FPNotebook and GPnotebook are different services with similar names. FPNotebook offers a freely accessible outline-style reference on the web, with subscription-supported mobile apps. GPnotebook combines linked clinical pages with AI Answers and education, with additional tracking and learning features in Pro. For UK clinicians, the first useful distinction is the context of the information you need.
This iatroX-published comparison uses official product information checked on 10 November 2026. The selection example is fictional; it is not a report of comparative clinical testing.
Start with the actual reference you mean
Family Practice Notebook, usually shortened to FPNotebook, states that its desktop and mobile websites contain the same content as its iOS and Android apps. The web versions remain free. Its editorial and subscription explanation describes a single practising physician author and app subscriptions supporting development and maintenance.
GPnotebook's UK site offers topic pages, podcasts, video, education and AI Answers. For a UK question, inspect the UK edition and the references attached to the relevant page.
Neither name establishes that an entry supplies your local pathway. An outline that explains a condition and a recommendation governing a particular service answer different parts of the job.
Compare the work each format supports
| Your priority | FPNotebook | GPnotebook | iatroX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browse a concise reference | Outline-style topic pages | Linked clinical pages | Evidence-linked clinical and medicines guides |
| Ask a focused question | Search and read the relevant entry | AI Answers alongside page search | Free Ask iatroX for UK-focused clinical questions |
| Use a free mobile website | Explicitly available with the app content | Check current site and account access | Ask is available through the web |
| Choose a mobile app subscription | A separate decision from the free website | Check the current product offer | Choose reference or learning by the task |
| Develop a learning record | Plan how you will record what you learn | Pro offers activity tracking, notes and exports | Question-led CPD with Tutor and a reviewed record |
This table describes product roles, not a ranking of clinical accuracy. For phone reading, assess FPNotebook's free mobile website before deciding whether its app adds value.
Page reading, AI Answers and recorded learning
The clearest way to assess a reference is to take one real type of question you encounter regularly. Can you find the appropriate population? Is the recommendation's source visible? Does the entry's date fit a time-sensitive question? Could you explain how the answer applies to your setting?
GPnotebook already includes AI Answers. A comparison based on “traditional pages versus AI” would miss the current product. Its Pro information also describes tracked reading and media activity, reflective notes and PDF CPD reports. Examine those features if saved learning activity is a reason you subscribe.
FPNotebook's outline format can be attractive when you want to scan the structure of a topic. Inspect the particular page and its linked material rather than assuming every entry has the same review date. A familiar layout is useful when it helps you find the qualification that changes your interpretation.
Where iatroX adds a useful learning sequence
Ask iatroX gives UK clinicians a free route from a focused question to an answer with supporting references. It is a strong fit when you know the uncertainty you want to resolve: for example, which clinical feature changes an investigation choice or which source addresses a particular population. Follow the relevant link and use the answer to organise your reading.
The next benefit is turning a recurring uncertainty into practice. Through iatroX CPD, a targeted question session can lead into Tutor discussion, a personalised reflection for your review and an exportable record. That gives a reference lookup a practical next step: identify the distinction you missed, explain it and record what you will do differently.
For revision, choose your supported pathway through the exam catalogue. The clinical Ask context is UK-focused; an international examination bank is selected separately. Start with one relevant question or learning session rather than buying a subscription simply to collect another searchable library.
A fictional choice during a GP placement
Imagine a trainee who already uses FPNotebook to build a quick outline before teaching. They now want help with UK consultation questions and a learning record for supervision. Their problem is not that every existing note needs replacing.
They could keep the free FPNotebook website for the overview, examine GPnotebook's UK pages for the linked clinical context and use Ask to formulate a focused UK reference question. For a local referral decision, they would open the applicable local pathway. For a repeatedly misunderstood concept, they could choose a targeted iatroX learning session and explain the reasoning to Tutor.
At the end of the week, the useful comparison is concrete: which resource supplied the overview, which source established the applicable recommendation and which activity improved the trainee's explanation? If only one of those jobs needs a paid feature, assess that feature directly.
Frequently asked questions
Are FPNotebook and GPnotebook the same company or reference?
They are separate services. Their similar names should not be used as evidence of shared content, editorial processes or subscription access.
Do I need an FPNotebook app subscription to read its content?
FPNotebook says its free desktop and mobile websites contain the same content as its apps. The app subscription supports the app experience and maintenance; check the current app terms before purchasing.
Does GPnotebook offer AI answers?
Yes. Its current UK service includes AI Answers as well as ordinary topic pages. Compare the supporting content and access rules, alongside the interface.
When should I choose iatroX?
Choose iatroX when a focused UK reference question and a connected route into explanation, practice or recorded learning are your priorities. Ask a question, then select a learning activity that addresses the gap you find.