support your NIMS training with this comprehensive app and feel confident that your NIMS compliance requirements are met. TESTIMONIALS “In the process of retooling our campus Emergency Management Plan, this has been an invaluable resource. It has also been of great benefit during ICS and unified command training and emergency management exercises. It’s a top notch product.” —Lieutenant Bret Collier, Professional Standards and Emergency Management, University of Houston Department of Public Safety “A fantastic resource…indispensable to public safety operations.” —Director of the Office of Emergency Management, Arlington, Texas “An excellent reference for anyone faced with the possibility of working within a NIMS environment.” —Ed Wilson, Past President, Western Fire Chiefs Association APP FEATURES * Dynamic checklists that ensure you remember all steps * Incident-specific addresses that you can reset for each incident * Addresses can be imported from your address book or entered manually * Detailed, easy-to-read color-coded ICS charts * All-hazards, non-jurisdictional, discipline-specific 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, PDF editions and now, apps for the iPhone & iPod Touch. Learn more at www.informedguides.com. SUPPORT For questions, comments, or suggestions concerning this guide, contact Informed® Publishing at apps@informedguides.com

About

AskRail

This app provides hazardous materials safety information for first responders dealing with rail incidents. It allows authorized personnel to query railcar contents and offers critical data for emergency response. Access to advanced features requires verification and railroad sponsorship.

Highlights
  • Hazardous materials safety information
  • Rail incident support
  • Query railcar contents
  • Emergency response data
  • First responder tool
Features
Read full description

The AskRail app is a hazardous materials safety tool for first responders who are first on scene or directly support the first on scene in the event of a rail incident. Access to certain features, including the ability to query railcar contents based on an equipment number, is restricted to authorized personnel. To obtain authorization to use the restricted features, you must assert that you are a first responder, provide information about your emergency response agency, and identify a supervisor who can attest to your first responder duties. You also must obtain sponsorship from a Class I railroad. This process may take up to several weeks. AskRail is a collaborative effort among all North American Class I railroads, the Association of American Railroads, Railinc Corp., and the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. For more information about AskRail please visit: www.askrail.us.

Screenshots

NIMS ICS Guide4 screens
AskRail4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: AskRail at Free against NIMS ICS Guide's $14.99. AskRail also leads on review sentiment (58% vs 50%). NIMS ICS Guide's advantage is chart position (#192 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.0). On rating, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

AskRail is free to download; NIMS ICS Guide costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for NIMS ICS Guide against 4.1 for AskRail. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 37 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 50% of NIMS ICS Guide's written reviews are positive against 58% of AskRail's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NIMS ICS Guide ships an update every 2 months, AskRail every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
NIMS ICS Guide versus AskRail: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNIMS ICS GuideAskRail
Price$14.99Free — better
Rating4.1 (17 ratings)4.1 (37 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews58.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1737 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#192 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB44 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperInformed PublishingAssociation of American Railroads

Customer experience

NIMS ICS Guide

All ratings17 ratings
Positive82.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative17.6%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral7.5%
Negative42.5%

AskRail

All ratings37 ratings
Positive78.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.6%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive58.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative41.7%

In-app purchases

None

NIMS ICS Guide

No in-app purchases

None

AskRail

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NIMS ICS Guide free?
NIMS ICS Guide costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is AskRail free?
AskRail is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NIMS ICS Guide or AskRail?
NIMS ICS Guide and AskRail are both rated 4.1 out of 5 on the App Store, from 17 and 37 ratings respectively.
Do NIMS ICS Guide or AskRail have ads?
Neither NIMS ICS Guide nor AskRail shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NIMS ICS Guide or AskRail?
NIMS ICS Guide ships an update every 2 months, and AskRail every 4 months. Most recently, NIMS ICS Guide was updated on October 8, 2026 and AskRail on October 3, 2026.

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