Comparison

FAA Private Pilot Prep vs Sporty's Pilot Training

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

Head to head
About

FAA Private Pilot Prep

Prepare for your FAA Private and Recreational Pilot knowledge tests with a comprehensive database of actual, up-to-date questions. Features detailed explanations, included charts, and flexible study modes to help you pass your exams.

Highlights
  • Actual FAA questions
  • Free updates
  • Illustrated explanations
  • Compatible with FAA ACS
  • Comprehensive question database
  • Flexible study modes
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Spend less time studying and more time flying! This is the FAA Private and Recreational Pilot version of GroundSchool, our FAA knowledge (written) test preparation featuring up-to-date questions, free updates, and illustrated explanations written by a professional team of pilot examiners and instructors. GroundSchool is fully compatible with FAA ACS (Airman Certification Standards) and our editorial team is working to keep it so as ACS continues to evolve. Don't be fooled by imitators! Competing apps use only the limited set of questions that the FAA publicly releases via its website - that is not enough to adequately prepare you for your test! Our GroundSchool app, on the other hand, features a much more comprehensive database (typically about 2-4 times the size of the demo FAA public one) of actual and current FAA questions that you likely can and will be asked on the actual test! This along with our detailed, professional explanations and easy to use interface are major reasons why pilots have come to trust GroundSchool. Study actual, up-to-date FAA questions and then ACE your FAA Private Pilot and/or Recreational Pilot knowledge (written) test the easy way with GroundSchool FAA Knowledge Test Preparation software by Dauntless Aviation, the trusted leader in FAA written test preparation. Features: * Actual FAA Questions Current and Valid for Right Now. As soon as you install the software, use the 'update' feature and the software will connect to our servers, grab the latest questions, images, figures, and explanation content, and you'll be good to go. * Detailed Explanations written by an experienced editorial team of examiner and instructor pilots. * All Charts and Figures Included * Several flexible study modes - fits the way you want to study! * Compatible with all FAA "ground school" classroom-based courses This Private and Recreational Pilot version of GroundSchool will prepare you for any or all of the following tests: * Private Pilot Airplane (PAR) * Private Pilot Rotorcraft Helicopter (PRH) * Private Pilot Glider (PGL) * Private Pilot Balloon - Gas (PBG) * Private Pilot Balloon - Hot Air (PBH) * Private Pilot Rotorcraft Gyroplane (PRG) * Private Pilot Powered Parachute (PPP) * Private Pilot Weight Shift Control (PWS) * Private Pilot Lighter-than-Air (Airship) (PLA) * Recreational Pilot Airplane (RPA) * Recreational Pilot Helicopter (RPH) * Recreational Pilot Gyroplane (RPG) * Private Pilot Airplane / Recreational Pilot - Transition (PAT) * Private Pilot Helicopter / Recreational Pilot Transition (PHT) * Private Pilot Gyroplane / Recreational Pilot Transition (PGT) * Canadian Private Pilot to USA FAA Conversion (PCP) With Dauntless Aviation's GroundSchool, you don't need to worry: * Our material is UP TO DATE. No matter what date is listed here in regarding the 'Release date', this date refers to the program itself only. Once you get the program on your device, use the built-in update feature and it will connect to our servers and download the latest and greatest version of the test prep content and our explanations that we have available. To learn more about this, please visit our website. * Furthermore, you are welcome to update the material as often as you like. This means that even if you don't take your test soon, when do you, GroundSchool will be ready for you. Compare this to books or DVDs (which are going out of date from the moment they are printed). * We pride ourselves on the quality of our explanations. This is not some idle boast - our explanations are more detailed and more illustrated than that of ANY other FAA knowledge test provider, period. * Tens of thousands of people have used our products to prepare for their FAA knowledge tests. Ours is a system that works. Good luck on your test!

About

Sporty's Pilot Training

Access a comprehensive library of aviation training courses, including FAA test preparation and interactive guides. Start with free access to handbooks, practice tests, and HD videos, with options to purchase in-depth courses for pilot certificates and ratings.

