Compare Sketchy Medical vs Picmonic
Discover which is the more effective, more affordable med school study resource. Pass USMLE STEP & COMLEX, guaranteed.*
A Comparison of Picmonic vs Sketchy Medical
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Sketchy | |
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| For Medicine | Medical | |
| Price | ||
| Price | $180/year | $450/year |
| CONTENT | ||
| Videos / Topics | ||
| Videos / Topics | 2,000+ | 1300+ |
| Quiz Questions | ||
| Quiz Questions | 24,000+ | 10,800+ |
| Benefits | ||
| Avg. Video Length | ||
| Avg. Video Length | 2-3 mins | 10-30 mins |
| Definitions | ||
| Definitions |
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| Topic Summaries | ||
| Topic Summaries |
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| Daily Quiz with Spaced Repetition | ||
| Daily Quiz with Spaced Repetition |
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| Study Scheduler | ||
| Study Scheduler |
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| Custom Playlists | ||
| Custom Playlists |
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| Follow pg-by-pg w/ Popular Books | ||
| Follow pg-by-pg w/ Popular Books |
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| Real Images & Video | ||
| Real Images & Video |
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| Board Style Questions | ||
| Board Style Questions |
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| Flashcards | ||
| Flashcards |
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| Customize & Share Content | ||
| Customize & Share Content |
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| Study Guides / Workbooks | ||
| Study Guides / Workbooks |
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| Webinar Videos | ||
| Webinar Videos |
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| Academic Infographics | ||
| Academic Infographics |
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| Integrated with Other Study Aids | ||
| Integrated with Other Study Aids |
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| Anki Integration | ||
| Anki Integration |
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| Mobile Apps | ||
| Mobile Apps |
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| Validated by Published Research | ||
| Validated by Published Research |
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| Last Updated 03/2025 |
Which resource is best for medical students? And is Sketchy worth it? We compare both Picmonic and Sketchy Medical on a variety of factors including vastness of content, practice quizzes, study schedulers, academic infographics, integrations with other study aids and more!
With Picmonic, we’ve taken what the science shows – picture mnemonics work – and boosted their effectiveness by creating a research-proven visual learning system filled with mnemonic pictures, unforgettable stories, interactive videos and built-in quizzing guaranteed to boost your test scores by 50%.
Why Visual Learners Love Using Picmonic
10 Key Things SketchyMed Users Don’t Know about Picmonic
Whether you are studying for the USMLE STEP 1 or STEP 2 exams, COMLEX, or just trying to stay on top of what you need to know to be a successful med student, you might want to learn a little more about Picmonic’s high-yield visual mnemonic learning system.
Read more >
Picmonic or Sketchy? Here’s what you’re missing out on with Sketchy
This dilemma for future medical students comes time and time again; Picmonic or Sketchy? Is one better than the other? You can’t afford to fail, and as a student, you need to know if it’s worth your time and money.
Read more >
8 Reasons why Students Choose Picmonic over Sketchy Medical
Find out why med students choose Picmonic over Sketchy for their USMLE STEP 1 or STEP 2 prep, or COMLEX exam prep. Picmonic gives you MORE high-yield coverage of subjects, topics and facts, so you can enjoy better results.
Read more >
“I Would Not Have Passed Med School without Picmonic”
Dr. Marc Katz, the author of mykittykatz.com, shares his tips for succeeding in medical school and matching with the residency program you want.
View clip >
Why Do Mnemonics Work? It’s Science.
Wacky characters with word-play associations may seem like a silly way to remember important concepts, but the fact is that mnemonics work—it’s science.
Read more >
MedStudentTips.com: Sketchy vs Picmonic
Take a look at Picmonic vs. SketchyMedical to see how they compare as USMLE® Step study tools.
Take a look >Save up to $500 With Picmonic
For the most comprehensive and effective coverage of USMLE Step 1 & 2 topics, all you need is a single subscription to Picmonic for Medicine with access to more than 2,000 video mnemonics along with thousands of practice questions. You’ll find less video content with Sketchy, and it comes at a substantially higher price point than Picmonic—even two years of Picmonic is more affordable than one year of Sketchy.
