Comparison

CellAtlas vs MLS Exam Prep

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

Head to head
About

CellAtlas

Explore blood cell morphology with expert-written lectures and a vast image database. Test your knowledge with an engaging quiz game designed for efficient learning.

Highlights
  • Blood cell morphology guide
  • Expert-written mini lectures
  • Extensive cell image database
  • CellQuiz game
  • Knowledge testing
Features
Read full description

Welcome to the CellAtlas Application - your guide to blood cell morphology. CellAtlas contains mini lectures written by hematology experts complemented by an extensive cell image database. The App also includes a game, CellQuiz. A fun and efficient way to test your knowledge in cell morphology. CellAtlas is a product from the medical technology company CellaVision.

About

MLS Exam Prep

Features
Read full description

Pass the medical laboratory scientist board exam with confidence. MLS Exam Prep gives you 1,518 board-style practice questions — and every single one comes with a detailed explanation you can actually learn from. Not a bare answer key: each question explains why the correct answer is right AND why each wrong option is wrong, so you build reasoning instead of memorizing letters. TRAIN YOUR EYE The board exam shows you specimens, charts, and lab visuals and expects instant recognition. That's why 200 questions are built on real microscopy images — blood-cell morphology (sickle cells, spherocytes, Auer rods, inclusions and more), Gram and acid-fast stains, parasite ova and malaria smears, and urine crystals and casts. You practice the visual recognition the real exam tests, the way it actually tests it. WHAT'S INSIDE - 1,518 board-style practice questions across all 7 exam domains, balanced to the real exam blueprint. - A detailed explanation on every question, including the rationale for each wrong choice. - Smart practice modes: Smart Review uses spaced repetition to resurface what you're about to forget, plus a Weak-Areas drill, Shuffle, and the full timed mock. - 3-stage learning on every topic: Skim the key points, drill swipeable flashcards, then test yourself with a quiz. All 34 topics include all three stages. - 37 concise study notes and 638 flashcards covering every topic. - A full-length timed mock exam: 100 questions in 150 minutes, weighted to mirror the real domain blueprint and real test pacing. - A missed-question review notebook so you can attack your weak spots. - A home dashboard with a readiness gauge and a "today's plan", plus an exam-date study planner. - Works 100% offline — study on the train, on break, or anywhere in the lab with no signal. - Light and dark mode. COVERS ALL 7 BOARD DOMAINS Blood Banking, Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Immunology, Urinalysis & Body Fluids, and Laboratory Operations. UPDATED FOR 2026 New questions are added regularly at no extra cost — so your prep stays current for 2026 and keeps growing, instead of a one-time static dump. GREAT FOR Medical laboratory scientist (MLS) and clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) candidates, MLT students stepping up to MLS, and clinical lab professionals refreshing before certification or recertification. LIFETIME UNLOCK — ONE PAYMENT Unlock the complete 1,518-question bank, every topic, the full timed mock exam, and the missed-question review notebook with a single Premium purchase. - Pay once — yours forever. No subscription. No auto-renewal. - New questions added regularly at no extra cost. - Restore your purchase on any device. Start free: preview questions and one topic per domain before you unlock. DISCLAIMER This app is an independent study aid for exam preparation and educational use only. It is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or otherwise associated with the ASCP Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) or any other certifying or licensing body. "ASCP," "ASCP BOC," "BOC," and "MLS" are trademarks of their respective owners and are used for nominative, descriptive identification only — no affiliation or endorsement is implied. All questions, explanations, notes, and flashcards are original, concept-based practice items; they are NOT actual, past, or recalled exam questions and are not derived from any secured exam. Content is provided "as is" with no guarantee of accuracy or of passing, and is not medical or professional advice. Privacy Policy: https://passnoteapp.com/ascp-mls/privacy Terms of Use: https://passnoteapp.com/ascp-mls/terms

Screenshots

CellAtlas3 screens
MLS Exam Prep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CellAtlas at none against MLS Exam Prep's 1. CellAtlas also leads on device support (3 vs 1). MLS Exam Prep's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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

Both are free to download. MLS Exam Prep sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. CellAtlas asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CellAtlas ships an update every 2 months, MLS Exam Prep fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
CellAtlas versus MLS Exam Prep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCellAtlasMLS Exam Prep
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (22 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews84.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings22 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size106 MB74 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperCellaVisionJinyoung Lee

Bugs and requests

CellAtlas

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Timer is too short
  • Quiz moves too slowly after correct answer
  • Duplicate images that only one counts
  • App not opening on some devices
  • Missing WBCs
Show 1 more
  • Layout issues on older iPhones

Requested features

22 requests
  • Remove timer option
  • Untimed mode
  • More time for quizzes
  • Quizzes for specific cells/sections
  • More images/examples
Show 17 more
  • Larger database of cells
  • More examples of atypical/abnormal cells
  • Ability to practice specific cell types
  • Option to quiz on specific cell types
  • More options for tests (e.g., malignancies)
  • Ability to practice maturation stages
  • Zoomable slides
  • Labels for cell structures
  • Side-by-side cell comparison
  • Save quiz results
  • Add body fluid images
  • Add coag cascade
  • Add disease states/inclusions
  • Link to LIS system
  • More photos
  • Updates for more cell pictures
  • Support for older iPhone screens

MLS Exam Prep

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

CellAtlas

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

MLS Exam Prep

One-time1
  • Premium — Lifetime$14.99

Questions

Is CellAtlas free?
CellAtlas is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MLS Exam Prep free?
MLS Exam Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CellAtlas or MLS Exam Prep have ads?
Neither CellAtlas nor MLS Exam Prep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CellAtlas or MLS Exam Prep?
CellAtlas ships an update every 2 months, and MLS Exam Prep fortnightly. Most recently, CellAtlas was updated on October 15, 2026 and MLS Exam Prep on October 1, 2026.

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