Comparison

Private Pilot Test Prep vs ATSAPro

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

ATSAPro

Practice aptitude tests designed to mimic parts of the FAA's Air Traffic Controller exam. Improve your skills with interactive games that simulate the test's components. This app serves as a practice tool to enhance your readiness for the official assessment.

Highlights
  • Practice individual test parts
  • Improve aptitude skills
  • Simulates exam components
  • Interactive practice games
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The Air Traffic Skills Assessment (ATSA) Exam is the FAA's current version of the aptitude test required to become an Air Traffic Controller. The FAA uses the ATSA to prescreen potential Air Traffic Controllers. The test includes several parts that evaluate the candidates aptitude. ATSAPro is designed to help improve ATSA Exam scores by allowing candidates to practice the individual parts of the test.* *Disclaimer: ATSAPro is in no way affiliated with the FAA or the ATSA exam. It makes no guarantee of passing the ATSA exam nor does it guarantee employment of any kind. ATSAPro is to be used as an aid to improve aptitude with games that may be similar to parts of the actual ATSA exam. Use ATSAPro at your own risk.

Screenshots

Private Pilot Test Prep4 screens
ATSAPro4 screens

Verdict

The call

Private Pilot Test Prep and ATSAPro both sit at 4.3 stars, but that hides the real split: 82% of Private Pilot Test Prep's written reviews are positive against 50% of ATSAPro's. Private Pilot Test Prep also leads on ratings volume (115 vs 8) and chart position (#20 vs #186). ATSAPro's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 4 months) and price ($9.99 vs $14.99). On rating, 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 ATSAPro $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for Private Pilot Test Prep against 4.3 for ATSAPro. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Private Pilot Test Prep has 115 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of Private Pilot Test Prep's written reviews are positive against 50% of ATSAPro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, ATSAPro weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Private Pilot Test Prep versus ATSAPro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate Pilot Test PrepATSAPro
Price$14.99$9.99 — better
Rating4.3 (115 ratings) — better4.3 (8 ratings)
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings115 — better8
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#20 — better#186
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSporty's Pilot ShopType1Aviation LLC

Customer experience

Private Pilot Test Prep

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

ATSAPro

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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

ATSAPro

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Private Pilot Test Prep

No in-app purchases

None

ATSAPro

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Private Pilot Test Prep free?
Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ATSAPro free?
ATSAPro costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Private Pilot Test Prep or ATSAPro?
Private Pilot Test Prep is rated higher. Private Pilot Test Prep averages 4.3 out of 5 from 115 ratings, while ATSAPro averages 4.3 from 8 ratings.
Do Private Pilot Test Prep or ATSAPro have ads?
Neither Private Pilot Test Prep nor ATSAPro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Private Pilot Test Prep or ATSAPro?
Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, and ATSAPro weekly. Most recently, Private Pilot Test Prep was updated on September 30, 2026 and ATSAPro on September 15, 2026.
Which is more popular, Private Pilot Test Prep or ATSAPro?
Private Pilot Test Prep currently peaks at #20 in the App Store charts, and ATSAPro at #186. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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