EMS Guidebook vs Explain Medicine
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
EMS Guidebook
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.
- Digital EMS agency protocols
- Replacement for physical guidebooks
- Pediatric vital signs charts
- Burn and c-spine clearance guides
- Cardiac rhythm examples
- AHA guidelines
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EMS Guidebook allows the user to view the medical protocols of specific EMS agencies. This guidebook is meant to be a replacement of the traditional flip book guides that EMTs and Paramedics carry for reference on emergency calls. The specific agencies protocols require passwords to download. Those passwords are available from the agency's Training Officer. The Generic Protocols are available without a password. As part of the base program, each set of protocols contain references such as pediatric vital signs, burn references, c-spine clearance charts, 12-lead guidelines, American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, START and JumpSTART triage guides. There are also guides to several common cardiac rhythms with examples. If you wish to have your protocols put into this system contact us through the app
Explain Medicine
A quick medical reference for professionals and students, offering evidence-based explanations for over 700 diseases. Ideal for rapid information retrieval during rounds or exam preparation.
- Medical reference for professionals
- Explanations for over 700 diseases
- Evidence-based information
- Fast and easy to use
- Designed for students
- Quick answers for rounds
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Explain Medicine is a fast, easy-to-use medical reference designed for busy professionals and students. Get straight-to-the-point, evidence-based explanations on over 700 diseases without the fluff. Whether you need a quick answer on rounds or are cramming for an exam, we've got your back. IMPORTANT: Explain Medicine is a medical reference designed for use by medical professionals and students. It is not intended for use by patients or for self-diagnosis.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: EMS Guidebook at 4.9 against Explain Medicine's 4.2. EMS Guidebook also leads on ratings volume (115 vs 13). Explain Medicine's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads 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. EMS Guidebook sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Explain Medicine asks for nothing beyond the download.
EMS Guidebook holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EMS Guidebook has 115 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 33% and 33% positive.
EMS Guidebook ships an update every 6 months, Explain Medicine every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | EMS Guidebook | Explain Medicine |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (115 ratings) — better | 4.2 (13 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 115 — better | 13 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3 MB | 89 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Larry Owens | Medical Joyworks LLC |
Customer experience
EMS Guidebook
Explain Medicine
In-app purchases
EMS Guidebook
- 2009 Utah EMS for Children Off-Line Protocols$1.99
- District 2B Protocols$2.99
- 2009 West Virginia EMT Basic Protocols$3.99
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- 2012 North Carolina EMS Protocols$4.99
- 2009 North Carolina EMS Protocols$4.99
- 2010 Hawaii EMS Standing Orders$4.99
- 2011-2013 St John New Zealand Protocols$4.99
Explain Medicine
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is EMS Guidebook free?
Is Explain Medicine free?
Which has better reviews, EMS Guidebook or Explain Medicine?
Do EMS Guidebook or Explain Medicine have ads?
Which is updated more often, EMS Guidebook or Explain Medicine?
Other comparisons
