GP Notebook vs iatroX (2025): Traditional Online Encyclopaedia vs. AI Assistant
At a Glance
Who is it for?
iatroX:Clinicians & Students (for Q&A and Quizzes)
GP Notebook:GPs & Primary Care Clinicians (for 'lookup')
Why choose iatroX?
- **Completely free**
- **AI-powered natural language Q&A**
- Provides direct, cited answers, not just topic pages
- Integrated Quiz, Brainstorm, and CPD modules
- UKCA-marked medical device
Why choose GP Notebook?
- Long-standing, trusted brand in UK primary care
- Vast, encyclopedic database of short articles
- Good for quick 'lookup' of conditions or terms
- Some integration with primary care systems
Feature Comparison
| Capability | iatroX | GP Notebook |
|---|---|---|
| Price | **Free** | Paid Subscription (often via institution) |
| Core Function | - | Online Encyclopaedia / Database |
| Workflow | Query -> Answer | Search -> Topic Page -> Read |
| U K Focus | UK-centric (NICE, CKS, BNF) | UK-centric (Primary Care) |
| A I Integration | **Yes** | No (Primarily a static database) |
In-Depth Analysis
Overview
GP Notebook is a long-standing and trusted online encyclopaedia for UK general practice. It operates on a subscription model (though often provided by institutions) and provides a massive database of short, linked articles on clinical topics.
iatroX is a free, modern, AI-powered assistant. Instead of a static library, it provides a dynamic Q&A engine to answer specific, natural-language questions using UK guidelines. It also integrates this with a Quiz bank and CPD tool.
When To Use Each
- Use GP Notebook when: You want to 'look up' a topic, condition, or acronym in a traditional A-Z encyclopaedia format. It's a digital textbook.
- Use iatroX when: You have a specific question and want a direct answer, not a topic page. Use it for contextual queries, exam prep, or case brainstorming.
In-Depth Comparison: The Workflow
The workflow difference is the most significant.
- GP Notebook: Search 'Asthma' -> Click 'Asthma Management' page -> Read page to find step-up plan.
- iatroX: Ask 'What is the step-up plan for asthma?' -> Receive a direct, synthesized answer with citations.
iatroX is designed to eliminate the "search and find" steps, providing the answer directly. Furthermore, iatroX is a UKCA-marked medical device built for clinical Q&A, whereas GP Notebook is an information publisher.
Public information as of 4 Nov 2025. Trademarks belong to their owners.
Use-Cases
Quick Guideline Query
When to choose iatroX
- **Recommended.** 'First-line for CAP per NICE?' -> Direct Answer
When to choose GP Notebook
- Search 'CAP' -> Click 'CAP' page -> Read 'Management' section
Finding a Specific Fact
When to choose iatroX
- 'What is the CRB-65 score?' -> Direct Answer
When to choose GP Notebook
- **Recommended.** Search 'CRB-65' -> Get quick definition page
Exam Prep
When to choose iatroX
- **Recommended.** 'Quiz' module is integrated.
When to choose GP Notebook
- N/A (Not a Q-Bank).
FAQs
- Is GP Notebook free?
- No, it is a paid subscription service, though access is often provided by GP practices, federations, or CCGs/ICBs.
- Is iatroX free?
- Yes, iatroX is completely free for all individual clinicians and students.
- Is GP Notebook a Q-bank?
- No, it is an information reference, similar to an online textbook. It does not have an integrated MCQ bank.