ABFM vs Thalamus
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ABFM
Read full descriptionHide full description
The ABFM-ITE program for iPad is a secure solution to support the delivery of the In-Training Examination on the iPad. The purpose of the examination is to provide an assessment of each resident's progress, while also providing programs with comparative data about the program as a whole. All ACGME-accredited Family Medicine programs are eligible to take the In-Training Examination.
Thalamus
This app offers a real-time system for scheduling interviews and coordinating travel for medical residency and fellowship applicants. It streamlines communication and allows applicants to self-schedule, manage confirmations, cancellations, and waitlists, giving them control over their interview dates.
- Real-time interview scheduling
- Travel coordination
- Self-scheduling for applicants
- Automated confirmations and cancellations
- Waitlist management
- Streamlined communication
Read full descriptionHide full description
Thalamus is developed through a collaboration of trainees, administrators, coordinators, directors and GME leadership to provide comprehensive online interview scheduling and travel coordination via a real-time scheduling system – online and mobile. Thalamus streamlines communication and interview scheduling for medical residency and fellowship applicants by facilitating self-scheduling, thereby eliminating unnecessary phone calls and emails. The software manages all confirmations, cancellations, rescheduling, and wait lists, so that applicants can instantaneously confirm interview dates and take full control of their schedules. Now featured nationally at 125+ institutions and used by >75% of applicants, Thalamus is the most comprehensive and preferred interview management solution in GME.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Thalamus at every 3 months against ABFM's every 18 months. Thalamus also leads on device support (3 vs 1). ABFM's advantage is iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15.1). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
ABFM ships an update every 18 months, Thalamus every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ABFM | Thalamus |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 3.8 (492 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 6.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 492 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 9.3 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 122 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Internet Testing Systems (ITS) | SJ MedConnect, Inc. |
Bugs and requests
ABFM
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Thalamus
Reported bugs
4 issues- App won't load or open
- Frequent logout issues
- Compatibility problems with newer OS versions
- Unreliable notification system
Requested features
4 requests- Allow access via mobile browser
- Improve login persistence
- Add more calendar and scheduling features
- Provide better visibility into interview details
In-app purchases
ABFM
No in-app purchases
Thalamus
No in-app purchases
