# NCCN Guidelines® vs AHA ACLS

The clearest difference is rating: AHA ACLS at 4.9 against NCCN Guidelines®'s 3.6. AHA ACLS also leads on review sentiment (26% vs 13%) and ratings volume (277 vs 24). NCCN Guidelines®'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.1 vs 15.1). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. AHA ACLS sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per year. NCCN Guidelines® asks for nothing beyond the download.

AHA ACLS holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AHA ACLS has 277 ratings behind it against 24, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 13% of NCCN Guidelines®'s written reviews are positive against 26% of AHA ACLS's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NCCN Guidelines® | AHA ACLS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.6 (24 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nccn-guidelines/id775500217/reviews) | **[4.9 (277 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 24 | **277** |
| Positive reviews | 12.5% of reviews | **26.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#34** |
| Size | 118 MB | 48 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.1** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [National Comprehensive Cancer Network®](https://appshunter.io/developer/1168594705) | [Massachusetts General Hospital](https://appshunter.io/developer/376928206) |

## What reviewers say

### NCCN Guidelines®

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nccn-guidelines/id775500217)

This app provides healthcare professionals with convenient access to comprehensive clinical practice guidelines for oncology. It aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of cancer care by offering evidence-based recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and supportive services.

**Highlights:** Virtual Library of NCCN Guidelines, Oncology clinical practice guidelines, Evidence-based recommendations, Supports cancer care decision-making, Covers 97% of US cancer cases

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### AHA ACLS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aha-acls/id1506944443)

**Currently charting:** #34 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

This app provides clinicians with a digital tool to assist in running cardiac arrest codes and delivering advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) at the bedside. It features the latest AHA recommendations and includes intuitive access to algorithms, drug dosing, and timers for efficient patient care.

**Highlights:** 4 ACLS algorithms (cardiac arrest, tachycardia, bradycardia, post-arrest), Latest 2025 AHA ACLS content, Drug therapy and dosing, Easy-to-read timers, CPR and epinephrine logging, Rapid transition to post-arrest care

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ACLS Pro | $3.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Accurate, up-to-date AHA ACLS algorithms
- ⏱️ Built-in timers and counters for code management
- 👍 User-friendly, intuitive interface
- 🏥 Trusted by Harvard/MGH and American Heart Association
- 📋 Helpful for documentation and PCR completion

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription paywall on previously free app
- 🚨 Dangerous surprise paywall during active codes
- ⚠️ No warning before transition to paid model
- 🔐 Requires payment even for basic ACLS information
- 😤 Perceived greed from wealthy organizations (MGH/AHA)

**Reported bugs**

- App fails to load information despite subscription payment
- Users locked out of app mid-code
- Unexpected app crashes during critical moments

**Requested features**

- Multiple log storage with dates
- More detailed code logging with event documentation (IO access, medications, rhythms)
- End code button and pause compressions feature
- Real-time log tracking for back-charting
- LVAD algorithm inclusion


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NCCN Guidelines® free?

NCCN Guidelines® is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is AHA ACLS free?

AHA ACLS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, NCCN Guidelines® or AHA ACLS?

AHA ACLS is rated higher. NCCN Guidelines® averages 3.6 out of 5 from 24 ratings, while AHA ACLS averages 4.9 from 277 ratings.

### Do NCCN Guidelines® or AHA ACLS have ads?

Neither NCCN Guidelines® nor AHA ACLS shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NCCN Guidelines® or AHA ACLS?

NCCN Guidelines® ships an update every 2 months, and AHA ACLS every 2 months. Most recently, NCCN Guidelines® was updated on October 14, 2026 and AHA ACLS on October 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*