WikEM vs Bates' Pocket Guide
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WikEM
This app provides a continuously updated wiki and database of emergency medicine knowledge for physicians. Access key information offline for rapid reference during daily practice. An in-app subscription unlocks advanced AI-powered questions, favorites, and history features.
- Emergency medicine knowledge database
- Continuously updated content
- Offline access
- AI-powered questions (subscription)
- Favorites and history (subscription)
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WikEM is an online wiki and database of emergency medicine knowledge to assist physicians with their daily practice. The content is continuously updated from WikEM.org allowing for rapid reference of key information. The content is available offline with this mobile application. WikEM is intended for clinicians only and not directly for patients. In app subscription purchases: *The in-app purchase unlocks unlimited natural language questions using our AI and also favorites and history features • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable WikEM terms of use: wikem.org/wiki/WikEM:Terms_of_Use
Bates' Pocket Guide
This app provides essential information for obtaining health histories and conducting physical exams. It features step-by-step techniques, updated images, and differential diagnoses for quick and accurate interpretation of findings. Ideal for students and professionals needing a fast reference.
- Over 130 detailed topics
- Step-by-step instructions
- Updated photographs and illustrations
- Two-column layout
- New Algorithms for symptom approaches
- Differential diagnoses
- Highlighting and note-taking
- Advanced search
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*Featuring the latest content from the latest edition* ABOUT THE BATES' GUIDE: The Bates’ Pocket Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking contains the critical information needed to obtain a meaningful health history, conduct a thorough physical exam, and interpret the findings quickly and accurately. Locate answers fast and review step-by-step techniques and possible findings using the distinctive two-column format with updated images. Bates’ Pocket Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking is the ideal quick-reference resource for today’s medical, PA, pharmacy, and nursing students. FEATURES: • Over 130 detailed topics with step-by-step instructions • Updated photographs, illustrations, and references reinforce key content based on the latest evidence-based information • Two-column layout optimized for smartphones and tablets • New Algorithms provide helpful starting approaches for patients with common presenting symptoms. • Differential diagnoses for common, normal, and abnormal findings • Highlight and take notes within any entry • Advanced Search helps find topics quickly • “Favorites” for bookmarking important entries Authors: Lynn S. Bickley MD, FACP, Peter G. Szilagyi MD, MPH, Richard M. Hoffman MD, MPH, FACP, Rainier P. Soriano MD Publisher: Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Powered by: Unbound Medicine Unbound Privacy Policy: www.unboundmedicine.com/privacy Unbound Terms of Use: https://www.unboundmedicine.com/end_user_license_agreement
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: WikEM at every 5 days against Bates' Pocket Guide's every 14 months. WikEM also leads on ratings volume (4.7K vs 301) and review sentiment (54% vs 41%). Bates' Pocket Guide's advantage is chart position (#195 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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. WikEM sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Bates' Pocket Guide sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for WikEM against 4.8 for Bates' Pocket Guide. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: WikEM has 4.7K ratings behind it against 301, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 54% of WikEM's written reviews are positive against 41% of Bates' Pocket Guide's.
WikEM ships an update every 5 days, Bates' Pocket Guide every 14 months. Both last shipped on October 13, 2026.
| Parameter | WikEM | Bates' Pocket Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (4.7K ratings) | 4.8 (301 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 54.1% of reviews — better | 40.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4.7K — better | 301 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days — better | Every 14 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #195 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 157 MB | 10 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | OpenEM Foundation | Unbound Medicine, Inc. |
Customer experience
WikEM
Bates' Pocket Guide
User reviews
WikEM
From 4.7K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 💡 Useful and concise information
- 🚀 Great resource for quick reference
- 👍 Helpful for medical professionals
Room to improve
- 🐛 Frequent login and account issues
- 🐛 App crashes and database loading problems
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer devices
- 🔋 High battery consumption
Bates' Pocket Guide
From 301 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Reliable reference
- 🖼️ Helpful pictures for diagnosis
- 📚 Good for quick reference
- 💡 Easy to understand and logical format
- 🎯 Useful for clinicals and easy to maneuver
Room to improve
- 💰 Overpriced app
- 🔄 Outdated software
- 🖱️ Not user-friendly navigation
- 💸 Repeated payments required
- ❌ Incorrect information/algorithms
Bugs and requests
WikEM
Reported bugs
4 issues- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Broken hyperlinks and charts
- Search function not working as expected
Requested features
4 requests- Dark mode support
- Ability to save favorites and customize the app
- Improved search functionality
- Regular content updates
Bates' Pocket Guide
Reported bugs
9 issues- Sectional information is wrong
- Topics do not correlate to information
- Asterisk information is incorrect
- App information needs updating and reviewing
- Software is glitchy
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Hard to navigate between topics
- Algorithm images are mismatched with titles
- Doesn't take Bates account
- Didn't work (iOS 7)
Requested features
5 requests- Update and review app information for accuracy
- Improve content layout and navigation
- Offer better preview options before purchase
- Provide discounts for existing textbook/resource owners
- Clarify product offerings to avoid buyer confusion
In-app purchases
WikEM
- WikEM AI Search$1.991 Month
- Premium Features$4.991 Year
- Personal Notes$0.99
- Favorites and Lists$5.99
- History and Favorites$9.99
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- WikEM Russian Content$29.99
- WikEM Italian Content$29.99
- WikEM Polish Content$29.99
- WikEM Hindi Content$29.99
- WikEM Turkish Content$29.99
Bates' Pocket Guide
- Bates' Pocket Guide 9th ed.$69.99








