Comparison

PocketEMA vs Surgical Notes

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

Head to head
About

PocketEMA

This mobile application provides medical professionals with on-the-go access to a comprehensive EHR system. It allows users to view patient history, chart information, attachments, and e-prescribe, all from their handheld device. Data syncs seamlessly with the web platform, ensuring up-to-date information wherever you are.

Highlights
  • View patient history
  • Access chart information
  • View patient attachments
  • e-Prescribe functionality
  • Take point-of-encounter photos
  • Send/receive intra-mail
Features
Read full description

Used only in conjunction with a subscription-based Web Application Service, this app is the powerful pint-sized version of the Modernizing Medicine® specialty-specific EHR system, EMA™. Already available as a native iPad application, EMA has even more mobile convenience with the addition of iPhone access. Easily held in the palm of your hand, you can now: • See patient history • View chart information • View patient clipboard information • View patient attachments (images, PDFs, faxes, etc.) • e-Prescribe • Send/receive intra mail • Compose and attach notes • Take point-of-encounter photos This app is available for all EMA users in the medical specialties supported by Modernizing Medicine. With handheld point of entry to the environment wherever there is Internet or mobile phone connectivity, you can be on the go and away from your office while having your practice right there with you. Data entered into the app is seamlessly updated across the EMA platform, so information is up to date no matter what device you use. With this app, medical professionals have added ease in caring for patients through extended mobile options to get patient information.

About

Surgical Notes

This app streamlines surgical documentation for healthcare professionals. It allows for wireless digital dictation, real-time report management, and effortless coding, enhancing productivity and patient care. Seamlessly integrates with existing workflows for efficient RCM solutions.

Highlights
  • Wireless digital dictation
  • Real-time report management
  • Effortless coding
  • Streamlined transcription turnaround
  • User-centered design
  • Push notification reminders
Features
Read full description

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, efficiency and accuracy are paramount. The Surgical Notes Mobile App, an exclusive platform tailored for customers of Surgical Notes' services, is here to transform your surgical documentation process. Seamlessly integrating with your existing workflow, this innovative mobile app empowers you to take control of dictation and coding, enhancing productivity and patient care. Say goodbye to traditional dictation devices and embrace the future of surgical documentation. Streamlined Transcription Turnaround Times Experience the power of efficiency with the Surgical Notes Mobile App. Transcription turnaround times are dramatically reduced as you harness the convenience of dictating surgeries directly from your smartphone or tablet. No longer tied to a fixed location or reliant on traditional handheld dictation devices, you can capture vital information on-the-go, ensuring every detail is captured accurately and promptly. Wireless Digital Dictation & Transcription Transform your mobile device into a powerful wireless digital dictation tool. Whether you're in the operating room, in transit, or in the comfort of your office, the app provides a seamless platform for dictation. The app's intuitive interface allows you to dictate procedures quickly and easily, eliminating the need for cumbersome devices or phone calls to 800 numbers. With this app, dictation becomes a natural extension of your workflow. Real-time Report Management The Surgical Notes Mobile App offers comprehensive report management capabilities. Experience the freedom to view, edit, and sign your reports directly within the app. With features like playback and review prior to submission, overwrite, and append, you have complete control over your documentation. Integrated with major practice management system providers, the app simplifies patient visit scheduling, ensuring you can easily find and select patients. Editing schedules and reports is a breeze, and you have the flexibility to sign reports individually or in batches. Receive timely reminders through push notifications, ensuring you never miss a crucial step in the documentation process. Coding Made Effortless Coding accuracy and turnaround times are vital for optimized revenue cycles. With the Surgical Notes Mobile App, responding to physician queries becomes a real-time endeavor. Stay on top of coding requirements by promptly addressing queries within the app, ensuring compliance and minimizing delays. This feature empowers seamless communication with our staff and the physicians, enhancing collaboration and patient care across the board. User-Centered Design Surgical Notes understands the demands of healthcare professionals. The app's user-centered design is a testament to this understanding. The app intelligently displays the dictations that require attention and highlights reports that are ready for your signature. Powerful search and sort features enable you to swiftly locate the data and reports you need, saving you valuable time and reducing frustration. The app's intuitive navigation ensures that you can focus on what truly matters – delivering exceptional patient care. Embrace the Future of Surgical Documentation Join the ranks of forward-thinking healthcare professionals who are embracing the future of surgical documentation. Download the Surgical Notes Mobile App today and experience a seamless, efficient, and accurate approach to dictation and coding. With its user-friendly interface, real-time communication capabilities, and integration with major practice management systems, this market-leading app is your gateway to enhanced productivity and exceptional patient care. Download the Surgical Notes Mobile App today and take control of your documentation process like never before.

Screenshots

PocketEMA4 screens
Surgical Notes4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Surgical Notes at 3.7 against PocketEMA's 2.2. Surgical Notes also leads on review sentiment (43% vs 3%) and monetization model (free vs subscription). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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

Surgical Notes holds the better App Store score, 3.7 against 2.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 61 and 37 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 3% of PocketEMA's written reviews are positive against 43% of Surgical Notes's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
PocketEMA versus Surgical Notes: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPocketEMASurgical Notes
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.2 (61 ratings)3.7 (37 ratings) — better
Positive reviews3.3% of reviews42.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings61 — better37
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
DevicesiPhone, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size232 MB36 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperModernizing Medicine, Inc.Surgical Notes, Inc.

Customer experience

PocketEMA

All ratings61 ratings
Positive23.0%
Neutral9.8%
Negative67.2%
Written reviews30 reviews
Positive3.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative80.0%

Surgical Notes

All ratings37 ratings
Positive62.2%
Neutral10.8%
Negative27.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive42.9%
Neutral14.3%
Negative42.9%

In-app purchases

None

PocketEMA

No in-app purchases

None

Surgical Notes

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PocketEMA free?
PocketEMA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Surgical Notes free?
Surgical Notes is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PocketEMA or Surgical Notes?
Surgical Notes is rated higher. PocketEMA averages 2.2 out of 5 from 61 ratings, while Surgical Notes averages 3.7 from 37 ratings.
Do PocketEMA or Surgical Notes have ads?
Neither PocketEMA nor Surgical Notes shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PocketEMA or Surgical Notes?
PocketEMA ships an update every 5 weeks, and Surgical Notes every 5 weeks. Most recently, PocketEMA was updated on October 14, 2026 and Surgical Notes on October 3, 2026.

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