Comparison

Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab vs VentRef

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

Head to head
About

Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab

Explore upper airway anatomy in a 3D simulator. Access clinical information, photographs, and illustrations through tappable targets. Offers detailed views and easy navigation for a unique learning experience.

Highlights
  • 3D upper airway simulation
  • Tappable anatomical targets
  • Clinical information access
  • Detailed anatomical structure views
  • Cross-section overview
  • Free-range navigation
Features
Read full description

Overview: Explore the upper airway with a 3D simulator. The Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab forms a unique transition between book-learning and real-world experience by allowing users to study the anatomy in a 3-dimensional space. Tappable targets provide access to clinical information, photographs, and medical illustrations. Features: -See the anatomy from a unique perspective -View detailed information on 34 different anatomical structures -Cross-section showing an overview of the entire area -Free-range and instant transportation systems for easy navigation -Navigational head shows current location and orientation Controls: -Double-tap to move forward -Pinch out for precision movement -Pinch in to move backward -Single-finger swipe to rotate camera -Double-finger swipe to move vertically or horizontally -Two-finger roll to roll camera -Single-tap on a target to view name -Double-tap on a target to view detailed information

About

VentRef

A clinical reference tool for healthcare professionals managing mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy. It provides information grounded in respiratory physiology and evidence-based critical care.

Highlights
  • Mechanical ventilation reference
  • Oxygen therapy reference
  • Respiratory physiology
  • Evidence-based critical care
  • Clinical decision support
Features
Read full description

VentRef is a focused clinical reference for clinicians managing invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, grounded in core respiratory physiology and evidence-based critical care practice. This application is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Calculations and reference values are derived from published peer-reviewed medical literature and textbooks cited in the Sources section of the app. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding medical conditions or clinical decisions, and do not disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of information provided by this app. About Rishi Kumar, MD, FACC ("RK.MD") I'm an adult cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and cardiovascular ICU intensivist practicing in academic medicine. I'm passionate about teaching with free, open-access medical education. Learn more on my site: https://rk.md

Screenshots

VentRef4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: VentRef at 5.0 against Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab's 4.4. VentRef also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 20 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 84%). Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab's advantage is iOS requirement (11.0 vs 26.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VentRef holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VentRef has 44 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 84% of Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab's written reviews are positive against 100% of VentRef's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab ships an update every 20 months, VentRef every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab versus VentRef: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUpper Respiratory Virtual LabVentRef
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (8 ratings)5.0 (44 ratings) — better
Positive reviews84.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings844 — better
Update frequencyEvery 20 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size169 MB27 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperAugusta UniversityRishi Kumar

Customer experience

Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive84.2%
Neutral5.3%
Negative10.5%

VentRef

All ratings44 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab

No in-app purchases

None

VentRef

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab free?
Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is VentRef free?
VentRef is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab or VentRef?
VentRef is rated higher. Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab averages 4.4 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while VentRef averages 5.0 from 44 ratings.
Do Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab or VentRef have ads?
Neither Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab nor VentRef shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab or VentRef?
Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab ships an update every 20 months, and VentRef every 3 weeks. Most recently, Upper Respiratory Virtual Lab was updated on October 7, 2026 and VentRef on October 10, 2026.

Other comparisons