# Instrument Pilot Test Prep vs Private Pilot Course

The clearest difference is price: Instrument Pilot Test Prep at $14.99 against Private Pilot Course's $29.99. Instrument Pilot Test Prep also leads on update cadence (every 5 months vs every 38 months) and chart position (#191 vs unranked). Private Pilot Course's advantage is rating (3.5 vs 3.1) and review sentiment (60% vs 39%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Instrument Pilot Test Prep costs $14.99 and Private Pilot Course $29.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Private Pilot Course holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of Instrument Pilot Test Prep's written reviews are positive against 60% of Private Pilot Course's.

Instrument Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 5 months, Private Pilot Course every 38 months. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Instrument Pilot Test Prep | Private Pilot Course |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$14.99** | $29.99 |
| Rating | [3.1 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instrument-pilot-test-prep/id437392025/reviews) | **[3.5 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-course-ground/id731546828/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **16** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 39.3% of reviews | **60.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 months** | Every 38 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#191** | — |
| Size | 28 MB | 749 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sporty's Pilot Shop](https://appshunter.io/developer/371817958) | [Flight Training Apps, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/438868778) |

## What reviewers say

### Instrument Pilot Test Prep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instrument-pilot-test-prep/id437392025)

**Currently charting:** #191 Top Paid · Education (US App Store)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Private Pilot Course

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-course-ground/id731546828)

Prepare for the ground portion of your FAA Private Pilot Practical Test with realistic checkride scenarios and expert insights. Includes essential FAA handbooks, a knowledge quiz, and flight calculators.

**Highlights:** Realistic checkride oral enactment, Examiner and instructor insights, FAA Airplane Flying Handbook, Private Pilot PTS, Knowledge quiz, Flight calculators

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Instrument Pilot Test Prep free?

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

### Is Private Pilot Course free?

Private Pilot Course costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Instrument Pilot Test Prep or Private Pilot Course?

Private Pilot Course is rated higher. Instrument Pilot Test Prep averages 3.1 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Private Pilot Course averages 3.5 from 6 ratings.

### Do Instrument Pilot Test Prep or Private Pilot Course have ads?

Neither Instrument Pilot Test Prep nor Private Pilot Course shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Instrument Pilot Test Prep or Private Pilot Course?

Instrument Pilot Test Prep ships an update every 5 months, and Private Pilot Course every 38 months. Most recently, Instrument Pilot Test Prep was updated on September 21, 2026 and Private Pilot Course on September 17, 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.*