# Private Pilot Test Prep vs Ground School

The clearest difference is price: Ground School at Free against Private Pilot Test Prep's $14.99. Ground School also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.3) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 4 months). Private Pilot Test Prep's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and chart position (#22 vs unranked). On review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Ground School is free to download; Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99 up front. Ground School sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per month. Private Pilot Test Prep asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ground School holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ground School has 1.7K ratings behind it against 115, 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 88% of Ground School's.

Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, Ground School every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Private Pilot Test Prep | Ground School |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $14.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.3 (115 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-test-prep/id414141811/reviews) | **[4.9 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ground-school/id1444387206/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 115 | **1.7K** |
| Positive reviews | 81.5% of reviews | **88.1% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#22** | — |
| Size | 27 MB | 212 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sporty's Pilot Shop](https://appshunter.io/developer/371817958) | [On The Flight Line Productions LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/328833131) |

## What reviewers say

### Private Pilot Test Prep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-test-prep/id414141811)

**Currently charting:** #22 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- ✅ Excellent for exam prep
- 💯 Questions are verbatim/similar
- 💡 Affordable and valuable
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 📚 Good explanations

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⚠️ Some questions outdated/inaccurate
- 📉 Not all questions match real exam
- 😵 Repeat questions in test mode
- 📱 Difficult to use on small screens
- 🤔 Explanations not always perfect

**Reported bugs**

- 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

**Requested features**

- 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


### Ground School

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ground-school/id1444387206)

Prepare for your FAA written test and become a safer pilot with this comprehensive training app. It combines expert instruction, engaging videos, and interactive practice tests to ensure you gain the knowledge needed to fly your best.

**Highlights:** Expert FAA flight instructor knowledge, Engaging educational videos, Pilot perspective flight footage, Over 1,000 practice test questions, CG animations for concept illustration, Pilot Proficiency dashboard, FAA Knowledge Test endorsement

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All-Access – Monthly Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| All-Access – Monthly Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| All-Access – Monthly Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| All-Access – 3-Month Plan | $149.99 | per 3 months |
| All-Access – 3-Month Plan | $149.99 | per 3 months |
| All-Access – 3-Month Plan (Sale) | $149.99 | per 3 months |
| All-Access – Annual Plan | $299.99 | per year |
| All-Access – Annual Plan | $299.99 | per year |
| All Access – Annual Plan (Sale) | $299.99 | per year |
| All-Access – Annual Plan | $299.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $299.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent ground school app
- 👍 Comprehensive and well-presented content
- 🎓 Helpful for passing written exams
- 👍 Great for both new and experienced pilots
- 🎓 Useful for CFIs to stay sharp

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Syncing issues between devices
- 🔍 Lack of desktop version
- 🔍 Limited flashcard and spaced-repetition features
- 🔍 Need for more interactive chart/sectional practice
- 🐛 Some questions have outdated or incorrect answers

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues between iPhone and iPad
- Some questions have incorrect or outdated answers

**Requested features**

- Desktop version of the app
- More robust flashcard and spaced-repetition system
- Deeper interactive practice with sectional charts
- Expansion to commercial and ATP levels


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Private Pilot Test Prep free?

Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Ground School free?

Ground School is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Private Pilot Test Prep or Ground School?

Ground School is rated higher. Private Pilot Test Prep averages 4.3 out of 5 from 115 ratings, while Ground School averages 4.9 from 1.7K ratings.

### Do Private Pilot Test Prep or Ground School have ads?

Neither Private Pilot Test Prep nor Ground School shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Private Pilot Test Prep or Ground School?

Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, and Ground School every 8 days. Most recently, Private Pilot Test Prep was updated on September 21, 2026 and Ground School on September 23, 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.*