# Prepware Instrument Pilot vs IFR Flight Trainer Simulator

The clearest difference is review sentiment: IFR Flight Trainer Simulator at 82% against Prepware Instrument Pilot's 36%. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator also leads on price (Free vs $9.99) and rating (3.9 vs 2.6). Prepware Instrument Pilot's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#58 vs unranked). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator is free to download; Prepware Instrument Pilot costs $9.99 up front. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Prepware Instrument Pilot asks for nothing beyond the download.

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator holds the better App Store score, 3.9 against 2.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 43 and 76 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Prepware Instrument Pilot's written reviews are positive against 82% of IFR Flight Trainer Simulator's.

Prepware Instrument Pilot ships an update every 4 months, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Prepware Instrument Pilot | IFR Flight Trainer Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.6 (43 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prepware-instrument-pilot/id338887882/reviews) | **[3.9 (76 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-flight-trainer-simulator/id901798935/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 43 | **76** |
| Positive reviews | 35.7% of reviews | **81.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#58** | — |
| Size | 36 MB | 155 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [ASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/334278379) | [Flygo-Aviation Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/550770776) |

## What reviewers say

### Prepware Instrument Pilot

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prepware-instrument-pilot/id338887882)

**Currently charting:** #58 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

Prepare for your FAA Knowledge Exam with flashcard-style reviews and practice tests. Study by subject or take a full practice exam to gauge your readiness.

**Highlights:** Flashcard-style review, Questions, answers, and explanations, Study by subject, Practice test simulation, FAA Knowledge Exam preparation

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Good value for money
- 👍 Offline functionality
- 👍 Helpful for passing written exams
- 👍 Simple interface
- 👍 Explanations provided

**What reviewers complain about**

- 👎 Outdated question bank
- 👎 Inaccurate questions/answers
- 👎 Missing core features
- 👎 Poor optimization for iPad
- 👎 Formatting issues

**Reported bugs**

- Text frequently cut off
- App cannot dynamically scale text
- Some questions missing figures
- Figures have nothing to do with the question
- Correct answers no longer shown in green

**Requested features**

- Ability to focus on previously incorrect answers
- Major update for functionality and display bugs
- Ensure all software is up to date with FAA question banks
- Add timer and number of questions selection
- Ability to eliminate questions already known


### IFR Flight Trainer Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-flight-trainer-simulator/id901798935)

Practice instrument flight rules (IFR) navigation with this simulator. Learn and improve IFR procedures, including VOR, NDB, and holding patterns. Offers cockpit and map modes with adjustable wind and built-in tasks for comprehensive pilot training.

**Highlights:** Cockpit and map modes, VOR, NDB, DME, HSI, EHSI, RMI instruments, Approach procedure practice, Adjustable wind settings, Holding pattern simulation, Custom scenario creation, Built-in training tasks

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| IFR Simulator Half Price | $11.99 | one-time |
| IFR Simulator Unlock | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly interface and intuitive controls
- 🎓 Excellent learning tool for IFR training and instrument procedures
- 🎮 Comprehensive customization options (wind, runway, conditions)
- 📊 Dual view modes (cockpit and map/plan view)
- 🎯 Realistic flight modeling and aerodynamics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Aggressive monetization with limited free trial
- ⏱️ Unreasonably short trial period (3-5 minutes)
- 🔒 Paywall blocks most features in free version
- 🎯 Unrealistic immediate heading changes (no standard rate turns)
- 🐛 Occasional app crashes and stability issues

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes after short usage periods
- Heading indicator gets stuck causing continuous turning
- HSI radials appear to be offset or incorrect
- DME distance calculations may be inaccurate (slant range issue)
- Task completion triggers before reaching waypoints

**Requested features**

- Standard rate turn simulation for realistic intercepts and holdings
- LOC (Localizer) mode for HSI reverse sensing practice
- Fixed-card ADF instrument option
- Adjustable turn rate settings to match different aircraft
- Error feedback display showing incorrect flight paths


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Prepware Instrument Pilot free?

Prepware Instrument Pilot costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is IFR Flight Trainer Simulator free?

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Prepware Instrument Pilot or IFR Flight Trainer Simulator?

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator is rated higher. Prepware Instrument Pilot averages 2.6 out of 5 from 43 ratings, while IFR Flight Trainer Simulator averages 3.9 from 76 ratings.

### Do Prepware Instrument Pilot or IFR Flight Trainer Simulator have ads?

Neither Prepware Instrument Pilot nor IFR Flight Trainer Simulator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Prepware Instrument Pilot or IFR Flight Trainer Simulator?

Prepware Instrument Pilot ships an update every 4 months, and IFR Flight Trainer Simulator every 3 months. Most recently, Prepware Instrument Pilot was updated on September 27, 2026 and IFR Flight Trainer Simulator on October 1, 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.*