Comparison

Prepware Remote Pilot UAS vs IFSTA Driver/Operator 4

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Prepware Remote Pilot UAS

Prepare for the FAA Remote Pilot Knowledge Exam with this comprehensive study and test tool. It offers practice tests, detailed explanations, and covers all essential subjects for drone operation certification. Ideal for aspiring commercial drone pilots and existing aviation professionals.

Highlights
  • Practice tests with questions, answers, and explanations
  • Topical study by subject matter
  • Instructional text and illustrations
  • Covers Regulations, Airspace, Weather, Loading, and Operations
  • References for further study
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Comprehensive preparation, study and test tool for the Remote Pilot Initial (Unmanned Aircraft General - Small) FAA Knowledge Exam. Questions, answers and explanations included, for you to study with a true-to-form practice test. Operating a drone for non-hobby operations requires a Remote Pilot Certificate. Applicants must successfully complete the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Knowledge Exam to earn the Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) rating. This app is the key to test success. Rely on the time-tested and dependable ASA Prepware apps to prepare for your FAA Knowledge Exam. Test material is expertly organized into chapters based on subject matter and includes instructional text and illustrations, multiple-choice questions, answer stems, correct answers, explanations (for correct and incorrect answers), and references for further study. This topical study promotes understanding and aids recall to provide an efficient study guide. Subjects covered include Regulations, National Airspace System, Weather, Loading and Performance, and Operations. This app will be particularly helpful for drone operators interested in earning a Remote Pilot certificate, Remote Pilot Aircraft (RPA) applicants, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) training programs preparing applicants for FAA Knowledge exams, self-study applicants interested in learning more about commercial unmanned aircraft operations, and existing (manned aircraft) pilots interested in learning more about drone and unmanned aircraft operations who are sharing the National Airspace System. ASA’s Prepware Remote Pilot app is the best resource for successful test-taking and safe small UAS operations.

About

IFSTA Driver/Operator 4

This app provides training materials for fire service driver/operators, covering pumping and aerial apparatus. It includes exam preparation with over 700 questions, an audiobook of the entire manual, and free flashcards for key terms. Access to Chapter 1 is free for all features.

Highlights
  • Exam preparation with 700+ questions
  • Full audiobook narration
  • Offline access for audiobook
  • Flashcards for key terms
  • Progress tracking for exams
  • Free access to Chapter 1 content
Features
Read full description

The‬‭ Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook,‬‭ 4th‬ Edition‬‭ is designed to educate driver/operators who‬‭ are responsible for‬ operating apparatus equipped with fire pumps and/or aerial devices. The‬‭ information from the manual aids the driver/operator in meeting the job‬ performance requirements (JPRs) found in Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, and 17‬ of NFPA 1010,‬‭ Standard on Professional Qualifications‬‭ for Firefighters,‬‭ 2024 Edition‬‭ . This IFSTA App supports the content‬‭ provided in‬‭ Pumping‬‭ and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 4th Edition‬‭ ,‬Manual.‬ ‭Exam Prep:‬ ‭Over 700 IFSTA®-validated Exam Prep questions are available to confirm‬ your understanding of the content in the‬‭ Pumping and‬‭ Aerial Apparatus ‭ Driver/Operator Handbook, 4th Edition,‬‭ Manual. The‬‭ Exam Prep‬‭ covers all 21 chapters of the Manual. Exam Prep tracks and records your‬‭ progress, allowing you to review your exams and study your weaknesses.‬ In addition, your missed questions are automatically added to your study‬ deck. This feature requires an in-app purchase. All users have free access‬ to Chapter 1.‬ ‭ Audiobook:‬ ‭Purchase the‬‭ Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator‬‭ Handbook, 4th Edition,‬‭ Audiobook through this IFSTA‬‭ App. All 21‬‭ chapters are narrated in their entirety for 19 hours of content. Features‬‭ include offline access, bookmarks, and the ability to listen at your own‬‭ speed. This feature requires an in-app purchase. All users have free access‬‭ to Chapter 1.‬ ‭ Flashcards:‬ ‭Review all 440 key terms and definitions found in all 21 chapters between‬‭ Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 4th‬‭ Edition,‬‭ with Flashcards. Study selected chapters‬‭ or combine the deck‬ together. This feature is FREE for all users.‬ ‭ This app covers the following topics:‬ ‬‭ - General Apparatus Visual/Operational Checks‬ ‬‭ - Apparatus Safety and Driving Emergency Vehicles‬ ‬‭ - Positioning Pumping Apparatus‬ ‬‭ - Principles of Water‬ ‬‭ - Hose Nozzles and Flow Rates‬ ‬‭ - Theoretical Pressure Calculations‬ ‬‭ - Fireground Hydraulic Calculations‬ ‬‭ - Fire Pump Characteristics‬ ‬‭ - Pump Operations from Pressurized Sources‬ ‬‭ - Pump Operations from Static Water Supply‬ ‬‭ - Fireground Pump Operations‬ ‬‭ - Water Shuttle Operations‬ - ‬‭Foam Types and Systems‬ ‬‭ - Pumping Apparatus Testing‬ ‬‭ - Introduction to Aerial Fire Apparatus‬ ‬‭ - Positioning Aerial Apparatus‬ ‬‭ - Stabilizing the Aerial Apparatus‬ ‬‭ - Operating Aerial Apparatus‬ ‬‭ - Aerial Apparatus Strategies and Tactics‬ ‬‭ - Fire Service Knowledge and Skills for Driver/Operators‬ ‬‭- Fire Department Communications‬