Highlights
  • Interactive FAA handbooks
  • FAR/AIM access
  • FAA practice tests
  • HD/4K training videos
  • Learn to Fly course
  • Instrument Rating course
  • Flight maneuvers guide
Features
Read full description

Sporty’s innovative Pilot Training app brings a variety of aviation training courses to one location, allowing you to access all of your Sporty's aviation content from your iPad, iPhone or AppleTV. It’s free to get started - including interactive free FAA handbooks, free FAR/AIM, FAA practice tests and HD/4K training videos. SPORTY’S 2026 LEARN TO FLY COURSE For the cost of a single flight lesson, Sporty’s Learn to Fly course will save you time and money earning your pilot certificate. This is not a weekend “cram course” or a boring ground school lecture on video. It is a comprehensive flight-training companion designed to make your lessons more efficient, more complete and more fun. There is nothing extra to buy—just add flight instructor! INCLUDES: 20 hours of HD video training with search, knowledge test prep, interactive flight maneuvers guide, video-referenced Airman Certification Standards (ACS), Flight Training Syllabus, Ask a CFI service. After successful course completion, you’ll earn an FAA knowledge test endorsement and FAA WINGS credit. SPORTY’S 2026 INSTRUMENT RATING COURSE With Sporty’s Complete Instrument Rating Course, you’ll ace your FAA written test—we guarantee it! But this app is much more than just test prep. With incredible in-flight footage and 3D animations, we unlock the secrets of the IFR system so you can be a safe, smooth and proficient pilot. Detailed video segments cover both glass cockpits and analog gauges. INCLUDES: 13 hours of video training, knowledge test prep, interactive instrument maneuvers guide, video-referenced Airman Certification Standards (ACS), Flight Training Syllabus, Ask a CFI service. AVIATION COURSE LIBRARY 2026 Learn to Fly/Private and Sport Pilot Training Course 2026 Instrument Rating Course 2026 Commercial Pilot Test Prep Course Aviation Weather Multiengine Training Course Tailwheel Checkout Course with Patty Wagstaff Seaplane Rating Course with Patty Wagstaff ForeFlight Power Users Training Flight Review Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) Takeoffs and Landings VFR Communications IFR Communications Pilot's Guide to Airspace Basic Aerobatics with Patty Wagstaff Garmin G1000 Checkout Course Garmin G5000 Training Course Garmin GTN 650/750 Essentials Garmin Aviation Weather Radar Garmin TXi Essentials Garmin GFC500 Autopilot Essentials Garmin G3X Touch Certified Essentials Flying the Aspen Evolution So You Want to Fly Twins So You Want to Fly Gliders Flight Instructor Course Remote Pilot Test Prep Complete PilotWorkshops library Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.sportys.com/privacy/

Screenshots

FAA Private Pilot Prep4 screens
Sporty's Pilot Training4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Sporty's Pilot Training at Free against FAA Private Pilot Prep's $69.99. Sporty's Pilot Training also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (11K vs 74). FAA Private Pilot Prep's advantage is review sentiment (79% vs 70%) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.6). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position 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

Sporty's Pilot Training is free to download; FAA Private Pilot Prep costs $69.99 up front. FAA Private Pilot Prep sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Sporty's Pilot Training sells 10 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sporty's Pilot Training holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sporty's Pilot Training has 11K ratings behind it against 74, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 79% of FAA Private Pilot Prep's written reviews are positive against 70% of Sporty's Pilot Training's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

FAA Private Pilot Prep ships an update monthly, Sporty's Pilot Training weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
FAA Private Pilot Prep versus Sporty's Pilot Training: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFAA Private Pilot PrepSporty's Pilot Training
Price$69.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (74 ratings)4.9 (11K ratings) — better
Positive reviews79.2% of reviews — better70.3% of reviews
Number of ratings7411K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#158#139 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size640 MB194 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDauntless SoftwareSporty's Pilot Shop

Customer experience

FAA Private Pilot Prep

All ratings74 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral2.7%
Negative8.1%
Written reviews77 reviews
Positive79.2%
Neutral2.6%
Negative18.2%

Sporty's Pilot Training

All ratings11,084 ratings
Positive98.0%
Neutral1.0%
Negative1.0%
Written reviews118 reviews
Positive70.3%
Neutral10.2%
Negative19.5%

User reviews

FAA Private Pilot Prep

From 74 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 💯 Excellent test preparation
  • 📚 Comprehensive explanations
  • 🔄 Frequently updated content
  • 🎛️ Numerous practice modes
  • 🎯 Clever stack system

Room to improve

  • 😞 Not modern or aesthetically pleasing
  • 🐛 Update issues
  • 🐛 Incorrect answers reported
  • 🐛 No response to review requests
  • 🐛 Poor audio system integration

Sporty's Pilot Training

From 11K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Highly recommended and worth recommending
  • 🚀 Awesome training
  • 👍 Excellent quality
  • 👍 Great preparation for exams and flying
  • 👍 Passed written exams

Room to improve

  • 👎 Desktop site is much better
  • 👎 Not sure why all the good reviews
  • 🐛 Buggy Chromecast
  • 🐛 Lost ability to cast
  • 🐛 Sync issues between devices

