Comparison

Surgical Technologist CST Prep vs Surgical Instrument Learning

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

Head to head
About

Surgical Technologist CST Prep

Prepare for the AST CST exam with over 3000 practice questions and flashcards. Master key areas like surgical procedures, sterilization, and patient safety. This app aims to make studying engaging and effective for aspiring surgical technologists.

Highlights
  • 3000+ exam-like questions
  • 1000+ flashcards
  • Multiple practice tests
  • Covers all exam areas
  • Real-life scenarios
  • Engaging study methods
Features
Read full description

3000+ exam-like questions, 1000+ flashcards, over a dozen practice tests and real-life scenarios make Ultraprep a must-have tool to prepare for the AST CST. The AST (Surgical Technologists) examination is a crucial stepping stone for those seeking a rewarding career in surgical technology. It is designed to evaluate the essential knowledge and practical skills required in the dynamic environment of surgical procedures. The exam covers a comprehensive range of topics including surgical procedures, sterilization techniques, patient care and safety, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, as well as instrumentation and equipment handling. This exam is critical for ensuring that Surgical Technologists are well-prepared to assist in surgical operations, maintaining a sterile environment, and providing crucial support to surgeons and medical staff. The successful completion of the AST exam signifies a candidate's proficiency and readiness to enter the field as a qualified Surgical Technologist, a role that is integral to the efficiency and safety of surgical procedures in healthcare settings. YOU WILL MASTER ALL THE EXAM AREAS: * Surgical Procedures * Sterilization Techniques * Patient Care and Safety * Medical Terminology * Anatomy and Physiology * Instrumentation and Equipment * And many more… AST® is a registered trademark of the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA), which is not affiliated with, does not sponsor, or endorse Ultraprep. Preparing for your AST test can be tough, but it's not impossible with one of the best study apps around. Preparation for this test requires not only rote memorization but a real understanding of the material. The goal of this app is to help students engage with their studies and make it fun at the same time! Terms of use: https://ultraprep.co/terms Privacy policy: https://ultraprep.co/privacy-policy If you have questions or comments, email us any time: contact@ultraprep.co

About

Surgical Instrument Learning

Master surgical instruments with flashcards and exams based on real photographs. Practice identifying instruments for specific surgeries and trays, track your progress, and even add custom instruments. Pro members get access to interactive 3D models.

Highlights
  • 3,300+ instruments with photos
  • Flashcards, practice tests, timed exams
  • 3D instrument models (Pro)
  • Tray and surgery practice
  • Progress tracking
  • Custom instrument addition
  • Instrument of the Day
Features
Read full description

Learn every surgical instrument by sight, then prove it under exam conditions. Built for surgical technologists, scrub techs and students who have to name an instrument the moment it's asked for. Every question comes from a real photograph, so you study the way you're tested in the field. WHAT'S INSIDE: 3,300+ instruments with photographs, uses and the details that matter at the back table. Flashcards, practice tests and timed exams by class or specialty. Pro members can turn, zoom and open real 3D models, and every instrument page now shows sizes, care and reprocessing, and the trays or sets it belongs to. Look-alike drills for the pairs that actually cost people points. An Instrument of the Day to keep your eye sharp. Read aloud on any name. EVERY TRAY AND SURGERY: Practice all 31 standard trays and build each one from memory by spotting which instruments are missing. The instruments for 280+ surgeries are here too, ready to practice. KNOW WHERE YOU STAND: Progress tracks every instrument you've met, solid, still learning, or never seen. BUILD YOUR OWN: Add your own instruments and setup lists for what your facility actually runs. ONE SUBSCRIPTION: CSTSetup Pro works here, in CSTSetup, and on cstsetup.com.

Screenshots

Surgical Technologist CST Prep4 screens
Surgical Instrument Learning4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Surgical Instrument Learning at every 4 days against Surgical Technologist CST Prep's every 12 months. Surgical Technologist CST Prep's advantage is iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.4). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads 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

Both are free to download. Surgical Technologist CST Prep sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Surgical Instrument Learning sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Surgical Technologist CST Prep against 5.0 for Surgical Instrument Learning. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Surgical Technologist CST Prep ships an update every 12 months, Surgical Instrument Learning every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
Surgical Technologist CST Prep versus Surgical Instrument Learning: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSurgical Technologist CST PrepSurgical Instrument Learning
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (5 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Number of ratings5 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB61 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperFLUENT AAC TECHNOLOGY S.R.L.CSTSetup

Customer experience

Surgical Technologist CST Prep

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Surgical Instrument Learning

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Surgical Technologist CST Prep

Subscriptions2
  • 1-Month Premium$9.991 Month
  • 1-Month Premium7 Days trial$24.991 Month
2 purchases

Surgical Instrument Learning

Subscriptions2
  • CSTSetup Monthly Pro$12.991 Month
  • CSTSetup Yearly Pro$155.991 Year

Questions

Is Surgical Technologist CST Prep free?
Surgical Technologist CST Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Surgical Instrument Learning free?
Surgical Instrument Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Surgical Technologist CST Prep or Surgical Instrument Learning?
Surgical Technologist CST Prep and Surgical Instrument Learning are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 5 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Surgical Technologist CST Prep or Surgical Instrument Learning have ads?
Neither Surgical Technologist CST Prep nor Surgical Instrument Learning shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Surgical Technologist CST Prep or Surgical Instrument Learning?
Surgical Technologist CST Prep ships an update every 12 months, and Surgical Instrument Learning every 4 days. Most recently, Surgical Technologist CST Prep was updated on November 4, 2026 and Surgical Instrument Learning on October 31, 2026.

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