ACS MyATLS vs FOAM Cortex
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ACS MyATLS
This app provides licensed medical professionals with essential information and skills for treating trauma patients. It offers chapter summaries, videos, calculators, interactive algorithms, and practice quizzes to prepare for exams and stay updated.
- Chapter summaries
- Educational videos
- Calculators
- Interactive algorithms
- Practice quizzes
- Flashcards
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The medical care of trauma patients demands fast thinking and up-to-date resources. There is no more reliable resource for trauma information than the American College of Surgeons (ACS). The MyATLS app was developed as a component of the ACS Committee on Trauma’s Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program. ATLS has trained more than 2 million participants in close to 100,000 courses around the world. ATLS provides essential information and skills for doctors, nurses, and other trained health professionals to identify and treat life-threatening injuries in the trauma environment. The content and skills presented in this app will add to the resources of doctors and other clinicians who treat trauma patients. The MyATLS app is intended for use by licensed medical professionals. It is not intended for use by patients nor untrained individuals caring for injured patients. The American College of Surgeons (ACS) MyATLS mobile app provides users to access key elements of the ACS Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) program including • Chapter summaries • Videos • Calculators • Interactive algorithms • Tables • Skill stations • Checklists • Practice quizzes • Flashcards Access ATLS information in real-time, prepare for the ATLS course exam, or keep your knowledge sharp and up-to-date using the practice quizzes and flashcards. DISCLAIMER The American College of Surgeons, its Committee on Trauma, and content contributors have taken care that the doses of drugs and recommendations for treatment contained within the MyATLS mobile app are correct and compatible with the standards generally accepted at the time of publication. However, as new research and clinical experience broaden our knowledge, changes in treatment and drug therapy may become necessary or appropriate. Users of the MyATLS mobile app are advised to check the most current product information provided by the manufacturer of each drug to be administered to verify the recommended dose, the method and duration of administration, and contraindications. It is the responsibility of the licensed practitioner to be informed in all aspects of patient care and determine the best treatment for each individual patient. Note that cervical collars and spinal immobilization remain the current Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) standard in transporting patients with spine injury. If the collars and immobilization devices are to be removed in controlled hospital environments, this should be accomplished when the stability of the injury is assured. Cervical collars and immobilization devices have been removed in some of the photos and videos to provide clarity for specific skill demonstrations. The American College of Surgeons, its Committee on Trauma, and contributing authors disclaim any liability, loss, or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any of the content of this 10th edition of the ATLS Program. Link to End Users License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
FOAM Cortex
An AI-powered reference tool for emergency medicine clinicians, providing fast, trustworthy answers at the bedside. It leverages high-quality FOAMed resources and an expanding knowledge base to help users search, interpret, and apply information with confidence.
- Instant AI clinical support
- Curated FOAMed knowledge base
- Structured clinical summaries
- Integrated source transparency
- Fast mobile experience
- Search across topics and modalities
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FOAM Cortex is a modern, AI-enhanced emergency medicine reference designed for clinicians who need fast, trustworthy answers at the bedside. Built around high-quality FOAMed resources and a continuously expanding knowledge base, FOAM Cortex helps clinicians search, interpret, and apply information with confidence. Whether reviewing critical care topics, refining diagnostic reasoning, or preparing procedures, FOAM Cortex brings clarity and speed to emergency medicine decision-making. Key Features Instant AI Clinical Support Ask complex clinical questions and receive concise, evidence-aligned explanations grounded in trusted emergency medicine sources. Curated FOAMed Knowledge Base Search high-quality emergency medicine blogs, podcasts, and reference materials unified in one clean, searchable interface. Structured Clinical Summaries Access streamlined summaries of diagnoses, management steps, red flags, and algorithms optimized for real-world ED use. Integrated Source Transparency Each AI-generated response includes linked source material to maintain trust, accountability, and auditability. Modern, Fast Mobile Experience A distraction-free interface designed for speed, bedside usability, dark mode, and reliable performance. Search Across Topics and Modalities Find content from multiple FOAMed platforms, including blogs, podcasts, and educational repositories. Built for Emergency Medicine Clinicians Ideal for attending physicians, residents, NPs/PAs, medical students, and prehospital providers.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: FOAM Cortex at 100% against ACS MyATLS's 15%. FOAM Cortex also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). 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. ACS MyATLS sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. FOAM Cortex asks for nothing beyond the download.
FOAM Cortex holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 15% of ACS MyATLS's written reviews are positive against 100% of FOAM Cortex's.
ACS MyATLS ships an update every 3 weeks, FOAM Cortex fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | ACS MyATLS | FOAM Cortex |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.8 (12 ratings) | 5.0 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 15.4% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 12 — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 53 MB | 60 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | MyATLS | Tom Fadial |
Customer experience
ACS MyATLS
FOAM Cortex
In-app purchases
ACS MyATLS
- ACS MyATLS monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
- ACS MyATLS6 Months trial$4.991 Month
- ACS MyATLS yearly3 Days trial$24.991 Year
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- ACS MyATLS6 Months trial$24.991 Year
FOAM Cortex
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is ACS MyATLS free?
Is FOAM Cortex free?
Which has better reviews, ACS MyATLS or FOAM Cortex?
Do ACS MyATLS or FOAM Cortex have ads?
Which is updated more often, ACS MyATLS or FOAM Cortex?
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