Comparison

Private Pilot Test Prep vs Remote Pilot Study Buddy

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

Head to head
About

Private Pilot Test Prep

Prepare for your FAA written test with this comprehensive study tool. It offers three modes: study questions by topic with detailed explanations, review using flashcards, and take full-length practice tests. Track your progress with detailed reports.

Highlights
  • Study questions by topic
  • Custom review sessions
  • Detailed answer explanations
  • Flashcard review mode
  • Simulated practice tests
  • Progress reports
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Sporty's Study Buddy will prepare you for the FAA written test like no other study tool available with three modes of operation. Test material is expertly organized into categories based on subject matter and includes, questions, answers, correct answers, and detailed explanations. • STUDY QUESTIONS BY TOPIC • Learning Mode allows you to create custom review sessions by selecting exactly which categories you want to review. Each session randomly generates the question order, and provides instant feedback based on your answer selection. Each question also provides a detailed description as to why each answer is right or wrong. These explanations were developed by Sporty’s team of Master CFI’s, based on their experience preparing students for the Private Pilot certificate • REVIEW QUESTION FLASHCARDS • Flashcard mode tests your knowledge by allowing you to only see the question without the answer choices. After answering the question mentally, you can then select to show the correct answer, and self-grade your progress along the way. This is a great feature that keeps you from being distracted by incorrect answers! • TAKE PRACTICE TESTS • Test mode randomly generates a 60-question session from the entire database of published FAA test questions, simulating the real Private Pilot test. After answering all the questions, you’ll be given instant results, and have the option to review either all the questions, or just missed questions. Included in the review session are the same detailed explanations for why each answer is right or wrong. •PROGRESS REPORTS• After completing each test your results are saved in the app's Progress Report section, where you can review previous scores and and a detailed history of each question and answer selection. You can also pause a partially-completed session, and resume it at a later time here.

About

Remote Pilot Study Buddy

Prepare for your FAA Remote Pilot Certificate exam with comprehensive study materials and practice tests. Master drone regulations and knowledge areas through various study modes, including flashcards and simulated exams. Track your progress and review detailed explanations to ensure readiness for the official test.

Highlights
  • Study questions by topic
  • Review question flashcards
  • Take practice tests
  • Progress reports
  • Included study resources
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Operating a drone for non-hobby operations requires a Remote Pilot Certificate. You must successfully complete the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Knowledge Exam to earn a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) rating. Bundled with an wealth of resources including the Small UAS Study Guide and the Remote Pilot Knowledge test Guide, Sporty's Drone Study Buddy will prepare you for the Remote Pilot FAA written test like no other study tool available. After reviewing the study material you can then study the test questions with three modes of operation. Test material is expertly organized into categories based on subject matter and includes, questions, answers, correct answers, and detailed explanations. • STUDY QUESTIONS BY TOPIC • Learning Mode allows you to create custom review sessions by selecting exactly which categories you want to review. Each session randomly generates the question order, and provides instant feedback based on your answer selection. Each question also provides a detailed description as to why each answer is right. These explanations were developed by Sporty’s team of Master Instructor’s, based on their experience preparing for the Remote Pilot certificate. • REVIEW QUESTION FLASHCARDS • Flashcard mode tests your knowledge by allowing you to only see the question without the answer choices. After answering the question mentally, you can then select to show the correct answer, and self-grade your progress along the way. This is a great feature that keeps you from being distracted by incorrect answers. • TAKE PRACTICE TESTS • Test mode randomly generates a 60-question session from the entire database of published FAA test questions, simulating the real Remote Pilot test. After answering all the questions, you’ll be given instant results, and have the option to review either all the questions, or just missed questions. Included in the review session are the same detailed explanations for why each answer is correct. • PROGRESS REPORTS • After completing each test your results are saved in the app's Progress Report section, where you can review previous scores and and a detailed history of each question and answer selection. You can also pause a partially-completed session, and resume it at a later time here. • REMOTE PILOT STUDY RESOURCES • To help you prepare for the knowledge areas covered on the Remote Pilot knowledge test we've included the following resources in the app: - Remote Pilot - Small UAS Study Guide - Remote Pilot - Smal UAS Airman Certification Standards - FAR Part 107 Advisory Circular

Screenshots

Private Pilot Test Prep4 screens
Remote Pilot Study Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Private Pilot Test Prep at $14.99 against Remote Pilot Study Buddy's $19.99. Private Pilot Test Prep also leads on ratings volume (115 vs 12) and chart position (#14 vs #174). Remote Pilot Study Buddy's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (91% vs 82%). On update cadence, ads, in-app purchases 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

Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99 and Remote Pilot Study Buddy $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Remote Pilot Study Buddy holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Private Pilot Test Prep has 115 ratings behind it against 12, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 82% of Private Pilot Test Prep's written reviews are positive against 91% of Remote Pilot Study Buddy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Private Pilot Test Prep versus Remote Pilot Study Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate Pilot Test PrepRemote Pilot Study Buddy
Price$14.99 — better$19.99
Rating4.3 (115 ratings)4.5 (12 ratings) — better
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews90.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings115 — better12
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#14 — better#174
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB62 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSporty's Pilot ShopSporty's Pilot Shop

Customer experience

Private Pilot Test Prep

All ratings115 ratings
Positive81.7%
Neutral5.2%
Negative13.0%
Written reviews65 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral6.2%
Negative12.3%

Remote Pilot Study Buddy

All ratings12 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive90.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative9.1%

Bugs and requests

Private Pilot Test Prep

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App crashes in test mode
  • Progress not saved on phone
  • Blackout bug when viewing figures or rotating screen
  • Crashes after deleting test sessions
  • Not updated for iPhone X
Show 1 more
  • Save function issues

Requested features

9 requests
  • Ability to save flagged questions across sessions
  • Randomized questions in test mode
  • Improved cross-device progress syncing (iCloud)
  • Interactive map features for practice
  • Search functionality for specific questions
Show 4 more
  • Dark mode option
  • Compatibility with iPhone X
  • More sample test questions from FAA
  • Bundle option for instrument written prep

Remote Pilot Study Buddy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Private Pilot Test Prep

No in-app purchases

None

Remote Pilot Study Buddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Private Pilot Test Prep free?
Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Remote Pilot Study Buddy free?
Remote Pilot Study Buddy costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Private Pilot Test Prep or Remote Pilot Study Buddy?
Remote Pilot Study Buddy is rated higher. Private Pilot Test Prep averages 4.3 out of 5 from 115 ratings, while Remote Pilot Study Buddy averages 4.5 from 12 ratings.
Do Private Pilot Test Prep or Remote Pilot Study Buddy have ads?
Neither Private Pilot Test Prep nor Remote Pilot Study Buddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Private Pilot Test Prep or Remote Pilot Study Buddy?
Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, and Remote Pilot Study Buddy every 4 months. Most recently, Private Pilot Test Prep was updated on September 30, 2026 and Remote Pilot Study Buddy on September 19, 2026.
Which is more popular, Private Pilot Test Prep or Remote Pilot Study Buddy?
Private Pilot Test Prep currently peaks at #14 in the App Store charts, and Remote Pilot Study Buddy at #174. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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