Comparison

USMLE Ed vs EbbDeck Step 1

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

Head to head
About

USMLE Ed

This app offers a comprehensive study tool for USMLE Step 1 preparation. It features an extensive question bank, realistic exam simulations, and detailed performance analytics to help students track progress and identify areas for improvement.

Highlights
  • Extensive QBank with 4,000+ questions
  • Realistic exam simulations with timers
  • Self-test mode with simulated scores
  • Regularly updated exam forms
  • Smart notes system with highlighting
  • In-depth performance analytics
Features
Read full description

Prepare Smarter for USMLE Step 1 with USMLEed Your all-in-one study companion built to simulate the real exam and boost your learning efficiency. Key Features: Extensive QBank Access over 4,000 USMLE-style questions covering all major systems and topics. Realistic Exam Simulations Take full-length practice exams with timers (up to 8 hours), closely mimicking the actual Step 1 testing experience. Self-Test Mode Customize practice exams based on your study progress and get a simulated 3-digit score, even before completing the full syllabus. USMLE Form Tests Practice with 7 regularly updated exam forms to evaluate your readiness during your revision phase. Smart Notes System Highlight important content and auto-generate organized notes, downloadable by topic or subject for easy offline review. In-Depth Performance Analytics Monitor your strengths and weaknesses with detailed analytics to improve your study strategy over time. Join 1,000+ students already using USMLEed to prepare confidently and effectively. Start your USMLE Step 1 journey with USMLEed today!

About

EbbDeck Step 1

Features
Read full description

Ebb Deck is a USMLE Step 1 question bank built on the science of memory. Most prep apps let you grind questions and forget them a week later. Ebb Deck is different. It's built around the forgetting curve — the proven pattern of how we lose new knowledge over time and schedules every question to come back right before you'd forget it. The result: what you study actually sticks until exam day. START FREE Your first 100 questions are completely free - the whole app, no account, no card, no trial countdown. They span every system on the exam so you get a real feel for how Ebb Deck works. WHAT'S INSIDE • 1,000+ board-style questions - clinical vignettes written in the real Step 1 format • Detailed explanations for every answer, with reference ranges and key learning points • Spaced repetition (SM-2) that schedules reviews at the perfect moment • Weak-spot drills that target your lowest-scoring systems automatically • Confidence calibration - see where you're overconfident and fix it before the exam • Predicted exam readiness from your accuracy, coverage, and weak spots • A live exam countdown and daily streaks to keep you on pace • Per-system mastery tracking and a study-activity history • Tutor and timed modes; build custom sets by system, unused, incorrect, or flagged • Light and dark mode PRIVATE BY DESIGN Your progress lives on your device. No account required to start studying. EBB DECK PRO Unlock the full 1,000+ question bank with a subscription: • Monthly • 3-Month (Dedicated) - most popular • Annual - best value Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store settings. Ebb Deck is an educational study tool for exam preparation. It is not medical advice and is not affiliated with the NBME or USMLE. Beat the forgetting curve. Walk in ready. Terms of service can be found here: https://ebbdeck.com/terms.html

Screenshots

USMLE Ed3 screens
EbbDeck Step 13 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: USMLE Ed at 15.6 against EbbDeck Step 1's 17.0. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. USMLE Ed sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and EbbDeck Step 1 sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
USMLE Ed versus EbbDeck Step 1: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUSMLE EdEbbDeck Step 1
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size41 MB6 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperNEXTSTEPS CAREERS CORPORATIONEbb Deck Ltd.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

USMLE Ed

One-time10
  • Form 4$40.00
  • Form 2$60.00
  • Form 3$60.00
Show 7 more
  • Form 1$60.00
  • 1 Week$150.00
  • 1 Month$300.00
  • 3 Months$400.00
  • 6 Months$450.00
  • 12 Months$500.00
  • 18 Months$549.99
3 purchases

EbbDeck Step 1

Subscriptions3
  • EbbDeck Pro Monthly$14.991 Month
  • Ebbdeck Pro - 3 monthly$34.993 Months
  • EbbDeck Pro - Annual$79.001 Year

Questions

Is USMLE Ed free?
USMLE Ed is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is EbbDeck Step 1 free?
EbbDeck Step 1 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do USMLE Ed or EbbDeck Step 1 have ads?
Neither USMLE Ed nor EbbDeck Step 1 shows ads.

Other comparisons