Dr Kola Tytler (MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGP)|21 April 2026|6 min read
The UKMLA resource market is now well-established. Eight platforms compete for medical students' revision time and budget, ranging from free Anki decks to premium all-in-one subscriptions. This guide compares them all.
The Eight Platforms
PassMedicine — Volume Leader
PassMedicine: 11,000+ SBA questions for UKMLA and finals. Includes OSCE and PSA resources. Knowledge Tutor textbook. Community comment threads. Very affordable (~£20–35). The largest bank and the most established platform. If you can only pick one paid resource, this is the safe choice.
Quesmed — Best All-in-One
Quesmed: UKMLA module alongside MRCP, MSRA, and UCAT. Integrated knowledge library with notes linked to questions. OSCE mark schemes with progress tracking. Spaced repetition daily feeds. Polished mobile app with offline support. From ~£14.99/month. Best for students who want one subscription covering AKT, OSCE, and postgraduate exams.
iatroX — Best Free Adaptive
iatroX: free UKMLA Q-bank with AI-adaptive learning and spaced repetition. 430-condition UKMLA Academy mapped to the 2026 GMC MLA Content Map. Integrated clinical AI for instant guideline lookup. Clinical calculators. Native iOS and Android apps. UKCA-marked, MHRA-registered. Also covers PLAB, MRCP, MSRA, AKT, and MRCEM for free. Best for students who want free adaptive revision or who need multi-exam coverage without paying.
BMJ OnExamination — Potentially Free via University/Trust
BMJ OnExamination: expert-written UKMLA module. Mobile app. Performance tracking. The key advantage is access: many universities and NHS Trusts provide free BMJ OnExamination subscriptions through their library programmes. Always check institutional access before purchasing.
MedRevisions — Strongest for IMGs
MedRevisions: 5,400+ questions aligned to MLA Content Map. Trusted by 30,000+ doctors. Gemini-powered AI tutor. 28+ mock exams. Originally PLAB-focused, now fully UKMLA-aligned. Strongest brand recognition among IMGs.
iMedics — Free Tier Available
iMedics: free UKMLA tier with limited questions. Paid packages available. Also covers UCAT, UKFPO, PLAB, MRCP, and more. Video and podcast content alongside Q-banks. Best for students who want to try before buying or who also need UCAT coverage.
UKMLA Question Bank — Niche Dedicated Platform
UKMLA Question Bank: exclusively UKMLA-focused. Study guides and IMG-specific guidance. A smaller, newer platform competing on niche UKMLA search terms.
Spranki — Best Free Anki Deck
Spranki: free UKMLA-specific Anki deck. Download and start immediately. Leverages Anki's proven SM-2 spaced repetition algorithm. Best for students already embedded in the Anki ecosystem who want a UKMLA supplement. Note: flashcards test recall, not exam-style clinical reasoning — use alongside a Q-bank, not instead of one.
Free vs Paid Analysis
The free options (iatroX, iMedics free tier, Spranki, potentially BMJ OnExamination via institution) provide a credible foundation. iatroX is the strongest free option because it offers AI-adaptive question selection, a 430-condition Academy, clinical AI tools, and native apps — not just a limited free tier. However, PassMedicine's 11,000+ questions and community features provide genuine additional value that free resources do not replicate.
The optimal approach for most students: start with iatroX (free, adaptive) to build a baseline and identify weak areas. Add PassMedicine or Quesmed (paid) for volume and comprehensive coverage. Use Spranki for flashcard-based fact memorisation alongside Q-bank practice.
Choosing Based on Your Needs
If you are a UK medical student with budget: PassMedicine + iatroX (free adaptive supplement).
If you are a UK medical student without budget: iatroX (free) + Spranki (free) + BMJ OnExamination (check university access).
If you are an IMG preparing for PLAB/UKMLA: MedRevisions or iatroX (free). Both cover PLAB and UKMLA.
If you want one subscription for everything (AKT + OSCE + MRCP): Quesmed.
If you want free adaptive revision with clinical AI tools: iatroX.
Information based on public sources as of 21 April 2026. Trademarks belong to their owners.