TL;DR: Key Takeaways
- No mole check app is officially 'NHS-approved' — that scheme was retired in 2021
- Look for UKCA Class I (or CE Class I) marking — it means the MHRA regulates the tool as a medical device
- ScanSkinAI: UK-built, UKCA Class I, ISO 27001/13485, free first scan
- SkinVision: Dutch, CE-marked, paid subscription (£40+/year), well-established
- Miiskin: photo-based monitoring, paid premium tier for AI features
What 'NHS-Approved' Actually Means
Search "NHS approved mole checker" and you'll find dozens of articles claiming various apps have NHS endorsement. Almost none of these claims are accurate. The NHS Apps Library — which used to vet health apps — was quietly retired in 2021. There is currently no centralised NHS approval scheme for mole-checking apps.
What does exist, and what actually matters, is UK medical device regulation. Apps that make screening or triage claims must be registered with the MHRA and carry UKCA marking (or CE marking, accepted in the UK until further notice). This is the legitimate quality signal for British users.
The Comparison: 4 Mole Check Apps for UK Users in 2026
1. ScanSkinAI (UK-built, UKCA Class I)
Built in the UK by a clinical team, UKCA Class I certified, ISO 27001 and ISO 13485 compliant. Free first scan with no card required. Uses a DINOv2-based vision model validated across Fitzpatrick skin types I–VI. Provides triage advice mapped to NHS pathways (self-care, GP, 2-week-wait suggestion, urgent care) and stores history for monthly comparison.
- Pricing: Free first scan; £15.99/3 months unlimited
- Best for: UK users wanting NHS-pathway-aware triage and free entry
- Limitations: Newer brand than SkinVision, no in-clinic dermatologist add-on
2. SkinVision (Netherlands, CE Class IIa)
One of the longest-established mole apps, Dutch-built, CE Class IIa marked. Subscription-only — typically £40–£60/year. Strong reputation, established research base, but no free tier and no specific NHS pathway integration.
- Pricing: ~£40/year, no free tier
- Best for: Users who want a long-track-record paid product
- Limitations: No free option, generic global content rather than UK-specific
3. Miiskin (Denmark)
Originally a manual photo-comparison app that has added AI features behind a paid premium tier. Strong photo-mapping UI for tracking many moles over time. Free version is essentially a photo album; AI features cost.
- Pricing: Free basic; ~£8/month premium
- Best for: Users with many moles wanting visual tracking
- Limitations: AI capability is paywalled; less clinical-grade reporting
4. First Derm (Sweden)
Not strictly an AI app — a dermatologist-review service where you upload photos and get a written reply within hours. Pay-per-consult (~£25–£40 per case). Useful as a private dermatology shortcut, but no automated screening.
- Pricing: ~£25–£40 per consultation
- Best for: One-off second opinion from a real dermatologist
- Limitations: Not a screening tool, no monitoring, costs add up quickly
Try the free UKCA-certified option
ScanSkinAI is built in the UK, regulated by the MHRA, and free for your first scan.
What to Check Before Trusting Any Mole App
- UKCA or CE marking displayed on the website (not just 'AI-powered')
- MHRA registration number listed in legal/about pages
- ISO 27001 (data security) and ideally ISO 13485 (medical device QMS)
- Clear statement about how images are stored and whether they're used for training
- Validation across Fitzpatrick skin types — not just lighter skin
- Triage output that points you to a healthcare professional, not a self-diagnosis
How AI Apps Complement the NHS
The honest framing: AI mole apps don't replace your GP, and they don't replace the NHS 2-week-wait pathway. What they do is help you decide whether to use those NHS resources, and give you a documented baseline so changes are easier to spot. With routine NHS dermatology waits stretching to 12+ months in many trusts, having a free objective check at home is a meaningful addition. See our NHS pathway guide for how this fits the full journey, the wider UK skin cancer picture for context, and our AI vs dermatologist comparison for how the two compare on accuracy.
If you want a starting point for using any of these apps well, our monthly self-exam guide walks through the 15-minute routine — apps work best as the screening layer on top of that habit. For the symptoms checklist UK GPs use, see our breakdown of skin cancer symptoms on the NHS.