Case Files vs CLA NBME
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Realistic clinical case studies
- USMLE-style practice questions
- Interactive learning system
- Clinical pearls and explanations
- Study, Exam, and Bookmark modes
- Progress tracking and notes
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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/
CLA NBME
This tool helps healthcare providers enhance their communication skills through video-based learning. It requires a username and password for access and features actor portrayals of patients.
- Communication skills improvement
- Video patient simulations
- Healthcare provider focused
- Requires login credentials
- Actor portrayals
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The Communication Learning Assessment (CLA) is a tool designed to help healthcare providers improve their communication skills. Note: A username and password is required to use this app. Please contact NBME (http://www.nbme.org) for details. Videos of patients are actor portrayals.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Case Files at 60% against CLA NBME's 0%. CLA NBME's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 14) and update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Case Files sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per 7 days. CLA NBME asks for nothing beyond the download.
Case Files ships an update every 4 months, CLA NBME monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Case Files | CLA NBME |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 2.8 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 6 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 47 MB | 69 MB |
| Age rating | 12+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Expanded Apps | National Board of Medical Examiners |
Customer experience
Case Files
CLA NBME
In-app purchases
Case Files
- 1 Week$9.997 Days
- 1 Month$18.991 Month
- Emergency Medicine$29.99
- Family Medicine$29.99
- Neurology$29.99
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- Gynaecology$29.99
- Pediatrics$29.99
- Psychiatry$29.99
- Surgery$29.99
- Lifetime Access$29.99
- Family Medicine Case Files, 4e$34.99
- Lifetime Access2 variants$39.99
- Microbiology Case Files, 3e$39.99
CLA NBME
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Case Files free?
Is CLA NBME free?
Do Case Files or CLA NBME have ads?
Which is updated more often, Case Files or CLA NBME?
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