Comparison

ASTB Prep vs Joint Compass

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

Head to head
About

ASTB Prep

Prepare for naval aviation exams with comprehensive study materials, practice tests, and simulators. Covers all subtests for Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviation selection. Features adaptive testing and offline access.

Highlights
  • 73 comprehensive lessons
  • 140+ flashcard decks
  • 600+ sample test questions
  • Unlimited adaptive practice tests
  • UAV tracking simulator
  • Terrain identification simulator
  • Stick and throttle simulators
Read full description

ASTB PREP is a comprehensive study tool for the ASTB-E and OAR military aviation exams, created by a former Naval Officer. Full Access is available as a one-time in-app purchase. Whether you are preparing for Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard aviation selection, ASTB PREP gives you the tools to study efficiently and build confidence before test day. FREE FEATURES • Create a free account • Access introductory lessons covering exam overview, structure, and study strategies • Track your study progress • Sync your progress and access with your ASTB PREP account FULL ACCESS • 81 comprehensive lessons with review sections across all 7 ASTB subtests • 140+ flashcard decks for rapid knowledge reinforcement • 1,200+ sample test questions with detailed explanations • Unlimited adaptive practice tests that target your weak areas • Dichotic Listening Test (DLT) simulator • UAV tracking simulator • Terrain Identification simulator • Rear Cockpit simulator • Hardware-enhanced PBM training for a more realistic practice experience • On iPhone and iPad, train with intuitive on-screen controls or compatible Bluetooth game controllers, including supported Xbox and PlayStation controllers • Performance coaching tools • All content is available offline after download, making ASTB PREP ideal for deployment, travel, and other low-connectivity environments STUDY WITH YOUR ACCOUNT Full Access is tied to your ASTB PREP account. Sign in with the same account to keep your access and study progress synced and available wherever your account is supported. EXISTING CUSTOMERS If you previously purchased ASTB PREP, your access is preserved. Simply sign in or create an account to link your Full Access. ALL 7 ASTB SUBTESTS COVERED • Math Skills Test (MST) • Reading Comprehension Test (RCT) • Mechanical Comprehension Test (MCT) • Aviation and Nautical Information Test (ANIT) • Naval Aviation Trait Facet Inventory (NATFI) • Performance Based Measures (PBM): DLT, UAV, TI, RC • Biographical Inventory with Response Validation (BI-RV) Also covers all 3 OAR subtests: MST, RCT, and MCT. Account required. Free to create. Privacy policy: https://www.iubenda.com/privacy-policy/24362764

About

Joint Compass

Features
Read full description

Joint Compass is an independent military preparation and reference platform covering all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Prepare for the ASVAB, AFOQT, OAR, and ASTB with 20,000+ practice questions, 17,500+ study cards and diagrams, and 175+ guides. Explore branch-specific Resources, Ranks, Culture, Questions, Pathways, Overview, Workflow, and Readiness information. Joint Compass also provides MEPS and waiver preparation support, study planning, assessments, practice testing, and local offline study tools. Choose your branch, role, exam, and study area to create a focused preparation experience. Learner progress is stored locally. No account is required, and core study material is available without creating an online profile. Joint Compass is independently owned commercial software. It is not sponsored, endorsed, or operated by the U.S. Department of Defense or any branch of the U.S. military.

Screenshots

ASTB Prep4 screens
Joint Compass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ASTB Prep at Free against Joint Compass's $1.49. ASTB Prep also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 4 months). Joint Compass's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On ads 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

ASTB Prep is free to download; Joint Compass costs $1.49 up front. ASTB Prep sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Joint Compass asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ASTB Prep ships an update every 2 weeks, Joint Compass every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ASTB Prep versus Joint Compass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterASTB PrepJoint Compass
PriceFree — better$1.49
Rating4.9 (438 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews93.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings438 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size812 MB559 MB
Age rating9+12+
DeveloperAlex HastingsSteady Flow

Bugs and requests

ASTB Prep

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Mechanical comprehension test has 30 questions, not 20
  • Terrain identification section has occasional screen color issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to disable timer for terrain identification
  • Ability to configure duration of correct answer display
  • Add audio for UAV portion to simulate real test experience
  • Include emergency scenario training for UAV

Joint Compass

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

ASTB Prep

One-time2
  • Joystick FunctionalityFree
  • Full Access$39.99
None

Joint Compass

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ASTB Prep free?
ASTB Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Joint Compass free?
Joint Compass costs $1.49, with no in-app purchases.
Do ASTB Prep or Joint Compass have ads?
Neither ASTB Prep nor Joint Compass shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ASTB Prep or Joint Compass?
ASTB Prep ships an update every 2 weeks, and Joint Compass every 4 months. Most recently, ASTB Prep was updated on October 15, 2026 and Joint Compass on October 8, 2026.

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