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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

epocrates vs iPrescribe

epocrates 4.4★ · Free to download 60
Winner iPrescribe
iPrescribe 4.5★ · Free to download 75

iPrescribe is the better choice for healthcare professionals needing a reliable e-prescribing tool, despite its higher cost, due to its consistent functionality and dedicated purpose, while Epocrates struggles with recent paywall changes and technical issues.

Full reviews: epocrates · iPrescribe

Epocrates, a long-standing drug reference, is facing significant backlash for transitioning core features behind a paywall and experiencing technical glitches. iPrescribe, an e-prescribing app, is praised for its ease of use and reliability in sending prescriptions, though it is more expensive and has notable customer support issues.

Head to head

Features tieR3R11R15R36
epocrates Epocrates is valued for its comprehensive drug reference, including dosing, interaction checking, and pill identification R3R11R15. However, recent updates have removed useful features like drug pricing and package sizing, which users found invaluable for patient discussions R36.
iPrescribe iPrescribe is primarily an e-prescribing tool, praised for its ability to send prescriptions, including controlled substances, directly from a phone . Users appreciate features like saving notes, organizing information, and accessing patient medication history . Some users desire more integrated PDMP access and the ability to forward-date medications .
Ease of Use edge: iPrescribeR5R8R16R18
epocrates Epocrates has historically been lauded for its ease of use and quick answers . However, recent complaints mention the app becoming cluttered with medical news and ads, making navigation difficult R8R16. Some users also report issues with the app not opening or crashing after iOS updates R5R18.
iPrescribe iPrescribe is widely praised for being easy to use, intuitive, and efficient for sending prescriptions . Users find it simple to navigate and appreciate its quick functionality . Some minor issues include difficulty scrolling long formulary tiers and a desire for auto-login with Face ID .
Reliability edge: iPrescribeR5R8R9R18
epocrates Epocrates has been a trusted and strategic tool for many years R8R9. However, recent reviews highlight significant reliability issues, including the app not opening or crashing on newer iOS versions R5R18, and frequent, unskippable updates that render the app unusable temporarily .
iPrescribe iPrescribe is generally considered reliable for e-prescribing . However, some users report glitches, such as patient dates of birth being off by a day , the authenticator crashing , and notifications stopping . Despite these, many find it works well and is a dependable tool .
Price/Value tieR1R4R7R13
epocrates Epocrates is facing severe criticism for suddenly implementing a paywall for previously free, core features like drug lookups and interaction checking, limiting users to a few free views per week R1R4R7R13. Users feel this is unfair and overpriced, especially compared to other free or less expensive alternatives R7R16.
iPrescribe iPrescribe is a paid subscription service, with reported costs around $325-$360 per year R63R67R87. While some users find it expensive and not worth the price, especially if they can call pharmacies for free R63, many others consider it worth every penny for its convenience and efficiency in e-prescribing, particularly for controlled substances .
Support tieR22R54R64R67
epocrates Epocrates reviews do not frequently mention customer support, but one user noted that support was not interested in keeping a promise of free access R22. Another user reported issues with transferring a paid subscription to a new phone with no restore option, leading them to cancel R54.
iPrescribe iPrescribe receives overwhelmingly negative feedback regarding its customer support. Users report non-existent phone support, useless email teams, and an inability to get responses or refunds for issues R64R67R69R75. Some users, however, had positive experiences with quick responses for technical issues and assistance with PDMP access .
Pick epocrates if

Pick Epocrates if you are a student who might qualify for a free year of Epocrates+ , or if you primarily need a quick drug reference for basic information and are willing to tolerate the new limitations on free lookups or pay for the subscription R5.

Pick iPrescribe if

Pick iPrescribe if you are a healthcare professional who needs a dedicated, efficient, and reliable e-prescribing tool, especially for controlled substances, and are willing to pay a premium for this convenience . It is particularly useful for prescribing on the go or when away from the office .

Evidence note: The recent reviews for Epocrates are heavily skewed negative due to the new paywall, which impacts its lifetime rating. iPrescribe's reviews, while generally positive for functionality, show a consistent and significant problem with customer support, which is a critical factor for a paid professional tool.

