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

epocrates vs Davis Drug Guide For Nurses

epocrates 4.4★ · Free to download 55
Winner Davis Drug Guide For Nurses
Davis Drug Guide For Nurses 4.8★ · Free + IAP 75

Davis Drug Guide For Nurses is the better choice for nurses and students seeking a reliable, detailed, and generally well-regarded drug reference, despite some technical issues, while Epocrates has recently alienated many long-term users by moving core features behind a paywall and suffering from significant app stability problems.

Full reviews: epocrates · Davis Drug Guide For Nurses

Davis Drug Guide For Nurses is highly praised by nurses and students for its comprehensive, accurate, and easy-to-use drug information, though some users experience technical glitches and subscription management issues. Epocrates, a long-time favorite, has recently faced strong backlash due to its shift to a limited free tier and paid subscription model for previously free features, coupled with reports of app crashes and lack of updates.

Head to head

Features & Content edge: Davis Drug Guide For NursesR3R8R9R11
epocrates Epocrates users value its comprehensive drug information, including dosing, side effects, interactions, and pill identification, with some noting its superiority to other resources like UpToDate for being less busy R3R9R11. However, recent changes have removed useful features like drug pricing and package sizing, disappointing many users . The app also includes 'Medical News' articles, which some paid users find unhelpful and undeletable R8.
Davis Drug Guide For Nurses Davis Drug Guide For Nurses is lauded for its thorough, accurate, and detailed drug descriptions, including IV incompatibilities, making it an excellent resource for nursing students and practicing nurses . Users appreciate its ability to save frequently used medications . However, some users report missing drug classifications R75 and a lack of information on newer medications R105, while others have found errors in drug classifications or missing drugs entirely .
Ease of Use edge: Davis Drug Guide For NursesR16R41R42R49
epocrates Epocrates has historically been praised for its ease of use and quick answers R41R49. However, recent updates have introduced clutter with medical news and pop-ups, making it difficult to navigate R16. Some users also report issues with the app freezing or requiring reinstallation due to ads R42.
Davis Drug Guide For Nurses Davis Drug Guide For Nurses is frequently described as easy to use, quick, and simple, allowing users to find information rapidly . However, some users find it difficult to navigate or experience slow loading times for pages . There are also reports of the app's interface being outdated and issues with dropdown menus for users with larger hands .
Reliability & Performance tieR5R18R24R30
epocrates Many Epocrates users report significant issues with the app's reliability, including crashing upon opening R18R24R37, not loading R37, or not updating R30. Some users also face problems with the app not being supported on newer iPhone iOS versions R5R18. There are also complaints about constant updates that prevent app usage .
Davis Drug Guide For Nurses Davis Drug Guide For Nurses users report various performance issues, including the app frequently shutting down or crashing . Some users have difficulty accessing the app or their account after purchase , with one user needing to delete and reinstall it weekly . There are also complaints about restore purchase glitches R91.
Price & Value tieR1R3R4R6
epocrates Epocrates has faced widespread criticism for moving previously free core features behind a paywall, limiting free lookups per week, and charging what many consider an exorbitant subscription fee R1R3R4R6. Some users mention that other resources are free or institutionally provided . While some find the paid version worth it , many feel betrayed after years of free access R1.
Davis Drug Guide For Nurses Davis Drug Guide For Nurses is generally considered worth the price by many users, especially students and new nurses, for its comprehensive information and convenience . However, there are significant complaints about the annual subscription model, with users feeling they shouldn't have to pay annually for what is essentially a book R64R96R99R105. Some users also report issues with subscriptions not transferring to new phones R69 or difficulty canceling subscriptions .
Support & Updates tieR5R18R37R40
epocrates Epocrates users report issues with the app not being updated to support newer iOS versions R5R18 and a lack of response from support regarding these issues R37. There are also complaints about the inability to transfer purchases to new phones and a lack of notification regarding the shift to a paid model . One user reported being shut down outside the US without reimbursement R40.
Davis Drug Guide For Nurses Davis Drug Guide For Nurses users report difficulties with subscription management, including not being able to restore purchases on new phones R69R91 or after reinstallation . Some users have tried contacting developers for issues like the index not working but received no response . There are also complaints about the database not being updated frequently enough with new medications and a lack of clarity on how to cancel subscriptions .
Pick epocrates if

You are a medical student or professional who can secure a free year of Epocrates+ or if your institution provides access to the full paid version, and you value its historical reputation for comprehensive drug information and interaction checking .

Pick Davis Drug Guide For Nurses if

You are a nursing student or practicing nurse who needs a comprehensive, accurate, and easy-to-use drug reference specifically tailored for nursing, and you are willing to pay an annual subscription for it despite potential technical glitches .

Evidence note: Epocrates' recent reviews are heavily skewed negative due to the change in its pricing model, with many long-term users expressing disappointment over previously free features now being behind a paywall. This contrasts with its higher lifetime rating, which reflects its historical value as a free resource. Davis Drug Guide For Nurses, being a paid app, has reviews from users who have already committed to the purchase, leading to a self-selection bias for satisfaction, though it still has significant complaints about technical issues and subscription management.

