# Mosby's Drug Reference vs Mosbys PDQ for RN

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Mosbys PDQ for RN at 100% against Mosby's Drug Reference's 32%. Mosbys PDQ for RN also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 9 months). Mosby's Drug Reference's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (235 vs 3). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Mosby's Drug Reference sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $45.99 per year and Mosbys PDQ for RN sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $18.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Mosbys PDQ for RN holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mosby's Drug Reference has 235 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 32% of Mosby's Drug Reference's written reviews are positive against 100% of Mosbys PDQ for RN's.

Mosby's Drug Reference ships an update every 9 months, Mosbys PDQ for RN every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Mosby's Drug Reference | Mosbys PDQ for RN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (235 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mosbys-drug-reference/id959042883/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mosbys-pdq-for-rn/id1578262449/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **235** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 31.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 9 months | **Every 4 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 9 MB | 149 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **13.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Unbound Medicine, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/300420400) | [Skyscape Medpresso Inc](https://appshunter.io/developer/818609416) |

## What reviewers say

### Mosby's Drug Reference

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mosbys-drug-reference/id959042883)

This app provides healthcare professionals with comprehensive drug information, including actions, usage, dosage, interactions, and side effects. It emphasizes patient safety with Black Box Warnings, Safety Alerts, and information on life-threatening side effects. Features include custom notes, highlights, and quick search functionality.

**Highlights:** Over 5,000 drug listings, Black Box Warnings and Safety Alerts, Drug action, usage, dosage, interactions, side effects, Custom notes and highlights, Full text search, Appendix of recent FDA-approvals

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mosby's Drug Reference | $45.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great reference for nursing students
- 👍 Reliable resource for medication information
- 👍 Invaluable for looking up drugs quickly
- 👍 Helpful for answering patient questions
- 👍 Easy and best to use mobile drug reference

**What reviewers complain about**

- 😞 Routinely does not have drugs
- 😞 Not for Canadian market
- 😞 Not categorized and searchable
- 😞 Cannot customize info display
- 😞 Most patients' meds weren't there

**Reported bugs**

- Every time I search norco or hydrocodone hydrochlorothiazide comes up

**Requested features**

- Version for people in the dental field
- Create an app version for dental drug reference
- Separate favorites list for users and spouses


### Mosbys PDQ for RN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mosbys-pdq-for-rn/id1578262449)

Access essential nursing facts, formulas, lab values, and procedures quickly. This guide offers concise information for clinical settings, including special populations and emergency care. It features updated content reflecting the latest developments and assessment tools.

**Highlights:** Quick access to essential nursing facts, Formulas, lab values, and procedures, Information for pediatric, maternity, and geriatric patients, Emergency care guidelines, Updated clinical developments and drug information, New assessment tools

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 25% Off Limited Period Offer | $18.99 | per year |
| 20% Off Limited Period Offer | $19.99 | per year |
| 15% Off Limited Period Offer | $21.49 | per year |
| Mosby's PDQ for RN 1/Y Sub | $24.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Mosby's Drug Reference free?

Mosby's Drug Reference is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Mosbys PDQ for RN free?

Mosbys PDQ for RN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Mosby's Drug Reference or Mosbys PDQ for RN?

Mosbys PDQ for RN is rated higher. Mosby's Drug Reference averages 4.6 out of 5 from 235 ratings, while Mosbys PDQ for RN averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Mosby's Drug Reference or Mosbys PDQ for RN have ads?

Mosbys PDQ for RN shows ads; Mosby's Drug Reference does not.

### Which is updated more often, Mosby's Drug Reference or Mosbys PDQ for RN?

Mosby's Drug Reference ships an update every 9 months, and Mosbys PDQ for RN every 4 months. Most recently, Mosby's Drug Reference was updated on October 24, 2026 and Mosbys PDQ for RN on September 16, 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.*