Comparison

Electrical Troubleshooting MS vs Backflow Buddy

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

Head to head
About

Electrical Troubleshooting MS

Learn to troubleshoot electrical circuits with a virtual voltmeter and PLC logic. This app offers 17 random electrical problems for a challenging learning experience, allowing you to practice identifying issues in motor starters and control circuits.

Highlights
  • 17 random electrical problems
  • Virtual voltmeter with probes
  • Animated motor starter
  • Switch between schematic and PLC logic
  • Troubleshooting Assistant
  • Normal and troubleshooting modes
Features
Read full description

Totally FREE! No ads or pop-ups! How this App Works: This app has 17 different electrical problems that are randomly selected to provide a fun and challenging learning experience. It is certain to help you become more proficient in troubleshooting with a voltmeter. The motor starter is animated so that you can SEE the different contact configurations between forward and reverse. Another unique feature of this app is the ability to instantly switch back and forth between the control schematic and the real time PLC logic. There is also a "Troubleshooting Assistant" to help test the control circuit and find the problems. The app is initially in normal mode. This allows you to experience: - How a reversing starter works. - How to use the virtual voltmeter probes to measure voltages at various test points (small black squares, which turn red when the voltmeter makes contact with them) in the control circuit. - Analyze the PLC logic, when the starter is in various control modes Run (FWD & Rev), Off and Auto (FWD & REV). The HMI only has control in Auto. The selector switches work as indicated by control circuit. After the you understand how the motor starter works in the various control modes, you can check your troubleshooting skills by going to "Settings" (touch the 'More' button (at the top of the app) and then the gear icon) and selecting troubleshooting mode. Touch the "Arrow Back" icon to return to the control schematic. You will notice that the screen background has turned a light green, indicating that it is in troubleshooting mode and has a problem that needs to be found. Use the "Troubleshooting assistant" at the top, right side of the control schematic to help set the operator switches for testing. Use the voltmeter probes and PLC logic screen to identify the problem. Once you believe that you have identified the problem, touch "Problem Identified" button at the top of the app. A list of possible problems will appear. If you cannot determine the problem, at the bottom of the list, there is an item to provide the answer. If you desire to put the control system back in to normal (Non Troubleshooting Mode - No electrical problems) to learn more about how it is suppose to work, go to the settings section and unselect "Troubleshooting Mode". It is truly a great learning tool for anybody that wants to be able to fully utilize a voltmeter to troubleshoot a control circuit.

About

Backflow Buddy

This app simulates backflow prevention devices and their testing procedures. It offers customizable water pressure simulations and quizzes to prepare users for certification exams.

Highlights
  • RPZ and Test Gauge simulation
  • Double Check and Test Gauge simulation
  • Customizable internal water pressure
  • Differential pressure gauge simulation
  • Quiz preparation with multiple lengths
  • Randomized industry-expert questions
  • Comprehensive quiz results
Features
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Backflow Buddy was designed to be a teaching tool for instructors and a learning tool for anyone interested in back flow prevention assemblies and how they are tested. Features include: - Simulation of RPZ and Test Gauge - Simulation of Double Check and Test Gauge Imagine seeing what is happening inside a backflow device as water moves through it. The water pressure in different portions of the device is fully customizable, allowing users to simulate a failing check valve or even back siphonage. Simulators include working accurate differential pressure gauges that can be hooked up to the devices. -Quiz Prep Prepare yourself for upcoming exams. With three quiz length options, you can test your self on a variety of backflow subjects. Questions created by industry leaders and educators. Randomized questions with comprehensive results at the end of each quiz, to help see what you're missing.

Screenshots

Electrical Troubleshooting MS4 screens
Backflow Buddy3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Electrical Troubleshooting MS at Free against Backflow Buddy's $1.99. Electrical Troubleshooting MS also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.7) and review sentiment (88% vs 50%). On update cadence, in-app purchases, 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

Electrical Troubleshooting MS is free to download; Backflow Buddy costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Electrical Troubleshooting MS holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Electrical Troubleshooting MS has 118 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of Electrical Troubleshooting MS's written reviews are positive against 50% of Backflow Buddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Electrical Troubleshooting MS ships an update weekly, Backflow Buddy fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Electrical Troubleshooting MS versus Backflow Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterElectrical Troubleshooting MSBackflow Buddy
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.8 (118 ratings) — better3.7 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews88.2% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings118 — better3
Update frequencyWeekly — betterFortnightly
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size22 MB258 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperDavid WhiteGreg Phillips

Customer experience

Electrical Troubleshooting MS

All ratings118 ratings
Positive95.8%
Neutral1.7%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive88.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.8%

Backflow Buddy

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Electrical Troubleshooting MS

No in-app purchases

None

Backflow Buddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Electrical Troubleshooting MS free?
Electrical Troubleshooting MS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Backflow Buddy free?
Backflow Buddy costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Electrical Troubleshooting MS or Backflow Buddy?
Electrical Troubleshooting MS is rated higher. Electrical Troubleshooting MS averages 4.8 out of 5 from 118 ratings, while Backflow Buddy averages 3.7 from 3 ratings.
Do Electrical Troubleshooting MS or Backflow Buddy have ads?
Backflow Buddy shows ads; Electrical Troubleshooting MS does not.
Which is updated more often, Electrical Troubleshooting MS or Backflow Buddy?
Electrical Troubleshooting MS ships an update weekly, and Backflow Buddy fortnightly. Most recently, Electrical Troubleshooting MS was updated on October 7, 2026 and Backflow Buddy on September 26, 2026.

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