Lineman's Reference vs IFSTA Instructor 9
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Lineman's Reference
This interactive simulator allows users to study and learn transformer connections. Test your wiring with various meters, and experience consequences of improper connections. Includes reference diagrams, informational material, and a quiz mode to test knowledge.
- Transformer connection simulation
- Volt, ohm, and rotation meters
- Abnormal voltage and fuse explosion simulation
- Transformer nameplate and coil inspection
- Quick reference diagrams
- Informational reading material
- Quiz and advanced quiz modes
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Learn it. Wire it. Energize it. Check your work. Built by a working journeyman lineman for linemen and their apprentices. The XFMR Lab simulates distribution transformer banks driven by your own wiring — the metering, fusing, and faulting all behave the way you'd expect in the field. NEW IN 2.0 — BUILT-IN TRANSFORMER TRAINING (Replacing XFMR INFO) Six guided lessons take you from "what's a transformer?" to wiring a 3-pot bank: • Start Here — What is a Transformer? • Dual H Bushings — The Two Wirings & the Nameplate • The Tap Changer — One Pot, Multiple System Voltages • Three-Phase — The Three Phases and How They're Related • Bank Identification — Delta or Wye, Open or Closed • Your First Bank: Delta-Wye Closed (120/208) • More lessons on the way! Work the lessons in order, or jump straight to the labs. ALSO NEW IN 2.0 • The Sandbox (Beta) — wire anything from scratch in a COMPLETELY-customizable lab, with live, vector-based voltage and fault logic baked in. • Death Traps — scenario-based transformer traps linemen run into — and how to navigate them safely. • A brand-new look across every lab — new graphics, sharper, faster, & easier to read in the field. • Voltmeter you can now drag with two fingers; readings update as the leads move. • Parallel the secondary coils by hand in wye secondary labs • Stats that track lab completions, quiz scoring and for-fun stuff like the number of fuses you've blown. • User Customizations - the user can now alter the spec of their labs; from grounding to parallel coil cutover-direction, requiring the 4th cutout, tap changer implementation and more. • 2.0 is FREE for everyone who already owns XFMR Lab — thank you for years of feedback and encouragement. WHAT YOU GET Single Phase — Single Bushing · Dual Bushing Three Phase (closed) — Delta-Delta · Delta-Wye · Wye-Delta · Wye-Wye Three Phase (open) — Open Delta-Delta · Open Wye-Delta Misc — Paralleling · 4th Cutout · Death Traps (6 Scenarios) Advanced — Straight 480 · 240/480 · 277/480 · Corner-Grounded 240/480 · Wye-Wye 5-Wire (120/240 + 120/208) - all now able to be wired up Wye AND Delta on the topside The Sandbox (Beta) EVERY FUTURE UPDATE IS FREE - THE APP IS A ONE-TIME PURCHASE. I'm always working on new updates. TOOLS & REFERENCE • Volt, ohm and rotation meters with real behavior • Nameplate, secondary coil and tap changer animations • Reference diagrams for every standard bank Learning Mode walks apprentices through every wrong-connection check. Journeymen and experienced users can keep this turned off if they'd like. QUIZZES • Classic Quiz — Select each lab you want in your quiz - with graded scoring across each lab. • Advanced Quiz — You're provided with the job-site info and need to pick the right nameplate and coil setup, then wire it. • Bank ID - A beginner's quiz tied into the new XFMR Training lesson plan. The user is provided with different primary and secondary wirings and must correctly identify them. Used by 30,000+ linemen since 2021. Questions? Suggestions? Reach me at info@digitalapprentice.net
IFSTA Instructor 9
This app provides instructor training for fire and emergency services professionals, aligning with NFPA 1041 standards. It includes free flashcards and access to the first chapter of the audiobook and exam prep, with full access available via in-app purchases.
