Comparison

Interplay Learning vs Lineman's Reference

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

Head to head
About

Interplay Learning

This platform offers subscription-based training for skilled trades, creating job-ready workers and upskilling existing ones. Access hundreds of hours of expert-led content in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and more, with on-demand assessments to track progress.

Highlights
  • Expert-led training content
  • On-demand assessments
  • Certification exam prep
  • Bite-sized training videos
  • Progress tracking
  • Anytime, anywhere access
Features
Read full description

Interplay Learning’s career development platform (formerly SkillMill) is a subscription-based solution that delivers always-on training, creating job-ready skilled trades workers and upskilling tenured workers faster and easier than ever before. Access hundreds of hours of expert-led training content in HVAC, Solar, Plumbing, Electric and Facilities Maintenance (and more). Plus, utilize on-demand assessments and knowledge checks to gauge team skills and identify key areas for improvement. With Interplay, you can: Expand knowledge and skills through training that can be accessed anytime, anywhere Learn directly from industry experts who understand what top technicians need to know Prep for EPA 608 and NATE certification exams or retain certification with approved CEU hours Master industry relevant skills quicker and more efficiently So that you’ll be able to: Take the next step in your trades career Develop skills and credentials Retain critical knowledge necessary to do your job safely and correctly With the Interplay Mobile App You Get: Bite-sized training videos for on-the-go learning On-demand quizzes and assessments to test your knowledge and find gaps The ability to pick up where you left off Just-in-time information when you need it the most Optimize your experience on a tablet, laptop or desktop Popular Courses Include: HVAC: Heat Pump Troubleshooting, Introduction to Rooftop Units, AC System Tools, Trades Math Electrical: How to Use a Multimeter, Fundamental Electrical Concepts, Introduction to Fire Alarms, Electrically Safe to Work Procedures Plumbing: Copper Pipe Joining Methods Lab, Principles of Backflow, Drain Cleaning Intro and Equipment Types Appliances:Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting, Refrigerator Troubleshooting, Ranges Overview Safety: Lockout/Tagout, Bloodborne Pathogens, Ladder and Fall Safety, Distracted Driving Solar: Solar Module Design, Mechanical Commissioning, Reading Schematics and Drawings Get to Know Us: https://www.interplaylearning.com

About

Lineman's Reference

This interactive simulator allows users to study and learn transformer connections. Test your wiring with various meters, and experience consequences of improper connections. Includes reference diagrams, informational material, and a quiz mode to test knowledge.

Highlights
  • Transformer connection simulation
  • Volt, ohm, and rotation meters
  • Abnormal voltage and fuse explosion simulation
  • Transformer nameplate and coil inspection
  • Quick reference diagrams
  • Informational reading material
  • Quiz and advanced quiz modes
Features
Read full description

Learn it. Wire it. Energize it. Check your work. Built by a working journeyman lineman for linemen and their apprentices. The XFMR Lab simulates distribution transformer banks driven by your own wiring — the metering, fusing, and faulting all behave the way you'd expect in the field. NEW IN 2.0 — BUILT-IN TRANSFORMER TRAINING (Replacing XFMR INFO) Six guided lessons take you from "what's a transformer?" to wiring a 3-pot bank: • Start Here — What is a Transformer? • Dual H Bushings — The Two Wirings & the Nameplate • The Tap Changer — One Pot, Multiple System Voltages • Three-Phase — The Three Phases and How They're Related • Bank Identification — Delta or Wye, Open or Closed • Your First Bank: Delta-Wye Closed (120/208) • More lessons on the way! Work the lessons in order, or jump straight to the labs. ALSO NEW IN 2.0 • The Sandbox (Beta) — wire anything from scratch in a COMPLETELY-customizable lab, with live, vector-based voltage and fault logic baked in. • Death Traps — scenario-based transformer traps linemen run into — and how to navigate them safely. • A brand-new look across every lab — new graphics, sharper, faster, & easier to read in the field. • Voltmeter you can now drag with two fingers; readings update as the leads move. • Parallel the secondary coils by hand in wye secondary labs • Stats that track lab completions, quiz scoring and for-fun stuff like the number of fuses you've blown. • User Customizations - the user can now alter the spec of their labs; from grounding to parallel coil cutover-direction, requiring the 4th cutout, tap changer implementation and more. • 2.0 is FREE for everyone who already owns XFMR Lab — thank you for years of feedback and encouragement. WHAT YOU GET Single Phase — Single Bushing · Dual Bushing Three Phase (closed) — Delta-Delta · Delta-Wye · Wye-Delta · Wye-Wye Three Phase (open) — Open Delta-Delta · Open Wye-Delta Misc — Paralleling · 4th Cutout · Death Traps (6 Scenarios) Advanced — Straight 480 · 240/480 · 277/480 · Corner-Grounded 240/480 · Wye-Wye 5-Wire (120/240 + 120/208) - all now able to be wired up Wye AND Delta on the topside The Sandbox (Beta) EVERY FUTURE UPDATE IS FREE - THE APP IS A ONE-TIME PURCHASE. I'm always working on new updates. TOOLS & REFERENCE • Volt, ohm and rotation meters with real behavior • Nameplate, secondary coil and tap changer animations • Reference diagrams for every standard bank Learning Mode walks apprentices through every wrong-connection check. Journeymen and experienced users can keep this turned off if they'd like. QUIZZES • Classic Quiz — Select each lab you want in your quiz - with graded scoring across each lab. • Advanced Quiz — You're provided with the job-site info and need to pick the right nameplate and coil setup, then wire it. • Bank ID - A beginner's quiz tied into the new XFMR Training lesson plan. The user is provided with different primary and secondary wirings and must correctly identify them. Used by 30,000+ linemen since 2021. Questions? Suggestions? Reach me at info@digitalapprentice.net

