# API 653 helpmate vs API Inspector Cert Prep

The clearest difference is update cadence: API 653 helpmate at every 3 weeks against API Inspector Cert Prep's every 3 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. API 653 helpmate sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and API Inspector Cert Prep sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

API 653 helpmate ships an update every 3 weeks, API Inspector Cert Prep every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | API 653 helpmate | API Inspector Cert Prep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Size | 33 MB | 32 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **15.1** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Austenite Pty Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1525502686) | [Simon Shih](https://appshunter.io/developer/1870707682) |

## What reviewers say

### API 653 helpmate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/api-653-helpmate/id6745550821)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| API 653 Premium - 1 Year Access | $49.99 | one-time |


### API Inspector Cert Prep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/api-inspector-cert-prep/id6785875538)

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

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| API 510 – Pressure Vessel Inspector | $19.99 | one-time |
| API 570 – Piping Inspector | $19.99 | one-time |
| API 653 – Storage Tank Inspector | $19.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is API 653 helpmate free?

API 653 helpmate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is API Inspector Cert Prep free?

API Inspector Cert Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do API 653 helpmate or API Inspector Cert Prep have ads?

Neither API 653 helpmate nor API Inspector Cert Prep shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, API 653 helpmate or API Inspector Cert Prep?

API 653 helpmate ships an update every 3 weeks, and API Inspector Cert Prep every 3 months. Most recently, API 653 helpmate was updated on September 30, 2026 and API Inspector Cert Prep on October 2, 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.*