Comparison

FOAM Cortex vs EM Radiology Reference

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

Head to head
About

FOAM Cortex

An AI-powered reference tool for emergency medicine clinicians, providing fast, trustworthy answers at the bedside. It leverages high-quality FOAMed resources and an expanding knowledge base to help users search, interpret, and apply information with confidence.

Highlights
  • Instant AI clinical support
  • Curated FOAMed knowledge base
  • Structured clinical summaries
  • Integrated source transparency
  • Fast mobile experience
  • Search across topics and modalities
Features
Read full description

FOAM Cortex is a modern, AI-enhanced emergency medicine reference designed for clinicians who need fast, trustworthy answers at the bedside. Built around high-quality FOAMed resources and a continuously expanding knowledge base, FOAM Cortex helps clinicians search, interpret, and apply information with confidence. Whether reviewing critical care topics, refining diagnostic reasoning, or preparing procedures, FOAM Cortex brings clarity and speed to emergency medicine decision-making. Key Features Instant AI Clinical Support Ask complex clinical questions and receive concise, evidence-aligned explanations grounded in trusted emergency medicine sources. Curated FOAMed Knowledge Base Search high-quality emergency medicine blogs, podcasts, and reference materials unified in one clean, searchable interface. Structured Clinical Summaries Access streamlined summaries of diagnoses, management steps, red flags, and algorithms optimized for real-world ED use. Integrated Source Transparency Each AI-generated response includes linked source material to maintain trust, accountability, and auditability. Modern, Fast Mobile Experience A distraction-free interface designed for speed, bedside usability, dark mode, and reliable performance. Search Across Topics and Modalities Find content from multiple FOAMed platforms, including blogs, podcasts, and educational repositories. Built for Emergency Medicine Clinicians Ideal for attending physicians, residents, NPs/PAs, medical students, and prehospital providers.

About

EM Radiology Reference

Features
Read full description

Emergency Medicine Radiology Reference is a fast & intuitive point-of-care imaging quick-reference guide, organized by clinical presentation. Designed for emergency medicine physicians, residents, & medical students, it covers commonly utilized imaging modalities, radiation exposure, contrast considerations, pregnancy & renal impairment considerations, clinical urgency, and educational focus. Organized by symptom category, including Acute Pain, Neurological, Cardiovascular & Respiratory, Trauma, Vascular, GI, & infectious presentations. Features include real-time search, imaging modality filter, bookmarked favorites, personal clinical notes, & verified clinical references linking directly to ACR, ACEP, AHA/ACC, ACOG, & other major specialty organization guidelines. No ads. Ever. For educational purposes only. Not medical advice.

Screenshots

FOAM Cortex4 screens
EM Radiology Reference4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: EM Radiology Reference at 3 against FOAM Cortex's 1. On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FOAM Cortex ships an update fortnightly, EM Radiology Reference every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
FOAM Cortex versus EM Radiology Reference: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFOAM CortexEM Radiology Reference
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (9 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.416.4
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB31 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperTom FadialA&O4 Technologies LLC

In-app purchases

None

FOAM Cortex

No in-app purchases

None

EM Radiology Reference

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is FOAM Cortex free?
FOAM Cortex is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is EM Radiology Reference free?
EM Radiology Reference is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do FOAM Cortex or EM Radiology Reference have ads?
Neither FOAM Cortex nor EM Radiology Reference shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FOAM Cortex or EM Radiology Reference?
FOAM Cortex ships an update fortnightly, and EM Radiology Reference every 3 weeks. Most recently, FOAM Cortex was updated on October 2, 2026 and EM Radiology Reference on October 3, 2026.

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