Frequently asked

Is Epocrates still free to use?
Epocrates is no longer truly free; while it is free to download, core features like drug lookups and interaction checking are now behind a paywall, limiting users to a few free views per week before requiring a paid subscription R1R4R7R13.
How much does iPrescribe cost?
iPrescribe costs approximately $325 to $360 per year for a subscription R63R67R87.
Does iPrescribe offer good customer support?
iPrescribe's customer support is widely criticized, with many users reporting non-existent phone support, unhelpful email teams, and an inability to get refunds or resolve technical issues R64R67R69R75.
Can Epocrates be used on the latest iPhones?
Some users have reported issues with Epocrates not being supported or not opening on newer iPhone models or after recent iOS updates, specifically mentioning iOS 26.2.1 and 26.3.1 R5R18R55.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R3] epocrates 3/5 · US Was great: This has been a trusted resource for years, including dosing and interaction checking. The decision to hide it behind a paywall was unfortunate. Will use a different resource going forward.
  2. [R11] epocrates 5/5 · US Great app: Use everyday. The pill ID is excellent.
  3. [R15] epocrates 3/5 · US Previously loved, not anymore: I’ve been using epocrates for years & years. Now with the weekly cut-off of free lookups, I am going to switch to other sources. This saddens me, I’ve been such an advocate of epocrates for years but I am only after drug doses, side effects, interactions, occ pill ID & cost, I do not require fancier functions so alas, saying goodbye.
  4. [R36] epocrates 3/5 · US Very useful but losing functionality: I’ve been an Epocrates subscriber for years. And generally happy with it. But suddenly without warning, they reduced its functionality by dropping all drug prices. I often used that info to warn patients what they *may* be paying for the drug. This is VERY disappointing.
  5. [R5] epocrates 4/5 · US Love: Most used app still to date! A lot of the newer staff haven’t heard of epocrates, and that is just mind blowing for me. I would much rather use than up-to-date. Up-to-date is a great reference, but it’s too busy for me. However, epocrates is no longer supported with the new iPhone Update 26.2.1, please update your version :/
  6. [R8] epocrates 4/5 · US Medical News For You: Medical News For You articles keep expanding in numbers. There appears to be no way of deleting them. Most of the articles are of no use to me. Also, I do not need adds in my paid version. Otherwise, over the past 20+ years, Epocrates has been a stragic tool in the practice of family medicine.
  7. [R16] epocrates 1/5 · US Used to be good, but now requires paid subscription: I’ve had an Epocrates account since 2007. This used to be the best app for basic drug reference. However, they have slowly added “Medical News” and CME and pop ups, and the app has become cluttered and difficult to navigate. And now, if you try doing more than about 5 queries in a week, it requires you to sign up for a horribly over priced subsc
  8. [R18] epocrates 3/5 · US Update: Ever since my iPhone updated to IOS 26.3.1 the app will not open and I already checked to see if the app needs to be updated. It does not. It opens and then crashes/closes right away
  9. [R9] epocrates 3/5 · US $$$$: I’ve been using this since residency - great app when it first came out then got on palm pilot - saved a few lives with it The free features were the drug parts which I use to look up side effects - doses and cr cl adjustments Recently starting charging even for that with a few free views a week - so switching to something else Don’t really need all the other features. It’s still a sol
  10. [R1] epocrates 1/5 · US Not Free Anymore: Used Epocrates for years and always thought it was a great resource. Perfect while I was in pharmacy school and now as a pharmacist. I am extremely disappointed, but frankly not surprised, they now have it behind a paywall. I only looked up a few medications (maybe like 4) and get the pop up that I “reached my free amount of look ups for the week.” For the week? It’s literally th
  11. [R4] epocrates 1/5 · US Are You Kidding Me!?: I have used epocrates for years, so imagine my surprise when I go to calculate a dose for a pediatric patient and get a notification I have exceeded my free views! What the actual heck are you guys thinking!?
  12. [R7] epocrates 1/5 · US SHOULD STAY FREE!: Many of us have gotten used to this app and use it several times a day. It is unfair to take what was marketed as a FREE app and suddenly start charging to use it. If you are going to charge, there should be different tiers so that it doesn’t cost so much money. I have UpToDate free from my job, and open evidence is free for US clinicians. Guess those will be my “go to” fro
  13. [R13] epocrates 1/5 · US No longer free: I’ve been using Epocrates in my daily practice for over 10 years without issue, just to discover I now only get so many searches within a 7 day period unless I purchase their Epocrates+ prescription. This is such a disappointment and I will probably no longer be using this app.
  14. [R22] epocrates 1/5 · US Promise not kept: 20 years ago was promised free access to app; now limited with new restricted queries and support not interested in keeping promise
  15. [R54] epocrates 1/5 · US Unable to Transfer App to New Phone: There is no option to restore purchase within the app. After paying $180 for plus, you’d think you can transfer your app to your new phone seamlessly. Canceling and going with Up to Date
  16. [R64] iPrescribe 1/5 · US Physician: If you encounter any technical problems…. You will NOT get support. No phone number, no email…. Just a form to fill out and wait for a response that never arrives. Stay away from this product.
  17. [R67] iPrescribe 1/5 · US Awful!! Don’t get robbed: I spent hours trying to get verified to be able use this app. Hours!!! Getting the run around with iprescribe and ID.me. Never could get access and now I am out $360. Zero support or assistance. This app sucks and so does Dr First. Should be called Dr Last!! I wish I could give it less than 1 star.
  18. [R63] iPrescribe 3/5 · US Not worth $325: User friendly but basic. Forgot about the app til I saw the charge go through. Went and cancelled subscription so I don’t get charged again in a year. It’s free to just call the pharmacy. This app doesn’t do enough to be worth $325/year. I created my original login with Doximity and now I can’t even login via the password for the native app, I can only login with Doximity. I was ne
  19. [R87] iPrescribe 1/5 · US Scam: Warning do not use this program. Complete scam. Zero in person or phone customer service. Took my $360 and provided no way of fixing their program. If you absolutely need prescriptions, including controlled in California, try RXNT.
  20. [R69] iPrescribe 1/5 · US Terrible app and supper: Absolutely terribly functioning app. Virtually no support as they have done away with their support line and their email team is useless. Tried to cancel due to inability to use and they would not refund anything. Please don’t use this.
  21. [R75] iPrescribe 2/5 · US Dr P: App very glitchy. Doesn’t work well quite often. Can’t get in touch with a person to resolve problems
  22. [R55] epocrates 5/5 · US Change in IOS: I am an RN and I have used this app for years while working in the ER. I am now unable to access it because it says I need IOS 17. When I go to my phone settings it says that my IOS is up to date at IOS 16.7. Please help.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store