Comparison

ACS MyATLS vs FOAM Cortex

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Chapter summaries
  • Educational videos
  • Calculators
  • Interactive algorithms
  • Practice quizzes
  • Flashcards
Features
Read full description

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/

About

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.

Highlights
  • Instant AI clinical support
  • Curated FOAMed knowledge base
  • Structured clinical summaries
  • Integrated source transparency
  • Fast mobile experience
  • Search across topics and modalities
Features
Read full description

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

ACS MyATLS4 screens
FOAM Cortex4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ACS MyATLS ships an update every 3 weeks, FOAM Cortex fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ACS MyATLS versus FOAM Cortex: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterACS MyATLSFOAM Cortex
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (12 ratings)5.0 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews15.4% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12 — better9
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size53 MB60 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperMyATLSTom Fadial

Customer experience

ACS MyATLS

All ratings12 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews26 reviews
Positive15.4%
Neutral7.7%
Negative76.9%

FOAM Cortex

All ratings9 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

ACS MyATLS

Subscriptions4
  • ACS MyATLS monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • ACS MyATLS6 Months trial$4.991 Month
  • ACS MyATLS yearly3 Days trial$24.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • ACS MyATLS6 Months trial$24.991 Year
None

FOAM Cortex

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ACS MyATLS free?
ACS MyATLS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FOAM Cortex free?
FOAM Cortex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ACS MyATLS or FOAM Cortex?
FOAM Cortex is rated higher. ACS MyATLS averages 3.8 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while FOAM Cortex averages 5.0 from 9 ratings.
Do ACS MyATLS or FOAM Cortex have ads?
Neither ACS MyATLS nor FOAM Cortex shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ACS MyATLS or FOAM Cortex?
ACS MyATLS ships an update every 3 weeks, and FOAM Cortex fortnightly. Most recently, ACS MyATLS was updated on October 24, 2026 and FOAM Cortex on October 24, 2026.

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