Comparison

SMLE Rounds vs StepX

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

Head to head
About

SMLE Rounds

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Know exactly what to study next. SMLE Rounds is a structured study system for the Saudi Medical Licensing Exam — built for final-year students, interns, and graduates preparing to practice in Saudi Arabia. Instead of drowning in scattered files and random question dumps, you get one clear path: a daily plan, focused practice, and analytics that show where you actually stand. WHY SMLE ROUNDS • Direction, not volume — guided sessions pick what to study next, weak areas first, so every session moves you forward. • Weak areas surface themselves — anything you miss returns automatically, spaced and re-mixed, until it sticks. • Understand every answer — each question explains why the correct answer is right, why each option is wrong, and the concept being tested. • Linked lectures — read the lecture for a topic right before or after you practice, without jumping between apps. • Readiness analytics — track accuracy, pace, and weak topics across your whole prep window, so you know if you're on track for your exam date. • Aligned to the Saudi exam — coverage across Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Psychiatry, Family Medicine, and more. BUILT FOR HOW YOU ACTUALLY STUDY • Study in fragments — between rounds, on the commute, or in a short break. • A daily plan and streaks to keep you showing up. • Works offline — keep practicing without a connection; progress syncs when you're back online. • Cross-device sync — pick up exactly where you left off. WHO IT'S FOR • Final-year medical students preparing for the SMLE. • Interns and residents staying sharp. • Saudi graduates of international medical schools preparing to practice at home. Terms of Use (EULA): https://smlerounds.com/en/legal/terms Privacy Policy: https://smlerounds.com/en/legal/privacy

About

StepX

Prepare for medical licensing exams with a comprehensive platform offering realistic practice tests, in-depth explanations, and a searchable medical library. Build custom quizzes, track progress with detailed analytics, and access expert-led video lectures. Study offline and connect with mentors for personalized guidance.

Highlights
  • Dynamic QBank & Custom Quiz Builder
  • Realistic Exam Interface
  • In-Depth Explanations
  • Comprehensive Medical Library
  • Video Lecture Library
  • Self-Assessments & NBME-Style Exams
  • Personalized Analytics & Performance Tracking
  • Offline Mode
Features
Read full description

Struggling to master the massive volume of information for your medical licensing exams? Welcome to StepX—the ultimate medical exam preparation platform designed to make your USMLE journey smooth, structured, and successful. Whether you are gearing up for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 3, StepX is engineered to give you the clinical reasoning skills, high-yield knowledge, and exam confidence needed to excel. StepX combines a highly realistic exam environment with extensive study resources, giving you the feel of the actual test day while providing all the tools to patch your knowledge gaps. KEY FEATURES Dynamic QBank & Custom Quiz Builder: Create personalized practice sessions tailored to your study goals. Filter questions by subject, organ system, difficulty, and question status (unused, incorrect, marked). Realistic Exam Interface: Practice in a simulated testing environment modeled after the actual USMLE interface. Get comfortable with the layout, keyboard shortcuts, and timing before exam day. In-Depth Explanations & High-Yield Insights: Every question comes with a comprehensive breakdown explaining not only why the correct option is right, but also why the incorrect options are wrong. Learn core concepts, diagnostic algorithms, and clinical pearls. Comprehensive Medical Library: Access an on-demand, searchable reference library filled with high-yield medical summaries, articles, and clinical guidelines. Perfect for quick reviews during quiz review sessions. Rich Video Lecture Library: Solidify complex pathophysiological and clinical concepts with high-yield, engaging video tutorials taught by medical experts. Self-Assessments & NBME-Style Exams: Test your overall readiness with full-length assessments. Track your predicted scores and monitor your baseline performance over time. Personalized Analytics & Performance Tracking: Identify your weak areas with detailed performance reports. Monitor your progress by topic, speed, and accuracy, helping you focus your study hours where they matter most. Offline Mode / Study On-The-Go: Going off-grid? Download question blocks, medical articles, and lectures directly to your device so you can study anytime, anywhere—no internet connection required. Mentorship Support: Connect directly with experienced medical mentors who have aced their exams. Get tailored study schedules, exam-taking tips, and guidance to maximize your score. WHO IS STEPX FOR? StepX is built specifically for: Medical Students preparing for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, or Step 3. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) seeking a structured, high-yield prep tool. Healthcare Professionals looking to refresh clinical concepts and board-relevant material. WHY STEPX? Medical school is hard enough; preparing for your licensing exams shouldn't be. StepX decodes complex clinical scenarios into manageable, learnable components. With our intuitive user interface, offline study capabilities, and active student support community, StepX is the most efficient and user-friendly prep companion available. Download StepX today and take the first step towards acing your USMLE exams!

Screenshots

SMLE Rounds4 screens
StepX3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StepX at none against SMLE Rounds's 2. SMLE Rounds's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 6 weeks). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. SMLE Rounds sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $69.99 per month. StepX asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SMLE Rounds ships an update every 2 days, StepX every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
SMLE Rounds versus StepX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSMLE RoundsStepX
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB7 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperCarsGateZaid Alghurabi

In-app purchases

2 purchases

SMLE Rounds

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month$69.991 Month
  • 3 Months$179.993 Months
None

StepX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SMLE Rounds free?
SMLE Rounds is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is StepX free?
StepX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do SMLE Rounds or StepX have ads?
Neither SMLE Rounds nor StepX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SMLE Rounds or StepX?
SMLE Rounds ships an update every 2 days, and StepX every 6 weeks. Most recently, SMLE Rounds was updated on October 31, 2026 and StepX on October 31, 2026.

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