TOXBASE vs NCalc
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TOXBASE
This clinical toxicology database offers healthcare professionals comprehensive advice on poisoning features and management. It provides detailed information on various toxins and clear, evidence-based treatment guidance. The app is designed for quick reference and can be used offline.
- Detailed poisons information
- Traffic light triaging system
- Point-by-point treatment advice
- Evidence-based and peer-reviewed
- Offline database access
- 24/7 updated information
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TOXBASE® is the clinical toxicology database of the UK National Poisons Information Service, providing advice on the features and management of poisoning. Monographs are designed to be used by healthcare professionals involved in the management of poisoned patients. TOXBASE is freely available for users who are able to register using an NHS, MOD, ac.uk or UKHSA domain email address. If your domain is not accepted contact mail@toxbase.org for assistance and information. Key application features * detailed poisons information on industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, household products, plants and animal toxins * easy to follow traffic light system for triaging poisoned patients * point by point treatment advice which is clear and concise, evidence-based, peer-reviewed and updated 24/7 * no internet connection is required to search the database (although internet connection may be required to access all information on some entries) How the app works After download, users complete a registration form and receive an email containing a verification link. Once verified users will be able to use their login for the TOXBASE app and also for TOXBASE online at www.toxbase.org Account renewal is required annually. Disclaimer The information on the TOXBASE App is designed for healthcare professionals and requires expert clinical interpretation. Users are strongly advised to always discuss cases with their local experts in poisons management and should not solely rely on the App to make medical decisions. Users are required to accept our End User License Agreement before using the app. All material on TOXBASE is subject to UK Crown copyright protection.
NCalc
Calculate the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) quickly and accurately. This app supports both original NEWS and NEWS2 scoring systems, updating the score in real-time as data is entered. It also allows for adding notes to each score to align with local policies.
- NEWS and NEWS2 scoring
- Real-time score updates
- Tap for recommended actions
- Add custom notes
- Error-free calculations
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This app has a single purpose - to allow you to calculate the National Early Warning Score quickly, easily and without error. This app includes both the original NEWS and NEWS2. The NEWS score is updated as you input data. Tapping the score takes you to the recommended actions. In addition you can add notes for each score to fit with local policy.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: NCalc at 5.0 against TOXBASE's 1.0. NCalc also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months). TOXBASE's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ratings volume, 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
Both are free to download. TOXBASE sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and NCalc sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
NCalc holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 21% of TOXBASE's written reviews are positive against 0% of NCalc's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
TOXBASE ships an update every 6 months, NCalc every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and August 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TOXBASE | NCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 20.5% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 2 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 413 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | NHS Lothian | Lindum Medical Ltd |
Customer experience
TOXBASE
NCalc
In-app purchases
TOXBASE
- 1 year subscription$6.99
NCalc
- NCalc - remove advertising$1.99









