Bedside EM vs ECG Notes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Bedside EM
This comprehensive medical reference app provides evidence-based, peer-reviewed information for emergency medicine providers and those caring for acutely ill patients. It features a searchable, offline database with continuously updated content and a user-friendly interface.
- Offline access
- Searchable database
- Evidence-based content
- Peer-reviewed updates
- Pediatric tape
- Clinical decision rules
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START YOUR 30 DAY FREE TRIAL TODAY! Bedside EM (formerly ERres) is the ORIGINAL emergency medicine app designed for where you need it the most.. at the bedside! First released in 2011, Bedside EM has been consistently ranked as one of the best medical apps worldwide! Continuously updated, evidence-based and peer reviewed!! The entire app is searchable and available offline!! And although Bedside EM was created with emergency medicine providers in mind, it has proven to be a great resource for ANYONE who takes care of acutely ill patients including other doctors, PAs/NPs, nurses, paramedics, EMTs, and students!! Starting in 2024 I have decided to go ALL IN to ensure Bedside EM continues to be the best emergency medicine app out there. This began with a complete overhaul of the app from the ground up to improve user experience. Some things were added, some things were removed. Many more additions will be coming later in the year. I hope you like it! I am now in the process of updating the styling for EVERY section within Bedside EM to align with the new layout and support dynamic text and dark mode. This is a very time-consuming process. Thus far I have updated the “pediatric tape” and all of the clinical decision rules, as these tend to be quite popular. The other sections will all be updated over the next few months. Once that is completed, the plan is to go back and UPDATE EVERY SECTION with the latest evidence-based medicine recommendations before then adding some brand new stuff. Exciting times!!! FREE 30 DAY TRIAL! To make the above possible/sustainable, a paid subscription is required to use this app starting 2024. All prior users will be granted lifetime access for free. App Subscription Options: ∙ Yearly (annual auto-renewable subscription) The subscription period will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period. To turn this function off, simply go to your iTunes account and turn off auto-renew. Renewal payments will differ depending on subscription and pricing at the time of renewal. Your iTunes account will be charged when the purchase is confirmed. Terms and Conditions: https://www.darkmedicalapps.com/terms-and-conditions Privacy Policy: https://www.darkmedicalapps.com/privacy-policy
ECG Notes
This pocket guide offers a quick reference for ECG interpretation and management, covering basics, 12-lead ECGs, ACLS, CPR, and emergency medications. It includes over 100 ECG strips and practice questions, with content updated to the latest guidelines. No internet connection is needed after initial download.
- 125 ECG rhythm strips
- Comprehensive coverage: basics, ECG, ACLS, PALS, meds, CPR
- CPR algorithms in tabular format
- Test Yourself ECG strips with real-life arrhythmias
- Clinical Tips and PALS coverage
- SmartSearch technology for quick look-up
- Offline content access
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"Try before you buy" - Download the FREE App, which includes sample content. In-App purchase required to unlock all content. A Davis’s Notes title! The pocket guide that covers it all—basics, 12-lead, ACLS, meds, and CPR for adults and children! A quick look-up reference for ECG interpretation and management! This indispensable pocket guide presents the basics (anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, electrical conduction system of the heart, basic ECG concepts and components,) ACLS and CPR algorithms, emergency medications, and comprehensive information on monitoring leads and interpretation of over 100 ECG strips, including 12-lead and pacemaker rhythms. KEY FEATURES * Compact rhythm analysis guide with 125 ECG rhythm strips * Complete coverage—basics, ECG (including 3- and 12-lead) ACLS, PALS, meds, and CPR * CPR algorithms in tabular format * Test Yourself ECG strips feature over 30 real-life arrhythmias * Clinical Tips throughout * PALS tab (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) * Peds coverage throughout… * Meds—Doses where applicable * Skills—Defibrillation, automated defibrillation (AED), and cardioversion * Basics—Normal vital signs values * No internet connection is required to access the content after the initial download. Find information quickly using powerful SmartSearch technology. Search part of term for those hard to spell medical terms. NEW TO THIS EDITION * Updated & Expanded! Incorporating advances in science and clinical practice, including the American Heart Association’s 2020 CPR, ACLS, and PALS guidelines * Expanded! “Clinical Tips” and coverage of rhythm analysis * New! Summary table, “Identifying Features of Arrhythmias” * New sections! Six Easy Steps in Analyzing ECG Strips and ECG Monitoring * Expanded! The 12-Lead tab with more in-depth information about analyzing a 12-lead ECG See what practitioners and students are saying about the previous edition… * Worth every penny!! “Bought this to keep in my lab coat to help me interpret ECGs. It is absolutely perfect. Has several different rhythms and 50 practice questions. Wish I bought it sooner.”—Online Reviewer * If you are trying to learn EKG, this is a must have!! “Really convenient tool to learn from. Easy to navigate.”—Emily, L., Online Reviewer * Great for nursing students and RNs. “As a nurse educator (and earlier a staff RN) I made these required reading for my students, plus it's useful well beyond graduation.”—Barbara R., Online Reviewer * Perfect Pocket reference. “For those of us that don't always remember every detail of EKGs, and need some help on the fly, this is perfect. I can carry it with me for reference whenever I need. I have already recommended it to many of my colleagues.”—Online Reviewer Content licensed from printed ISBN 10: 1719641943 Content licensed from printed ISBN 13: 9781719641944 SUBSCRIPTION : Please purchase a yearly auto-renewing subscription to receive content access and available updates. Yearly auto-renewing payments- $34.99 Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscription may be managed by the user and auto-renewal can be disabled at any time by going to your device “Settings” and tapping “iTunes & App Store”. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, 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 and Conditions - https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/licenseagreement.aspx Author(s): Shirley A. Jones MSEd, MHA, MSN, EMT-P, RN Publisher: F.A. Davis Company
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: ECG Notes at free with in-app purchases against Bedside EM's subscription. ECG Notes also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.4). Bedside EM's advantage is review sentiment (85% vs 50%) and ads (none vs shown). On price, 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
Both are free to download. Bedside EM sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year and ECG Notes sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ECG Notes holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bedside EM has 60 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 85% of Bedside EM's written reviews are positive against 50% of ECG Notes's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Bedside EM ships an update every 5 months, ECG Notes every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Bedside EM | ECG Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.2 (60 ratings) | 4.7 (12 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 85.0% of reviews — better | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 60 — better | 12 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #190 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.4 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 39 MB | 46 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Dark Medical Apps LLC | Skyscape Medpresso Inc |
Customer experience
Bedside EM
ECG Notes
Bugs and requests
Bedside EM
Reported bugs
4 issues- Lost notes and bookmarks since update
- Categories reorganized and hard to find
- Temporarily lost access after rebranding
- EKG illustrations covered by back task bar
Requested features
10 requests- Update privacy label
- Add settings button to enlarge print
- Add an 'update' option for newest information
- Support French language
- Add more categories
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- Add a notes section
- Add more info to toxicology
- Improve content depth
- Fix orientation quirk
- Remove ad banner
ECG Notes
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Bedside EM
- Annual Subscription1 Month trial$9.991 Year
- Lifetime Access$199.99
ECG Notes
- ECG Notes-Ed.4$34.99
Questions
Is Bedside EM free?
Is ECG Notes free?
Which has better reviews, Bedside EM or ECG Notes?
Do Bedside EM or ECG Notes have ads?
Which is updated more often, Bedside EM or ECG Notes?
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