Comparison

Respiratory Notes vs VentRef

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

Head to head
About

Respiratory Notes

This app provides a comprehensive, procedure-based reference for respiratory therapy information. It includes illustrations, forms, and algorithms to aid in study and practice, with content organized around protocols and new pulmonary disease tabs. An in-app purchase unlocks all content, and a subscription offers continuous updates.

Highlights
  • Procedure-based format
  • Supporting illustrations and tables
  • Fill-in-the-blank forms
  • Algorithms based on AARC Guidelines
  • SmartSearch technology
  • Offline content access
Features
Read full description

"Try before you buy"" - Download the FREE App, which includes sample content. An in-App purchase is required to unlock all content.   Procedure-based format, all the respiratory therapy information you need at your fingertips. Respiratory Notes: Respiratory Therapist's Pocket Guide a quick-reference tool that put all the respiratory therapy information you need at your fingertips. The procedure-based format includes supporting illustrations, fill-in-the-blank forms, and algorithms to help you study and guide you in practice. Key Features * Bullet-point reviews guide you through procedures. * Quick-scan illustrations and tables summarize data. * Algorithms are based on AARC Clinical Practice Guidelines. * Key forms allow you to gather data at the bedside, and then transcribe to conventional charts New to this Edition * NEW! Pulmonary Disease and Airway/Ventilation Tabs * NEW! Comprehensive index * UPDATED! Procedures now organized around protocols No internet connection is required to access the content after the initial download. Find information quickly using powerful SmartSearch technology. Search part of term for those hard to spell medical terms. Content licensed from printed ISBN 10: 0803629222 Content licensed from printed ISBN 13: 9780803629226 SUBSCRIPTION : Please choose an auto renewable subscription plan to receive content access & continuous updates. Your subscription automatically renews as per your plan, so you always have the latest content.   Yearly auto-renewing payments - $29.99   Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Subscription may be managed by the user & auto-renewal can be disabled at any time by going to your device “Settings” and tapping “iTunes & App Store”. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable.   If you have any questions or comments, email us any time: customersupport@skyscape.com or call 508-299-30000   Privacy Policy-https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/privacypolicy.aspx Terms and Conditions-https://www.skyscape.com/terms-of-service/licenseagreement.aspx   Editor(s):  Gary C. White MEd RRT RPFT Publisher: F. A. Davis Company

About

VentRef

A clinical reference tool for healthcare professionals managing mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy. It provides information grounded in respiratory physiology and evidence-based critical care.

Highlights
  • Mechanical ventilation reference
  • Oxygen therapy reference
  • Respiratory physiology
  • Evidence-based critical care
  • Clinical decision support
Features
Read full description

VentRef is a focused clinical reference for clinicians managing invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation and oxygen therapy, grounded in core respiratory physiology and evidence-based critical care practice. This application is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Calculations and reference values are derived from published peer-reviewed medical literature and textbooks cited in the Sources section of the app. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions regarding medical conditions or clinical decisions, and do not disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of information provided by this app. About Rishi Kumar, MD, FACC ("RK.MD") I'm an adult cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and cardiovascular ICU intensivist practicing in academic medicine. I'm passionate about teaching with free, open-access medical education. Learn more on my site: https://rk.md

Screenshots

Respiratory Notes4 screens
VentRef4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: VentRef at 5.0 against Respiratory Notes's 4.0. VentRef also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). Respiratory Notes's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). On price and device support 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. Respiratory Notes sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $39.99 per year. VentRef asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

VentRef holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VentRef has 42 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Respiratory Notes ships an update every 6 months, VentRef every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on August 19, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Respiratory Notes versus VentRef: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRespiratory NotesVentRef
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (42 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings442 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB27 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperSkyscape Medpresso IncRishi Kumar

Customer experience

Respiratory Notes

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%

VentRef

All ratings42 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Respiratory Notes

Subscriptions1
  • Respiratory Notes$39.991 Year
None

VentRef

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Respiratory Notes free?
Respiratory Notes is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VentRef free?
VentRef is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Respiratory Notes or VentRef?
VentRef is rated higher. Respiratory Notes averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while VentRef averages 5.0 from 42 ratings.
Do Respiratory Notes or VentRef have ads?
Respiratory Notes shows ads; VentRef does not.
Which is updated more often, Respiratory Notes or VentRef?
Respiratory Notes ships an update every 6 months, and VentRef every 3 weeks. Most recently, Respiratory Notes was updated on August 19, 2026 and VentRef on September 23, 2026.

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