UWorld vs. Amboss (2025): Which QBank is Better?
The Titans of USMLE Prep
For years, UWorld was the undisputed king. If you didn’t use UWorld, you didn’t pass. But recently, Amboss has emerged as a serious competitor, offering a more modern interface, a better library, and unique features like the Anki add-on.
So, do you need both? Or can you get away with just one?
Feature Comparison
| Feature | UWorld | Amboss |
|---|---|---|
| Question Count | 3,700+ | 2,600+ |
| Difficulty | Hard (Exam Level) | Very Hard (Tricky) |
| Explanations | The Gold Standard | Excellent |
| Library | New “Medical Library” | Best-in-Class Library |
| Flashcards | ”ReadyDecks” | Anki Integration |
| Mobile App | Good | Excellent |
| Price | ~$559/year | ~$129/year |
Deep Dive: UWorld
UWorld is famous for its explanations. They don’t just tell you the right answer; they explain the underlying pathophysiology in a way that sticks.
- Pros: The questions are the closest thing to the real Step 1 exam. The interface mimics the NBME software exactly.
- Cons: It is expensive, and you cannot buy it by the month.
Deep Dive: Amboss
Amboss is built differently. It started as a library (like UpToDate) and added a QBank later.
- Pros: The “Knowledge Library” is incredible. You can click on any term in a question explanation to read a full article about it. The Anki add-on is a game-changer for retention.
- Cons: The questions can sometimes be too hard or “tricky,” testing obscure details that aren’t high-yield.
The Verdict
You probably need both.
- UWorld is non-negotiable. You must do it to understand the “test logic” of the USMLE.
- Amboss is the perfect supplement. Use it to look up concepts you don’t understand and to drill your weak areas with extra questions.
If you can only afford one: Buy UWorld. It is still the king.