# Ground School vs SWAC

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SWAC at none against Ground School's 12. SWAC also leads on iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). Ground School's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 20 months). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Ground School sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per month. SWAC asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ground School ships an update every 2 weeks, SWAC every 20 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Ground School | SWAC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ground-school/id1444387206/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.8K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 88.2% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 20 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 215 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **10.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [On The Flight Line Productions LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/328833131) | [WELA.ONLINE CORP.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1621972441) |

## What reviewers say

### Ground School

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

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:** 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


### SWAC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swac-sail/id1576146262)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Ground School free?

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

### Is SWAC free?

SWAC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Ground School or SWAC have ads?

Neither Ground School nor SWAC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Ground School or SWAC?

Ground School ships an update every 2 weeks, and SWAC every 20 months. Most recently, Ground School was updated on October 29, 2026 and SWAC 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.*