Bugs and requests

FAA Private Pilot Prep

Reported bugs

66 issues
  • Update issues
  • Incorrect answers
  • No response to review requests
  • Poor audio system integration
  • Lacks dark mode
Show 61 more
  • Appalling audio quality
  • Inconsistent cloud storage
  • Lacks 'Sign with Apple'
  • UX/UI design issues
  • Expensive compared to alternatives
  • Dated UI design
  • Annoying sound effects
  • Difficult to read UI
  • Annoying figure viewing
  • Need to flip back and forth
  • Customer service issues
  • Rude customer service
  • Unusable after iOS update
  • Crashing on devices
  • Blank screen on test questions
  • No customer service phone
  • Limited MP3 questions
  • Crashing frequently
  • Audio volume varies
  • Sectional diagrams poor quality
  • PDF issues
  • Slow website
  • App restarts from main menu
  • Nuisance switching contexts
  • Missing chart/sectional questions
  • E6B used differently
  • Some questions not in app
  • Phrasing and figures differ
  • Not all questions covered
  • Expensive
  • Vocal teaching inconsistent
  • Audio files disappear
  • Wasted money
  • Needs programmer work
  • Database failure
  • Bugs, bugs, bugs
  • Never performs updates
  • Database corrupted message
  • Crashes on launch
  • Slow loading
  • Not as effective as old tapes
  • Not a test simulator/tutor
  • Limited to test passing ability
  • Lacks silly graphics/mnemonics
  • Needs tweaks
  • Cannot see charts and questions simultaneously
  • Lose progress when going home
  • Why would anybody use this app?
  • Floundering and falling asleep
  • Needs human instructor videos
  • Interface quirks
  • Doesn't always save progress
  • Cartoon-like UI
  • Expensive
  • Vocal teaching only sometimes works
  • Buggy
  • Cannot update test questions
  • Likely out of date questions
  • Poorly tested on iPad
  • Ignores non-working parts
  • Not a serious piece of software

Requested features

15 requests
  • Dark mode
  • Use Apple's iCloud for storage
  • Use 'Sign with Apple'
  • More FAR/AIM questions
  • Improved UI/UX design
Show 10 more
  • More modern interface
  • Better audio playback system
  • More comprehensive MP3 review
  • Fix sectional diagram quality
  • Improve chart and sectional questions
  • Better saving of progress
  • Allow viewing charts and questions simultaneously
  • Add CFI sign-off to iPad version
  • Improve audio loudness consistency
  • Add more human instructor videos

Sporty's Pilot Training

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Occasional crashes
  • Incompatible with older devices
  • Login screen freezes
  • Video downloads reset to zero when switching apps

Requested features

4 requests
  • Show progress/completion status of each video
  • Sync video progress across all devices
  • Ability to Airplay directly without third-party app
  • Continuous play mode

In-app purchases

1 purchases

FAA Private Pilot Prep

One-time1
  • Audio Review$19.99
10 purchases

Sporty's Pilot Training

One-time10
  • Remote Pilot Test Prep$19.99
  • Flying With ForeFlight$39.99
  • Pilot's Guide to Airspace$39.99
Show 7 more
  • VFR Communications$49.99
  • Real World Flight Review$99.00
  • Garmin G1000 Checkout$99.99
  • Multiengine Training Course$129.99
  • Instrument Rating Course$299.00
  • Sporty's Learn To Fly Course$299.00
  • Commercial Pilot Course$299.00

Questions

Is FAA Private Pilot Prep free?
FAA Private Pilot Prep costs $69.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Sporty's Pilot Training free?
Sporty's Pilot Training is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, FAA Private Pilot Prep or Sporty's Pilot Training?
Sporty's Pilot Training is rated higher. FAA Private Pilot Prep averages 4.5 out of 5 from 74 ratings, while Sporty's Pilot Training averages 4.9 from 11K ratings.
Do FAA Private Pilot Prep or Sporty's Pilot Training have ads?
Neither FAA Private Pilot Prep nor Sporty's Pilot Training shows ads.
Which is updated more often, FAA Private Pilot Prep or Sporty's Pilot Training?
FAA Private Pilot Prep ships an update monthly, and Sporty's Pilot Training weekly. Most recently, FAA Private Pilot Prep was updated on November 6, 2026 and Sporty's Pilot Training on November 7, 2026.
Which is more popular, FAA Private Pilot Prep or Sporty's Pilot Training?
FAA Private Pilot Prep currently peaks at #158 in the App Store charts, and Sporty's Pilot Training at #139. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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