Comparison

JCAD vs Top Derm

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

Head to head
About

JCAD

This peer-reviewed medical journal provides dermatologists with up-to-date, evidence-based information on clinical and aesthetic dermatology. It features original research, practical discussions, comprehensive reviews, and commentaries from leading experts.

Highlights
  • Peer-reviewed publication
  • Evidence-based information
  • Original research
  • Comprehensive reviews
  • Expert editorial leadership
  • Indexed on major databases
Features
Read full description

Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (JCAD) is a peer-reviewed publication that has already become an important addition to the field of dermatology. Under the expert editorial leadership of James Del Rosso, DO, and Philip Werschler, MD, JCAD provides dermatologists with up-to-date, evidence-based information that can be applied to their daily practices. JCAD offers its readers original research, practical discussion on the latest research, comprehensive reviews, didactic case reports, and provocative commentaries on contemporary topics relating to both clinical and aesthetic dermatology, written by key opinion leaders as well as practicing clinicians who are “in the trenches,” providing vital balance to the research-rich literature that is already available. JCAD is the official journal of the American Cutaneous Oncology Society and the American Acne and Rosacea Society. JCAD is indexed on PubMed Central, Scopus, EMBASE, and CINAHL Plus.

About

Top Derm

This game is designed for dermatologists by dermatologists, offering a fun and challenging way to learn and identify skin disorders. It features medically accurate imagery and neuroscience-based game mechanics to enhance knowledge retention.

Highlights
  • Medically accurate derm imagery
  • Neuroscience-based game mechanics
  • Earn CME credits
  • Wide variety of dermatology topics
  • Customizable topic selection
  • High-resolution imagery with zoom
  • Personal expertise tracking
Features
Read full description

A GAME MADE JUST FOR DERMATOLOGISTS Top Derm is made by derms for derms. We worked with over 140 derm experts to create a medically accurate, fun, and challenging experience, unlike any other medical resource you’ve ever seen. Top Derm is a first-of-its-kind mobile game made by dermatology experts for dermatologists. Covering a wide variety of dermatology topics, Top Derm is packed with incredible, medically accurate, computer-generated derm imagery, in quick-burst challenges pulled from evidence-based research. Built on neuroscience-based game mechanics, Top Derm is a unique medical resource that also happens to be a ton of fun. DERM IMAGERY LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE Our dermatologist-approved, groundbreaking DeepSkinFX™ Generator harnesses the most cutting-edge visual effects and video game technology to create mind-blowing, medically accurate, high-resolution imagery of any skin disorder on any region of the body and any skin tone, so you can visually experience a wide variety of derm scenarios. FROM ADULT DERMATOLOGY TO ZEBRA CASES AND BEYOND Short, rapid-fire, focused challenge packs deliver well-rounded dermatology challenges that strengthen your derm knowledge and your ability to visually identify common and rare skin disorders. NEUROSCIENCE MEETS ENTERTAINMENT ON THE GO Top Derm is backed by neuroscience-based game mechanics that help you acquire and retain knowledge. It’s also a ton of fun and ready to go on your phone at any time. So whether you’re between patients, on a lunch break, or just sitting down to relax, Top Derm is waiting for you. FEATURES EARN CME CREDITS Finding the time and opportunity to earn CME credits can be challenging. We make it easy, convenient, and fun. A WIDE VARIETY OF SUBJECTS Challenges cover a breadth of topics: skin cancer, pediatric dermatology, adult dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, and surgical dermatology. New challenge packs are released regularly. CHOOSE YOUR TOPICS Gameplay is customized to your interests. Choose your favorite topics, and you’ll be presented with more challenges covering those areas. SKIN OF COLOR Skin tone affects the appearance of different disorders. Our DeepSkinFX™ Generator creates medically accurate imagery showcasing conditions on different skin types so you can view conditions as they appear on various skin tones. TAKE A CLOSER LOOK All clinical imagery in Top Derm is included at high resolution for close-up study. Tap the magnifying glass at the corner of the image, and it expands to full screen. Pinch and spread to zoom in or out. It’s all in the details. PERSONAL EXPERTISE MAPS Track your performance with a dynamic report that shows your progress, areas of strength, and improvement opportunities. SUPPLEMENTAL READING Every challenge is built on evidence-based research. We’ve included the option to review that material at the end of each challenge. SHAPE THE GAME, HELP THE COMMUNITY Rate and give feedback on the challenges to help make the game as good as it can be and contribute to the state of the art in dermatology. BUILT BY LEADING DERMATOLOGY EXPERTS Our team of world-renowned dermatology experts includes Peter Lio, MD Dermatology, Medical Dermatology Associates of Chicago; Shraddha Desai, MD, FAAD, Director of Cosmetic and Laser Surgery, Dupage Medical Group Dermatology, Adjunct Professor of Dermatology, Loyola University; Aaron Fuchs, MD, Fuchs Dermatology; Sara Hogan, MD, Dermatology, Laser Skin Care Center Dermatology Associates; Dr. Sara Dickie, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Illinois Dermatology Institute; and others.

Screenshots

JCAD4 screens
Top Derm4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: JCAD at 100% against Top Derm's 60%. JCAD also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and ads (none vs shown). Top Derm's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (59 vs 1). On price, 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

JCAD holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Top Derm has 59 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of JCAD's written reviews are positive against 60% of Top Derm's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

JCAD ships an update every 9 months, Top Derm every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
JCAD versus Top Derm: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterJCADTop Derm
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.5 (59 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better60.0% of reviews
Number of ratings159 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size87 MB248 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperMatrix Medical CommunicationsRelevate Health Group, LLC

Customer experience

JCAD

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Top Derm

All ratings59 ratings
Positive86.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative13.6%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

None

JCAD

No in-app purchases

None

Top Derm

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is JCAD free?
JCAD is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Top Derm free?
Top Derm is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, JCAD or Top Derm?
JCAD is rated higher. JCAD averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Top Derm averages 4.5 from 59 ratings.
Do JCAD or Top Derm have ads?
Top Derm shows ads; JCAD does not.
Which is updated more often, JCAD or Top Derm?
JCAD ships an update every 9 months, and Top Derm every 6 weeks. Most recently, JCAD was updated on September 30, 2026 and Top Derm on October 15, 2026.

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