# Oncourse AI vs Core Step Prep

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Oncourse AI at 97% against Core Step Prep's 0%. Oncourse AI also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (447 vs 2). Core Step Prep's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Oncourse AI sells 36 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month and Core Step Prep sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Oncourse AI holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Oncourse AI has 447 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 97% of Oncourse AI's written reviews are positive against 0% of Core Step Prep's.

Oncourse AI ships an update weekly, Core Step Prep every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Oncourse AI | Core Step Prep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (447 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oncourse-ai-study-mate/id6504909373/reviews)** | [4.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/core-step-prep/id6752342447/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **447** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **96.6% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Weekly | **Every 6 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 254 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.4** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Oncourse Learning Technologies](https://appshunter.io/developer/1754307688) | [Terry Trent](https://appshunter.io/developer/1838959049) |

## What reviewers say

### Oncourse AI

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/oncourse-ai-study-mate/id6504909373)

This AI-powered study companion helps medical students prepare for high-stakes exams like USMLE and NEET-PG. It offers personalized notes, flashcards, practice questions, and case simulations to enhance learning and retention.

**Highlights:** AI study partner for personalized learning, High-yield flashcards with spaced repetition, Extensive question bank with exam-pattern questions, Concise lessons and visually rich notes, Gamified learning modules, Smart notes conversion from photos/PDFs, Personalized analytics and progress tracking

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (36)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Max 1 Month No Trial | $3.99 | per month |
| Oncourse Max 1 Month | $3.99 | per month |
| Max 1 Week No Trial | $8.99 | per 7 days |
| NCLEX-MCAT Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Max 1 Month - 3 Day Trial | $9.99 | per month |
| Max 1 Month - 2 Week Trial | $9.99 | per month |
| Max 1 month (25% Off) | $11.99 | per month |
| Oncourse Max | $11.99 | per month |
| NCLEX-RN Max | $12.99 | per month |
| Max 1 Month No Trial | $14.99 | per month |
| Max 6 months | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| Oncourse Max 3 Months | $21.99 | per 3 months |
| Oncourse Max 3 Months | $29.99 | per 3 months |
| Max 12 Months No Trial | $29.99 | per year |
| Max 12 months | $29.99 | per year |
| NCLEX-MCAT Annual | $49.99 | per year |
| Max 6 months 25 Off | $49.99 | per 6 months |
| Oncourse MAX 6 Months - 3 Day Trial | $49.99 | per 6 months |
| Max 6 Months - 2 Week Trial | $49.99 | per 6 months |
| Max 12 Months 30% Off | $59.90 | per year |
| Oncourse MAX - 75% Off | $59.90 | per year |
| Max 6 Months | $59.99 | per 6 months |
| Max 12 Months (80% Off) | $64.90 | per year |
| Max 12 Months - One Time Offer | $64.90 | per year |
| MCAT Max | $64.99 | per year |
| NCLEX-RN Max | $64.99 | per year |
| NCLEX-RN Max Annual | $64.99 | per year |
| Oncourse Max 12 Months | $79.90 | per year |
| Max 1 Year No Trial | $79.99 | per year |
| Max 12 Months - 2 Week Trial | $89.99 | per year |
| Oncourse MAX 1 Year - 3 Day Trial | $99.99 | per year |
| Oncourse Max 6 Months 1 Nov 2025 | $119.99 | per 6 months |
| Oncourse Max Annual 1 Nov 2025 | $239.99 | per year |
| Oncourse Max - Discounted | $21.99 | one-time |
| Oncourse Max - One Time Purchase | $29.99 | one-time |
| Oncourse Max Lifetime | $149.99 | one-time |


### Core Step Prep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/core-step-prep/id6752342447)

This platform offers a high-yield question bank and study tools designed for USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK preparation. It focuses on recurring exam concepts with expert-crafted questions, actionable analytics, and realistic practice interfaces. Enhance your board prep with targeted study blocks and detailed explanations.

**Highlights:** High-yield USMLE-style questions, Step 1 + Step 2 CK coverage, Expert-crafted questions, Actionable analytics, Customizable quizzes, Realistic exam interface, Detailed explanations, Flashcards with spaced repetition

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USMLE Step 1 Qbank - 1 wk access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| USMLE Step 2 CK Qbank - 1 wk access | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| USMLE Step 1 Qbank - 1 mo. access | $29.99 | per month |
| USMLE Step 2 CK Qbank - 1 mo access | $29.99 | per month |
| USMLE Step 2 CK Qbank - 6 mo access | $99.99 | per 6 months |
| USMLE Step 1 Qbank - 6 mo access | $99.99 | per 6 months |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Oncourse AI free?

Oncourse AI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Core Step Prep free?

Core Step Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Oncourse AI or Core Step Prep?

Oncourse AI is rated higher. Oncourse AI averages 4.8 out of 5 from 447 ratings, while Core Step Prep averages 4.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Oncourse AI or Core Step Prep have ads?

Oncourse AI shows ads; Core Step Prep does not.

### Which is updated more often, Oncourse AI or Core Step Prep?

Oncourse AI ships an update weekly, and Core Step Prep every 6 days. Most recently, Oncourse AI was updated on October 27, 2026 and Core Step Prep on October 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*