ERG 2020 vs ERG for iOS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ERG 2020
This app provides first responders with critical information for hazmat accidents. It offers an indexed list of dangerous goods, their hazards, and safety precautions to guide immediate response efforts.
- Indexed list of dangerous goods
- Associated ID numbers
- General hazard information
- Recommended safety precautions
- Protective distance mapping
- Data link sharing
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PHMSA (U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration)'s 2020 Emergency Response Guidebook provides first responders with a go-to resource to help deal with hazmat accidents during the critical first 30 minutes. The ERG contains an indexed list of dangerous goods and the associated ID number, the general hazards they pose and recommended safety precautions. For example, if emergency responders arrive at the scene of an overturned tractor trailer displaying a DOT hazmat placard, they would use the guide to identify the material associated with the placard and get guidance on how to respond accordingly. The 2020 version of the ERG includes general revisions, reorganized general information pages, protective distance mapping updates, and the new ability to share data links through URLs. Updated every four years, the ERG is available free to public safety agencies in all states and territories through designated state coordinators’ offices. PHMSA has partnered with the National Library of Medicine to provide this free application as well as a version of the ERG in its Wireless Information System for Emergency Responders (WISER) application.
ERG for iOS
This app provides first responders with quick access to critical information for hazardous materials transportation incidents. It features an indexed list of dangerous goods, including ID numbers, hazards, and safety precautions, aiding in effective response.
- Indexed list of dangerous goods
- ID number lookup
- General hazard information
- Recommended safety precautions
- Multi-language support (English, French, Spanish)
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PHMSA’s Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) is the go-to resource for first responders during the initial phase of a dangerous goods or hazardous materials transportation incident. The ERG app is a valuable companion, based on the latest edition of the ERG, to help responders quickly access critical information at their fingertips. The app features an indexed list of dangerous goods, including their associated ID number, general hazards, and recommended safety precautions. In practical scenarios, such as responding to an overturned tractor trailer displaying a DOT hazmat placard, emergency responders can use the app to quickly identify the material associated with the placard and get guidance on how to respond effectively. Full versions available in English, French, and Spanish.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: ERG for iOS at 4.8 against ERG 2020's 4.1. ERG for iOS also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 71%) and chart position (#136 vs unranked). On price, ratings volume, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
ERG for iOS holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 54 and 64 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of ERG 2020's written reviews are positive against 100% of ERG for iOS's.
ERG 2020 ships an update every 8 months, ERG for iOS every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ERG 2020 | ERG for iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (54 ratings) | 4.8 (64 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 54 | 64 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 8 months | Every 4 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | #136 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | National Library of Medicine | Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration |
Customer experience
ERG 2020
ERG for iOS
In-app purchases
ERG 2020
No in-app purchases
ERG for iOS
No in-app purchases





