# Bates' Pocket Guide vs MobilEM

The clearest difference is rating: Bates' Pocket Guide at 4.8 against MobilEM's 3.6. Bates' Pocket Guide also leads on ratings volume (300 vs 39). MobilEM's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months) and chart position (#45 vs #198). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Bates' Pocket Guide sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and MobilEM sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Bates' Pocket Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Bates' Pocket Guide has 300 ratings behind it against 39, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 41% of Bates' Pocket Guide's written reviews are positive against 45% of MobilEM's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Bates' Pocket Guide ships an update every 14 months, MobilEM every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bates' Pocket Guide | MobilEM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (300 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bates-pocket-guide/id650795652/reviews)** | [3.6 (39 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mobilem/id1474834329/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **300** | 39 |
| Positive reviews | 40.9% of reviews | **45.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #198 | **#45** |
| Size | 10 MB | 205 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Unbound Medicine, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/300420400) | [Emergency Medicine Residents' Association](https://appshunter.io/developer/331670150) |

## What reviewers say

### Bates' Pocket Guide

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

**Currently charting:** #198 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

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 |


### MobilEM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mobilem/id1474834329)

**Currently charting:** #45 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

Provides fast, evidence-based clinical guidance for emergency medicine professionals. Access updated recommendations on a wide range of topics, including antibiotics, toxicology, and critical care. Offers free content, individual purchases, and an all-access subscription.

**Highlights:** Evidence-based recommendations, Antibiotic and toxicology guidance, EKG and orthopedic injury protocols, Airway and pediatric emergency management, Critical care medication information, Fast navigation and universal search, Bookmarking and note-taking

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

**In-app purchases (12)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ventilator Mgmt. Subscription | $1.99 | per year |
| Pediatric Qwic | $1.99 | per year |
| MobilEm Airway Management | $4.99 | per year |
| Trauma Guide | $4.99 | per year |
| Antibiotic Guide Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| MobilEm Ortho Guide | $9.99 | per year |
| MobilEM Tox Guide | $9.99 | per year |
| PressorDex | $9.99 | per year |
| EKG Guide Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| Pain Management | $9.99 | per year |
| PEM Fundamentals Subscription | $9.99 | per year |
| MobilEm All Access Pass | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bates' Pocket Guide free?

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

### Is MobilEM free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Bates' Pocket Guide or MobilEM?

Bates' Pocket Guide is rated higher. Bates' Pocket Guide averages 4.8 out of 5 from 300 ratings, while MobilEM averages 3.6 from 39 ratings.

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

Neither Bates' Pocket Guide nor MobilEM shows ads.

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

Bates' Pocket Guide ships an update every 14 months, and MobilEM every 2 months. Most recently, Bates' Pocket Guide was updated on September 23, 2026 and MobilEM on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Bates' Pocket Guide or MobilEM?

Bates' Pocket Guide currently peaks at #198 in the App Store charts, and MobilEM at #45. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*