Comparison

ShockRef vs UPDATE SIM

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

Head to head
About

ShockRef

A clinical reference for managing shock and hemodynamics, offering insights into bedside physiology, resuscitation, and mechanical circulatory support. It includes practical calculators and drug references for critical care professionals and students.

Highlights
  • Shock phenotyping
  • Resuscitation workflows
  • Vasoactive drug references
  • Mechanical circulatory support troubleshooting
  • Physiology-based critical care
  • Practical calculators
Features
Read full description

ShockRef is a focused educational reference for clinicians and learners managing shock, hemodynamics, vasoactive therapy, and temporary mechanical circulatory support. It integrates bedside physiology, shock phenotyping, resuscitation workflows, monitoring pitfalls, drug references, MCS troubleshooting, source citations, and practical calculators for structured, physiology-based critical care. This app is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of information provided by this app. About Rishi Kumar, MD, FACC ("RK.MD") I'm an adult cardiothoracic anesthesiologist and cardiovascular ICU intensivist practicing in academic medicine. I'm passionate about teaching with free, open-access medical education. Learn more on my site: https://rk.md

About

UPDATE SIM

Features
Read full description

Carry a simulated patient monitor, defibrillator, and transcutaneous pacer on your iPhone or iPad. UPDATE SIM helps instructors, universities, and simulation centers run ACLS, PALS, and emergency scenarios with a portable, bilingual tool that works without an internet connection. IDEAL FOR • Resuscitation and emergency instructors • Clinical simulation centers • Universities and healthcare programs • Hospital and prehospital teams KEY FEATURES • Vital signs monitor with ECG, SpO₂, blood pressure, and capnography • 38 cardiac rhythms for varied clinical scenarios • Defibrillation, synchronized cardioversion, and transcutaneous pacing • More than 100 preconfigured scenarios, including ACLS, PALS, PREHOSP, MAVACRIT, OBSTACRIT, EPC, and AEROCRIT • More than 50 medications with simulated physiological effects • Chest compressions with visual feedback • Spanish and English interface • Works without an internet connection • Layouts adapted for iPhone and iPad A PORTABLE TOOL FOR TEACHING AND TRAINING Organize scenarios, change vital signs, and use defibrillation and pacing functions from a single app. UPDATE SIM is designed to support practical, repeatable educational sessions. Download UPDATE SIM and bring clinical simulation to your next training room. For education and simulation only. Not a medical device and not intended to diagnose, monitor, or treat real patients. UPDATE SIM does not claim official affiliation with or certification by AHA, NAEMT, or other organizations.

Screenshots

ShockRef4 screens
UPDATE SIM4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ShockRef at Free against UPDATE SIM's $49.99. UPDATE SIM's advantage is update cadence (daily vs every 4 days) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

ShockRef is free to download; UPDATE SIM costs $49.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ShockRef ships an update every 4 days, UPDATE SIM daily. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
ShockRef versus UPDATE SIM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterShockRefUPDATE SIM
PriceFree — better$49.99
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS26.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB7 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperRishi KumarOsvaldo Campos Carvajal

In-app purchases

None

ShockRef

No in-app purchases

None

UPDATE SIM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ShockRef free?
ShockRef is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is UPDATE SIM free?
UPDATE SIM costs $49.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do ShockRef or UPDATE SIM have ads?
Neither ShockRef nor UPDATE SIM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ShockRef or UPDATE SIM?
ShockRef ships an update every 4 days, and UPDATE SIM daily. Most recently, ShockRef was updated on October 10, 2026 and UPDATE SIM on September 28, 2026.

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