TOXBASE vs MDU
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.
MDU
Access expert medico-legal advice for medical professionals. Find guidance on patient confidentiality, prescribing, complaints, and more through articles, case studies, and quick guides. Tailor your feed and access membership details offline.
- Expert medico-legal advice
- Quick guides and case studies
- Searchable articles
- Tailorable news feed
- Offline reading
- Membership card access
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As a medical professional, you can access expert advice from the Medical Defence Union (MDU). Read the latest medico-legal advice on patient confidentiality, consent, prescribing, police investigations, inquests, how to respond to patient complaints, and much more. Search our extensive range of quick guides, case studies, frequently asked questions and articles from our popular MDU Journal. You can tailor your news feed to show topics you’re interested in, read offline, get help with your membership, view your membership card and get proof of membership. Download the MDU app now for top medico-legal advice wherever you go.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: MDU at 4.0 against TOXBASE's 1.0. MDU also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.2 vs 15.5). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. MDU asks for nothing beyond the download.
MDU holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 1 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 21% of TOXBASE's written reviews are positive against 17% of MDU'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, MDU every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TOXBASE | MDU |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.0 (1 ratings) | 4.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 20.5% of reviews — better | 16.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 | 12.2 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 413 MB | 165 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | NHS Lothian | The Medical Defence Union |
Customer experience
TOXBASE
MDU
In-app purchases
TOXBASE
- 1 year subscription$6.99
MDU
No in-app purchases









