# IPPS vs Academy Calendar

The clearest difference is ads: IPPS at none against Academy Calendar's shown. Academy Calendar's advantage is update cadence (every 8 days vs every 7 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.5). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

IPPS ships an update every 7 months, Academy Calendar every 8 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | IPPS | Academy Calendar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[1.5 (262 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ipps-a-launch-platform/id1555325361/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **262** | — |
| Positive reviews | 6.7% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 211 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.5 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [TRADOC Mobile](https://appshunter.io/developer/960437358) | [Sungyeong Hwang](https://appshunter.io/developer/6790968639) |

## What reviewers say

### IPPS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ipps-a-launch-platform/id1555325361)

This application offers soldiers a streamlined portal to access the DMDC My Access Center. It simplifies the process by providing a direct push button for DS Logon sign-on.

**Highlights:** Access DMDC My Access Center, DS Logon integration, User-friendly interface, Direct sign-on button

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📱 Mobile leave submission capability
- ✅ Recent updates improving functionality
- 👁️ Ability to view STP and promotion points
- 🔐 Security features implemented
- ⚡ Convenient phone-based access to records

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes and freezes
- 🌐 Functions as webpage wrapper, not true app
- 🔐 Complex authentication and certificate installation
- 📵 Poor mobile optimization and display
- ⏱️ Slow performance and timeouts

**Reported bugs**

- Certificate download returns 404 error
- Two-factor authentication fails repeatedly
- DS Logon authentication broken
- App logs out immediately after login
- Safari security warnings block access

**Requested features**

- True native app instead of webpage wrapper
- HR.IPPSA access for PAR processing
- Soldier Talent Profile (STP) full access
- PPW (Pay Per Work) visibility for soldiers
- Printable leave forms with form numbers and signature lines


### Academy Calendar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/academy-calendar/id6790968637)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is IPPS free?

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

### Is Academy Calendar free?

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

### Do IPPS or Academy Calendar have ads?

Academy Calendar shows ads; IPPS does not.

### Which is updated more often, IPPS or Academy Calendar?

IPPS ships an update every 7 months, and Academy Calendar every 8 days. Most recently, IPPS was updated on October 24, 2026 and Academy Calendar on October 24, 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.*