Comparison

GMDSS TRAINER vs STCW Basic Safety Training

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

Head to head
About

GMDSS TRAINER

Prepare for FCC maritime radio operator exams with this comprehensive study companion. It features official question pools, AI-powered explanations for complex topics, and flexible study modes to help you understand material and pass your certification tests.

Highlights
  • Official FCC question pools
  • AI-powered explanations
  • Multiple study modes (Practice, Exam, Review)
  • Detailed analytics and progress tracking
  • Smart flagging for difficult questions
  • Topic-based performance breakdowns
Features
Read full description

Master Your FCC Maritime Radio Exams with GMDSS TRAINER. Whether you are pursuing a Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP), the GMDSS Radio Operator's License or a GMDSS Radio Maintainer’s License, GMDSS TRAINER is the modern study companion designed to help you pass on your first attempt. Built for professionals and maritime students, this app combines the official FCC question pools with cutting-edge AI guidance to ensure you don’t just memorize answers—you understand the material. EXCLUSIVE: AI-POWERED EXPLANATIONS Stuck on a complex technical question about signal propagation or distress frequencies? Tap the AI icon to receive a detailed, easy-to-understand explanation generated specifically for that question. It’s like having a maritime electronics instructor in your pocket. COMPREHENSIVE FCC COVERAGE Study for seven FCC Commercial Radio Operator license elements: • Element 1: Marine Radio Operator Permit (MROP) • Element 3: General Radiotelephone Operator License (GROL) • Element 6: Advanced Radiotelegraph Operator's Certificate • Element 7: GMDSS Radio Operating Practices (with Element 1, the full GMDSS Radio Operator's License) • Element 7R: Restricted GMDSS Radio Operator's License • Element 8: Ship RADAR Endorsement • Element 9: GMDSS Radio Maintainer's License NEW: THE FULL ELEMENT 7 POOL All 600 questions from the official FCC Element 7 pool, the exam for the GMDSS Radio Operator's License that deep-sea GMDSS officers hold. Practice by section (DSC, Distress & Safety, Survival Craft & SAR, MSI/NAVTEX, Inmarsat & Iridium, MF-HF and NBDP), or sit a timed 100-question exam with the FCC's 75% pass mark. FLEXIBLE STUDY MODES • Practice Mode: Review questions at your own pace. Use hints to eliminate wrong answers and access AI explanations instantly. • Exam Mode: Simulate the real testing environment with timed sessions and official question counts. See if you can achieve the required 75% passing score under pressure. • Review Mode: Dive deep into your results. Identify weak areas with topic-based performance breakdowns and color-coded answer reviews. KEY FEATURES: • Official Question Pools: every question comes from the published FCC pools for the elements above. • Detailed Analytics: Track your progress over time with intuitive dashboards and performance history. • Smart Flagging: Bookmark difficult questions to review them later. • Topic Breakdown: See exactly which sub-elements you need to study more. • Modern Interface: A clean, responsive design optimized for study efficiency. Don't leave your maritime career to chance. Download GMDSS TRAINER today and take the first step toward your professional FCC certification.

About

STCW Basic Safety Training

Features
Read full description

Get ready for your STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) with confidence. Basic Safety Training is mandatory under the IMO STCW Convention for seafarers assigned shipboard safety and emergency duties. This app covers all four BST modules so you can walk into your course or assessment fully prepared. WHAT YOU GET - 120+ original practice questions across the four mandatory modules: Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities. - Plain-English explanations for every answer so you understand the reasoning, not just the correct option. - Timed mock exams that mirror a real assessment format and pass mark. - Study by topic to focus on your weak spots. - Progress saved on your device, no sign-up required. - Works offline: study on watch, on a break, or ashore. - Available in English, Tagalog (Filipino), Hindi, Indonesian and Chinese. WHY THIS APP Free to download and practise. Start free, then a single one-time purchase unlocks the full question bank, every module, and unlimited timed mock exams. No ads, no subscription, no account needed. NOTE Unofficial study app. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), any flag State, training centre or certifying body. This app does not replace approved STCW Basic Safety Training and does not guarantee passing any certification. Fair winds and a safe watch! Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://flysky-privacy.pages.dev

Screenshots

GMDSS TRAINER4 screens
STCW Basic Safety Training4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: STCW Basic Safety Training at every 4 days against GMDSS TRAINER's every 4 weeks. STCW Basic Safety Training also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. GMDSS TRAINER sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and STCW Basic Safety Training sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GMDSS TRAINER ships an update every 4 weeks, STCW Basic Safety Training every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
GMDSS TRAINER versus STCW Basic Safety Training: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGMDSS TRAINERSTCW Basic Safety Training
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS26.113.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOsprey Applications LLCfly sky pty ltd

In-app purchases

1 purchases

GMDSS TRAINER

One-time1
  • Full Access$14.99
4 purchases

STCW Basic Safety Training

Subscriptions3
  • STCW Safety Full Access$6.997 Days
  • STCW Safety Full Access$16.991 Month
  • STCW Safety Full Access$39.993 Months
One-time1
  • Unlock Full Access$4.99

Questions

Is GMDSS TRAINER free?
GMDSS TRAINER is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is STCW Basic Safety Training free?
STCW Basic Safety Training is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do GMDSS TRAINER or STCW Basic Safety Training have ads?
Neither GMDSS TRAINER nor STCW Basic Safety Training shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GMDSS TRAINER or STCW Basic Safety Training?
GMDSS TRAINER ships an update every 4 weeks, and STCW Basic Safety Training every 4 days. Most recently, GMDSS TRAINER was updated on October 31, 2026 and STCW Basic Safety Training on November 13, 2026.

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