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Sketchy |
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Picmonic for Medicine $180/year |
Sketchy for Medicine $450/year |
| Last Updated 03/2025 |
Why Picmonic Is Different
Picmonic is the only visual learning resource for STEP and COMLEX with powerful creator tools students can use to create the perfect study resource for them. Personalization isn’t something offered by other resources such as Sketchy Medical. Add facts, characters, images and videos. Customization also helps with retention, and can become an integral part of a robust study routine.
Nearly 2 Million Healthcare Students Served
Picmonic is the toolkit of choice for medical students who want to master hard-to-learn topics and retain what they study longer by harnessing the power of picture mnemonics and spaced repetition.
Sketchy Medical is missing many things you need to know. I turn to Picmonic for learning Biochemistry, vitamins, embryology, musculoskeletal system. The quiz feature is an added bonus that helps me retain what I’ve learned.
Wished I had used Picmonic for Micro because Sketchy Medical is missing many things you need to know, such as exotoxins and endotoxins, a drawing for Moraxella catarrhalis, a drawing for Haemophilus ducreyi, and more.
Personally, I used both for Pharm. At the end of it, I retained way more from Picmonic. They both have good comparisons, but given my attention span, seeing images that actually sound like our symptoms, vs seeing abstract made things confusing for me. So I stick with picmonics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SketchyMedical?
Sketchy Medical is a picture mnemonic visual resource that includes videos for Micro, Path and Pharm, Biochem, Internal Med, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, Surgery and is used as a study resource for Step 1 and Step 2.
Each 10-30 min video has someone drawing out a sketch that is telling a story. The story then relates to facts about a certain topic and uses word associations and visual cues to help students more easily remember those specific facts.
Is SketchyMedical worth it?
Sketchy Medical can be valuable for visual learners who benefit from mnemonic devices and are looking for detailed explanations of medical topics. Deciding if Sketchy is worth it ultimately depends on your learning style and budget.
How long is the Sketchy trial?
The Sketchy free trial period is 7 days. After which you’ll be asked to sign up for a paid subscription to Sketchy Medical.
Does Sketchy have a mobile study app?
What is the Sketchy Method?
According to the team at Sketchy, the Sketchy Method is based on an ancient Greek memory technique called the “Method of Loci.” This method exploits the power of spatial learning to connect memories with specific objects placed in an imagined physical space.
What is Picmonic?
Picmonic is a picture mnemonic visual resource that’s research proven to increase retention 331% and increase test scores 50%. With more than 2,000 videos Picmonic covers many of the hardest to remember, high-yield subjects, topics and facts frequently tested in classes and board exams. Each 2-3 min video provides a succinct review of high-yield facts for easier, faster and more effective review throughout medical school, and STEP 1 and 2.
Should I use Sketchy and Picmonic together?
Many medical students who already use Sketchy use Picmonic to cover the topics Sketchy doesn’t cover.
What does SketchyMedical cost?
Sketchy Medical offers various subscription plans, including options for 6, 12 and 24 months.
A 6 month subscription costs $349.99
A 12 month subscription costs $449.99
A 24 month subscription costs $649.99
Does Sketchy have an Anki Add-On?
No, Sketchy doesn’t have an Anki Add-On, but Picmonic offers an Anki Add-On.
Does Sketchy offer other products?
The entirety of the Sketchy product line includes Sketchy Medical, Sketchy PA, and Sketchy MCAT.
By the Numbers
Almost 2 million healthcare students have used Picmonic to ace exams and boards/certifications on their way to becoming successful professionals.
1.9M Students
100 Countries
80K High-Yield Facts
*Pass STEP/COMLEX, guaranteed. Start using Picmonic in your first year. If you do not pass we’ll hook you up with a full refund or double the length of your access free.