Screenshots

Interplay Learning4 screens
Lineman's Reference4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Interplay Learning at Free against Lineman's Reference's $19.99. Lineman's Reference's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (62% vs 27%). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

Interplay Learning is free to download; Lineman's Reference costs $19.99 up front. Interplay Learning sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $54.00 per month. Lineman's Reference asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lineman's Reference holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lineman's Reference has 307 ratings behind it against 48, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 27% of Interplay Learning's written reviews are positive against 62% of Lineman's Reference's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Interplay Learning ships an update every 2 months, Lineman's Reference every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 9, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Interplay Learning versus Lineman's Reference: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInterplay LearningLineman's Reference
PriceFree — better$19.99
Rating3.9 (48 ratings)4.6 (307 ratings) — better
Positive reviews26.7% of reviews62.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings48307 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionFree — better
Best chart rank—#5 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size135 MB65 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInterplay Learning Inc.Digital Apprentice LLC

Customer experience

Interplay Learning

All ratings46 ratings
Positive73.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative23.9%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive26.7%
Neutral6.7%
Negative66.7%

Lineman's Reference

All ratings307 ratings
Positive89.9%
Neutral4.2%
Negative5.9%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive62.2%
Neutral22.2%
Negative15.6%

Bugs and requests

Interplay Learning

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Lineman's Reference

Reported bugs

33 issues
  • Tutorial loop
  • Lines not connecting
  • Cannot wire up all banks
  • WYE Delta is wrong
  • Cannot bus secondary x2 to x2 bushing for delta secondaries
Show 28 more
  • Cannot select subtractive transformers
  • Wiring on X bushings not to exact phase
  • H2 to neutral connection issues
  • WYE Delta bank gives wrong voltage read
  • Fuse blows when attaching case grounds in delta secondary
  • Wrong wiring in diagram for 277/480 Wye/Wye bank
  • HV on transformer name plate is wrong
  • Shows wrong connection with right hook up
  • Paralleling cans connection issue
  • Voltmeter does not work
  • Cannot drop leads to voltmeter on bottom two phases
  • No option to select transformers
  • No option for primary voltage
  • No 277/480 option
  • No additive/subtractive options
  • Cannot pick secondary and primary side voltages
  • App tells user bank is wrong when it's correct
  • App incorrectly identifies bank type
  • Cannot put voltmeter on C phase secondary leads in horizontal screen
  • Cannot create 277/480 and straight 480 banks
  • Cannot manually parallel secondary windings
  • Lines too close to bottom of screen
  • Cannot look back at bank during quiz
  • High side H2 tied to ground in WYE delta
  • Only allows 120/240 or 120/208 hookups
  • Voltmeter not reading correctly when paralleling
  • App says something is wrong but doesn't specify correction
  • App keeps blowing doors on a correct connection

Requested features

23 requests
  • Ability to build own banks
  • Add tap changer settings
  • Add vector charts
  • Add more labs with different scenarios
  • Create your own bank option
Show 18 more
  • Add a WYE bank that stays in series
  • Add hints button
  • Add power banks
  • Add single bushing pots
  • Add 480 banks
  • Include transformers of different polarities
  • Add 4th cutout to WYE delta banks
  • Add additive and subtractive transformers
  • Select transformers from a list
  • Tie three phase secondary legs on open secondary lines
  • Add lighter bank category
  • Expand into metering
  • Add open delta WYE bank
  • Practice drawing vectors
  • See vectors for transformers
  • Ability to cut over pots
  • Add 240/480/277 and 277/480 options
  • More in-depth internals

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Interplay Learning

Subscriptions1
  • Individual Monthly14 Days trial$54.001 Month
None

Lineman's Reference

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Interplay Learning free?
Interplay Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lineman's Reference free?
Lineman's Reference costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Interplay Learning or Lineman's Reference?
Lineman's Reference is rated higher. Interplay Learning averages 3.9 out of 5 from 48 ratings, while Lineman's Reference averages 4.6 from 307 ratings.
Do Interplay Learning or Lineman's Reference have ads?
Neither Interplay Learning nor Lineman's Reference shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Interplay Learning or Lineman's Reference?
Interplay Learning ships an update every 2 months, and Lineman's Reference every 4 weeks. Most recently, Interplay Learning was updated on September 9, 2026 and Lineman's Reference on September 22, 2026.

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