WebMD for Android

WebMD brings you a wealth of medical information that's easy to digest, but doesn't integrate all the articles and information on the website, displaying many of them through an in-app browser instead. Overall, it's a handy app for doctors and patients, but not as comprehensive as the website.

Pros

Informative and straightforward: Web packs into a straightforward interface a symptom checker, conditions, drugs and treatments, first aid information, and local health listings, all of which are only one tap away from the main screen and provide at a glance all the essential information you need as a doctor or worried patient. The Pill Identifier also comes in handy.

Patient-targeted content: Most of the articles you can access through this app have been written for patients rather than doctors (although it's useful for doctors, too), so that the tone is friendly, and the more complicated medical terms are always defined. This is certainly one of the most patient-friendly medical apps out there.

Customizable: Provided that you have a WebMD account, you can easily create custom lists of drugs or conditions, which you can then quickly review at a later time or show to your doctor.

Cons

Awkward Conditions search: Unlike a conventional medical database, this app doesn't list the subtypes of certain diseases, which are well-known conditions in their own right, so that the search can be frustrating at times.

Limited health listings: The app lists physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals only in the US.

UI not optimized for tablets: On our tablet, the main screen buttons appear too big and wide, and the search results text a tad too small.

Bottom Line

In the end, WebMD for Android feels more like a mini than mobile version of it. While that doesn't lessen its appeal, it may make you yearn for the full version. Still, if the prospect of using a built-in browser for accessing some content doesn't bother you, then this app's a good download.