Comparison

Case Files vs USMLE Step 1 Mastery

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

Head to head
About

Case Files

This app helps medical students learn and review physiology by presenting 51 high-yield clinical cases. It reinforces the connection between basic science and clinical medicine, improving diagnostic skills and exam performance. A free sample case is included, with more available via subscription.

Highlights
  • 51 high-yield clinical cases
  • USMLE-style questions
  • Interactive learning system
  • Study, Exam, and Bookmark modes
  • Progress tracking
  • Notes section per case
  • iCloud support
Features
Read full description

Master Physiology Through Real Clinical Cases - Learn physiology in the context of real patients. Case Files: Physiology helps you understand how systems work and connect core concepts to clinical scenarios—so the material finally makes sense. Understand, Don’t Memorize -Physiology can feel abstract and overwhelming. This app helps you break down complex systems into clear cause-and-effect relationships you can actually understand and retain. Built for Exam Success -Prepare for Step 1 and course exams with focused, high-yield content: -50+ clinical cases -Board-style questions and explanations -Core physiology concepts and definitions -Reinforced conceptual understanding Learn Faster, Think Smarter -Study mode with instant feedback -Exam mode for timed practice -Bookmark and track progress -Learn in short, focused sessions Trusted Case Files® System -Real-world clinical scenarios -Proven case-based learning -Designed for medical students Get Started -Download to try a sample case. Unlock full access to master physiology. Expanded Apps Terms of Use: https://expandedapps.com/terms-of-use/ Expanded Apps Privacy Policy: https://expandedapps.com/privacy-policy/ Second Edition

About

USMLE Step 1 Mastery

Prepare for the USMLE Step 1 exam with over 1,800 practice questions, including vignette-style and basic science items. Access extensive audio/video content, mnemonics, definitions, and drug flashcards. Track your performance with in-depth statistics to ensure you achieve your desired results.

Highlights
  • 1,800+ practice questions
  • Vignette-style questions
  • Basic science questions
  • Audio/video content
  • Mnemonics and definitions
  • Drug flashcards
  • Performance statistics
Features
Read full description

Got questions? USMLE Step 1 Mastery offers over 1,800 items. Use this best-selling study solution while on breaks at the hospital or between classes. Pass USMLE Step 1 guaranteed, or your money back! Subscribe today and get access to: • 750+ vignette-style practice questions with explanations • 28+ hours of audio/video content, including heart/lung sounds and high-yield lectures. • 1,100+ basic science questions with explanations • 250+ mnemonics • 500+ definitions • 60+ generic drug flashcards • In-depth statistics regarding performance Let USMLE Step 1 Mastery help you achieve the results you have been working towards! Get access to all questions when you subscribe. This app offers two auto-renewing subscription options to help you pass your exam. • 1 Month: one auto-renewing payment of $14.99 • 12 Months: one auto-renewing payment of $59.99 -Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase -Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period -Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal -Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase -Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable These prices are for United States customers. Pricing in other countries may vary and actual charges may be converted to your local currency depending on the country of residence. Our Customer Success Team is available from 9am to 5pm, Monday - Friday (except on major holidays). Call us at 319-246-5271 and email us at support@hltcorp.com with any questions. Privacy Policy - http://builtbyhlt.com/privacy Terms of Conditions - http://builtbyhlt.com/EULA

Screenshots

Case Files4 screens
USMLE Step 1 Mastery4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Case Files at free with in-app purchases against USMLE Step 1 Mastery's subscription. USMLE Step 1 Mastery's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 19 months) and review sentiment (80% vs 71%). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Case Files sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days and USMLE Step 1 Mastery sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Case Files ships an update every 19 months, USMLE Step 1 Mastery every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Case Files versus USMLE Step 1 Mastery: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCase FilesUSMLE Step 1 Mastery
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.6 (216 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.6% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—216 — better
Update frequencyEvery 19 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB166 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperExpanded AppsHigher Learning Technologies

Customer experience

Case Files

Written reviews17 reviews
Positive70.6%
Neutral5.9%
Negative23.5%

USMLE Step 1 Mastery

All ratings216 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral5.6%
Negative4.2%
Written reviews60 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral6.7%
Negative13.3%

Bugs and requests

Case Files

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

USMLE Step 1 Mastery

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App freezes and crashes during account creation
  • App crashes while trying to create an account

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more Q-bank questions
  • Include a way to make notes
  • Corrections on writing and punctuation
  • Updates available?

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Case Files

Subscriptions5
  • 1 Week$6.997 Days
  • Weekly Access$11.997 Days
  • 1 Month$18.991 Month
Show 2 more
  • Monthly Access$19.991 Month
  • 1 Year$59.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$39.99
3 purchases

USMLE Step 1 Mastery

Subscriptions3
  • USMLE Step 1 - 1 Month3 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • USMLE Step 1 - 3 Months3 Days trial$24.993 Months
  • USMLE Step 1 - 12 Months3 Days trial$35.991 Year

Questions

Is Case Files free?
Case Files is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is USMLE Step 1 Mastery free?
USMLE Step 1 Mastery is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Case Files or USMLE Step 1 Mastery have ads?
Neither Case Files nor USMLE Step 1 Mastery shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Case Files or USMLE Step 1 Mastery?
Case Files ships an update every 19 months, and USMLE Step 1 Mastery every 2 weeks. Most recently, Case Files was updated on October 23, 2026 and USMLE Step 1 Mastery on October 26, 2026.

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