Screenshots

Prepware Remote Pilot UAS4 screens
IFSTA Driver/Operator 44 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Prepware Remote Pilot UAS at 66% against IFSTA Driver/Operator 4's 11%. Prepware Remote Pilot UAS also leads on rating (4.2 vs 2.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). IFSTA Driver/Operator 4's advantage is price (Free vs $4.99) and update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

IFSTA Driver/Operator 4 is free to download; Prepware Remote Pilot UAS costs $4.99 up front. IFSTA Driver/Operator 4 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Prepware Remote Pilot UAS asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Prepware Remote Pilot UAS holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 2.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Prepware Remote Pilot UAS has 102 ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of Prepware Remote Pilot UAS's written reviews are positive against 11% of IFSTA Driver/Operator 4's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Prepware Remote Pilot UAS ships an update every 4 months, IFSTA Driver/Operator 4 monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Prepware Remote Pilot UAS versus IFSTA Driver/Operator 4: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrepware Remote Pilot UASIFSTA Driver/Operator 4
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (102 ratings) — better2.0 (11 ratings)
Positive reviews65.6% of reviews — better11.1% of reviews
Number of ratings102 — better11
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#15 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB107 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperASAIFSTA

Customer experience

Prepware Remote Pilot UAS

All ratings102 ratings
Positive76.5%
Neutral8.8%
Negative14.7%
Written reviews64 reviews
Positive65.6%
Neutral17.2%
Negative17.2%

IFSTA Driver/Operator 4

All ratings11 ratings
Positive18.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative81.8%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive11.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative88.9%

Bugs and requests

Prepware Remote Pilot UAS

Reported bugs

31 issues
  • Question #1141 has incorrect answer/explanation
  • Questions are impossible to grade correctly
  • App shows remote pilot questions mixed with actual pilot exam questions
  • Suddenly showing TSA and runway sign questions
  • Legends are not included in figures
Show 26 more
  • No legends for maps
  • Map figures not matched with correct maps in questions
  • Questions need to be updated
  • App not up to date for 2021
  • Review Missed feature needed
  • If you miss a question, then select the right one, it counts it as a correct answer
  • Needs to be updated for new regulations
  • Needs to be a little closer to sUAS operations as opposed to fixed wing
  • Some sections have limited study questions, while another has none at all
  • Words to the question and answers have turned the color of the grey background
  • Cannot save a record of recent or prior exams
  • Accidentally closing app loses progress and ability to review incorrect answers
  • Questions need to be updated
  • Mix of test questions needs to be much heavier on sectional chart knowledge
  • Many questions on real test never came up in app
  • There are questions with no correct answers
  • Answer provided is for manned aircraft, not sUAS
  • The real test was a breeze compared to app tests
  • The Blue Angels question answer may be wrong
  • Manned aircraft questions mixed in with sUAS
  • No way to see how you did on previous exams
  • Explanations are not very good, often just a simple sentence restating the question
  • No way to help you learn the material
  • Mix up the order of possible answers
  • Too many manned aircraft questions
  • Answer and explanation are different

Requested features

11 requests
  • Add legends to figures
  • Allow practice on fewer questions
  • Include flashcards or study materials
  • Add a 'Review Missed' feature
  • Update questions for current regulations
Show 6 more
  • Improve explanations for missed answers
  • Fix grading errors in questions
  • Allow saving of test results and scores
  • Ensure questions are relevant to sUAS operations
  • Provide more sectional chart questions
  • Fix display issues with question text color

IFSTA Driver/Operator 4

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Prepware Remote Pilot UAS

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

IFSTA Driver/Operator 4

One-time2
  • IFSTA Driver/Operator 4$14.99
  • IFSTA Driver/Operator 4$29.99

Questions

Is Prepware Remote Pilot UAS free?
Prepware Remote Pilot UAS costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is IFSTA Driver/Operator 4 free?
IFSTA Driver/Operator 4 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Prepware Remote Pilot UAS or IFSTA Driver/Operator 4?
Prepware Remote Pilot UAS is rated higher. Prepware Remote Pilot UAS averages 4.2 out of 5 from 102 ratings, while IFSTA Driver/Operator 4 averages 2.0 from 11 ratings.
Do Prepware Remote Pilot UAS or IFSTA Driver/Operator 4 have ads?
Neither Prepware Remote Pilot UAS nor IFSTA Driver/Operator 4 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Prepware Remote Pilot UAS or IFSTA Driver/Operator 4?
Prepware Remote Pilot UAS ships an update every 4 months, and IFSTA Driver/Operator 4 monthly. Most recently, Prepware Remote Pilot UAS was updated on September 25, 2026 and IFSTA Driver/Operator 4 on September 20, 2026.

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