# Ground School vs Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA)

The clearest difference is rating: Ground School at 4.9 against Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA)'s 4.3. Ground School also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs every 6 weeks) and ratings volume (1.7K vs 23). Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA)'s advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Ground School sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per month and Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA) sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Ground School holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ground School has 1.7K ratings behind it against 23, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Ground School's written reviews are positive against 86% of Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA)'s.

Ground School ships an update every 8 days, Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA) every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and August 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ground School | Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ground-school/id1444387206/reviews)** | [4.3 (23 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-test-prep-faa/id1508324021/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **1.7K** | 23 |
| Positive reviews | **88.1% of reviews** | 85.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 8 days** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 212 MB | 40 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [On The Flight Line Productions LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/328833131) | [Educational apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1771484656) |

## What reviewers say

### Ground School

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ground-school/id1444387206)

Prepare for your FAA written test and become a safer pilot with this comprehensive training app. It combines expert instruction, engaging videos, and interactive practice tests to ensure you gain the knowledge needed to fly your best.

**Highlights:** Expert FAA flight instructor knowledge, Engaging educational videos, Pilot perspective flight footage, Over 1,000 practice test questions, CG animations for concept illustration, Pilot Proficiency dashboard, FAA Knowledge Test endorsement

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All-Access – Monthly Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| All-Access – Monthly Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| All-Access – Monthly Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| All-Access – 3-Month Plan | $149.99 | per 3 months |
| All-Access – 3-Month Plan | $149.99 | per 3 months |
| All-Access – 3-Month Plan (Sale) | $149.99 | per 3 months |
| All-Access – Annual Plan | $299.99 | per year |
| All-Access – Annual Plan | $299.99 | per year |
| All Access – Annual Plan (Sale) | $299.99 | per year |
| All-Access – Annual Plan | $299.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $299.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent ground school app
- 👍 Comprehensive and well-presented content
- 🎓 Helpful for passing written exams
- 👍 Great for both new and experienced pilots
- 🎓 Useful for CFIs to stay sharp

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Syncing issues between devices
- 🔍 Lack of desktop version
- 🔍 Limited flashcard and spaced-repetition features
- 🔍 Need for more interactive chart/sectional practice
- 🐛 Some questions have outdated or incorrect answers

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues between iPhone and iPad
- Some questions have incorrect or outdated answers

**Requested features**

- Desktop version of the app
- More robust flashcard and spaced-repetition system
- Deeper interactive practice with sectional charts
- Expansion to commercial and ATP levels


### Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-test-prep-faa/id1508324021)

Prepare for your private pilot written exam with comprehensive study materials and practice tests. This app offers detailed explanations, customizable practice modes, and realistic exam simulations to help you master FAA subjects. Track your progress and identify areas for improvement to ensure you pass.

**Highlights:** Comprehensive FAA subject coverage, Detailed explanations and solution algorithms, Customizable practice tests, Realistic exam simulation mode, Performance reports and mistake analysis, Offline access

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

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Version (1 week) | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Version | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium Version (3 months) | $11.99 | per 3 months |
| Premium Version (1 month) | $11.99 | per month |
| Premium Version (1 month) | $14.99 | per month |
| Premium Version (2 months) | $15.99 | per 2 months |
| Premium Version (6 months) | $23.99 | per 6 months |
| Premium Version (12 months) | $23.99 | per year |
| Premium Version (12 months) | $35.99 | per year |
| 1 year premium premium access | $99.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ground School free?

Ground School is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA) free?

Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Ground School or Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA)?

Ground School is rated higher. Ground School averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA) averages 4.3 from 23 ratings.

### Do Ground School or Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA) have ads?

Neither Ground School nor Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA) shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ground School or Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA)?

Ground School ships an update every 8 days, and Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA) every 6 weeks. Most recently, Ground School was updated on September 29, 2026 and Private Pilot Test Prep (FAA) on August 18, 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.*