Comparison

TOXBASE vs NCalc

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Detailed poisons information
  • Traffic light triaging system
  • Point-by-point treatment advice
  • Evidence-based and peer-reviewed
  • Offline database access
  • 24/7 updated information
Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • NEWS and NEWS2 scoring
  • Real-time score updates
  • Tap for recommended actions
  • Add custom notes
  • Error-free calculations
Features
Read full description

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

TOXBASE4 screens
NCalc4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
TOXBASE versus NCalc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTOXBASENCalc
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (1 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.5 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size413 MB5 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperNHS LothianLindum Medical Ltd

Customer experience

TOXBASE

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive20.5%
Neutral2.6%
Negative76.9%

NCalc

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

TOXBASE

One-time1
  • 1 year subscription$6.99
1 purchases

NCalc

One-time1
  • NCalc - remove advertising$1.99

Questions

Is TOXBASE free?
TOXBASE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is NCalc free?
NCalc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TOXBASE or NCalc?
NCalc is rated higher. TOXBASE averages 1.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while NCalc averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do TOXBASE or NCalc have ads?
NCalc shows ads; TOXBASE does not.
Which is updated more often, TOXBASE or NCalc?
TOXBASE ships an update every 6 months, and NCalc every 2 months. Most recently, TOXBASE was updated on September 26, 2026 and NCalc on August 23, 2026.

Other comparisons