Comparison

Instrument Pilot Test Prep vs BoldFace Aviation

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

Head to head
About

Instrument Pilot Test Prep

Prepare for your FAA Instrument Pilot written test with a comprehensive study tool. It offers three modes: study questions by topic, review using flashcards, and take simulated practice tests. Detailed explanations and progress reports help you track your learning.

Highlights
  • Study questions by topic
  • Customizable review sessions
  • Flashcard mode for knowledge testing
  • Simulated 60-question practice tests
  • Detailed explanations for answers
  • Progress reports and test history
  • High-resolution FAA figures and legends
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Sporty's Study Buddy will prepare you for the FAA Instrument Pilot 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 Instrument Rating. • 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 Instrument 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. Also includes the new upgraded test prep supplement (figures and legends) from the FAA, with new high-resolution images.

About

BoldFace Aviation

Features
Read full description

BoldFace is an aviation study application designed by pilots for pilots. Create cards, manage decks, flag cards, review past sessions, and sync everything between devices to stay sharp. The app now includes 321 cards meant for the Private Pilot coming up on a Biannual Flight Review or the student pilot getting ready for a check ride; additional cards will be added frequently and consistently with information ranging from IR, CPL, CFI, and more. A simple flashcard methodology removes the ability to guess on multiple choice and all cards include references that encourage deeper study for better understanding. More cards will be continuously added by the creators! Most importantly, BoldFace allows the user to create custom cards, including a photo on the question and answer side, to incorporate into the study sessions alongside the app provided ones. Study specific aircraft details without having to go to a different app. BoldFace lets the user organize any way they want; by category, deck, or flagging for the more difficult topics that are missed regularly. Users can review past sessions, export session details to PDF to send to a CFI or friend, and see performance by category. Key Features: - Build custom cards with photos to add into categories and decks. - Create decks with user selected cards. - Send created decks, to include with custom cards, to other BoldFace users. - Flag cards that require additional study or research later. - Shuffle study sessions to avoid order memorization. - See all past study sessions in a list and select a study session to see details including all missed cards from that session. - Fully sync custom cards, decks, flagged cards, muted cards, and past study session information / statistics across devices. - PDF exporter allows sending session results via iMessage, email, or saving to files. - Create custom study sessions including categories, decks, missed cards, and flagged cards. - Set notifications throughout the day to remain consistent in study. - See all details of and mute any card in the Master Card List to remove the card from study without permanently deleting the card from the app. This app will continuously be updated with new cards and features! If you have a recommendation for the app please reach out to us so our team can implement them! Next update scheduled for 15 October and will include a preliminary batch of CPL cards including Pt 119, 121, 125, 135 specific questions.

Screenshots

Instrument Pilot Test Prep4 screens
BoldFace Aviation4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: BoldFace Aviation at Free against Instrument Pilot Test Prep's $14.99. BoldFace Aviation also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 months). Instrument Pilot Test Prep's advantage is chart position (#98 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). On 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

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

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Instrument Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 5 months, BoldFace Aviation every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Instrument Pilot Test Prep versus BoldFace Aviation: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInstrument Pilot Test PrepBoldFace Aviation
Price$14.99Free — better
Rating3.1 (16 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews39.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
Best chart rank#98 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSporty's Pilot ShopERIK CARL MUNTZING

In-app purchases

None

Instrument Pilot Test Prep

No in-app purchases

None

BoldFace Aviation

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Instrument Pilot Test Prep free?
Instrument Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is BoldFace Aviation free?
BoldFace Aviation is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Instrument Pilot Test Prep or BoldFace Aviation have ads?
Neither Instrument Pilot Test Prep nor BoldFace Aviation shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Instrument Pilot Test Prep or BoldFace Aviation?
Instrument Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 5 months, and BoldFace Aviation every 2 weeks. Most recently, Instrument Pilot Test Prep was updated on October 23, 2026 and BoldFace Aviation on October 17, 2026.

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