# WikEM vs Bates' Pocket Guide

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 300) and review sentiment (54% vs 41%). Bates' Pocket Guide's advantage is chart position (#198 vs unranked). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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 300, 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 September 23, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | WikEM | Bates' Pocket Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (4.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wikem/id576405449/reviews) | [4.8 (300 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bates-pocket-guide/id650795652/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **4.7K** | 300 |
| Positive reviews | **54.1% of reviews** | 40.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 14 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#198** |
| Size | 157 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [OpenEM Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/766470023) | [Unbound Medicine, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/300420400) |

## What reviewers say

### WikEM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wikem/id576405449)

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.

**Highlights:** Emergency medicine knowledge database, Continuously updated content, Offline access, AI-powered questions (subscription), Favorites and history (subscription)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| WikEM AI Search | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium Features | $4.99 | per year |
| Personal Notes | $0.99 | one-time |
| Favorites and Lists | $5.99 | one-time |
| History and Favorites | $9.99 | one-time |
| WikEM Russian Content | $29.99 | one-time |
| WikEM Italian Content | $29.99 | one-time |
| WikEM Polish Content | $29.99 | one-time |
| WikEM Hindi Content | $29.99 | one-time |
| WikEM Turkish Content | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Useful and concise information
- 🚀 Great resource for quick reference
- 👍 Helpful for medical professionals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent login and account issues
- 🐛 App crashes and database loading problems
- 🐛 Compatibility issues with newer devices
- 🔋 High battery consumption

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Broken hyperlinks and charts
- Search function not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Dark mode support
- Ability to save favorites and customize the app
- Improved search functionality
- Regular content updates


### Bates' Pocket Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bates-pocket-guide/id650795652)

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bates' Pocket Guide 9th ed. | $69.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WikEM free?

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

### Is Bates' Pocket Guide free?

Bates' Pocket Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, WikEM or Bates' Pocket Guide?

WikEM and Bates' Pocket Guide are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4.7K and 300 ratings respectively.

### Do WikEM or Bates' Pocket Guide have ads?

Neither WikEM nor Bates' Pocket Guide shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, WikEM or Bates' Pocket Guide?

WikEM ships an update every 5 days, and Bates' Pocket Guide every 14 months. Most recently, WikEM was updated on September 23, 2026 and Bates' Pocket Guide on September 23, 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.*