# CPT QuickRef vs FP Notebook

The clearest difference is review sentiment: FP Notebook at 61% against CPT QuickRef's 11%. FP Notebook also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (3.3K vs 365). CPT QuickRef's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and iOS requirement (12 vs 14.3). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. CPT QuickRef sells 12 one-off in-app purchases and FP Notebook sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

FP Notebook holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FP Notebook has 3.3K ratings behind it against 365, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 11% of CPT QuickRef's written reviews are positive against 61% of FP Notebook's.

CPT QuickRef ships an update every 6 weeks, FP Notebook every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | CPT QuickRef | FP Notebook |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (365 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cpt-quickref/id426712025/reviews) | **[4.8 (3.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fp-notebook/id835973313/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 365 | **3.3K** |
| Positive reviews | 10.8% of reviews | **61.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #187 | **#52** |
| Size | 47 MB | 134 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12** | 14.3 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [American Medical Association](https://appshunter.io/developer/397241809) | [Atmosphere Apps, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/334077424) |

## What reviewers say

### CPT QuickRef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cpt-quickref/id426712025)

**Currently charting:** #187 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

This app provides a mobile reference for Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, aiding in accurate medical billing. It offers tools like an E/M Wizard and access to RVUs, global days, and illustrations to help healthcare professionals select appropriate codes.

**Highlights:** CPT code lookup, E/M Wizard for code selection, RVU and GPCI calculations, Global days reference, Color procedural illustrations, Vignettes for code descriptions, Favorites list for frequent codes

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CPT E/M All Content 2017 | Free | one-time |
| CPT E/M All Content 2019 | Free | one-time |
| CPT E/M Premium Pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Coding and Billing Pack 2017 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Single Year 2019 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Single Year 2020 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Single Year 2021 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Single Year 2022 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Single Year 2023 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Single Year 2024 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Single Year 2026 | $59.99 | one-time |
| Single Year 2025 | $59.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly navigation and interface
- 📚 Comprehensive CPT code reference at fingertips
- 💼 Useful for medical professionals and coders
- 🔄 Annual updates available at reasonable cost

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive pricing model with hidden costs
- 🚫 Misleading free app listing with paywall
- 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezing issues
- 🔒 Access locked after purchase without recourse
- 📵 Non-responsive customer support

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when accessing modifiers or premium content
- App freezes and becomes unresponsive
- App refuses to open after updates
- Search function returns no results for valid codes
- Search only works with exact verbatim matches

**Requested features**

- Search feature that finds partial matches and synonyms
- Ability to save and access favorites across sessions
- Include figures and images from CPT manual
- Advanced search with multiple filter options
- Offline access to downloaded content


### FP Notebook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fp-notebook/id835973313)

**Currently charting:** #52 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

A comprehensive medical reference for primary care and emergency clinicians, offering rapid access to over 6100 interlinked topic pages. Content is updated monthly through literature reviews and conferences, providing up-to-date information for medical professionals.

**Highlights:** Rapid access medical reference, Over 6100 interlinked topic pages, Content updated monthly, 31 specialty books, 700+ chapters, Point-of-care tool

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Annual Sub | $24.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Excellent, comprehensive medical reference
- ⚡️ Efficient, concise, and easy to use
- 🧠 Invaluable for medical students, residents, and practitioners
- 🤝 Highly recommended by users
- 🕰️ Frequently used and relied upon for years

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription model frustrates some users who previously had free access
- 🐞 Occasional app freezing or crashing issues reported
- 🔍 Built-in search function could be improved

**Reported bugs**

- App freezing or crashing on certain devices
- Subscription issues or unexpected charges

**Requested features**

- Ability to earn continuing education credits through the app
- Improved search functionality


## Frequently asked questions

### Is CPT QuickRef free?

CPT QuickRef is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is FP Notebook free?

FP Notebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, CPT QuickRef or FP Notebook?

FP Notebook is rated higher. CPT QuickRef averages 4.3 out of 5 from 365 ratings, while FP Notebook averages 4.8 from 3.3K ratings.

### Do CPT QuickRef or FP Notebook have ads?

Neither CPT QuickRef nor FP Notebook shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, CPT QuickRef or FP Notebook?

CPT QuickRef ships an update every 6 weeks, and FP Notebook every 2 months. Most recently, CPT QuickRef was updated on October 3, 2026 and FP Notebook on October 5, 2026.

### Which is more popular, CPT QuickRef or FP Notebook?

CPT QuickRef currently peaks at #187 in the App Store charts, and FP Notebook at #52. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*