LabRef vs Stable
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
LabRef
This medical reference app provides concise interpretations and reference ranges for common laboratory values across various disciplines. It's designed for quick access at the bedside, aiding in clinical decision-making. The app is for educational and informational purposes only.
- Interprets common laboratory values
- Covers hematology, nephrology, critical care, and perioperative medicine
- Provides concise interpretations
- Includes reference ranges
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Optimized for bedside use
Read full descriptionHide full description
LabRef is a clinically focused reference for interpreting common laboratory values. Covering disciplines from hematology and nephrology to critical care and perioperative medicine, it delivers concise interpretations and reference ranges through a clean, intuitive interface optimized for rapid use at the bedside. This app is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and never 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
Stable
This clinical reference app assists critical care nurses and healthcare providers with high-risk concepts, clinical scenarios, and complex topic explanations. It offers practical workflows, safety prompts, and educational modes for quick review or step-by-step learning.
- ED and critical care clinical reference
- Nursing-focused calculators and dosing support
- Scenario simulator for clinical reasoning
- Toxicology and overdose reference
- SBAR-style communication support
- Plain-language education
- Safety reminders
Read full descriptionHide full description
Stable-ish is a bedside reference and educational assistant for emergency department, ICU, and other critical care nurses and health care providers. Use Stable-ish to review high-risk concepts, think through clinical scenarios, check calculations, organize your approach, and explain complex topics more clearly. The app is designed for fast access, practical nursing workflows, and safety-minded prompts that encourage verification before acting. FEATURES INCLUDE: - ED and critical care clinical reference - Nursing-focused calculators and dosing support - Scenario simulator for clinical reasoning practice - Toxicology and overdose reference topics - ECG and image review support with PHI warning/redaction workflow - SBAR-style communication support with shareable export - Plain-language education with shareable export - Safety reminders for high-risk medications, unstable patients, and escalation points - Educational modes for quick review or step-by-step learning ASK ANYTHING — IN CLINICAL OR PLAIN LANGUAGE Type or speak a clinical question and get a concise, citation-backed answer in three modes: - Bedside — direct and action-oriented - Educational — the deeper “why,” including pathophysiology - Step-by-step — a structured walkthrough CLINICAL TOOLS BUILT FOR THE BEDSIDE - Drip Calculator — adult and pediatric weight-based dosing for pressors, sedation, and emergency infusions - Code Recorder — one-tap event logging during cardiac arrest, with live timer and shareable export - Peds Dose Calc — weight-based dosing for code meds, RSI, fluids, defib, ED meds, and equipment sizing, all in one screen. - Y-Site Medication Compatibility Check — quick visual reference using publicly available data - ECG Reference — rhythm interpretation aid with optional image upload - Lab Trend Explainer — paste values, get a structured interpretation - Resuscitation cheat sheets — PALS and ACLS quick-reference cards with dynamic weight-based dosing - Specialty references — RSI, sepsis, stroke, trauma survey, OB emergencies, anaphylaxis, toxicology, burns, ventilator setup, and more - Training Simulation Scenarios — Enhance your clinical skills with simulated scenarios that provide feedback and suggestions based on your real-time answers. It’s like having a preceptor in your pocket! PRIVACY FIRST - Automatic PHI scrubbing on every question before it leaves your device - Manual blackout tool for ECG photo uploads — cover patient name, MRN, and DOB with a tap - No accounts and no patient records stored on our servers DESIGNED FOR SHIFT USE - Dark mode default with adjustable text scaling - Bookmark answers you want to revisit - Searchable history of past questions - Continuing-education tracker for your certifications - SBAR builder and patient education handout generator WHO IT’S FOR Stable-ish is intended for use by licensed health care personnel—registered nurses and other trained health care professionals working in emergency, critical care, and acute care settings. It is not intended for patients or the general public. IMPORTANT — EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY Stable-ish is an educational and reference tool. It is not a medical device, does not provide medical advice, and does not replace professional clinical judgment, provider orders, pharmacist consultation, hospital policies and procedures, or applicable laws and regulations. AI-generated content may be inaccurate, incomplete, or out of date and must be independently verified before use in any clinical context. Users remain solely responsible for all clinical decisions and actions. Never use this app as the sole basis for patient care decisions. In an emergency, follow your facility’s protocols and contact your medical team. By using Stable-ish, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which are available inside the app and on our website.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is chart position: Stable at #190 against LabRef's unranked. Stable also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 26). LabRef's advantage is ratings volume (25 vs 7). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence 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.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for LabRef against 5.0 for Stable. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 25 and 7 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
LabRef ships an update every 5 weeks, Stable monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | LabRef | Stable |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (25 ratings) | 5.0 (7 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 25 — better | 7 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | #190 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 26 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 16 MB | 46 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Rishi Kumar | Stable-ish LLC |
Customer experience
LabRef
Stable
In-app purchases
LabRef
No in-app purchases
Stable
No in-app purchases









