Comparison

PTCB Exam Prep vs Pharmacy Shift

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

Head to head
About

PTCB Exam Prep

Features
Read full description

Walk into your PTCE ready. PTCB Exam Prep gives you 1,258 practice questions with a clear explanation for every single answer, so you don't just memorize the right choice - you understand the pharmacology and pharmacy operations behind it. Built for candidates preparing for the PTCB Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). WHY IT WORKS Passing isn't about cramming. It's about repeated, targeted practice across every area the exam tests - then reinforcing exactly what you got wrong until it sticks. - 1,258 questions written to match the real exam's style and difficulty - An explanation on every answer, so each question teaches you something - Full knowledge-domain coverage: Medications & Pharmacology - Federal Law & Regulations - Sterile & Non-Sterile Compounding - Dosage Calculations - Medication Safety - Order Entry & Processing - Inventory Management - Pharmacy Quality Assurance - Billing & Reimbursement STUDY YOUR WAY - Daily Plan that sizes itself to your exam date and keeps you on pace - Quick 10 for a fast review between shifts - Timed Mode to build exam-day speed and stamina - Smart Review using spaced repetition to resurface weak spots - Full-Length Mock Exam that simulates the real thing - Missed Questions queue so nothing slips through - Custom Quiz to drill any topic on demand TRACK YOUR PROGRESS - Pass probability that updates as you practice - Accuracy broken down by topic - Streaks to keep you consistent - Exam countdown WHO IT'S FOR Aspiring and current pharmacy technicians preparing for the PTCB PTCE, or recertifying. START TODAY Your exam date isn't moving. Start a free trial, take your first Quick 10 today, and watch your pass probability climb. --- SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Full access is available through an auto-renewing subscription: A free trial is available for new subscribers. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Terms of Use: https://hermesdigitalbr-spec.github.io/ptcb-legal/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://hermesdigitalbr-spec.github.io/ptcb-legal/privacy.html Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/appstore/dev/stdeula/

About

Pharmacy Shift

Study pharmacology through engaging gameplay. Sort medications by use or class, receive clear explanations, and utilize spaced repetition for effective learning. Focus on areas needing improvement with quick, offline sessions.

Highlights
  • Sort medications by use
  • Learn drug classification
  • Active learning with explanations
  • Drug hint system
  • Spaced repetition review
  • Offline progress tracking
  • Short study sessions
Features
Read full description

Pharmacy Shift makes studying pharmacology feel like a game. Learn drug uses and classes, review what you miss, and build confidence through short, focused shifts. LEARN BY PLAYING Sort medications onto the correct shelf and get immediate feedback. Each shift turns pharmacology practice into a quick, focused challenge instead of another round of rereading lists and notes. PRACTICE IN TWO WAYS By Use Learn to connect medications with what they’re used for across major areas of medicine. By Class Practice recognizing pharmacological classes, drug families, and common naming patterns. Explore 17 pharmacology topics, including antibiotics, cardiovascular drugs, CNS, respiratory, antivirals, anesthesia, oncology, endocrinology, allergy & immunity, and more. GET AN EXPLANATION AFTER EVERY ANSWER Every answer comes with a clear explanation to help you connect the medication with its use, class, mechanism, or key fact. USE HINTS WHEN YOU NEED THEM Tap a medication card for a helpful clue. The timer pauses while you read, so you can think without rushing. REVIEW WHAT YOU MISS Spaced repetition brings medications back for review over time. Drugs you answer incorrectly can also return sooner, helping you focus on weaker areas and keep key facts fresh for exams. DRUG REFERENCE Browse hundreds of medications in the built-in Drug Reference. Search by drug name, explore drug classes, and quickly review explanations and key facts. TRACK YOUR PROGRESS See what you’ve mastered across different pharmacology topics and keep building your knowledge shift by shift. STUDY IN SHORT SESSIONS Complete a shift between classes, during a break, or before an exam. No account is required. The app works offline, and your progress is stored on your device. SHIFT+ Start with a guided first shift and a short By Class demo. Shift+ unlocks the full Pharmacy Shift experience, including all pharmacology topics and gameplay modes. Monthly and annual subscription options are available. The Drug Reference remains available without a subscription. Pharmacy Shift is available in English and Russian. This app is intended for educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice and should not be used for diagnosis, treatment, prescribing, or clinical decision-making. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

PTCB Exam Prep3 screens
Pharmacy Shift4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Pharmacy Shift at 15.0 against PTCB Exam Prep's 17.0. 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. PTCB Exam Prep sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and Pharmacy Shift sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PTCB Exam Prep ships an update monthly, Pharmacy Shift every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
PTCB Exam Prep versus Pharmacy Shift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPTCB Exam PrepPharmacy Shift
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.0 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB3 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperHermes Inteligencia Digital LtdaNikita Bulygin

In-app purchases

3 purchases

PTCB Exam Prep

Subscriptions3
  • PTCB Prep Weekly3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • PTCB Prep Monthly3 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Quarterly3 Days trial$29.993 Months
2 purchases

Pharmacy Shift

Subscriptions2
  • Shift+ Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Shift+ Annual$39.991 Year

Questions

Is PTCB Exam Prep free?
PTCB Exam Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pharmacy Shift free?
Pharmacy Shift is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PTCB Exam Prep or Pharmacy Shift have ads?
Neither PTCB Exam Prep nor Pharmacy Shift shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PTCB Exam Prep or Pharmacy Shift?
PTCB Exam Prep ships an update monthly, and Pharmacy Shift every 6 weeks. Most recently, PTCB Exam Prep was updated on October 31, 2026 and Pharmacy Shift on October 29, 2026.

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