Comparison

CPR Tempo vs AHA ACLS

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

Head to head
About

CPR Tempo

This application provides audio and visual cues to help maintain the correct timing for chest compressions during CPR. It also includes timers for rhythm checks and medication administration, along with event logging capabilities.

Highlights
  • Audio and visual CPR compression timing cues
  • Rhythm check timer
  • Epinephrine administration timer
  • Resuscitation event logging
  • Configurable compressions per minute (100-120)
  • Configurable epinephrine interval (3-5 minutes)
Features
Read full description

CPR Tempo provides audio and visual cues to aid the timing of chest compressions during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Timers are also provided for rhythm checks after defibrillator shocking and for epinephrine administration. The American Heart Association recommends a rate of 100 compressions per minute during CPR. This is difficult to maintain without audio cues, especially as the rescuer tires. ER nurse and Army Reservist MAJ Don Kyle shared with Frozen Ape about our metronome app Tempo is being used for this purpose. We have since worked with Don to create a specialised app, including the following bonus features: - Timer with visual and audio cues for rhythm checks - Timer with visual and audio cues for Epinephrine administration - Log of each resuscitation event detailing each action taken and location of event (location services required) - Configurable CPM (compressions per minute) from 100 to 120 - Configurable epinephrine interval from 3 to 5 minutes Disclaimer: This app follows standards recommended by the American Heart Association. Do not use this app if these standards do not align with your medical practice. Please familiarize yourself with this app, including the tutorial, and verify the settings before using the app in an actual resuscitation event. Frozen Ape Pte. Ltd. is not liable for mishaps due to the misuse of, or malfunctioning of the app.

About

AHA ACLS

This app provides clinicians with a digital tool to assist in running cardiac arrest codes and delivering advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) at the bedside. It features the latest AHA recommendations and includes intuitive access to algorithms, drug dosing, and timers for efficient patient care.

Highlights
  • 4 ACLS algorithms (cardiac arrest, tachycardia, bradycardia, post-arrest)
  • Latest 2025 AHA ACLS content
  • Drug therapy and dosing
  • Easy-to-read timers
  • CPR and epinephrine logging
  • Rapid transition to post-arrest care
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The AHA ACLS app is the American Heart Association's (AHA) officially endorsed digital health solution to assist clinicians in running codes and delivering bedside ACLS care with actual patients. The app was developed by Harvard-trained physicians, in collaboration with the AHA, to help fellow physicians, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and EMTs deliver the highest level of advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) at the point-of-care. It began as a project to assist clinicians within Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital—and then expanded to have a global scope after significant positive impact was demonstrated. Importantly, real-time feedback from our clinician users continuously drives improvements in app design, features, and function so that you will have the best experience providing life-saving care at the bedside. The AHA ACLS app is the only one to have all content vetted by both the AHA science team and practicing Harvard-affiliated physicians. It also features the latest 2025 release of AHA recommendations for ACLS. We owe it to our patients to use the best digital health tools to give them the highest chance of surviving acute life-threatening cardiac illnesses. To this end, we have developed a low cost, intuitive, and rigorously vetted mobile app to assist clinicians— including in all stages of training—and enhance ACLS care at the bedside. Features: - Intuitive design to rapidly access 4 ACLS algorithms (i.e. cardiac arrest, tachycardia with pulse, bradycardia with pulse, and post cardiac arrest care) - Includes all recently released 2025 ACLS content including drug therapy and dosing, reversible causes, etc. - Easy-to-read timers and ability to log rounds of CPR, epinephrine, and defibrillations - Button within cardiac arrest algorithm that allows for rapid transition to post cardiac arrest care pathway once patient achieves ROSC - All content rigorously vetted by AHA science team and practicing Harvard-affiliated physicians We continue to iterate based on real-time clinician feedback, so that you will have the best experience providing life-saving care at the bedside. AHA ACLS offers an auto-renewing annual subscription at $3.99/year with a 3-day free trial. You will have unlimited access to all content while you maintain an active subscription. Payment will be charged to the credit card connected to your Apple ID Account when you confirm the initial subscription purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You may manage your subscription and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to your Account Settings after the purchase. Any unused portion of the free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. You can read more about our terms and conditions in the app.

Screenshots

CPR Tempo4 screens
AHA ACLS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: AHA ACLS at 4.9 against CPR Tempo's 3.7. AHA ACLS also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 32 months) and chart position (#46 vs unranked). CPR Tempo's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and review sentiment (61% vs 26%). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. AHA ACLS sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per year. CPR Tempo asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

AHA ACLS holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 76 and 277 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 61% of CPR Tempo's written reviews are positive against 26% of AHA ACLS's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CPR Tempo ships an update every 32 months, AHA ACLS every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
CPR Tempo versus AHA ACLS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCPR TempoAHA ACLS
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (76 ratings)4.9 (277 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.5% of reviews — better26.3% of reviews
Number of ratings76277 — better
Update frequencyEvery 32 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
Best chart rank—#46 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.2 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB48 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperFrozen Ape Pte. Ltd.Massachusetts General Hospital

