# Aviation Exam vs IFR Flight Trainer Simulator

The clearest difference is rating: Aviation Exam at 4.8 against IFR Flight Trainer Simulator's 3.9. Aviation Exam also leads on ratings volume (495 vs 76) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.6). On price, review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Aviation Exam sells 30 one-off in-app purchases and IFR Flight Trainer Simulator sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Aviation Exam holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aviation Exam has 495 ratings behind it against 76, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 79% of Aviation Exam's written reviews are positive against 82% of IFR Flight Trainer Simulator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Aviation Exam ships an update every 2 months, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Aviation Exam | IFR Flight Trainer Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (495 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aviation-exam-easa/id477687688/reviews)** | [3.9 (76 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-flight-trainer-simulator/id901798935/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **495** | 76 |
| Positive reviews | 78.9% of reviews | **81.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 34 MB | 155 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 18.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Aviationexam s.r.o.](https://appshunter.io/developer/416832093) | [Flygo-Aviation Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/550770776) |

## What reviewers say

### Aviation Exam

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aviation-exam-easa/id477687688)

Prepare for EASA pilot exams with an extensive, offline question bank. Customize your study with advanced filters, access detailed explanations, and track your progress with insightful statistics. Seamlessly integrate with electronic textbooks for a comprehensive learning experience.

**Highlights:** Constantly updated question bank, Offline test preparation, Customizable study filters, Detailed question explanations, Integrated electronic textbooks, Advanced statistics and progress monitoring, Cross-platform synchronization

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (30)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All Subjects of PPL Syllabus | $19.90 | one-time |
| EASA - All EASA - FCL Subjects | $33.49 | one-time |
| All EASA - FCL 2016 Subjects | $33.49 | one-time |
| 090 - eTextbook | $35.90 | one-time |
| 070 - eTextbook | $35.95 | one-time |
| 031 - eTextbook | $37.49 | one-time |
| 010 - eTextbook | $37.90 | one-time |
| 010 - eTextbook 2016 | $37.90 | one-time |
| 033 - eTextbook | $41.90 | one-time |
| 032 - eTextbook | $42.49 | one-time |
| 062 - eTextbook | $42.49 | one-time |
| 081 - eTextbook | $42.49 | one-time |
| 061 - eTextbook | $43.49 | one-time |
| 050 - eTextbook | $44.90 | one-time |
| 022 - eTextbook | $45.49 | one-time |
| All Subjects of PPL Syllabus | $46.90 | one-time |
| 021 - eTextbook | $51.90 | one-time |
| ICAO English Level 5 | $58.90 | one-time |
| EASA Professional Pilot Studies | $63.90 | one-time |
| All Subjects of PPL Syllabus | $70.90 | one-time |
| PPL AirCademy (in English) | $80.90 | one-time |
| PPL Fragenkatalog | $81.90 | one-time |
| EASA - All EASA - FCL Subjects | $87.90 | one-time |
| All EASA - FCL 2016 Subjects | $87.90 | one-time |
| PPL Questionnaire | $96.90 | one-time |
| All Subjects of PPL Syllabus | $115.99 | one-time |
| All EASA - FCL 2016 Subjects | $132.99 | one-time |
| EASA - All EASA - FCL Subjects | $147.99 | one-time |
| All EASA - FCL 2016 Subjects | $209.00 | one-time |
| EASA - All EASA - FCL Subjects | $229.00 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Comprehensive question bank
- 💡 Detailed explanations and comments
- 👍 Offline functionality
- 🚀 Efficient study tool for exams
- 👍 User-friendly interface

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Some questions have missing/inaccurate images
- 🐛 Occasional app crashes
- 🔋 Slow database sync/update
- 👎 Subscription-based model
- 👎 Explanations could be improved in some cases

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch for some users
- Sync issues causing incomplete database downloads

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Ability to select specific number of questions easily
- Grouping of questions for users outside Europe
- Landscape mode for reading materials on iPhone


### IFR Flight Trainer Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-flight-trainer-simulator/id901798935)

Practice instrument flight rules (IFR) navigation with this simulator. Learn and improve IFR procedures, including VOR, NDB, and holding patterns. Offers cockpit and map modes with adjustable wind and built-in tasks for comprehensive pilot training.

**Highlights:** Cockpit and map modes, VOR, NDB, DME, HSI, EHSI, RMI instruments, Approach procedure practice, Adjustable wind settings, Holding pattern simulation, Custom scenario creation, Built-in training tasks

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| IFR Simulator Half Price | $11.99 | one-time |
| IFR Simulator Unlock | $24.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 User-friendly interface and intuitive controls
- 🎓 Excellent learning tool for IFR training and instrument procedures
- 🎮 Comprehensive customization options (wind, runway, conditions)
- 📊 Dual view modes (cockpit and map/plan view)
- 🎯 Realistic flight modeling and aerodynamics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Aggressive monetization with limited free trial
- ⏱️ Unreasonably short trial period (3-5 minutes)
- 🔒 Paywall blocks most features in free version
- 🎯 Unrealistic immediate heading changes (no standard rate turns)
- 🐛 Occasional app crashes and stability issues

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes after short usage periods
- Heading indicator gets stuck causing continuous turning
- HSI radials appear to be offset or incorrect
- DME distance calculations may be inaccurate (slant range issue)
- Task completion triggers before reaching waypoints

**Requested features**

- Standard rate turn simulation for realistic intercepts and holdings
- LOC (Localizer) mode for HSI reverse sensing practice
- Fixed-card ADF instrument option
- Adjustable turn rate settings to match different aircraft
- Error feedback display showing incorrect flight paths


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Aviation Exam free?

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

### Is IFR Flight Trainer Simulator free?

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Aviation Exam or IFR Flight Trainer Simulator?

Aviation Exam is rated higher. Aviation Exam averages 4.8 out of 5 from 495 ratings, while IFR Flight Trainer Simulator averages 3.9 from 76 ratings.

### Do Aviation Exam or IFR Flight Trainer Simulator have ads?

Neither Aviation Exam nor IFR Flight Trainer Simulator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Aviation Exam or IFR Flight Trainer Simulator?

Aviation Exam ships an update every 2 months, and IFR Flight Trainer Simulator every 3 months. Most recently, Aviation Exam was updated on September 22, 2026 and IFR Flight Trainer Simulator on September 7, 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.*