# FP Notebook vs GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide at none against FP Notebook's 3. GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). FP Notebook's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months) and chart position (#74 vs unranked). On price, rating, review sentiment and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FP Notebook sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for FP Notebook against 4.8 for GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FP Notebook has 3.4K ratings behind it against 509, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 61% of FP Notebook's written reviews are positive against 67% of GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide's.

FP Notebook ships an update every 2 months, GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FP Notebook | GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (3.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fp-notebook/id835973313/reviews)** | [4.8 (509 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gold-2021-pocket-guide/id1513859738/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **3.4K** | 509 |
| Positive reviews | 61.1% of reviews | **66.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#74** | — |
| Size | 141 MB | 132 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Atmosphere Apps, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/334077424) | [Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease INC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1231382788) |

## What reviewers say

### FP Notebook

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fp-notebook/id835973313)

**Currently charting:** #74 Top Grossing · Medical (US App Store)

A comprehensive medical reference for primary care and emergency clinicians, offering rapid access to over 6100 interlinked topic pages. Content is updated monthly through literature reviews and conferences, providing up-to-date information for medical professionals.

**Highlights:** Rapid access medical reference, Over 6100 interlinked topic pages, Content updated monthly, 31 specialty books, 700+ chapters, Point-of-care tool

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Subscription | $1.99 | per month |
| Annual Subscription | $19.99 | per year |
| Annual Sub | $24.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Excellent, comprehensive medical reference
- ⚡️ Efficient, concise, and easy to use
- 🧠 Invaluable for medical students, residents, and practitioners
- 🤝 Highly recommended by users
- 🕰️ Frequently used and relied upon for years

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription model frustrates some users who previously had free access
- 🐞 Occasional app freezing or crashing issues reported
- 🔍 Built-in search function could be improved

**Reported bugs**

- App freezing or crashing on certain devices
- Subscription issues or unexpected charges

**Requested features**

- Ability to earn continuing education credits through the app
- Improved search functionality


### GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gold-2021-pocket-guide/id1513859738)

Access the latest Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 2021 report and utilize interactive assessment tools. This app provides healthcare professionals with evidence-based guidance for diagnosing and treating COPD patients, including algorithms and management strategies.

**Highlights:** GOLD 2021 Report access, Interactive assessment tools, COPD treatment algorithm, Bookmark important pages, Add notes, Evidence-based medicine practice

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FP Notebook free?

FP Notebook is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide free?

GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, FP Notebook or GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide?

FP Notebook is rated higher. FP Notebook averages 4.9 out of 5 from 3.4K ratings, while GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide averages 4.8 from 509 ratings.

### Do FP Notebook or GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide have ads?

Neither FP Notebook nor GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, FP Notebook or GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide?

FP Notebook ships an update every 2 months, and GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide every 7 months. Most recently, FP Notebook was updated on November 6, 2026 and GOLD 2021 Pocket Guide on November 3, 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.*