Surgent Study Companion vs Study Penguin
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Surgent Study Companion
Access exam-readiness content like flashcards and videos on the go. This app offers bite-sized study sessions and progress tracking, helping busy professionals prepare for tough industry exams. It integrates with a web platform and provides a readiness score to gauge exam preparedness.
- On-the-go exam-readiness content
- Quick learning sessions (2, 5, 10 min)
- Flashcards and videos
- Progress tracking with 'Still Learning'/'Got It'
- ReadySCORE™ for exam readiness assessment
- Supports CPA, CMA, EA, CIA, CISA, SIE reviews
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Surgent’s Study Companion App gives learners on-the-go access to exemplary exam-readiness content, including quick learning sessions, flash cards, and videos. Working in conjunction with our web-based exam prep platform, the app provides learners the flexibility to study anywhere and at any time. Plus, it offers bite-sized content paired with easy-to-use mobile features that’s perfect for today’s busy accounting professional preparing for the toughest industry exams. The app offers study increments of two, five, and 10 minutes, offering learning material in the form of videos, flash cards, and other references, along with options to select "Still Learning" or "Got It" for each piece of content. The learner decides their level of understanding and the system reports their progress. The app also utilizes Surgent’s ReadySCORE™ product, which aims to inform users if they are ready to pass the exam prior to sitting for it. The Study Companion App is available for the following Surgent exam prep courses: * CPA Review * CMA Review * EA Review * CIA Review * CISA Review * SIE Review
Study Penguin
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Study Penguin — Your All-in-One Study Companion Everything you need to study smarter, all in one app. Study Penguin combines time tracking, task management, spaced repetition flashcards, Pomodoro timer, and daily to-do lists into a single, beautifully designed experience. Whether you're preparing for exams, learning a new skill, or building daily study habits, Study Penguin keeps you focused, organized, and motivated. KEY FEATURES — Study Timer & Pomodoro — Track every minute of your study sessions with precision. Choose between a flexible stopwatch, countdown timer, or structured Pomodoro technique with customizable focus and break intervals. Ambient background sounds — rain, classroom, brown noise, pencil writing, simmering pot, and underwater — help you stay in the zone. — Smart To-Do Lists — Plan your day with purpose. Set up to 3 daily tasks, 2 challenge goals that push your limits, and 2 "Not To-Do" items to eliminate distractions. Your morning flow guides you through goal-setting each day, keeping your intentions clear and actionable. — Flashcards with Spaced Repetition — Create rich flashcards with text, images, and audio. Our spaced repetition algorithm schedules reviews at optimal intervals so you remember more with less effort. Track mastery levels and watch your knowledge grow over time. — Subject & Task Management — Organize your studies by subject and track time spent on each. Review history shows exactly when and how long you studied, making it easy to identify gaps and balance your workload. — Daily News & Motivation — Start each day with a personalized study newspaper featuring your progress, achievements, and an editorial space for reflection. Look back on past editions to see how far you've come. — Detailed Records & Analytics — Visualize your study patterns with daily, weekly, and monthly breakdowns. See your streaks, total hours, and subject distribution at a glance. Data-driven insights help you optimize your routine. — iCloud Sync — Seamlessly sync all your data across devices. Switch between iPhone and iPad without losing a single flashcard, study session, or achievement. — Calming Design — A clean, distraction-free interface with light and dark modes. Study Penguin is designed to feel like a trusted companion — always there when you need it, never in the way. Study Penguin is built for every learner: students preparing for university entrance exams, professionals studying for certifications, language learners building vocabulary, and anyone who believes in the power of consistent daily effort. Download Study Penguin today and transform the way you study.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Study Penguin at daily against Surgent Study Companion's every 4 weeks. Surgent Study Companion's advantage is iOS requirement (12.2 vs 15.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Surgent Study Companion ships an update every 4 weeks, Study Penguin daily. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Surgent Study Companion | Study Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.9 (35 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 7.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 35 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Daily — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.2 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 78 MB | 38 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SURGENT MCCOY CPE, LLC | Rei Minamida |
In-app purchases
Surgent Study Companion
No in-app purchases
Study Penguin
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Surgent Study Companion free?
Is Study Penguin free?
Do Surgent Study Companion or Study Penguin have ads?
Which is updated more often, Surgent Study Companion or Study Penguin?
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