Comparison

Bedside EM vs Scoliometer

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Offline access
  • Searchable database
  • Evidence-based content
  • Peer-reviewed updates
  • Pediatric tape
  • Clinical decision rules
Features
Read full description

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

About

Scoliometer

This app provides a convenient and accurate digital tool for measuring spinal curvature at home or in a clinical setting. It offers an expanded measurement range compared to traditional devices and includes a step-by-step guide for easy use.

Highlights
  • Digital scoliometer for measuring spinal curvature
  • Measures trunk rotation angle
  • Expanded measurement range up to 50 degrees
  • Easy-to-follow four-step guide
  • Available in 17 languages
  • Suitable for medical professionals and home users
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

THE #1 SCOLIOSIS SCREENING APP — TRUSTED IN 75+ COUNTRIES Developed by Dr Kevin Lau, D.C. — NGO Representative to the United Nations Turn your iPhone into a clinical-grade scoliosis screening tool. Scoliometer measures the Angle of Trunk Rotation (ATR) in seconds — the fastest, most affordable way to check for spinal curvature at home or in the clinic. Trusted by doctors, physiotherapists, chiropractors, and parents in over 75 countries. WHY SCOLIOMETER? • Measures spinal curvature from 0° to 50° — beyond the range of most physical scoliometers • Accurate trunk rotation readings using your iPhone's built-in sensors • Screens for mild to severe scoliosis in seconds • Trusted by medical professionals as a reliable screening companion • No expensive equipment — clinical-grade results right in your pocket • Personalise the meter with beautifully designed skins HOW IT WORKS Have the patient bend forward into the Adam's Forward Bend position and place your iPhone across the spine. Scoliometer instantly reads the Angle of Trunk Rotation, helping identify curves that may need further evaluation. FOR PROFESSIONALS & FAMILIES Whether you're a clinician running routine screenings or a parent monitoring your child's spine at home, Scoliometer gives you a fast, non-invasive check — anytime, anywhere. No appointment needed. FROM A WORLD AUTHORITY ON SCOLIOSIS Dr Kevin Lau is an award-winning chiropractor, bestselling author, and NGO Representative to the United Nations. His bestselling books and clinical research have helped thousands of patients worldwide take control of their spinal health without surgery. Every feature of Scoliometer reflects his decades of expertise. DISCLAIMER Scoliometer is a screening tool and is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for clinical evaluation and treatment decisions.

Screenshots

Bedside EM4 screens
Scoliometer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Bedside EM at Free against Scoliometer's $9.99. Bedside EM also leads on ratings volume (61 vs 14). Scoliometer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 5 months). On rating, review sentiment, ads 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

Bedside EM is free to download; Scoliometer costs $9.99 up front. Bedside EM sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. Scoliometer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for Bedside EM against 4.1 for Scoliometer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 61 and 14 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 85% of Bedside EM's written reviews are positive against 82% of Scoliometer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Bedside EM ships an update every 5 months, Scoliometer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Bedside EM versus Scoliometer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBedside EMScoliometer
PriceFree — better$9.99
Rating4.2 (61 ratings) — better4.1 (14 ratings)
Positive reviews85.1% of reviews — better82.1% of reviews
Number of ratings61 — better14
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
Best chart rank—#121 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB46 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperDark Medical Apps LLCKevin Lau

Customer experience

Bedside EM

All ratings60 ratings
Positive81.7%
Neutral3.3%
Negative15.0%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive85.1%
Neutral2.3%
Negative12.6%

Scoliometer

All ratings14 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative21.4%
Written reviews78 reviews
Positive82.1%
Neutral6.4%
Negative11.5%

User reviews

Bedside EM

From 61 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great quick reference
  • 👍 Easy to use and navigate
  • 👍 Useful for residents and attendings
  • 👍 High-yield information
  • 👍 Well-organized content

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Lost notes and bookmarks
  • 🐛 Missing dental portion
  • 🐛 New upgrade is lacking
  • 🐛 Incomplete toxicology information
  • 🐛 Basic information

Scoliometer

From 14 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 👍 Accurate readings
  • 👍 Handy for tracking
  • 👍 Friendly UI
  • 👍 Life-saver

Room to improve

  • 😞 Useless without a partner
  • 😞 No way to read on own
  • 😞 Strange developer website
  • 😞 Blank privacy policy page
  • 😞 Requires two people

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
Show 5 more
  • Add a notes section
  • Add more info to toxicology
  • Improve content depth
  • Fix orientation quirk
  • Remove ad banner

Scoliometer

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App does not rotate with phone
  • Image does not rotate to the other side
  • Privacy policy website is blank

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to pause the meter
  • Option to rotate the app the other way
  • Adjust meter to help with more severe curvature
  • Ability to save measurements

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Bedside EM

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Subscription1 Month trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$199.99
None

Scoliometer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Bedside EM free?
Bedside EM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Scoliometer free?
Scoliometer costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Bedside EM or Scoliometer?
Bedside EM is rated higher. Bedside EM averages 4.2 out of 5 from 61 ratings, while Scoliometer averages 4.1 from 14 ratings.
Do Bedside EM or Scoliometer have ads?
Neither Bedside EM nor Scoliometer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Bedside EM or Scoliometer?
Bedside EM ships an update every 5 months, and Scoliometer every 3 weeks. Most recently, Bedside EM was updated on October 28, 2026 and Scoliometer on October 29, 2026.

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