# EMS Guidebook vs Vitals

The clearest difference is price: EMS Guidebook at Free against Vitals's $4.99. EMS Guidebook also leads on ratings volume (90 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). Vitals's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 months). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

EMS Guidebook is free to download; Vitals costs $4.99 up front. EMS Guidebook sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Vitals asks for nothing beyond the download.

Vitals holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EMS Guidebook has 90 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

EMS Guidebook ships an update every 6 months, Vitals every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | EMS Guidebook | Vitals |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $4.99 |
| Rating | [4.8 (90 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ems-guidebook/id527102213/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vitals-docs-nurses-emts/id6474643520/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **90** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#159** |
| Size | 3 MB | 1 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Larry Owens](https://appshunter.io/developer/496138296) | [Ian George Gillespie](https://appshunter.io/developer/1722182129) |

## 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 |


### Vitals

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vitals-docs-nurses-emts/id6474643520)

**Currently charting:** #159 Top Paid · Medical (US App Store)

This medical app helps healthcare professionals easily measure patient pulse rates by tapping along to the palpated beat. It also provides a persistent timer and a chart of vital signs by age group, accessible directly from a watch complication.

**Highlights:** Pulse measurement by tapping, Persistent timer, Vitals chart by age, Watch complication support, Offline functionality

**Features:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is EMS Guidebook free?

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

### Is Vitals free?

Vitals costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

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

Vitals is rated higher. EMS Guidebook averages 4.8 out of 5 from 90 ratings, while Vitals averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do EMS Guidebook or Vitals have ads?

Neither EMS Guidebook nor Vitals shows ads.

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

EMS Guidebook ships an update every 6 months, and Vitals every 3 days. Most recently, EMS Guidebook was updated on October 14, 2026 and Vitals on October 10, 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.*