Comparison

Case Files vs USMLE

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Case Files

Prepare for medical exams with realistic clinical case studies and USMLE-style questions. Learn through interactive cases, clinical pearls, and proven study methods designed to improve shelf-exam scores and real-world practice readiness.

Highlights
  • Realistic clinical case studies
  • USMLE-style practice questions
  • Interactive learning system
  • Clinical pearls and explanations
  • Study, Exam, and Bookmark modes
  • Progress tracking and notes
Features
Read full description

Explore the Case Files® Series in One App — Discover the full Case Files collection—covering 20+ medical specialties—with real clinical cases designed to help you think like a doctor. Learn Through Real Clinical Cases -Preview sample cases from each title and experience case-based learning across specialties including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pathology, Microbiology, Neurology, and more. Built for Exam Success -Prepare for USMLE Step 1, shelf exams, and clinical rotations with high-yield content: • Clinical case scenarios across specialties • USMLE-style questions and explanations • Key concepts, definitions, and clinical pearls • Proven case-based learning system Try Before You Unlock -Download to explore sample cases from each specialty. Unlock full access to individual titles based on your needs. The Trusted Case Files® System • Real-world clinical scenarios • Designed for medical students and clinical training • Helps you understand—not memorize Expanded Apps Terms of Service: https://expandedapps.com/terms-of-use/ Expanded Apps Privacy Policy: https://expandedapps.com/privacy-policy/

About

USMLE

Master medical school and the USMLE with a comprehensive resource app. Access board-style questions, interactive learning modules, flashcards, and videos. Study anytime, anywhere with cloud syncing and personalized study tools.

Highlights
  • Thousands of USMLE board-style questions
  • Nearly 800 eLearning modules
  • Over 14,000 flashcards
  • Over 80 hours of high-yield videos
  • Cloud syncing across devices
  • Spaced repetition study tool
Currently charting
Read full description

USMLE-Rx (by ScholarRx) Ready to own the USMLE and master medical school? Now you can access any high-yield USMLE-Rx tool in one great app!* Get on-the-go access to USMLE board-style questions, Rx Bricks, flash cards, and videos. Qmax: Study anytime, anywhere with your USMLE-Rx Qmax Subscription: · Thousands of high-yield Step 1 questions, images, and explanations · All your tests sync to the cloud for immediate access on any device · Quiz yourself in multiple test modes with different question types · Get detailed performance stats Rx Bricks · Nearly 800 high-yield, patient-centered eLearning modules · “Need-to-know” topics succinctly explained with simple "clear language" explanations, often in under 20 minutes · Clinical correlations, real-world stories, memorable mnemonics, and more · Assess your understanding with measurable objectives, interactive flashcards, and practice questions built into each module Flash Facts Learning is literally at your fingertips with Step 1 Flash Facts: · Over 14,000 flash cards help you nail USMLE Step 1 content quickly and efficiently · Case-based flash cards put basic science concepts in a clinical context · Study Stream uses spaced repetition to give you flash cards based on your own study schedule as well as your strengths and weaknesses · Daily reporting helps you track your progress · All your cards and progress sync to the cloud for immediate access on any connected device · Searchable by organ system, discipline, and topic Express Videos · Over 80 hours of high-yield videos, over 1,300 videos in all · 600+ images, helpful diagrams, and multimedia clips · Integrations across multiple topics form strong, lasting connections to help you in class and on test day *Requires a valid subscription to Rx360+, USMLE-Rx Step 1 Qmax or Step 2CK Qmax, Rx Bricks, Step 1 Flash Facts, and/or Express Videos. Terms and Conditions: https://www.usmle-rx.com/terms-and-conditions/ Privacy Policy: https://www.usmle-rx.com/privacy/

Screenshots

Case Files4 screens
USMLE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: USMLE at every 6 weeks against Case Files's every 4 months. USMLE also leads on chart position (#176 vs unranked). Case Files's advantage is review sentiment (60% vs 49%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Case Files sells 9 one-off in-app purchases and USMLE sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $49.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Case Files ships an update every 4 months, USMLE every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Case Files versus USMLE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCase FilesUSMLE
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.7 (5K ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews — better48.9% of reviews
Number of ratings—5K — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#176 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB40 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperExpanded AppsMedIQ Learning, LLC

Customer experience

Case Files

Written reviews15 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative20.0%

USMLE

All ratings5,006 ratings
Positive93.2%
Neutral2.5%
Negative4.3%
Written reviews135 reviews
Positive48.9%
Neutral17.0%
Negative34.1%

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Case Files

One-time9
  • Emergency Medicine$29.99
  • Family Medicine$29.99
  • Neurology$29.99
Show 6 more
  • Gynaecology$29.99
  • Pediatrics$29.99
  • Psychiatry$29.99
  • Surgery$29.99
  • Lifetime Access$29.99
  • Lifetime Access2 variants$39.99
1 purchases

USMLE

Subscriptions1
  • RX360+$49.991 Month

Questions

Is Case Files free?
Case Files is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is USMLE free?
USMLE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Case Files or USMLE have ads?
Neither Case Files nor USMLE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Case Files or USMLE?
Case Files ships an update every 4 months, and USMLE every 6 weeks. Most recently, Case Files was updated on November 3, 2026 and USMLE on November 2, 2026.

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