Comparison

Private Pilot Test Prep vs ATC

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

ATC

Features
Read full description

Designed For Student Pilots who are leaning to talk on the radio! ATC Trainer helps pilots practice radio communication in common towered and non-towered airport scenarios. Work through realistic ATC calls, listen to clearances out loud, and practice responding with speech. The app checks your readback and lets you know what was correct or what was missed, helping you build cleaner, more confident radio habits. Practice scenarios include ground operations, in-air instructions, and airport arrivals. You can also set your aircraft tail number and airplane make so calls are personalized to your aircraft. Features • Towered and non-towered airport scenarios • Ground, in-air, and approaching airport practice • Speech-to-text readback practice • Feedback for missing or incorrect readback items • Optional spoken ATC clearances • Custom tail number and airplane make • Voice selection support for installed iOS voices • Practice for taxi, takeoff, traffic, approach, landing, and pattern calls

Screenshots

Private Pilot Test Prep4 screens
ATC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: ATC at Free against Private Pilot Test Prep's $14.99. ATC also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 4 months). Private Pilot Test Prep's advantage is chart position (#20 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads and in-app purchases 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

ATC is free to download; Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, ATC every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Private Pilot Test Prep versus ATC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPrivate Pilot Test PrepATC
Price$14.99Free — better
Rating4.3 (115 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings115 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#20 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSporty's Pilot ShopDaniel Moran

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

ATC

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Private Pilot Test Prep

No in-app purchases

None

ATC

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Private Pilot Test Prep free?
Private Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is ATC free?
ATC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Private Pilot Test Prep or ATC have ads?
Neither Private Pilot Test Prep nor ATC shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Private Pilot Test Prep or ATC?
Private Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 4 months, and ATC every 4 days. Most recently, Private Pilot Test Prep was updated on September 30, 2026 and ATC on September 19, 2026.

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