Comparison

IFSTA Instructor 9 vs FOAMfrat Studio

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

About

FOAMfrat Studio

Access EMS and nursing courses on your iPhone and iPad. This learning management system provides a native mobile experience for current subscribers to continue their education on the go.

Highlights
  • Learning management system
  • EMS and nursing courses
  • Mobile access for subscribers
  • Native iPhone and iPad experience
  • On-the-go learning
Features
Read full description

FOAMfrat Studio is a learning management system designed for EMS & nursing providers. This the official Studio experience on iPhone and iPad, allowing current subscribers to access our courses from their smartphone devices and tablets for a native experience. A current subscription with FOAMfrat Studio is required for use.

Screenshots

IFSTA Instructor 94 screens
FOAMfrat Studio2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: FOAMfrat Studio at 66% against IFSTA Instructor 9's 0%. FOAMfrat Studio also leads on rating (4.1 vs 3.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). IFSTA Instructor 9's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.2). On price, 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

Both are free to download. IFSTA Instructor 9 sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. FOAMfrat Studio asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

FOAMfrat Studio holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 72 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of IFSTA Instructor 9's written reviews are positive against 66% of FOAMfrat Studio's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFSTA Instructor 9 ships an update every 10 months, FOAMfrat Studio fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
IFSTA Instructor 9 versus FOAMfrat Studio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFSTA Instructor 9FOAMfrat Studio
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (17 ratings)4.1 (72 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews65.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1772 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size124 MB21 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperIFSTAFOAMfrat

Customer experience

IFSTA Instructor 9

All ratings17 ratings
Positive58.8%
Neutral5.9%
Negative35.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

FOAMfrat Studio

All ratings72 ratings
Positive73.6%
Neutral8.3%
Negative18.1%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive65.9%
Neutral9.8%
Negative24.4%

Bugs and requests

IFSTA Instructor 9

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

FOAMfrat Studio

Reported bugs

26 issues
  • Audio frequently cuts out
  • Video freezes in landscape mode
  • App freezes when changing to landscape
  • Cannot sign in, link does not work
  • Unable to enter bio information, will not save
Show 21 more
  • Black screen when using app
  • Videos glitch out and restart
  • Cannot rewind without starting over
  • Profile link routes to web version which does not load
  • Quiz won't load CEUs
  • Only one video thumbnail visible, won't show video
  • Self-paced section thumbnail does nothing
  • Certification expiration dates not accepted
  • Videos don't load
  • Test does not pop up after watching video
  • Unable to exit back to title menu
  • Cannot access any other content
  • App skips through entire lesson
  • Not letting user move on to next video
  • App works terribly
  • Cannot move on to next video
  • Completely skips through whole program
  • Cannot log in for the first time
  • Doesn't let you go to the next part of the course
  • Cannot complete survey after tests
  • Website keeps redirecting to the app

Requested features

6 requests
  • Upload profile picture
  • 15-second rewind option
  • Offline content review
  • Subtitles for videos
  • Learning pathway option on app
Show 1 more
  • Ability to rotate screen to landscape for videos

In-app purchases

2 purchases

IFSTA Instructor 9

One-time2
  • Exam Prep$14.99
  • Audiobook$30.99
None

FOAMfrat Studio

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IFSTA Instructor 9 free?
IFSTA Instructor 9 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FOAMfrat Studio free?
FOAMfrat Studio is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IFSTA Instructor 9 or FOAMfrat Studio?
FOAMfrat Studio is rated higher. IFSTA Instructor 9 averages 3.2 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while FOAMfrat Studio averages 4.1 from 72 ratings.
Do IFSTA Instructor 9 or FOAMfrat Studio have ads?
Neither IFSTA Instructor 9 nor FOAMfrat Studio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFSTA Instructor 9 or FOAMfrat Studio?
IFSTA Instructor 9 ships an update every 10 months, and FOAMfrat Studio fortnightly. Most recently, IFSTA Instructor 9 was updated on October 20, 2026 and FOAMfrat Studio on October 13, 2026.

Other comparisons