Comparison

Ground School vs Private Pilot FAA test prep

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

Head to head
About

Ground School

This app provides comprehensive FAA test preparation for aspiring pilots. It combines expert instruction with engaging videos, CG animations, and practice tests to ensure users pass their written exams and become safer pilots.

Highlights
  • Expert FAA flight instructor knowledge
  • Engaging video demonstrations
  • Cutting-edge CG animations
  • Over 1,000 practice questions
  • Pilot Perspective filming
  • Pilot Proficiency dashboard
  • FAA Knowledge Test endorsement
Features
Read full description

Featuring expert knowledge from an award-winning FAA flight instructor, Ground School will teach budding pilots everything they need to know for their FAA written test and beyond. By combining years of teaching know-how with cutting edge CG animation, informative video demonstrations, and more, Ground School is more than an app that teaches you how to fly — its gives you the knowledge you need to Fly Your Best, whether you're a complete novice or more experienced pilot. By following this FAA pilot knowledge course, you'll learn much more than is needed to pass an FAA written test. In fact, we guarantee you will pass that test and go on to be a better, safer pilot, too. Ground School users can look forward to: ・ Engaging videos that show you the things you need to know, perfect for visual learners. ・ Get the Pilot Perspective — Every video is filmed as if you are the one flying so there are no surprises when you're in the cockpit. ・ More than 1,000 questions that form unlimited practice tests so you know exactly what to expect when taking your FAA exam. ・ Cutting edge CG animations that help illustrate concepts that will help you understand the material in front of you. ・ The Pilot Proficiency dashboard that distills all of your interactions with Ground School into a single screen showing areas where you are strong as well as others that need work. ・ Get your endorsement to take the FAA Knowledge Test directly within Ground School. ・ And much more! Ground School is in active development and is always improving to give you the very best shot at not only passing exams, but being safe in the skies, too. Terms of Service: https://www.learnthefinerpoints.com/ground-school/tos Privacy Policy: https://www.learnthefinerpoints.com/ground-school/privacy

About

Private Pilot FAA test prep

Prepare for your private pilot written exam with a comprehensive question bank and realistic exam simulations. This ad-free application allows you to mark and review your favorite questions, ensuring you cover all necessary topics for the 2026 PPL training exam.

Highlights
  • Comprehensive Q&A
  • Access to all question blocks
  • Realistic exam simulation
  • Mark and review favorites
  • Ad-free experience
Features
Read full description

Features: - Comprehensive Q&A for all topics - Access to all question blocks - Realistic exam mode simulation - Mark and review your favorites - Completely ad-free experience

Screenshots

Ground School4 screens
Private Pilot FAA test prep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Ground School at every 2 weeks against Private Pilot FAA test prep's every 4 months. Ground School also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 58%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

Both are free to download. Ground School sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per month and Private Pilot FAA test prep sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Ground School holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ground School has 1.8K ratings behind it against 66, 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 58% of Private Pilot FAA test prep's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Ground School ships an update every 2 weeks, Private Pilot FAA test prep every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Ground School versus Private Pilot FAA test prep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGround SchoolPrivate Pilot FAA test prep
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (1.8K ratings) — better4.6 (66 ratings)
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews — better58.3% of reviews
Number of ratings1.8K — better66
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size215 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOn The Flight Line Productions LLCDanila Danilenko

Customer experience

Ground School

All ratings1,764 ratings
Positive97.6%
Neutral1.4%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews136 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral5.1%
Negative6.6%

Private Pilot FAA test prep

All ratings66 ratings
Positive89.4%
Neutral4.5%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive58.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

Ground School

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

4 requests
  • 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 FAA test prep

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Ground School

Subscriptions9
  • All-Access – Monthly Plan2 variants$49.991 Month
  • All-Access – Monthly Plan3 Days trial$49.991 Month
  • All-Access – Monthly Plan14 Days trial$49.991 Month
Show 6 more
  • All-Access – 3-Month Plan3 Days trial$149.993 Months
  • All-Access – 3-Month Plan (Sale)3 Days trial$149.993 Months
  • All-Access – Annual Plan$299.991 Year
  • All-Access – Annual Plan3 Days trial$299.991 Year
  • All Access – Annual Plan (Sale)3 Days trial$299.991 Year
  • All-Access – Annual Plan14 Days trial$299.991 Year
1 purchases

Private Pilot FAA test prep

One-time1
  • Full access$16.99

Questions

Is Ground School free?
Ground School is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Private Pilot FAA test prep free?
Private Pilot FAA test prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Ground School or Private Pilot FAA test prep?
Ground School is rated higher. Ground School averages 4.9 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while Private Pilot FAA test prep averages 4.6 from 66 ratings.
Do Ground School or Private Pilot FAA test prep have ads?
Neither Ground School nor Private Pilot FAA test prep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Ground School or Private Pilot FAA test prep?
Ground School ships an update every 2 weeks, and Private Pilot FAA test prep every 4 months. Most recently, Ground School was updated on November 6, 2026 and Private Pilot FAA test prep on November 3, 2026.

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