Comparison

Binnacle School vs Captains License Test Prep

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

Head to head
About

Binnacle School

Prepare for your U.S. Coast Guard captain's license exams with a structured, module-based study approach. Practice questions with detailed explanations and interactive drills to master navigation, seamanship, and more. Track student progress for classes or unlock all content with a premium subscription.

Highlights
  • Module-based exam preparation
  • Explanation on every question
  • Interactive drills for practical skills
  • Class management and student tracking
  • Progressive unlocking of study modules
  • Daily practice with built-in tutor
Features
Read full description

Binnacle School — USCG Captain's License Exam Prep Study for your U.S. Coast Guard captain's license the way the exam actually works: by module, at your own pace, with an explanation on every question. Whether you're going for an OUPV / Six-Pack, OUPV-Master, or a 100- or 200-Ton Master credential, Binnacle School breaks the written exam into the same categories the Coast Guard tests. WHAT YOU STUDY - Navigation Rules (COLREGS / Inland) — lights, shapes, sound signals, give-way and stand-on. The most heavily weighted module on every deck exam. - Navigation General — piloting, tides and currents, aids to navigation, dead reckoning. - Deck General — seamanship, ground tackle, stability, firefighting, vessel construction. - Chart Plotting — set and drift, course to steer, lines of position, fixing your position. - Meteorology and Safety, scaling up to Celestial Navigation and Radar for the 200-Ton exam. FREE TO START Three full modules — Rules of the Road, Safety, and Meteorology — are open to everyone, no account required. Get free daily practice with an explanation from the built-in tutor. PASS TO UNLOCK Clear a module (80% over 20+ questions) and the next one opens. Build toward your specific license target one category at a time, in the sequence the exam follows. INTERACTIVE TRAINERS Drill the visual, hands-on parts the way they're tested: navigation lights, knots, chart work, celestial sights, stability, maneuvering boards, and tides. CLASSES Teaching a license course? Create a class, share a join code, and track every student's accuracy, attempts, and activity from one roster. Open specific modules for your students as they're ready. GO PRO Unlock every module, remove daily limits, and get unlimited tutor explanations. Sign in with Apple, Google, or a one-time email code. Fair winds and a following sea.

About

Captains License Test Prep

Features
Read full description

Earn your captain’s license with confidence. Captain’s License Test Prep is the complete study companion for the U.S. Coast Guard OUPV (“6-pack”) and Master / merchant mariner credential exams — built from publicly available USCG and NOAA materials and packed with the active-recall tools proven to help you remember more in less time. SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED: This is a paid app. After a short intro you’ll unlock full access with a subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase (details below). There is no separate free tier. EVERYTHING THE EXAM COVERS • Rules of the Road (Navigation Rules / COLREGS & Inland) — the module that requires 90% to pass • Navigation General — compass error, charts, aids to navigation, tides & currents • Deck General & Safety — seamanship, knots, anchoring, firefighting, stability, required equipment • Chart Plotting & Piloting — TVMDC, speed-time-distance, set & drift, dead reckoning STUDY SMARTER, NOT HARDER • 2,000+ original practice questions, each with a clear explanation of the answer (many with a breakdown of every option) • 20 quick-reference sheets: right-of-way guide, lights and shapes, sound signals, buoys, formulas, knots, first aid, weather and more • Anki-style flashcards on a Leitner spaced-repetition schedule — review weak topics right before you’d forget them • Mistake Bank — every question you miss is saved automatically so you can drill your weak areas • Full mock exams, timed and scored at the real USCG pass marks • Build-your-own quizzes by module, difficulty, and length • Read-aloud questions, search, and bookmarks SEE YOUR EXAM READINESS • Readiness score and per-module mastery • Accuracy-vs-pass-mark charts, speed tracking, and a spaced-repetition review forecast • Study streaks, a focus timer, and achievements to keep you consistent WORKS ANYWHERE • 100% offline — study at the dock or offshore, no internet needed • Private by design: no account, no login, no data collection • Universal app for iPhone and iPad SUBSCRIPTION & PRICING Full access is available as: • Monthly — $9.99 per month (auto-renewable) • Yearly — $49.99 per year (auto-renewable), with a 3-day free trial for new subscribers • Lifetime — $99.99 one-time purchase (not a subscription) Prices are in USD and may vary by region; your localized price is always shown before you buy. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you buy a subscription. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://appios432.blogspot.com/p/privacy-policy_01262967298.html Captain’s License Test Prep is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, authorized, endorsed by, or sponsored by the United States Coast Guard or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All practice questions are original and were written by our team from publicly available exam objectives and U.S. government materials.

Screenshots

Binnacle School4 screens
Captains License Test Prep4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Binnacle School at weekly against Captains License Test Prep's every 4 months. 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. Binnacle School sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Captains License Test Prep sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Binnacle School ships an update weekly, Captains License Test Prep every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Binnacle School versus Captains License Test Prep: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBinnacle SchoolCaptains License Test Prep
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJohn ThomasMD Shahariar Nazim Joy

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Binnacle School

Subscriptions2
  • Binnacle School Premium$4.991 Month
  • Binnacle School Premium$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$79.99
3 purchases

Captains License Test Prep

Subscriptions2
  • Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Premium Lifetime$99.99

Questions

Is Binnacle School free?
Binnacle School is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Captains License Test Prep free?
Captains License Test Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Binnacle School or Captains License Test Prep have ads?
Neither Binnacle School nor Captains License Test Prep shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Binnacle School or Captains License Test Prep?
Binnacle School ships an update weekly, and Captains License Test Prep every 4 months. Most recently, Binnacle School was updated on October 15, 2026 and Captains License Test Prep on October 25, 2026.

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