ClinicalKey
ClinicalKey is a clinical search engine that helps healthcare professionals find and apply relevant knowledge by providing access to Elsevier’s extensive library of medical books, journals, and guidelines.
UpToDate
UpToDate is a clinical decision support resource providing evidence-based medical information and graded recommendations to help healthcare professionals make the best care decisions for their patients.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ClinicalKey | UpToDate |
|---|---|---|
| Website | elsevier.com | wolterskluwer.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | $57/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2012 | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Waltham, USA |
Overview
ClinicalKey
ClinicalKey is a comprehensive clinical search engine designed to support your medical decision-making with evidence-based answers. You can access an extensive library of Elsevier’s medical and surgical content, including over 600 journals, 1,100 books, and thousands of patient education handouts. The platform helps you stay current with the latest medical advancements while providing the tools you need to confirm diagnoses and refine treatment plans quickly at the point of care.
You can streamline your research process by searching across multiple content types simultaneously, from drug monographs to procedural videos. Whether you are a solo practitioner, a medical student, or part of a large health system, the platform adapts to your workflow by allowing you to save content, create presentation slides, and earn CME credits while you work. It solves the problem of information overload by delivering curated, peer-reviewed data when every second counts.
UpToDate
UpToDate helps you make confident clinical decisions by providing access to synthesized medical evidence and expert recommendations. You can search thousands of clinical topics across 25 specialties to find answers to complex medical questions at the point of care. The platform is designed to reduce practice variability and improve patient outcomes by ensuring you have the most current, peer-reviewed information available.
You can use the tool to earn continuing education credits while you research, which helps you meet professional requirements during your daily workflow. Whether you are a solo practitioner, a medical student, or part of a large hospital system, the software integrates into your routine to provide actionable insights that support better diagnostic and treatment paths.
Overview
ClinicalKey Features
- Smart Search Find relevant clinical answers quickly with a search engine that understands medical terminology and maps your queries to related concepts.
- Multimedia Library Access thousands of medical images and procedural videos to help you visualize complex techniques or enhance your professional presentations.
- Patient Education Print or email easy-to-understand educational handouts in multiple languages to help your patients better understand their conditions and treatments.
- Presentation Maker Export high-quality images and charts directly into PowerPoint with citations included to save you hours of manual formatting time.
- CME Credit Tracking Earn and track Continuing Medical Education credits automatically as you search for clinical answers during your daily workflow.
- Drug Monographs Check dosing, contraindications, and adverse effects with integrated Gold Standard drug information to ensure patient safety during prescribing.
UpToDate Features
- Clinical Topic Reviews. Access over 12,000 clinical topics across 25 specialties to find detailed evidence-based answers for your patients.
- Graded Recommendations. Review clear treatment recommendations graded by the GRADE system so you can understand the strength of the evidence.
- Drug Interactions Tool. Check for potential drug-to-drug and drug-to-herb interactions quickly to ensure patient safety during prescribing.
- Medical Calculators. Use more than 200 built-in medical calculators to determine scores, doses, and indices without leaving the platform.
- CME/CE/CPD Tracking. Earn and track continuing education credits automatically as you search for clinical answers during your workday.
- Patient Education Materials. Share easy-to-read medical articles and leaflets with your patients to help them understand their conditions and treatments.
Pricing Comparison
ClinicalKey Pricing
UpToDate Pricing
- Full clinical content access
- Mobile app for iOS and Android
- Earn unlimited CME/CE/CPD credits
- Drug interactions tool
- Medical calculators
- Patient education materials
- Everything in Professional, plus:
- Discounted trainee pricing
- Verification of status required
- Full mobile access included
- Specialty-specific content
- Regular evidence updates
Pros & Cons
ClinicalKey
Pros
- Massive database of trusted Elsevier medical journals and books
- Fast search results optimized for point-of-care decision making
- Seamless integration for earning CME credits while researching
- High-quality images and videos for teaching and presentations
Cons
- Individual subscription costs are high for solo practitioners
- Mobile app interface can be slower than desktop version
- Search filters can occasionally feel overwhelming for simple queries
UpToDate
Pros
- Highly accurate and peer-reviewed clinical content
- Seamlessly earns CME credits during daily research
- Excellent mobile app for quick bedside reference
- Comprehensive drug interaction database saves time
- Regularly updated with the latest medical research
Cons
- Individual subscriptions are relatively expensive
- Search results can sometimes feel overwhelming
- Requires consistent internet for full functionality