Comparison

ActivSim vs C.A.R.E. SimBalloon

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

Head to head
About

ActivSim

This educational platform offers interactive simulations for mastering Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) algorithms and ECG interpretation. It's designed for healthcare professionals, students, and emergency responders to practice critical skills.

Highlights
  • ECG waveform simulation
  • ACLS algorithm practice
  • ECG pattern recognition
  • Vital signs monitoring
  • Defibrillation simulation
  • Cardioversion simulation
Features
Read full description

ActivSim is an educational platform designed to enhance your understanding of Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) algorithms and ECG interpretation. Whether you're a healthcare provider, medical student, or emergency response team member, this app provides an interactive learning experience that helps you master ACLS skills. Key Features: • ECG waveform simulation • ACLS algorithm practice • ECG patterns including: – Normal sinus rhythm – Atrial fibrillation – Ventricular tachycardia – Asystole • Vital signs monitoring • Defibrillation and cardioversion simulation Perfect for: • Healthcare providers maintaining ACLS certification • Medical students learning ACLS • Emergency response teams practicing ACLS megacode • Paramedics and EMTs • Medical educators teaching ACLS Download ActivSim today and take your ACLS training to the next level. Practice interpreting ECG rhythms and implementing ACLS algorithms anywhere, anytime. By using this app, you agree to Apple’s Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

C.A.R.E. SimBalloon

Features
Read full description

C.A.R.E. SimBalloon is a high-fidelity intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) trainer for nursing, perfusion, paramedic and critical-care education. TRAINING SIMULATOR ONLY — NOT A MEDICAL DEVICE. All patient data is synthetic. Never use this app for clinical decisions. THE CONSOLE (iPad) • Live ECG, arterial pressure and balloon-pressure waveforms • Timing-assessment markers: unassisted systolic peak, dicrotic notch, diastolic augmentation, balloon-aortic end-diastolic pressure, and assisted systole • Trigger modes: ECG, pressure, V-pace, AV-pace, internal and auto • Inflation and deflation timing in 10 ms steps, assist ratios 1:1 through 1:8 • Augmentation level, balloon volume, standby, freeze and a full alarm log THE INSTRUCTOR REMOTE (iPhone) • 20 scenarios across Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced tiers • Drive heart rate, blood pressure and rhythm live • Inject faults: helium leak, gas occlusion, catheter migration, balloon rupture, trigger loss, AC power loss • Step a learner through the 1:1 → 1:2 → 1:3 → 1:8 weaning protocol WHAT LEARNERS PRACTISE Reading counterpulsation off the arterial trace, recognising early and late inflation and deflation, troubleshooting helium and trigger faults, managing arrest and ROSC on support, and weaning a recovering patient. TWO DEVICES, NO INTERNET The console and the instructor remote pair directly over your local Wi-Fi. Nothing leaves the network, and no account is required. Both roles also run standalone on a single device. SUBSCRIPTION C.A.R.E. SimBalloon offers a free trial, then a monthly or annual subscription for full access. See in-app purchase details before subscribing. Terms of Use (EULA): https://legal.csu-als.org/simballoon/#terms Privacy Policy: https://legal.csu-als.org/simballoon/#privacy

Screenshots

ActivSim4 screens
C.A.R.E. SimBalloon3 screens

Verdict

The call

ActivSim and C.A.R.E. SimBalloon are too close to call on the numbers: across 5 compared parameters — price, ads, in-app purchases and device support among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. ActivSim sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and C.A.R.E. SimBalloon sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
ActivSim versus C.A.R.E. SimBalloon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterActivSimC.A.R.E. SimBalloon
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size156 MB57 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperActiv Life LimitedCardiac Advanced Resuscitation Education

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ActivSim

Subscriptions2
  • Pro$4.991 Month
  • Annual$44.991 Year
2 purchases

C.A.R.E. SimBalloon

Subscriptions2
  • C.A.R.E Sim Balloon Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • C.A.R.E SimBalloon Yearly3 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is ActivSim free?
ActivSim is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is C.A.R.E. SimBalloon free?
C.A.R.E. SimBalloon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ActivSim or C.A.R.E. SimBalloon have ads?
Neither ActivSim nor C.A.R.E. SimBalloon shows ads.

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