# Respiratory Notes vs VentRef

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Respiratory Notes | VentRef |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/respiratory-notes/id6569241898/reviews) | **[5.0 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ventref/id6756503414/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **42** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 47 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Skyscape Medpresso Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/818609416) | [Rishi Kumar](https://appshunter.io/developer/1434016052) |

## What reviewers say

### Respiratory Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/respiratory-notes/id6569241898)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Respiratory Notes | $39.99 | per year |


### VentRef

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ventref/id6756503414)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*