# CPR Tempo vs AHA ACLS

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 (#45 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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | CPR Tempo | AHA ACLS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (76 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cpr-tempo/id525695057/reviews) | **[4.9 (277 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 76 | **277** |
| Positive reviews | **60.5% of reviews** | 26.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 32 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#45** |
| Size | 11 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.2** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Frozen Ape Pte. Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/304731504) | [Massachusetts General Hospital](https://appshunter.io/developer/376928206) |

## What reviewers say

### CPR Tempo

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cpr-tempo/id525695057)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### AHA ACLS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443)

**Currently charting:** #45 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ACLS Pro | $3.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 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)

**Reported bugs**

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

**Requested features**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*