- NFPA 1041 compliant instructor training
- Flashcards for key terms and definitions
- Exam preparation with 565 validated questions
- Progress tracking for study sessions
- Full audiobook narration with offline access
- Chapter 1 free access for all features
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The Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, 9th Edition, Companion App is THE IFSTAⓇ source for instructor training. A safe and effective fire service must have capable instructors delivering effective training, and this App is that training at your fingertips. The text includes all NFPA 1041, Standard for Fire Service Instructor Professional Qualifications, (2019) Levels I, II, and III JPRs. Included FREE in this App is Flashcards and Chapter 1 of the Audiobook and Exam Prep. Flashcards: Review all 134 key terms and definitions found in all 18 chapters of the Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, 9th Edition, Manual with Flashcards. This feature is FREE for all users. Exam Prep: Use the 565 IFSTAⓇ-validated Exam Prep questions to confirm your understanding of the content in the Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, 9th Edition, Manual. The Exam Prep covers all 18 chapters of the Manual. Exam Prep tracks and records your progress, allowing you to review your exams and study your weaknesses. In addition, your missed questions are automatically added to your study deck. This feature requires an in-app purchase. All users have free access to Chapter 1. Audiobook: Purchase the Fire and Emergency Services Instructor, 9th Edition, Audiobook through the app. All 18 chapters are narrated in their entirety for 11 hours of content. Features include offline access, bookmarks, and the ability to listen at your own speed. All users have free access to Chapter 1. This App covers the following topics: 1. The Instructor as a Professional 2. Principles of Learning 3. Instructional Planning 4. Instructional Materials and Equipment 5. Learning Environment 6. Classroom Instruction 7. Student Interaction 8. Skills-Based Training Beyond the Classroom 9. Testing and Evaluation 10. Records, Reports, and Scheduling 11. Lesson Plan Development 12. Training Evolution Supervision 13. Test Item Construction 14. Supervisory and Administrative Duties 15. Instructor and Class Evaluations 16. Course and Curriculum Development 17. Training Program Evaluation 18. Training Program Administration
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Lineman's Reference at 62% against IFSTA Instructor 9's 0%. Lineman's Reference also leads on rating (4.6 vs 3.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). IFSTA Instructor 9's advantage is price (Free vs $19.99) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). 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
IFSTA Instructor 9 is free to download; Lineman's Reference costs $19.99 up front. IFSTA Instructor 9 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Lineman's Reference asks for nothing beyond the download.
Lineman's Reference holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lineman's Reference has 307 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of Lineman's Reference's written reviews are positive against 0% of IFSTA Instructor 9's.
Lineman's Reference ships an update every 4 weeks, IFSTA Instructor 9 every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and August 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Lineman's Reference | IFSTA Instructor 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (307 ratings) — better | 3.2 (17 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 62.2% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 307 — better | 17 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks — better | Every 10 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #5 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 65 MB | 124 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Digital Apprentice LLC | IFSTA |
Customer experience
Lineman's Reference
IFSTA Instructor 9
Bugs and requests
Lineman's Reference
Reported bugs
33 issues- Tutorial loop
- Lines not connecting
- Cannot wire up all banks
- WYE Delta is wrong
- Cannot bus secondary x2 to x2 bushing for delta secondaries
Show 28 moreShow fewer
- Cannot select subtractive transformers
- Wiring on X bushings not to exact phase
- H2 to neutral connection issues
- WYE Delta bank gives wrong voltage read
- Fuse blows when attaching case grounds in delta secondary
- Wrong wiring in diagram for 277/480 Wye/Wye bank
- HV on transformer name plate is wrong
- Shows wrong connection with right hook up
- Paralleling cans connection issue
- Voltmeter does not work
- Cannot drop leads to voltmeter on bottom two phases
- No option to select transformers
- No option for primary voltage
- No 277/480 option
- No additive/subtractive options
- Cannot pick secondary and primary side voltages
- App tells user bank is wrong when it's correct
- App incorrectly identifies bank type
- Cannot put voltmeter on C phase secondary leads in horizontal screen
- Cannot create 277/480 and straight 480 banks
- Cannot manually parallel secondary windings
- Lines too close to bottom of screen
- Cannot look back at bank during quiz
- High side H2 tied to ground in WYE delta
- Only allows 120/240 or 120/208 hookups
- Voltmeter not reading correctly when paralleling
- App says something is wrong but doesn't specify correction
- App keeps blowing doors on a correct connection
Requested features
23 requests- Ability to build own banks
- Add tap changer settings
- Add vector charts
- Add more labs with different scenarios
- Create your own bank option
Show 18 moreShow fewer
- Add a WYE bank that stays in series
- Add hints button
- Add power banks
- Add single bushing pots
- Add 480 banks
- Include transformers of different polarities
- Add 4th cutout to WYE delta banks
- Add additive and subtractive transformers
- Select transformers from a list
- Tie three phase secondary legs on open secondary lines
- Add lighter bank category
- Expand into metering
- Add open delta WYE bank
- Practice drawing vectors
- See vectors for transformers
- Ability to cut over pots
- Add 240/480/277 and 277/480 options
- More in-depth internals
IFSTA Instructor 9
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Lineman's Reference
No in-app purchases
IFSTA Instructor 9
- Exam Prep$14.99
- Audiobook$30.99
Questions
Is Lineman's Reference free?
Is IFSTA Instructor 9 free?
Which has better reviews, Lineman's Reference or IFSTA Instructor 9?
Do Lineman's Reference or IFSTA Instructor 9 have ads?
Which is updated more often, Lineman's Reference or IFSTA Instructor 9?
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