# Brainscape vs Certified Planner Exam Prep

Brainscape and Certified Planner Exam Prep both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 82% of Brainscape's written reviews are positive against 0% of Certified Planner Exam Prep's. Brainscape also leads on ratings volume (22K vs 20) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Brainscape sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month and Certified Planner Exam Prep sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Brainscape against 4.8 for Certified Planner Exam Prep. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Brainscape has 22K ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of Brainscape's written reviews are positive against 0% of Certified Planner Exam Prep's.

Brainscape ships an update every 3 weeks, Certified Planner Exam Prep every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Brainscape | Certified Planner Exam Prep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (22K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainscape-study-flashcards/id442415567/reviews) | **[4.8 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/certified-planner-exam-prep/id6744002888/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **22K** | 20 |
| Positive reviews | **82.2% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 42 MB | 60 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Brainscape](https://appshunter.io/developer/380833754) | [Exam Prep OU](https://appshunter.io/developer/1689642184) |

## What reviewers say

### Brainscape

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brainscape-study-flashcards/id442415567)

This app uses AI and spaced repetition to help you learn faster and remember longer. Create your own multimedia flashcards or access a vast marketplace of expert-curated content for various subjects and exams. It's designed for serious learners who want to optimize their study time.

**Highlights:** AI-powered flashcard maker, Spaced repetition algorithm, Expert-curated flashcard marketplace, Create multimedia flashcards, Collaborative content creation, Active recall and self-assessment

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Brainscape Pro | $19.99 | per month |
| Brainscape Pro | $59.99 | per 6 months |
| Brainscape Pro | $95.99 | per year |
| Brainscape Pro Lifetime | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Amazing flashcard app
- 👍 Great for studying and learning
- 👍 Helpful for passing exams and tests
- 👍 Convenient to use on mobile devices
- 👍 Effective spaced repetition algorithm

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🐛 Buggy app with crashes and syncing issues
- 🔒 Limited functionality in free version
- 👎 Difficult to edit and organize cards
- 👎 Inaccuracies in some pre-made decks

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when switching between cards
- Syncing issues causing data loss
- Difficulty importing and organizing custom cards
- Inconsistent performance on different devices

**Requested features**

- Allow more customization of cards (e.g., adding images, audio)
- Improve search and browsing functionality
- Provide more detailed progress tracking and statistics
- Offer family/group subscription plans
- Add support for more languages


### Certified Planner Exam Prep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/certified-planner-exam-prep/id6744002888)

Prepare for the AICP Planner Exam with a comprehensive test prep app. Features include an extensive question bank, detailed explanations, progress tracking, and customizable study plans. Simulate the exam experience to build confidence and achieve certification.

**Highlights:** Up-to-date practice tests, Extensive question bank, Detailed explanations, Progress tracking, Customizable study plans, Simulated exam mode

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

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| AICP Weekly Full Access | $14.99 | per 7 days |
| AICP Monthly Full Access | $34.99 | per month |
| AICP Monthly Full Access | $34.99 | per month |
| AICP Quarterly Full Access | $69.99 | per 3 months |
| AICP Quarterly Full Access | $69.99 | per 3 months |
| AICP Semiannual Full Access | $99.99 | per 6 months |
| AICP Semiannual Full Access | $99.99 | per 6 months |
| AICP Annual Full Access | $139.99 | per year |
| AICP Annual Full Access | $139.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Brainscape free?

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

### Is Certified Planner Exam Prep free?

Certified Planner Exam Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Brainscape or Certified Planner Exam Prep?

Certified Planner Exam Prep is rated higher. Brainscape averages 4.8 out of 5 from 22K ratings, while Certified Planner Exam Prep averages 4.8 from 20 ratings.

### Do Brainscape or Certified Planner Exam Prep have ads?

Neither Brainscape nor Certified Planner Exam Prep shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Brainscape or Certified Planner Exam Prep?

Brainscape ships an update every 3 weeks, and Certified Planner Exam Prep every 3 months. Most recently, Brainscape was updated on October 22, 2026 and Certified Planner Exam Prep on September 27, 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.*