# NCLEX Practice Test vs NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NCLEX Practice Test at none against NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain's 1. NCLEX Practice Test also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NCLEX Practice Test asks for nothing beyond the download.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NCLEX Practice Test | NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 5 months |
| Size | 3 MB | 16 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Ben Wallenberg](https://appshunter.io/developer/1447093082) | [Carlton Payne III](https://appshunter.io/developer/923853665) |

## What reviewers say

### NCLEX Practice Test

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nclex-practice-test/id6751264648)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nclex-prep-by-paynebrain/id6761001856)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NCLEX Pro Unlock | $49.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NCLEX Practice Test free?

NCLEX Practice Test is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain free?

NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do NCLEX Practice Test or NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain have ads?

Both NCLEX Practice Test and NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain show ads.

### Which is updated more often, NCLEX Practice Test or NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain?

NCLEX Practice Test ships an update every 5 months, and NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain every 5 months. Most recently, NCLEX Practice Test was updated on October 24, 2026 and NCLEX Prep by PayneBrain on October 25, 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.*