# Prepware Instrument Rating vs IFR Flight Trainer Simulator

The clearest difference is price: IFR Flight Trainer Simulator at Free against Prepware Instrument Rating's $9.99. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator also leads on review sentiment (82% vs 38%) and rating (3.9 vs 2.6). Prepware Instrument Rating's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#138 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 Rating costs $9.99 up front. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Prepware Instrument Rating 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 — 45 and 76 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 38% of Prepware Instrument Rating's written reviews are positive against 82% of IFR Flight Trainer Simulator's.

Prepware Instrument Rating ships an update every 4 months, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 14, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Prepware Instrument Rating | IFR Flight Trainer Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [2.6 (45 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/prepware-instrument-rating/id338887882/reviews) | **[3.9 (76 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-flight-trainer-simulator/id901798935/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 45 | **76** |
| Positive reviews | 37.8% of reviews | **81.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Best chart rank | **#138** | — |
| 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 Rating

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

**Currently charting:** #138 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

Prepare for your FAA Knowledge Test with this comprehensive study and practice tool. Access study questions, answers, and explanations by subject, or take realistic practice tests. Includes essential FAA figures, tables, and charts for thorough exam preparation.

**Highlights:** Study questions, answers, and explanations, Realistic practice tests, Subject-based study options, Includes FAA figures, tables, and charts, Offline functionality

**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 Rating free?

Prepware Instrument Rating 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 Rating or IFR Flight Trainer Simulator?

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator is rated higher. Prepware Instrument Rating averages 2.6 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while IFR Flight Trainer Simulator averages 3.9 from 76 ratings.

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

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

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

Prepware Instrument Rating ships an update every 4 months, and IFR Flight Trainer Simulator every 3 months. Most recently, Prepware Instrument Rating was updated on November 14, 2026 and IFR Flight Trainer Simulator on November 11, 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.*