Comparison

Profmed Medical Scheme vs SAMF

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

Head to head
About

Profmed Medical Scheme

Manage your medical scheme membership and access essential services online. View your membership card, submit claims, and find nearby emergency rooms. The app also facilitates program registrations and allows principal members to update information and view statements.

Highlights
  • Personalized online profiles
  • Electronic membership card access
  • Online chat support
  • Document and claim submission
  • Find nearest emergency rooms
  • Request international embassy letter
  • Register for Profmed Baby programme
Features
Read full description

You and your dependants will each have your own online profile to access your personalised app. Access your electronic membership card, chat with us online and submit documents or claims. Based on your current location you can also find the nearest hospital emergency rooms or search for the hospital emergency rooms in a specific area and navigate your way to the emergency room. You can also request your international embassy letter instantly, register on the Profmed Baby programme as well as register your newborn baby with a touch of a button. As the principal member, you will also be able to update your information, view documents such as your latest statement and tax certificate, and also view messages sent to you. The Benefits and Claims tab allows you to view available benefit limits and have easy access to claims submitted.

About

SAMF

This medical reference app provides up-to-date, reliable, and unbiased information on medicines and clinical management protocols. It serves as a trusted guide for healthcare practitioners, offering evaluated content independent of the pharmaceutical industry.

Highlights
  • Up-to-date medicines information
  • Clinical management protocols
  • Reliable and unbiased content
  • Trusted reference guide
  • Independent from pharmaceutical industry
  • Mobile and web portal access
Features
Read full description

Regarded as the gold standard of medicines information and clinical management protocols in South Africa, the South African Medicines Formulary (SAMF), first published in 1988, is a trusted source of information and provides up-to-date, reliable, unbiased and evaluated information on medicines. Currently on its 15th edition , it has become a standard health practitioner's medicine reference guide, respected for accuracy of content and independence from the pharmaceutical industry. It is now available on this mobile application and supported by a web portal (https://samf-app.com/) which subscribers will have access to. The SAMF application and Book is a joint initiative of the Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town and the South African Medical Association (SAMA). Liquid thought maintains the application and web portal. To find information on each of the entities : - Medicines Information Centre, Division of Clinical Pharmacology at the University of Cape Town: http://www.mic.uct.ac.za - South African Medical Association: https://www.samedical.org - Liquid thought: https://www.liquidthought.co.za All content provided in the Platform is for informational, educational and assistive purposes only, and is not a substitute for the professional judgement of healthcare professionals diagnosing and treating patients. UCT and SAMA do not provide medical advice or medical or diagnostic services through the Platform. Any reliance on the content obtained on or through the Platform is at your own risk. SAMF Citation: - Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences. (2024). South African Medicines Formulary (SAMF). SAMF website. https://samf-app.com Get access to SAMF app content with an in-app purchase. There are 2 subscription options to choose from: - 1 month subscription costs R93.99 (Prices may vary slightly depending on location) - 1 year subscription costs R929.99 (Prices may vary slightly depending on location) Payment will be made at the time of purchase confirmation via your App Store account The subscription will be automatically extended if you do not switch off the automatic renewal at least 24 hours before the premium membership expires

Screenshots

Profmed Medical Scheme4 screens
SAMF4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Profmed Medical Scheme at none against SAMF's 2. Profmed Medical Scheme also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). On price, review sentiment, ads 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

Both are free to download. SAMF sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Profmed Medical Scheme asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Profmed Medical Scheme ships an update monthly, SAMF every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Profmed Medical Scheme versus SAMF: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProfmed Medical SchemeSAMF
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.1 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews8.6% of reviews12.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB72 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperProfmedTHE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Customer experience

Profmed Medical Scheme

All ratings8 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews58 reviews
Positive8.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative91.4%

SAMF

Written reviews16 reviews
Positive12.5%
Neutral18.8%
Negative68.8%

In-app purchases

None

Profmed Medical Scheme

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

SAMF

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription$4.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Profmed Medical Scheme free?
Profmed Medical Scheme is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is SAMF free?
SAMF is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Profmed Medical Scheme or SAMF have ads?
Neither Profmed Medical Scheme nor SAMF shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Profmed Medical Scheme or SAMF?
Profmed Medical Scheme ships an update monthly, and SAMF every 3 months. Most recently, Profmed Medical Scheme was updated on November 6, 2026 and SAMF on November 7, 2026.

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