# EMS Guidebook vs SmartEMS

The clearest difference is rating: EMS Guidebook at 4.8 against SmartEMS's 3.7. EMS Guidebook also leads on ratings volume (90 vs 3). SmartEMS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 6 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. EMS Guidebook sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. SmartEMS asks for nothing beyond the download.

EMS Guidebook holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EMS Guidebook has 90 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of EMS Guidebook's written reviews are positive against 50% of SmartEMS's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

EMS Guidebook ships an update every 6 months, SmartEMS every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EMS Guidebook | SmartEMS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (90 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ems-guidebook/id527102213/reviews)** | [3.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartems/id1078226570/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **90** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **50.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 4 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 3 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.2** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Larry Owens](https://appshunter.io/developer/496138296) | [Smart EMS LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1078226569) |

## What reviewers say

### EMS Guidebook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ems-guidebook/id527102213)

This app provides a digital reference for emergency medical service protocols, replacing traditional physical guidebooks. It includes essential medical charts, guidelines, and rhythm examples, with agency-specific protocols accessible via password.

**Highlights:** Digital EMS agency protocols, Replacement for physical guidebooks, Pediatric vital signs charts, Burn and c-spine clearance guides, Cardiac rhythm examples, AHA guidelines

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2009 Utah EMS for Children Off-Line Protocols | $1.99 | one-time |
| District 2B Protocols | $2.99 | one-time |
| 2009 West Virginia EMT Basic Protocols | $3.99 | one-time |
| 2012 North Carolina EMS Protocols | $4.99 | one-time |
| 2009 North Carolina EMS Protocols | $4.99 | one-time |
| 2010 Hawaii EMS Standing Orders | $4.99 | one-time |
| 2011-2013 St John New Zealand Protocols | $4.99 | one-time |


### SmartEMS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartems/id1078226570)

This app provides immediate assistance during medical emergencies by alerting an ambulance with a single touch. It allows users to select their preferred hospital and notify loved ones of their situation.

**Highlights:** One-touch ambulance alert, Preferred hospital selection, Loved one notification, Intuitive emergency interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EMS Guidebook free?

EMS Guidebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SmartEMS free?

SmartEMS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, EMS Guidebook or SmartEMS?

EMS Guidebook is rated higher. EMS Guidebook averages 4.8 out of 5 from 90 ratings, while SmartEMS averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.

### Do EMS Guidebook or SmartEMS have ads?

Neither EMS Guidebook nor SmartEMS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, EMS Guidebook or SmartEMS?

EMS Guidebook ships an update every 6 months, and SmartEMS every 4 weeks. Most recently, EMS Guidebook was updated on October 14, 2026 and SmartEMS on September 26, 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.*