Comparison

EMB vs Boldmethod

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

Head to head
About

EMB

Master the Embraer 145 bleed system with this interactive simulator. Practice different configurations and learn to avoid common EICAS alerts, allowing you to focus on essential flight tasks.

Highlights
  • Interactive bleed system panel
  • Practice different configurations
  • Learn to avoid EICAS alerts
  • Focus on essential flight tasks
  • Proficiency training
Features
Read full description

The Embraer 145 Bleed System panel looks straightforward but could use a little practice for becoming proficient and understanding the different configurations. Be the first kid on the block not to get a Master Caution - PAC1/2 VLV FAIL during IOE! It's a nuisance message, indeed, but operating the system to minimize exposure to these EICAS alerts is a good goal so we can focus on meaningful tasks like taxiing.

About

Boldmethod

Enhance your aviation knowledge with extensive video training and online courses. Practice with quizzes and master essential piloting skills like takeoffs, landings, airspace navigation, and weather interpretation. Prepare for checkrides and improve your flying proficiency.

Highlights
  • Extensive video training library
  • Online aviation courses
  • Pilot knowledge quizzes
  • Master takeoffs and landings
  • National Airspace System training
  • Aviation weather interpretation
  • VFR charts and publications
Read full description

Want to improve your piloting skills? Then the Boldmethod app is for you. With over 50 hours of videos and online training courses, you'll walk away with the knowledge that makes you a better pilot. Access your Boldmethod training courses in one app, watch the latest training videos, and test your knowledge with quizzes. What's new? The Feed and Challenges tabs are the place to start learning or to brush up on your aviation knowledge. When you're ready to take the next step, sign up for courses to truly master your pilot knowledge. MASTERING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS Do you have a perfect landing every time? Neither do we. This video course helps you master your takeoffs and landings. Whether you're trying to stop floating past your landing point or trying to smooth out your touchdown, you'll learn how to fix any of your takeoff and landing problems with this simple-to-use online course. The course breaks down takeoffs and landings into sections: Normal Takeoffs Traffic Patterns Normal Landings Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings Short Field Takeoffs and Landings Soft Field Takeoffs and Landings Non-Standard Takeoffs and Landings Night Takeoffs and Landings NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM Our airspace course covers everything you need to know about the National Airspace System, including Class A-G airspace, Special Use Airspace, and Other Airspace. It's an excellent way to prepare for your private pilot checkride and keep your flying skills sharp. The course breaks down airspace into sections: Class A airspace Class B airspace Class C airspace Class D airspace Class E airspace Class G airspace Special use airspace Other airspace AVIATION WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS Our weather course covers everything you need to know about aviation weather, including METARs, TAFs, Pilot Reports, Graphical Forecasts For Aviation, Winds Aloft Forecasts, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and Convective SIGMETs. It's an excellent way to prepare for your private pilot checkride and keep your flying skills sharp. The course breaks down aviation weather into sections: METARs TAFs PIREPs Graphical Forecasts For Aviation Winds Aloft Forecasts AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and Convective SIGMETs VFR CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS Our charts course covers everything you need to know about VFR charts and publications, including sectional charts, terminal area charts, the Digital Chart Supplement, and NOTAMs. The course breaks down publications into sections: Sectional Charts Terminal Area Charts Digital Chart Supplement NOTAMs MOUNTAIN WEATHER Do you want to feel more comfortable flying around the high country? Boldmethod's Mountain Weather course helps make that happen. You'll learn how to evaluate mountain weather during your planning and while you're in flight. You'll also learn how terrain generates updrafts, downdrafts, turbulence, and storms, and changes the direction of the wind throughout the day. The course breaks down weather into sections: Mountain Waves Strong Surface Winds Updrafts, Downdrafts, And Turbulence Convergence Zones Coastal Mountain Wind Systems The North American Monsoon Daily (Diurnal) Winds In Valleys Mountain Thunderstorms

Screenshots

Boldmethod4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: EMB at none against Boldmethod's 9. EMB also leads on ads (none vs shown). Boldmethod's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 62 months) and ratings volume (823 vs 4). On price and rating 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. Boldmethod sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. EMB asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for EMB against 4.9 for Boldmethod. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Boldmethod has 823 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

EMB ships an update every 62 months, Boldmethod every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
EMB versus Boldmethod: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEMBBoldmethod
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings) — better4.9 (823 ratings)
Positive reviews—97.3% of reviews
Number of ratings4823 — better
Update frequencyEvery 62 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS17.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size460 MB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrandon EstenBoldMethod, LLC

Customer experience

EMB

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Boldmethod

All ratings823 ratings
Positive98.4%
Neutral0.7%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews73 reviews
Positive97.3%
Neutral2.7%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

EMB

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Boldmethod

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashing or freezing issues
  • Compatibility problems with older devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Provide explanations for incorrect answers in quizzes
  • Improve navigation and progress tracking through courses

In-app purchases

None

EMB

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

Boldmethod

One-time9
  • Aviation Weather Products$19.99
  • National Airspace System$19.99
  • VFR Charts$19.99
Show 6 more
  • National Airspace System$24.99
  • Aviation Weather Products$24.99
  • VFR Charts and Publications$24.99
  • Mastering Takeoffs & Landings$139.99
  • Mountain Weather$299.99
  • Instrument Procedures$499.99

Questions

Is EMB free?
EMB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Boldmethod free?
Boldmethod is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, EMB or Boldmethod?
EMB is rated higher. EMB averages 5.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Boldmethod averages 4.9 from 823 ratings.
Do EMB or Boldmethod have ads?
Boldmethod shows ads; EMB does not.
Which is updated more often, EMB or Boldmethod?
EMB ships an update every 62 months, and Boldmethod every 3 weeks. Most recently, EMB was updated on September 15, 2026 and Boldmethod on October 1, 2026.

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