# The Makeup System vs Milady Exam Prep

The clearest difference is rating: Milady Exam Prep at 4.7 against The Makeup System's 1.7. Milady Exam Prep also leads on review sentiment (29% vs 0%) and ratings volume (1.5K vs 18). The Makeup System's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11). On price, update cadence, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Milady Exam Prep sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. The Makeup System asks for nothing beyond the download.

Milady Exam Prep holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 1.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Milady Exam Prep has 1.5K ratings behind it against 18, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of The Makeup System's written reviews are positive against 29% of Milady Exam Prep's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Makeup System | Milady Exam Prep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [1.7 (18 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-makeup-system/id1044721145/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.5K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/milady-exam-prep/id1596301665/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 18 | **1.5K** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **28.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 164 MB | 47 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Robinsage](https://appshunter.io/developer/734548137) | [Cengage Learning](https://appshunter.io/developer/371168145) |

## What reviewers say

### The Makeup System

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-makeup-system/id1044721145)

Create and design any makeup look with this digital face chart tool. Features include a vast color palette, various brushes and tools, and the ability to save and share your creations. Ideal for aspiring and professional makeup artists.

**Highlights:** Digital face chart creation, Extensive color palette, Multiple makeup brushes and tools, Layering and blending options, Save and email face chart collections, Video tutorials for application techniques

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Milady Exam Prep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/milady-exam-prep/id1596301665)

Prepare for your state board licensing exams with a comprehensive test prep tool. Covers a wide range of beauty and wellness professions to help you pass on your first attempt.

**Highlights:** State board exam preparation, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Barbering, Massage Therapy, Nail Technology, Student Instructor prep

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Massage 6th Edition | $35.95 | one-time |
| Professional Educator | $35.95 | one-time |
| Milady Advanced Services | $35.95 | one-time |
| Milady Standard Esthetics | $39.95 | one-time |
| Standard Nail Technology | $39.95 | one-time |
| Milady Standard Barbering | $39.95 | one-time |
| Cosmetology 14th Edition | $39.95 | one-time |
| Milady Advanced Services | $39.95 | one-time |
| Milady  Esthetics 3rd Edition | $39.95 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Really learn
- 💡 Milady exam prep
- 🚀 Great for nail tech theory
- 👍 A Great Study App
- 👍 Excellent and easy

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Disappointed with this app
- 👎 Great Material but THATS ALL
- 🐛 Purchasing
- 🐛 Slow and lacks easy navigation
- 🐛 This new update is bad

**Reported bugs**

- Purchasing
- Slow and lacks easy navigation
- This new update is bad
- Great material but layout needs a little tinkering
- Purchased courses randomly disappear

**Requested features**

- Like
- Great for studying but SO BUGGY


## Frequently asked questions

### Is The Makeup System free?

The Makeup System is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Milady Exam Prep free?

Milady Exam Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, The Makeup System or Milady Exam Prep?

Milady Exam Prep is rated higher. The Makeup System averages 1.7 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while Milady Exam Prep averages 4.7 from 1.5K ratings.

### Do The Makeup System or Milady Exam Prep have ads?

Neither The Makeup System nor Milady Exam Prep shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, The Makeup System or Milady Exam Prep?

The Makeup System ships an update every 4 months, and Milady Exam Prep every 4 months. Most recently, The Makeup System was updated on October 29, 2026 and Milady Exam Prep on October 30, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*