Comparison

IFSTA Instructor 9 vs DO Calcs Buddy

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

DO Calcs Buddy

This app helps firefighters and engineers perform hoseline calculations for training and certification. It offers customizable settings for specific departments and includes interactive study modes for various pump operator topics. The tool is designed for offline use and provides quick reference field topics.

Highlights
  • Hoseline Calculator with custom segments
  • Friction loss, PDP, GPM, Nozzle Reaction
  • Customizable hose and nozzle settings
  • Interactive study mode with randomized questions
  • Offline functionality
  • Quick reference field topics
Features
Read full description

DO Calcs Buddy is a customizable Driver/Operator pumping toolkit. Practice hoseline calculations, build hydraulic layouts, review essential concepts, and test your knowledge—all through a clean, visual interface designed for classroom study and non-emergency training. FEATURES: Visual Hydraulic Calculator / Simulator Build custom training layouts using engines, attack engines, hose segments, fog and smoothbore nozzles, wyes, manifolds, siamese connections, standpipes, foam eductors, monitors, hydrants, and master streams. Calculate required pump pressures while accounting for friction loss, appliance loss, elevation, flow, and nozzle pressure. Connect to a hydrant and watch the pressure gauges update in real-time to see how much you can theoretically flow in a situation. Pump Charts Create and organize your own quick-reference pump charts. Import and export individual charts as CSV files, or share complete chart collections using QR codes. Several ready-to-use default charts are also included. Custom Profiles Create apparatus- or department-specific profiles containing your own hoses, nozzles, appliances, coefficients, and preferred values. Save multiple profiles and quickly switch between department, apparatus, or training configurations. Easy QR Code Sharing Share profiles with students, instructors, and colleagues using QR codes. Scan a compatible QR code to import a profile without manually entering every setting. Interactive Study Mode Generate randomized multiple-choice questions using values from your selected profile. Choose one topic or combine multiple categories, including: • Handlines and master streams • Reduced hoselines • Fog and smoothbore nozzle reaction • Smoothbore GPM • Hydrant-flow methods • Relay pumping • Equal and unequal wye layouts • Manifolds and siamese connections • Deck-gun flow calculations Visual diagrams help you interpret each layout, and answer explanations reinforce the formulas and concepts behind the solution. Jump directly to a related reference topic when additional review is needed. Custom Charts Built-In Reference Library Review commonly taught Driver/Operator topics such as friction loss, hose coefficients, elevation pressure, smoothbore flow, nozzle reaction, hydrant flow, relay pumping, LDH, standpipes, siamese appliances, wyes, and manifolds. Offline Ready This app is designed as an offline educational tool. It is completely free, does not collect data, and does not request any permissions other than those necessary for functions like QR scanning. All core app features are completely functional without internet. Designed by a fire service Engineer and Driver/Operator Instructor as a flexible teaching, study, and classroom-training aid.

Screenshots

IFSTA Instructor 94 screens
DO Calcs Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DO Calcs Buddy at 100% against IFSTA Instructor 9's 0%. DO Calcs Buddy also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). IFSTA Instructor 9's advantage is ratings volume (17 vs 4) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). 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. DO Calcs Buddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DO Calcs Buddy holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 17 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of IFSTA Instructor 9's written reviews are positive against 100% of DO Calcs Buddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFSTA Instructor 9 ships an update every 10 months, DO Calcs Buddy monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
IFSTA Instructor 9 versus DO Calcs Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFSTA Instructor 9DO Calcs Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.2 (17 ratings)4.8 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings17 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 10 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size124 MB71 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIFSTAMax McCoy

Customer experience

IFSTA Instructor 9

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

DO Calcs Buddy

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

IFSTA Instructor 9

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

DO Calcs Buddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IFSTA Instructor 9 free?
IFSTA Instructor 9 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DO Calcs Buddy free?
DO Calcs Buddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IFSTA Instructor 9 or DO Calcs Buddy?
DO Calcs Buddy is rated higher. IFSTA Instructor 9 averages 3.2 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while DO Calcs Buddy averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.
Do IFSTA Instructor 9 or DO Calcs Buddy have ads?
Neither IFSTA Instructor 9 nor DO Calcs Buddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFSTA Instructor 9 or DO Calcs Buddy?
IFSTA Instructor 9 ships an update every 10 months, and DO Calcs Buddy monthly. Most recently, IFSTA Instructor 9 was updated on October 8, 2026 and DO Calcs Buddy on October 9, 2026.

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