# Private Pilot Course vs Instrument Test Prep

The clearest difference is price: Instrument Test Prep at Free against Private Pilot Course's $29.99. Instrument Test Prep also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.5) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 38 months). Private Pilot Course's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.1). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Instrument Test Prep is free to download; Private Pilot Course costs $29.99 up front. Instrument Test Prep sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Private Pilot Course asks for nothing beyond the download.

Instrument Test Prep holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Instrument Test Prep has 152 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Private Pilot Course's written reviews are positive against 88% of Instrument Test Prep's.

Private Pilot Course ships an update every 38 months, Instrument Test Prep fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 17, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Private Pilot Course | Instrument Test Prep |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $29.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [3.5 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-course-ground/id731546828/reviews) | **[4.9 (152 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instrument-test-prep/id1456043080/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **152** |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | **87.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 38 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 749 MB | 116 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Flight Training Apps, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/438868778) | [Aeroapps Technology](https://appshunter.io/developer/923860276) |

## What reviewers say

### Private Pilot Course

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/private-pilot-course-ground/id731546828)

Prepare for the ground portion of your FAA Private Pilot Practical Test with realistic checkride scenarios and expert insights. Includes essential FAA handbooks, a knowledge quiz, and flight calculators.

**Highlights:** Realistic checkride oral enactment, Examiner and instructor insights, FAA Airplane Flying Handbook, Private Pilot PTS, Knowledge quiz, Flight calculators

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Instrument Test Prep

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/instrument-test-prep/id1456043080)

Prepare for your FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Test with a comprehensive question bank and detailed explanations. Customize study sessions, take simulated exams, and track your progress. An optional upgrade unlocks full ground school lessons and advanced features.

**Highlights:** Over 900 FAA questions with explanations, Customizable study sessions, Simulated FAA exams, Review missed questions, Track progress across devices, Study resources library

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Instrument Ground School Trial | Free | one-time |
| Instrument Rating Test Prep | $49.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade to Ground School | $129.99 | one-time |
| Instrument Ground School | $179.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Private Pilot Course free?

Private Pilot Course costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Instrument Test Prep free?

Instrument Test Prep is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Private Pilot Course or Instrument Test Prep?

Instrument Test Prep is rated higher. Private Pilot Course averages 3.5 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Instrument Test Prep averages 4.9 from 152 ratings.

### Do Private Pilot Course or Instrument Test Prep have ads?

Neither Private Pilot Course nor Instrument Test Prep shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Private Pilot Course or Instrument Test Prep?

Private Pilot Course ships an update every 38 months, and Instrument Test Prep fortnightly. Most recently, Private Pilot Course was updated on September 17, 2026 and Instrument Test Prep on September 24, 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.*