The best MedRevisions alternatives for PLAB 1 and UKMLA are PassMedicine (largest bank, lowest cost, strong peer familiarity), Quesmed (multi-exam coverage with video and OSCE), Pastest (deepest explanations), PLABable (budget PLAB-specific volume), and iatroX (adaptive practice with Socratic tutoring and integrated clinical reference). Which is right depends less on price than on how you learn and how long you have.
Key takeaways
- There is no single best alternative — match the tool to your learning style, timeline and budget.
- For sheer volume and familiarity, PassMedicine; for explanation depth, Pastest; for multi-exam value, Quesmed.
- For the lowest-cost PLAB-specific route, PLABable; UWorld is excellent but US-leaning, so you'll translate some answers.
- iatroX is the option to consider if you want a learning platform — adaptive engine, Socratic Tutor and clinical reference — rather than a bank alone.
- Avoid "platform sprawl": pick one primary bank and, at most, one complement.
Why look for an alternative to MedRevisions?
MedRevisions is a solid, affordable PLAB/UKMLA bank, so most people leave for fit reasons rather than faults: they want a larger or more familiar bank, deeper explanations, native mobile apps, payment in pounds rather than US dollars, or a tool that continues beyond PLAB into postgraduate exams. Each of those points to a different alternative.
The best alternatives at a glance
Prices change with promotions and plan length, so treat these as indicative and check current rates.
| Tool | Questions | Approx. price | Adaptive? | MLA-aligned? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PassMedicine | 11,000+ (finals/UKMLA) | ~£20–35 | Limited | Yes | Volume and peer familiarity |
| Quesmed | Large, multi-exam | from ~£14.99/mo | Adapts to performance | Yes | Multi-exam + OSCE/PSA |
| Pastest | Large | ~£50–100 (3–6 mo) | Analytics, not AI-adaptive | Yes | Explanation depth |
| PLABable | 5,000+ | Budget | Limited | PLAB-focused | Low-cost PLAB volume + community |
| UWorld | Large | Premium | Performance analytics | US-oriented | Reasoning (if translating US answers) |
| iatroX | Growing, mapped to MLA | £29/mo or £99/yr | AI-adaptive engine | Yes | A learning platform, not just a bank |
The alternatives in detail
PassMedicine — Best for volume and familiarity. The market-standard finals/UKMLA bank with 11,000+ SBAs plus a high-yield textbook, and PLAB Part 1 among its resources. Very affordable and widely recognised. One limitation: a fairly static model with limited adaptive targeting.
Quesmed — Best for multi-exam value. An app-first, all-in-one platform with notes, video and OSCE/CPSA material, covering PLAB, UKMLA, PSA and more on one subscription, with a learning mode that adapts to performance. One limitation: breadth across exams rather than PLAB-specific depth.
Pastest — Best for explanation depth. Explanations written by senior clinicians that teach the underlying reasoning, not just the answer — its key differentiator. One limitation: premium pricing and analytics rather than true AI-adaptivity.
PLABable — Best for budget PLAB volume. PLAB-specific, with a large question pool and an active community at a low price, popular with IMGs. One limitation: PLAB-focused, so less useful once you move to UK postgraduate exams.
UWorld — Best for reasoning practice. High-quality, reasoning-led explanations. One limitation: US-oriented content and answers, so UK candidates must translate some management to NICE/CKS norms.
iatroX — Best if you want a learning platform rather than a bank. AI-adaptive practice mapped to the MLA content map, a Socratic Tutor that works through reasoning before revealing the answer, and Ask iatroX for checking any answer against UK guidance (NICE, CKS, SIGN and the SmPC), with native iOS and Android apps and coverage that continues into MRCGP AKT, MSRA, PSA and more. £29/month or £99/year, with free sample questions. One limitation: a smaller question bank than PassMedicine or MedRevisions, and priced above the budget options.
How to choose by candidate type
- IMG on a short runway: a high-volume bank you can drill fast — PLABable or PassMedicine — plus an adaptive layer to find UK-specific gaps.
- UK finalist: PassMedicine for peer-standard coverage, or iatroX if you want adaptive practice plus clinical reference for placements.
- Budget-first: PassMedicine or PLABable.
- Career-minded: iatroX, which carries you from PLAB/UKMLA into postgraduate exams on one platform.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest MedRevisions alternative? PassMedicine and PLABable are the most budget-friendly UK options. MedRevisions itself is also low-cost (from around $10.99/month), so most candidates move for fit or features rather than price.
Which MedRevisions alternative is best for IMGs? PLABable and PassMedicine are popular for volume and familiarity; iatroX suits IMGs who want adaptive targeting of UK-specific gaps and a clinical reference tool to translate from their home guidelines.
Is there an alternative that also covers postgraduate exams? Yes. Quesmed and iatroX both extend beyond PLAB/UKMLA — iatroX continues into MRCGP AKT, MSRA, PSA and diploma exams, which avoids switching platforms later.
Do I need to switch banks at all? Not necessarily. If MedRevisions suits how you learn, staying is reasonable. Switch when a different tool genuinely fits your style or timeline better — not out of FOMO.