Customer experience

CPR Tempo

All ratings76 ratings
Positive68.4%
Neutral5.3%
Negative26.3%
Written reviews76 reviews
Positive60.5%
Neutral10.5%
Negative28.9%

AHA ACLS

All ratings277 ratings
Positive99.3%
Neutral0.4%
Negative0.4%
Written reviews80 reviews
Positive26.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative70.0%

User reviews

CPR Tempo

From 76 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Simple and easy to use
  • 💡 Helpful for CPR training
  • ⏱️ Useful for timing during codes
  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • ✅ Reliable for EMS professionals

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Scratchy/fuzzy/static sound with metronome
  • 🐛 Buggy sound after beat
  • 🐛 Inconsistent sound issues
  • 🐛 Audio cue for rhythm checks not working
  • 🐛 App makes fuzzy sound with each tone

AHA ACLS

From 277 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✅ Accurate, up-to-date AHA ACLS algorithms
  • ⏱️ Built-in timers and counters for code management
  • 👍 User-friendly, intuitive interface
  • 🏥 Trusted by Harvard/MGH and American Heart Association
  • 📋 Helpful for documentation and PCR completion

Room to improve

  • 💰 Subscription paywall on previously free app
  • 🚨 Dangerous surprise paywall during active codes
  • ⚠️ No warning before transition to paid model
  • 🔐 Requires payment even for basic ACLS information
  • 😤 Perceived greed from wealthy organizations (MGH/AHA)

Bugs and requests

CPR Tempo

Reported bugs

19 issues
  • Weird scratchy noise after every beat
  • Every metronome chirp followed by static
  • Terrible noise with the metronome
  • Scratchy sound, sounds like blown speaker
  • Fuzzy sound with each tone
Show 14 more
  • Static sound with the metronome
  • Awful alarm buzzing sound
  • Weird buggy sound in the background
  • Sound distortion happening when metronome is in use
  • Strange noise in the count
  • Extra sound after the beep
  • Alternating 'beep-static' for compressions
  • No sound when start button pressed and stopped
  • Audio cue for adrenaline and rhythm checks doesn't work
  • Sound dropped out
  • CPR tone sometimes works, sometimes doesn't
  • App won't work with new iOS
  • Tempo not functioning
  • Heart beats once silently and then stops

Requested features

30 requests
  • Add a BVM breath timer
  • Visual cue for intervals
  • Change epi times to 120 seconds
  • Log other drugs (amiodarone, calcium gluconate, sodium bicarb)
  • Add Chinese language option
Show 25 more
  • Show total time elapsed
  • Add Apple Watch version
  • Keep track of how long each person was doing compressions
  • Add 'check airway and c-spine' button
  • Add respiration rate metronome with distinct sound
  • Change pitch and volume of beeps
  • Add 'other intervention/event' button with labeling
  • Add free text section in log for clinical information
  • Add delete and save button for log
  • Add print option for log
  • Add option for 30:2 CPR or continuous chest compressions with breaths every 10 compressions
  • Add amiodarone button
  • Add ventilation tones (every 3-5 sec pediatric, 5-6 sec adult, 6-8 sec advanced airway)
  • Add button for other medications (vasopressin, etc.)
  • Add option for different languages (e.g., German)
  • Add a 'beep' at 2 minutes as an added warning
  • Allow user to set rate between 100 and 120
  • Add a button for IV/IO
  • Add a button for Airway
  • Add a button for Amioderone
  • Add option to override phone sleep mode
  • Change defibrillation button name to CPR
  • Rename epi button to 'drug'
  • Add a warning for 2-minute intervals
  • Add option to change countdowns for new guidelines

AHA ACLS

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App fails to load information despite subscription payment
  • Users locked out of app mid-code
  • Unexpected app crashes during critical moments

Requested features

10 requests
  • Multiple log storage with dates
  • More detailed code logging with event documentation (IO access, medications, rhythms)
  • End code button and pause compressions feature
  • Real-time log tracking for back-charting
  • LVAD algorithm inclusion
Show 5 more
  • Additional medication counters (bicarbonate, calcium)
  • One-time purchase option instead of subscription
  • Free basic version with premium features behind paywall
  • Voluntary donation model instead of mandatory subscription
  • Actual time reflection in logs for accurate timekeeping

In-app purchases

None

CPR Tempo

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

AHA ACLS

Subscriptions1
  • ACLS Pro3 Days trial$3.991 Year

Questions

Is CPR Tempo free?
CPR Tempo is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AHA ACLS free?
AHA ACLS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, CPR Tempo or AHA ACLS?
AHA ACLS is rated higher. CPR Tempo averages 3.7 out of 5 from 76 ratings, while AHA ACLS averages 4.9 from 277 ratings.
Do CPR Tempo or AHA ACLS have ads?
Neither CPR Tempo nor AHA ACLS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CPR Tempo or AHA ACLS?
CPR Tempo ships an update every 32 months, and AHA ACLS every 2 months. Most recently, CPR Tempo was updated on September 25, 2026 and AHA ACLS on September 24, 2026.

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