# C172N Performance Pad vs Ground School

The clearest difference is price: Ground School at Free against C172N Performance Pad's $13.99. Ground School also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 14 months) and ratings volume (1.8K vs 3). C172N Performance Pad's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 12) and review sentiment (100% vs 88%). On ads there is nothing between them.

Ground School is free to download; C172N Performance Pad costs $13.99 up front. Ground School sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per month. C172N Performance Pad asks for nothing beyond the download.

Ground School holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ground School has 1.8K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of C172N Performance Pad's written reviews are positive against 88% of Ground School's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

C172N Performance Pad ships an update every 14 months, Ground School every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | C172N Performance Pad | Ground School |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $13.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c172n-performance-pad/id587354978/reviews) | **[4.9 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ground-school/id1444387206/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **1.8K** |
| Positive reviews | **100.0% of reviews** | 88.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 26 MB | 215 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **16.0** |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gyronimo, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/536898885) | [On The Flight Line Productions LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/328833131) |

## What reviewers say

### C172N Performance Pad

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c172n-performance-pad/id587354978)

This app calculates crucial flight performance data for the Cessna 172N aircraft. It assists pilots with mass and balance, takeoff and landing distances, climb performance, and optimal cruise settings using data from the Pilot's Operating Handbook.

**Highlights:** Mass & Balance calculations, Takeoff and Landing distance computation, Climb performance analysis, Optimal cruise altitude determination, Wind component calculation, Weight & Balance load manifest export

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Ground School

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ground-school/id1444387206)

Prepare for your FAA written test and become a safer pilot with this comprehensive training app. It combines expert instruction, engaging videos, and interactive practice tests to ensure you gain the knowledge needed to fly your best.

**Highlights:** Expert FAA flight instructor knowledge, Engaging educational videos, Pilot perspective flight footage, Over 1,000 practice test questions, CG animations for concept illustration, Pilot Proficiency dashboard, FAA Knowledge Test endorsement

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| All-Access – Monthly Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| All-Access – Monthly Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| All-Access – Monthly Plan | $49.99 | per month |
| All-Access – 3-Month Plan | $149.99 | per 3 months |
| All-Access – 3-Month Plan | $149.99 | per 3 months |
| All-Access – 3-Month Plan (Sale) | $149.99 | per 3 months |
| All-Access – Annual Plan | $299.99 | per year |
| All-Access – Annual Plan | $299.99 | per year |
| All Access – Annual Plan (Sale) | $299.99 | per year |
| All-Access – Annual Plan | $299.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Access | $299.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Excellent ground school app
- 👍 Comprehensive and well-presented content
- 🎓 Helpful for passing written exams
- 👍 Great for both new and experienced pilots
- 🎓 Useful for CFIs to stay sharp

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Syncing issues between devices
- 🔍 Lack of desktop version
- 🔍 Limited flashcard and spaced-repetition features
- 🔍 Need for more interactive chart/sectional practice
- 🐛 Some questions have outdated or incorrect answers

**Reported bugs**

- Syncing issues between iPhone and iPad
- Some questions have incorrect or outdated answers

**Requested features**

- Desktop version of the app
- More robust flashcard and spaced-repetition system
- Deeper interactive practice with sectional charts
- Expansion to commercial and ATP levels


## Frequently asked questions

### Is C172N Performance Pad free?

C172N Performance Pad costs $13.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Ground School free?

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

### Which has better reviews, C172N Performance Pad or Ground School?

Ground School is rated higher. C172N Performance Pad averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Ground School averages 4.9 from 1.8K ratings.

### Do C172N Performance Pad or Ground School have ads?

Neither C172N Performance Pad nor Ground School shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, C172N Performance Pad or Ground School?

C172N Performance Pad ships an update every 14 months, and Ground School every 2 weeks. Most recently, C172N Performance Pad was updated on October 11, 2026 and Ground School on October 21, 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.*