Frequently asked

Is Epocrates still free to use?
Epocrates is no longer truly free; while it is free to download, basic drug lookup features are now limited to a certain number of views per week, after which a paid subscription is required R1R4R9R12.
What are the common issues with Epocrates?
Common issues with Epocrates include a new paywall for previously free features, app crashes and failure to open on newer iOS versions, removal of drug pricing and package sizing information, and frequent ads even in the paid version R1R5R8R18.
Is Davis Drug Guide For Nurses a one-time purchase or subscription?
Davis Drug Guide For Nurses is an annual subscription, despite some users initially believing it was a lifetime access for a single payment R64R96R99R105.
Can I use Davis Drug Guide For Nurses on multiple devices or my computer?
Davis Drug Guide For Nurses users report issues with transferring subscriptions to new phones and that the app can only be used on their Apple account, preventing access on a laptop or through an internet portal R69R75R84R91.

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. [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.
  3. [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
  4. [R11] epocrates 5/5 · US Great app: Use everyday. The pill ID is excellent.
  5. [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
  6. [R41] epocrates 5/5 · US Great app and easy to use.: I have been using this app for years and I love its ease of use and quick answers.
  7. [R42] epocrates 3/5 · US Hate the ads: Hate the ad that I have to dismiss everytime I open epocrates. Today it froze and would not let me dismiss it bi had to uninstall and reinstall app to make it work again. I PAY for this subscription myself and a delay in referencing info I need is very frustrating.
  8. [R49] epocrates 5/5 · US Great app: Great app with easy to use resources
  9. [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 :/
  10. [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
  11. [R24] epocrates 3/5 · US This app was great: The app no longer opens for me. Fix this.
  12. [R30] epocrates 3/5 · US Not updatable?: It won’t update. Was a very nice app when it worked.
  13. [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
  14. [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!?
  15. [R6] epocrates 3/5 · US Shame: Had my account since 2015 as Paramedic to be able to find out what medications people were on when found at home and for the purposes of being prescribed. It was free and now, it isnt. Lame
  16. [R37] epocrates 1/5 · US Doesn’t Work: I have been able to open app at all with the two previous updates. It says “Please do not leave this screen. This may take moment.” However, it never loads. I’ve tried deleting the app and reinstalling. Turning on and off my phone. I have most recent os. Super disappointing. I’ve been using this app for 12+ years. It used to be awesome but now it’s awful. You’d think they’d care abou
  17. [R40] epocrates 1/5 · US Scam: If you live outside de US even if you pay with an account created and paid thru the US the App has been shut down for your use. Epocrates do not reimburse you. Be careful. I had been customer for years and now they wash their hands.
  18. [R12] epocrates 3/5 · US Not working like it used to: This has been a wonderful app. However, I have the free version, and all of a sudden, it is limiting the amount of views I get in a week. I have used the same free version for 5 years with no issues and now I’m incredibly frustrated that I can’t access the content like I used to.
  19. [R64] Davis Drug Guide For Nurses 1/5 · US Nobody should have to pay an annual subscription to retain access one book: It’s an example of how we exploit each other even as we lament being exploited by larger corporate interests.
  20. [R96] Davis Drug Guide For Nurses 3/5 · US Confused.: In the app when I downloaded it, it said lifetime access for $38.99. But the app listing says annually. If I knew it was annually I would have reconsidered the app. Also, I would like the drug classes to be included. That’s very important.
  21. [R99] Davis Drug Guide For Nurses 3/5 · US Amazing but costly: This is the perfect pocket guide to drugs BUT it's $39 a year and I have yet to find a way to use the access code I got with my textbook to get the subscription.
  22. [R105] Davis Drug Guide For Nurses 3/5 · US RN, CNOR, Lic-P: While this is the drug app I like the most out of all the ones I have used, it still has a few issues. I've seen several new medications on TV commercials, but it seems to take forever for them to appear on here. The other, and perhaps the one I've read the most about, is that if your subscription expires, you can't access the app in the version you've already paid for which is li
  23. [R69] Davis Drug Guide For Nurses 3/5 · US Can add to new phone: Love the app itself, do not like the fact that when you add the app to new phone you can not restore. They want you to pay for another subscription. Maybe it’s me but this has happened on two different phones.
  24. [R75] Davis Drug Guide For Nurses 3/5 · US Short comings are becoming evident: 1. The product can only be used on my apple account; therefore, I am unable to access the product on my laptop through an internet portal. Such as that offered at Davis’s drugguide.com - Note, subscription to this app, does not provide membership to other Davis’s drug guide resources. 2. Product is missing drug classifications. Ex. Antacids
  25. [R84] Davis Drug Guide For Nurses 3/5 · US Not available for MacBook: Tried pulling it up on my MacBook so I can transfer content from app to a word doc that I need to print to have in class and was unable to do so. When I typed “davis drug book” in on google it took me to the davis drug book unbound website. That’s when I realized this app isn’t the official davis drug book app, with the official one you can log in on google and also down
  26. [R91] Davis Drug Guide For Nurses 1/5 · US Restore Glitch: I already have a subscription for Davis Drug Guide but when I click on the bottom of the app to “restore now,” a glitch occurs and says “App store error.” I’ve already tried deleting and re-downloading the app to no avail. Any help is appreciated!

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