# ACLS Fast vs AHA ACLS

The clearest difference is review sentiment: ACLS Fast at 76% against AHA ACLS's 26%. ACLS Fast also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.1). AHA ACLS's advantage is price (Free vs $3.99) and rating (4.9 vs 2.8). On update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

AHA ACLS is free to download; ACLS Fast costs $3.99 up front. AHA ACLS sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per year. ACLS Fast asks for nothing beyond the download.

AHA ACLS holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AHA ACLS has 277 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 76% of ACLS Fast's written reviews are positive against 26% of AHA ACLS's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

ACLS Fast ships an update every 3 months, AHA ACLS every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ACLS Fast | AHA ACLS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $3.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acls-fast/id654570275/reviews) | **[4.9 (277 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **277** |
| Positive reviews | **75.8% of reviews** | 26.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#52** |
| Size | 20 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | +17 | 17+ |
| Developer | [Crystal Clear Solutions](https://appshunter.io/developer/444062170) | [Massachusetts General Hospital](https://appshunter.io/developer/376928206) |

## What reviewers say

### ACLS Fast

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/acls-fast/id654570275)

This app provides rapid guidance for ACLS 2020 guidelines, helping users quickly determine appropriate therapies through a question-based system. It includes information on rhythms, arrhythmias, acute coronary and stroke syndromes, and features a two-minute timer for code management.

**Highlights:** Question-based therapy guidance, Rhythms and arrhythmias management, Acute coronary and stroke syndrome protocols, Two-minute code timer with alarm, Interactive multiple-choice exams, Rapid diagnosis and treatment support

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### AHA ACLS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443)

**Currently charting:** #52 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

This app provides clinicians with a digital tool to assist in running cardiac arrest codes and delivering advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) at the bedside. It features the latest AHA recommendations and includes intuitive access to algorithms, drug dosing, and timers for efficient patient care.

**Highlights:** 4 ACLS algorithms (cardiac arrest, tachycardia, bradycardia, post-arrest), Latest 2025 AHA ACLS content, Drug therapy and dosing, Easy-to-read timers, CPR and epinephrine logging, Rapid transition to post-arrest care

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ACLS Pro | $3.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Accurate, up-to-date AHA ACLS algorithms
- ⏱️ Built-in timers and counters for code management
- 👍 User-friendly, intuitive interface
- 🏥 Trusted by Harvard/MGH and American Heart Association
- 📋 Helpful for documentation and PCR completion

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription paywall on previously free app
- 🚨 Dangerous surprise paywall during active codes
- ⚠️ No warning before transition to paid model
- 🔐 Requires payment even for basic ACLS information
- 😤 Perceived greed from wealthy organizations (MGH/AHA)

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to load information despite subscription payment
- Users locked out of app mid-code
- Unexpected app crashes during critical moments

**Requested features**

- Multiple log storage with dates
- More detailed code logging with event documentation (IO access, medications, rhythms)
- End code button and pause compressions feature
- Real-time log tracking for back-charting
- LVAD algorithm inclusion


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ACLS Fast free?

ACLS Fast costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is AHA ACLS free?

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

### Which has better reviews, ACLS Fast or AHA ACLS?

AHA ACLS is rated higher. ACLS Fast averages 2.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while AHA ACLS averages 4.9 from 277 ratings.

### Do ACLS Fast or AHA ACLS have ads?

Neither ACLS Fast nor AHA ACLS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, ACLS Fast or AHA ACLS?

ACLS Fast ships an update every 3 months, and AHA ACLS every 2 months. Most recently, ACLS Fast was updated on September 24, 2026 and AHA ACLS on September 24, 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.*