EchoCalc vs iCU Notes
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
EchoCalc
Access essential echocardiography reference data for clinical practice. Includes measurements, diastolic function, prosthetic valve data, and topic guides. Supports multiple reference standards and recent guidelines.
- Echocardiography reference data
- LV/RV size & function
- Diastolic function data
- Prosthetic valve reference
- Topic guides with explanations
- Multiple reference standards (BSE, ASE, EACVI)
- Access to recent guidelines
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EchoCalc provides access to all the key echocardiography reference data commonly used in clinical practice: - LV/RV size & function, LV mass, aortic dimensions, atrial dimensions - Diastolic function - Prosthetic aortic & mitral valve reference data - Topic guides on each chapter with how-to explanations on how to measure and interpret echo data - Updated to the latest BSE reference data but also allows switching to ASE/EACVI references - Access to a mobile-friendly version of all recent BSE guidelines: - Standard TTE Study - Standard TOE Study - Outpatient Indications - Inpatient Indications - Aortic Stenosis - Aortic Regurgitation - Mitral Valve - Tricuspid & Pulmonary Valves - Right Heart - Pulmonary Hypertension - Diastolic Dysfunction - Cardio-Oncology - Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - Valve Replacement - Stress Echo - Restrictive Cardiomyopathy - ARVC - Marfan Syndrome - Congenital
iCU Notes
A comprehensive pocket guide for critical care professionals, offering quick access to essential concepts, algorithms, and management strategies. Features include detailed modules, smart search, and evidence-based recommendations.
- 11 modules on critical care concepts
- Alphabetized and smart search functionality
- Over 80 color illustrations
- 30+ clinical ICU guideline overviews
- 18 emergency algorithms
- Differential diagnoses and management strategies
- Evidence-based recommendations
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iCU Notes is a critical care handbook aimed at all clinicians, nursing staff and allied health professionals who work in critical care, as well as those working on acute medical and surgical wards. It is designed to be used as a pocket guide to improve knowledge and understanding of critical care concepts. Key features : *11 modules covering theoretical and practical aspects of general and emergency critical care *Content alphabetised for ease of use *Concise, find-it-fast format with additional smart search function to speed information finding *Over 80 colour illustrations to clarify monitoring and therapeutic techniques in critical care *Over 30 compact clinical ICU guideline overviews *18 emergency algorithms including ALS, obstetric, sepsis and difficult airway (DAS) algorithms *A complete section on differential diagnoses in critical care including organ support alarms *A complete section on current management strategies in critical care as well as additional modules on microbiology and critical care pharmacology *Evidence based recommendations by the ESICM included in red text within appropriate subsections *Summaries of important papers published in hi impact factor journals over the last 7 years *A list of educational online resources that can be accessed directly from within the app *More modules planned in the future to eventually cover all clinical and non-clinical aspects of critical care *It's completely free ! Module Content BASIC CRITICAL CARE MODULE Covers all basic principles of critical care, including: Assessment of the critically ill patient Basic CNS Pathophysiology Neuromonitoring Basic Cardiovascular Physiology Fluids, Inotropes and Vasopressors Cardiovascular Monitoring Acute Liver Failure Nutrition Sepsis Acute Renal Failure and Renal Replacement Therapy Basic Respiratory support and monitoring MANAGEMENT and TREATMENT ALGORITHMS MODULE CNS: Meningitis, GBS, Encephalopathy - Septic / Hepatic, SAH, Critical Care Neuromyopathy, Myasthenia Gravis CVS: Persistent sinus tachycardia, AF, LVF, Bradycardia, Shock, SBE, RVF , Hypotension, Diastolic Dysfunction, Cardiac Arrest, Hypertensive Crises DRUGS and TOXINS: Opiate infusion withdrawal, Poisoning, Cocaine, ETOH, Isopropyl Alcohol ENDOCRINE: DKA, Hyponatraemia, Hypothyroidism, HHS, Addison's Disease, Diabetes Insipidus GIT: GI Bleed, Nutrition, TPN and EN, Re-feeding syndrome, Abdominal Compartment Syndrome HAEM: DIC, HIT, Jehovah's Witness, Bleeding , Coagulopathy of Trauma, Sickle cell disease INFECTION: Care Bundles, Malaria, Necrotising Fasciitis, Severe Sepsis, Ventilator Associated Pneumonia, Pyrexia on ITU OBSTETRICS: Eclampsia, PPH, HELLP, Pre-eclampsia RENAL: ARF, Drug handling in renal failure, Metabolic Acidosis, Haemofiltration, Haemodialysis, Complications of CRF RS: Ventilator Modes, Tracheostomy, Weaning, ARDS, Bronchopulmonary fistula, COPD/Asthma, CAP, Bronchiectasis, Lobar Collapse, Pneumothorax, PE, Upper Airway Obstruction, VAP, Pleural Effusion, Haemoptysis TRAUMA: Rhabdomyolysis, Extremity Injury, Chest Trauma, Pulseless limb, Pelvic Trauma, TBI, Spinal Cord Injury, Burns, Blast Injuries, Abdominal Trauma, Neck trauma VASCULITIS: SLE, Wegener's Granulomatosis EMERGENCIES MODULE Covers ALS, DAS Obstetric and Sepsis management guidelines and algorithms CAUSES and DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSES MODULE Over 180 lists of causes and differential diagnoses covering common conditions seen on the ICU and grouped under the following headings : Organ systems Biochemistry Organ support alarms Infection (inc. HIV) Trauma New Modules: MICROBIOLOGY MODULE Covering the most important organisms associated with critical care admissions, within the following genii: Bacteria Fungi Viruses FORMULARY MODULE Covers the class, mode of action, route and dose of administration, excretion, indications, side effects and major contraindications of the drugs most frequently used in critical care Author: Murali Thavasothy Developer: Dal Sandhu
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: iCU Notes at 100% against EchoCalc's 49%. iCU Notes also leads on rating (4.8 vs 2.3) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). EchoCalc's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 10 months). On price, ratings volume, ads 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
Both are free to download. EchoCalc sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. iCU Notes asks for nothing beyond the download.
iCU Notes holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 23 and 12 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of EchoCalc's written reviews are positive against 100% of iCU Notes's.
EchoCalc ships an update monthly, iCU Notes every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | EchoCalc | iCU Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.3 (23 ratings) | 4.8 (12 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 48.8% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 23 — better | 12 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 10 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 | 8.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 48 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | British Society of Echocardiography | DocNotes Ltd |
Customer experience
EchoCalc
iCU Notes
In-app purchases
EchoCalc
- Donate £2 to BSE$1.99
- Donate £5 to BSE$4.99
- Donate £10 to BSE$9.99
iCU Notes
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is EchoCalc free?
Is iCU Notes free?
Which has better reviews, EchoCalc or iCU Notes?
Do EchoCalc or iCU Notes have ads?
Which is updated more often, EchoCalc or iCU Notes?
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