Bates' Pocket Guide vs PediEMS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Bates' Pocket Guide
This app provides essential information for obtaining health histories and conducting physical exams. It features step-by-step techniques, updated images, and differential diagnoses for quick and accurate interpretation of findings. Ideal for students and professionals needing a fast reference.
- Over 130 detailed topics
- Step-by-step instructions
- Updated photographs and illustrations
- Two-column layout
- New Algorithms for symptom approaches
- Differential diagnoses
- Highlighting and note-taking
- Advanced search
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*Featuring the latest content from the latest edition* ABOUT THE BATES' GUIDE: The Bates’ Pocket Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking contains the critical information needed to obtain a meaningful health history, conduct a thorough physical exam, and interpret the findings quickly and accurately. Locate answers fast and review step-by-step techniques and possible findings using the distinctive two-column format with updated images. Bates’ Pocket Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking is the ideal quick-reference resource for today’s medical, PA, pharmacy, and nursing students. FEATURES: • Over 130 detailed topics with step-by-step instructions • Updated photographs, illustrations, and references reinforce key content based on the latest evidence-based information • Two-column layout optimized for smartphones and tablets • New Algorithms provide helpful starting approaches for patients with common presenting symptoms. • Differential diagnoses for common, normal, and abnormal findings • Highlight and take notes within any entry • Advanced Search helps find topics quickly • “Favorites” for bookmarking important entries Authors: Lynn S. Bickley MD, FACP, Peter G. Szilagyi MD, MPH, Richard M. Hoffman MD, MPH, FACP, Rainier P. Soriano MD Publisher: Wolters Kluwer | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Powered by: Unbound Medicine Unbound Privacy Policy: www.unboundmedicine.com/privacy Unbound Terms of Use: https://www.unboundmedicine.com/end_user_license_agreement
PediEMS
This app offers a guided approach to pediatric emergency medical services, aligning with local protocols. It includes default protocols for common emergencies and allows agencies to integrate their own custom guidelines.
- Step-by-step protocol walkthroughs
- Customizable agency protocols
- Default emergency protocols included
- Supports Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Croup, Airway Management, Shock, Seizure, Difficulty Breathing
- Protocol integration via email
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PediEMS provides a step-by-step walkthrough for advanced EMS providers based on local agency pediatric protocols. Any EMS agency can add their prehospital protocol by contacting info@wikem.org. The default protocols are Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Croup, Airway Management, Shock, Seizure, and Difficulty Breathing. Contact info@wikem.org to have your EMS system's protocol added into the application.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Bates' Pocket Guide at 41% against PediEMS's 0%. PediEMS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. Bates' Pocket Guide sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PediEMS asks for nothing beyond the download.
Bates' Pocket Guide ships an update every 14 months, PediEMS every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Bates' Pocket Guide | PediEMS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (302 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 40.9% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 302 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 7.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Unbound Medicine, Inc. | OpenEM Foundation |
Customer experience
Bates' Pocket Guide
PediEMS
Bugs and requests
Bates' Pocket Guide
Reported bugs
9 issues- Sectional information is wrong
- Topics do not correlate to information
- Asterisk information is incorrect
- App information needs updating and reviewing
- Software is glitchy
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- Hard to navigate between topics
- Algorithm images are mismatched with titles
- Doesn't take Bates account
- Didn't work (iOS 7)
Requested features
5 requests- Update and review app information for accuracy
- Improve content layout and navigation
- Offer better preview options before purchase
- Provide discounts for existing textbook/resource owners
- Clarify product offerings to avoid buyer confusion
PediEMS
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Bates' Pocket Guide
- Bates' Pocket Guide 9th ed.$69.99
PediEMS
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Bates' Pocket Guide free?
Is PediEMS free?
Do Bates' Pocket Guide or PediEMS have ads?
Which is updated more often, Bates' Pocket Guide or PediEMS?
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