Comparison

Army Ranger Handbook vs Army Basic Training

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

Head to head
About

Army Ranger Handbook

Access the latest techniques and tactics used by U.S. Army Rangers for various missions. This comprehensive guide covers everything from leadership and operations to specialized skills like demolitions, stealth, and survival.

Highlights
  • Latest Ranger techniques and tactics
  • Covers deception, stealth, and communications
  • Escape and evasion strategies
  • Ambush operations and booby traps
  • Demolitions and perimeter defense
  • Counterintelligence and specialized operations
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The ultimate resource for anyone who wants to know how Rangers think and work. Army Rangers specialize in airborne assault, raids, recovery of personnel and equipment, and airfield seizure, among other difficult and dangerous missions. The U.S. Army Ranger Handbook app offers the latest techniques and tactics used everyday by Rangers. Now with the latest April 2017 manual and full support for retina displays, this app covers deception, stealth, communications, escape and evasion, ambush operations, booby traps, demolitions perimeter defense, counterintelligence, and much more. This manual was designed so Rangers could easily carry it into the field. Chapters include: + Leadership + Operations + Fire Support + Communications + Demolitions + Movement + Patrols + Battle Drills + Military Mountaineering + Machine Gun Employment + Urban Operations + Waterborne Operations + Mounted Patrol Operations + Aviation + First Aid Learn from the best soldiers in the world.

About

Army Basic Training

Prepare for military service with this comprehensive guide to basic combat training. It offers study tools, essential knowledge on Army standards, and practical advice for future soldiers. Get the critical information needed to excel from day one.

Highlights
  • Custom flashcard system
  • Army Blue Book study guide
  • BCT Blue Book rules and standards
  • Complete Soldier's Guide
  • Drill & Ceremony instructions
  • Weapons familiarization
  • Field training and tactical operations
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Your First Mission: Be Ready for Basic Combat Training Since 2012, Basic Training has been the go-to app for future soldiers preparing to take their first steps into military service. Built by soldiers who've walked the path you're about to take, this app puts decade-proven preparation tools right in your pocket. TRAIN LIKE YOU FIGHT: Master the fundamentals before you ship with our comprehensive guide to Basic Combat Training. From Drill & Ceremony to field operations, from weapons familiarization to tactical movements - understand what's coming and hit the ground running. CORE FEATURES: Custom Flashcard System - Your key to mastering the mountain of knowledge that's coming. Create unlimited study decks for everything from Army Values to rank recognition, weapons safety to warrior tasks. Study smart, not just hard. Army Blue Book - The Army's newest foundational document, required reading for every soldier in uniform. Get ahead of your peers by studying this cover to cover before you ship. BCT Blue Book - Your survival guide for Basic Training. Know the rules, standards, and expectations before you meet your Drill Sergeant. Complete Soldier's Guide - The same reference material used Army-wide, now in your pocket. Start learning the Army way before you raise your right hand. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE: - Detailed breakdowns of each training phase - Step-by-step Drill & Ceremony instructions - Complete guide to Army rank structure - In-depth weapons familiarization - Field training and tactical operations primer - Chemical warfare defense preparation - Obstacle course and PT guidance - First aid and battlefield lifesaver basics - Complete Army Values and Soldier's Creed BUILT FOR SUCCESS: Whether you're shipping next week or next year, Basic Training helps you prepare mentally and physically for the challenges ahead. No fluff, no games - just the critical information you need, organized the way soldiers learn. NEW SCHOOL ARMY COMMITMENT: We've been supporting America's newest soldiers for over a decade. Regular updates keep pace with evolving Army standards and training methods. Built by soldiers who remember what it was like to stand in your boots. Get the edge you need. Start your military career prepared, confident, and ready to excel. Your journey to becoming a soldier starts here. Remember: The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle. Download Basic Training and start preparing today. Soldier Up, Drive On!

Screenshots

Army Ranger Handbook4 screens
Army Basic Training4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Army Ranger Handbook at none against Army Basic Training's 2. Army Ranger Handbook also leads on ratings volume (651 vs 1) and review sentiment (94% vs 86%). Army Basic Training's advantage is update cadence (every 5 months vs every 15 months) and price ($0.99 vs $1.99). On rating, ads, chart position 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

Army Ranger Handbook costs $1.99 and Army Basic Training $0.99 up front. Army Basic Training sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Army Ranger Handbook asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for Army Ranger Handbook against 5.0 for Army Basic Training. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Army Ranger Handbook has 651 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 94% of Army Ranger Handbook's written reviews are positive against 86% of Army Basic Training's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Army Ranger Handbook ships an update every 15 months, Army Basic Training every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Army Ranger Handbook versus Army Basic Training: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterArmy Ranger HandbookArmy Basic Training
Price$1.99$0.99 — better
Rating4.9 (651 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews94.1% of reviews — better85.7% of reviews
Number of ratings651 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 5 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#65 — better#128
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size138 MB90 MB
Age rating12+9+
DeveloperCalculated IndustriesPolemics Applications LLC

Customer experience

Army Ranger Handbook

All ratings651 ratings
Positive98.0%
Neutral1.1%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive94.1%
Neutral2.9%
Negative2.9%

Army Basic Training

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral14.3%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Army Ranger Handbook

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Antenna length calculator formula incorrect (should specify megahertz)
  • Wrong image in machine gun emplacement section (M14 sniper rifle under M249 heading)
  • Battle drill numbering mislabeled (Battle Drill 1 listed as react to contact instead of platoon attack)
  • Discrepancies between app content and official ranger handbook

Requested features

10 requests
  • Video demonstrations of tactics and movements
  • Interactive quizzes and knowledge checks
  • Map utilities: notes, custom landmarks, waypoints
  • Hyperlinks for acronym and abbreviation definitions
  • Previous page/back button for navigation
Show 5 more
  • PT log functionality
  • Voice recorder for recitations and cadences
  • Memory and practice tools for hand signals
  • More visual aids and slides
  • iBook version with enhanced formatting

Army Basic Training

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Army Ranger Handbook

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Army Basic Training

One-time2
  • One Dollar Tip$0.99
  • Five Dollar Tip$4.99

Questions

Is Army Ranger Handbook free?
Army Ranger Handbook costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Army Basic Training free?
Army Basic Training costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Army Ranger Handbook or Army Basic Training?
Army Basic Training is rated higher. Army Ranger Handbook averages 4.9 out of 5 from 651 ratings, while Army Basic Training averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Army Ranger Handbook or Army Basic Training have ads?
Neither Army Ranger Handbook nor Army Basic Training shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Army Ranger Handbook or Army Basic Training?
Army Ranger Handbook ships an update every 15 months, and Army Basic Training every 5 months. Most recently, Army Ranger Handbook was updated on October 12, 2026 and Army Basic Training on October 13, 2026.
Which is more popular, Army Ranger Handbook or Army Basic Training?
Army Ranger Handbook currently peaks at #65 in the App Store charts, and Army Basic Training at #128. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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