Board Buddy USMLE vs Step Gunner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Board Buddy USMLE
This app transforms studying for the USMLE Step 1 into an engaging experience with interactive games. It offers free games for high-yield topics and a premium subscription for over 20 medical games, practice questions, and 3D anatomy.
- Interactive study games
- Active recall learning
- High-yield topic focus
- 3,000+ practice questions
- 3D anatomy modules
- AI-powered explanations
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Pass USMLE Step 1, Step 2, and Step 3 with active recall, AI tutoring, and interactive medical games. Stop passively reading explanations. Board Buddy helps you retain high-yield concepts through spaced repetition, board-style questions, anatomy, ECGs, pathology images, and AI-powered tutoring. Terms of Use (EULA): https://ivymed.net/terms Privacy Policy: https://ivymed.net/privacy
Step Gunner
Prepare for your USMLE Step 2 CK exam with this study app. It uses spaced repetition, timed challenges, and AI-powered explanations to help you master high-yield content. Track your progress with gamified features and compete with classmates.
- Spaced repetition learning system
- High-yield question bank
- Timed challenges (Rapid Fire Mode)
- AI-powered explanations
- Gamified study features (XP, leaderboards)
- Progress tracking and daily goals
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Step Gunner is a USMLE Step 2 CK study app built by a med student, for med students. Master high-yield content through smart spaced repetition, timed challenges, and AI-powered explanations - all on your iPhone. SMART SPACED REPETITION Our Leitner 5-box system adapts to your performance. Cards you miss come back more often. Cards you master fade into long-term review. Study smarter, not harder. HIGH-YIELD QUESTION BANK - Hundreds of CK-style clinical vignettes - Buzzword flashcards across major organ systems - Next Best Step management questions - NBME-style practice questions - Diagnosis pattern recognition drills BUILT FOR HOW MED STUDENTS ACTUALLY STUDY - XP system with streak bonuses and speed rewards - Daily goals to build consistent study habits - Achievements that track your progress - Weekly leaderboard to compete with classmates - Streak freezes to protect your momentum RAPID FIRE MODE 20 questions, 2 minutes. Simulate exam-day time pressure with a mix of clinical and buzzword cards. AI DEEP DIVE Get instant explanations powered by Apple Intelligence - right on your device, completely private. Choose from 5 modes: Explain More, Why Was I Wrong, Pathophysiology, Mnemonic, and ELI5. STEP GUNNER PRO Unlock the full question bank, unlimited hearts, AI Deep Dive, and every quiz mode with a Pro subscription. Step Gunner is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical education, clinical training, or professional medical advice. Terms of Use: https://stepgunner.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://stepgunner.com/privacy
Screenshots
Verdict
Board Buddy USMLE and Step Gunner both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Step Gunner's written reviews are positive against 80% of Board Buddy USMLE's. Step Gunner also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 weeks). Board Buddy USMLE's advantage is iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). On price, rating, ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Board Buddy USMLE sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per month and Step Gunner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Board Buddy USMLE against 4.8 for Step Gunner. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 22 and 24 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 80% of Board Buddy USMLE's written reviews are positive against 100% of Step Gunner's.
Board Buddy USMLE ships an update every 2 weeks, Step Gunner every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Board Buddy USMLE | Step Gunner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (22 ratings) | 4.8 (24 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 22 | 24 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 146 MB | 170 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Blake Young | Rezumab LLC |
Customer experience
Board Buddy USMLE
Step Gunner
In-app purchases
Board Buddy USMLE
- Monthly7 Days trial$29.991 Month
- Monthly Plan (Promo)$29.991 Month
- 6-Month7 Days trial$149.996 Months
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- Yearly7 Days trial$199.991 Year
Step Gunner
- Step Gunner Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
- Step Gunner Pro Yearly$99.991 Year
Questions
Is Board Buddy USMLE free?
Is Step Gunner free?
Which has better reviews, Board Buddy USMLE or Step Gunner?
Do Board Buddy USMLE or Step Gunner have ads?
Which is updated more often, Board Buddy USMLE or Step Gunner?
Other comparisons
