Comparison

Periop Pacemaker vs VentRef

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

Head to head
About

Periop Pacemaker

This app provides medical professionals with a decision algorithm for managing surgical patients with implantable defibrillators or pacemakers. It is based on guidelines endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society and updated annually by an expert committee.

Highlights
  • Decision algorithm for pacemaker/defibrillator management
  • Endorsed by Heart Rhythm Society
  • Based on ASA Perioperative Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Management Aid
  • Annual expert committee updates
  • Designed for medical professionals
Features
Read full description

Periop Pacemaker is a smartphone app that assists medical professionals who take care of surgical patients that have implantable defibrillators or pacemakers. The decision algorithm is endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society and is based on the American Society of Anesthesiologists Perioperative Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Management Aid. As device technology evolves, an expert committee of anesthesiologists, cardiologists, and device representatives will meet annually to keep information up-to-date. Disclaimer: ASA Pacemaker is designed for use by medical professionals only. Accessing the app content requires either a one-time payment of $7.99 USD or an annual subscription payment of $2.99 USD. A 30-day free trial is available under the annual subscription plan.

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

Periop Pacemaker4 screens
VentRef4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VentRef at none against Periop Pacemaker's 2. VentRef also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (42 vs 8). Periop Pacemaker's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads 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. Periop Pacemaker sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year. VentRef asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Periop Pacemaker against 5.0 for VentRef. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VentRef has 42 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Periop Pacemaker ships an update every 2 months, VentRef every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Periop Pacemaker versus VentRef: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPeriop PacemakerVentRef
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (8 ratings)5.0 (42 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings842 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB27 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperRhythm Management, LLCRishi Kumar

Customer experience

Periop Pacemaker

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

VentRef

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

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Periop Pacemaker

Subscriptions1
  • PERIOP PACEMAKER ANNUAL FEE1 Month trial$2.991 Year
One-time1
  • Periop Pacemaker$7.99
None

VentRef

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Periop Pacemaker free?
Periop Pacemaker 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, Periop Pacemaker or VentRef?
Periop Pacemaker and VentRef are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 8 and 42 ratings respectively.
Do Periop Pacemaker or VentRef have ads?
Neither Periop Pacemaker nor VentRef shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Periop Pacemaker or VentRef?
Periop Pacemaker ships an update every 2 months, and VentRef every 3 weeks. Most recently, Periop Pacemaker was updated on September 9, 2026 and VentRef on September 23, 2026.

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