Comparison

MediCode vs First on Scene

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MediCode

Access essential emergency medical algorithms and practice tests on your mobile device. This app provides quick access to ILCOR algorithms for ACLS, PALS, BLS, CPR, and more, helping healthcare professionals make critical decisions in emergency situations.

Highlights
  • Access ILCOR algorithms
  • ACLS, PALS, BLS, CPR, NR skills
  • ECG rhythms and interpretations
  • Multiple-choice practice tests
  • Downloadable ebooks
  • Easy navigation
Features
Read full description

Tired of carrying a set of expandable CPR cards all the time for algorithms? Flipping through the cards to find the right one wastes valuable time in emergency health care situations such as cardiac arrest and pediatric urgent care. MediCode gives you easy access to all of the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) algorithms from the palm of your hand and includes multiple-choice practice tests for you to test your skills. This Algorithms, Practice Tests, Megacodes, and ebooks app makes it easy for physicians, paramedics, and nurses to care and save lives. Download this health care professional’s app for free. As health care professionals - critical care physicians, nurses, medical students, paramedics, and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), you save lives every day. In times of emergency, others turn to you and trust that you will take the right steps to save them or their loved ones. But no emergency situation is the same. Having a set of tools in your pocket can make all the difference. The MediCode app is a simple, easy-to-use resource for all of your ACLS (including core ECG rhythms), BLS, PALS and NR skills needs, including CPR and first aid. As our gift to you, we are making this health care app, along with downloadable ebooks, available to you for free! At Save a Life by Advanced Medical Certification (AMC), the premier provider for online certification and recertification courses, we believe that improvements can be made through providing exceptional education and resources. Save a Life by Advanced Medical Certification has compiled a list of the vital Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Neonatal Resuscitation (NR) and CPR and first aid algorithms, all of which can be viewed and navigated with the touch of your finger. Test your ACLS, BLS, CPR, PALS, first aid and ECG knowledge and skills with our free practice tests. Each skills test consists of 10 multiple-choice questions that are derived from our provider ebooks and adhere to the latest guidelines. Download MediCode and our lifesaving ebooks now and start saving lives! Review our newest ECG rhythms and interpretations resource in our ACLS ebook. Also, check out our CertAlert+ app to conveniently access all your licenses and certifications in one place anytime, anywhere. The individual algorithms included in MediCode are: • BLS - Adult BLS Algorithm - Pediatric BLS Algorithm • ACLS - Cardiac Arrest Algorithm - Details for Cardiac Arrest - Immediate Post Cardiac-Arrest Care Algorithm - Bradycardia with Pulse Algorithm - Tachycardia with Pulse Algorithm • PALS - Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Algorithm - Details for Pediatric Cardiac Arrest - Immediate Post for Cardiac Arrest - Pediatric Bradycardia with Pulse/Poor Perfusion Algorithm - Pediatric Tachycardia Algorithm • NR - Neonatal Resuscitation Algorithm • CPR and First Aid - Adult BLS Algorithm - Simple Adult BLS Algorithm MediCode is a well-organized, polished, and easy-to-use health care professional’s app that walks you through the many algorithms and practice tests - ACLS, BLS, PALS, NR, and CPR and First Aid. MediCode also provides ebooks, including our newest ECG rhythms and interpretations section of our ACLS handbook, to enhance your skills in emergencies.

About

First on Scene

This application provides educational information and recommendations about AEDs and medical emergencies. It is designed for learning purposes and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice from a physician or Emergency Medical Services.

Highlights
  • AED information
  • Medical recommendations
  • Educational purposes
  • Emergency preparedness
Features
Read full description

First on Scene helps individuals and organizations prepare for emergencies before they happen. Use clear, step-by-step guidance for common medical emergencies, including cardiac arrest, bleeding, choking, allergic reactions, asthma, stroke, seizures, opioid overdose, and more. When an emergency occurs, always call 911 and follow the instructions of trained emergency personnel. The Equipment Manager gives your team one organized place to track emergency equipment across multiple locations. Create locations, add equipment, record where each item is stored, and keep inspection and expiration information easy to review. First on Scene is designed as a preparedness and organizational resource. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, emergency dispatch, or hands-on training. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Screenshots

MediCode4 screens
First on Scene4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: MediCode at 4.8 against First on Scene's 4.0. MediCode also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 50%) and ratings volume (4.3K vs 4). First on Scene's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MediCode holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MediCode has 4.3K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of MediCode's written reviews are positive against 50% of First on Scene's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MediCode ships an update every 3 weeks, First on Scene weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
MediCode versus First on Scene: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMediCodeFirst on Scene
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (4.3K ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews75.4% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings4.3K — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB49 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperAdvanced Medical Certification LtdKirti Patel

Customer experience

MediCode

All ratings4,268 ratings
Positive95.0%
Neutral2.4%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews61 reviews
Positive75.4%
Neutral3.3%
Negative21.3%

First on Scene

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Bugs and requests

MediCode

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to progress through Mega Codes
  • Crashes and freezes on newer devices
  • Incorrect information in the algorithms

Requested features

4 requests
  • Update to 2020 AHA guidelines
  • Add drug dosage information
  • Improve stability and reduce crashes
  • Provide more practice tests and scenarios

First on Scene

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

MediCode

No in-app purchases

None

First on Scene

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MediCode free?
MediCode is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is First on Scene free?
First on Scene is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MediCode or First on Scene?
MediCode is rated higher. MediCode averages 4.8 out of 5 from 4.3K ratings, while First on Scene averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do MediCode or First on Scene have ads?
Neither MediCode nor First on Scene shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MediCode or First on Scene?
MediCode ships an update every 3 weeks, and First on Scene weekly. Most recently, MediCode was updated on November 1, 2026 and First on Scene on November 3, 2026.

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