FOAM Cortex vs EM Radiology Reference
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Instant AI clinical support
- Curated FOAMed knowledge base
- Structured clinical summaries
- Integrated source transparency
- Fast mobile experience
- Search across topics and modalities
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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.
EM Radiology Reference
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
| Parameter | FOAM Cortex | EM Radiology Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (9 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Ad-supported | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.4 | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 31 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tom Fadial | A&O4 Technologies LLC |
In-app purchases
FOAM Cortex
No in-app purchases
EM Radiology Reference
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is FOAM Cortex free?
Is EM Radiology Reference free?
Do FOAM Cortex or EM Radiology Reference have ads?
Which is updated more often, FOAM Cortex or EM Radiology Reference?
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