Comparison

TCM Herbs vs Dry Needling Guide

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

Head to head
About

TCM Herbs

Explore traditional Chinese phytotherapy with a comprehensive database of remedies and recipes. Access detailed monographs, search by symptom, and listen to Chinese pronunciations. This app offers a vast collection of knowledge for users interested in herbal medicine.

Highlights
  • 400+ traditional Chinese medicines
  • 250+ traditional Chinese recipes
  • Detailed monograph for each remedy
  • Search by 15,000+ symptoms
  • Listen to Chinese pronunciations
  • Multi-language support (DE, EN, ZH, Pinyin)
  • Graphical interface for Chinese characters
Features
Read full description

For the first time, TCM Phyto makes the study of traditional Chinese phytotherapy, which has been developed systematically by Professor Hempen over many years, readily accessible to a wide range of users. Approximately 400 traditional Chinese medicines and over 250 traditional Chinese recipes are available. Each individual remedy and prescription is presented in a detailed monograph, with its effect systematically described throughout. Moreover, you can listen to every name in Chinese. A full-text search finds medicines and recipes quickly and easily by scanning the database of over 15,000 symptoms. TCM Phyto is a unique source of knowledge that encompasses the entire contents of several standard works. The app can be used anywhere in the world thanks to its multi-language feature (German, English, Chinese and Pinyin), which enables the user to switch languages at any time. It also offers a graphical interface for entering Chinese characters. Further TCM apps by Professor Hempen on diagnosis and acupuncture are scheduled for release in the future.

About

Dry Needling Guide

This app provides a comprehensive guide to dry needling for healthcare professionals and patients. It features a 3D model to identify pain zones and detailed information on muscle anatomy, referred pain, and needling techniques. Unlock the full version to access all 119 muscles.

Highlights
  • 3D model for pain zone identification
  • Detailed muscle anatomy and referred pain patterns
  • Needling technique guidance with clear pictures
  • Information on needle selection
  • Precautions and related muscle information
  • Multilingual support (English, French, Spanish, Dutch)
Features
Read full description

Dry Needling Guide The ultimate app for dry needling practitioners is here! Download the free version to access 12 essential muscles, and easily unlock the full library with a monthly subscription. Designed for both therapists and patients, the Dry Needling Guide features a highly detailed, lifelike 3D model. Patients can clearly identify and show their areas of pain on the model, allowing therapists to instantly view the muscles associated with those pain zones. The app currently includes 110 of the most commonly used muscles in clinical practice. Each muscle profile provides comprehensive, expertly curated information: Muscle Anatomy: Detailed anatomical breakdowns Trigger Point Referral Patterns: Displayed directly on the 3D model Related Muscles: Identify other muscles within the same pain zone Needling Techniques: Step-by-step guidance, including needle length, anatomical landmarks, and insertion direction, supported by clear images Precautions: Essential safety information for every procedure Additional Features: Available in English, French, Spanish, and Dutch Fully responsive and optimised for both iPad and iPhone LEGAL DISCLAIMER This material is intended exclusively for healthcare professionals licensed to perform dry needling. Individuals who use these techniques do so at their own risk. The app developers accept no responsibility for any injury caused directly or indirectly through incorrect or inappropriate application of the techniques demonstrated. Monthly Subscription Unlock full access to the app and all premium features: Access to all 110 premium muscles Unlimited video tutorials Complete anatomy diagrams and needling techniques Subscription Details: Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account upon confirmation of purchase. The subscription will automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Pricing may vary by location. You can manage or cancel your subscription at any time through your Account Settings on the App Store after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://dryneedling-app.com/privacy-policy-dry-needling-guide/ Terms of Use: https://dryneedling-app.com/terms-conditions/

Screenshots

TCM Herbs4 screens
Dry Needling Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Dry Needling Guide at Free against TCM Herbs's $7.99. Dry Needling Guide also leads on rating (4.3 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (40 vs 1). TCM Herbs's advantage is review sentiment (40% vs 0%) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Dry Needling Guide is free to download; TCM Herbs costs $7.99 up front. Dry Needling Guide sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. TCM Herbs asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Dry Needling Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Dry Needling Guide has 40 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 40% of TCM Herbs's written reviews are positive against 0% of Dry Needling Guide's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TCM Herbs ships an update every 3 months, Dry Needling Guide every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
TCM Herbs versus Dry Needling Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTCM HerbsDry Needling Guide
Price$7.99Free — better
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)4.3 (40 ratings) — better
Positive reviews40.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings140 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size271 MB154 MB
Age rating17+17+
DeveloperPrismamed GmbHBarB BVBA

Customer experience

TCM Herbs

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive40.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative40.0%

Dry Needling Guide

All ratings40 ratings
Positive82.5%
Neutral2.5%
Negative15.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

TCM Herbs

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Dry Needling Guide

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Plan$2.491 Month
One-time1
  • Unlock all muscles$21.99

Questions

Is TCM Herbs free?
TCM Herbs costs $7.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Dry Needling Guide free?
Dry Needling Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, TCM Herbs or Dry Needling Guide?
Dry Needling Guide is rated higher. TCM Herbs averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Dry Needling Guide averages 4.3 from 40 ratings.
Do TCM Herbs or Dry Needling Guide have ads?
Neither TCM Herbs nor Dry Needling Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TCM Herbs or Dry Needling Guide?
TCM Herbs ships an update every 3 months, and Dry Needling Guide every 5 weeks. Most recently, TCM Herbs was updated on November 6, 2026 and Dry Needling Guide on November 6, 2026.

Other comparisons