# Bates' Pocket Guide vs PediEMS

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bates' Pocket Guide | PediEMS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (302 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bates-pocket-guide/id650795652/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **302** | — |
| Positive reviews | **40.9% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 10 MB | 11 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **7.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Unbound Medicine, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/300420400) | [OpenEM Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/766470023) |

## What reviewers say

### Bates' Pocket Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bates-pocket-guide/id650795652)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Bates' Pocket Guide 9th ed. | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Reliable reference
- 🖼️ Helpful pictures for diagnosis
- 📚 Good for quick reference
- 💡 Easy to understand and logical format
- 🎯 Useful for clinicals and easy to maneuver

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Overpriced app
- 🔄 Outdated software
- 🖱️ Not user-friendly navigation
- 💸 Repeated payments required
- ❌ Incorrect information/algorithms

**Reported bugs**

- Sectional information is wrong
- Topics do not correlate to information
- Asterisk information is incorrect
- App information needs updating and reviewing
- Software is glitchy

**Requested features**

- 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

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pediems/id1052414694)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bates' Pocket Guide free?

Bates' Pocket Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is PediEMS free?

PediEMS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Bates' Pocket Guide or PediEMS have ads?

Neither Bates' Pocket Guide nor PediEMS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bates' Pocket Guide or PediEMS?

Bates' Pocket Guide ships an update every 14 months, and PediEMS every 2 months. Most recently, Bates' Pocket Guide was updated on October 21, 2026 and PediEMS on October 8, 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.*