Prices, features and guarantee terms below are taken from each school’s own website as of November 2026 (checked November 2, 2026). Course prices change often and sales come and go, so confirm on the checkout page. We have not taken these courses; this is a comparison of what each school publishes. See our disclosure.
Quick answer: You don’t need to buy a course to pass the FAA Part 107 test. The FAA’s own study materials are free. A paid course mostly buys you structure, practice exams and a pass guarantee. As of November 2026 the three best-known online courses list between $199 and $299, and all three offer some kind of refund if you fail. Read the guarantee conditions before you buy.
If you plan to fly a drone for any non-recreational reason, like paid photos, real estate, roof checks or volunteer work for an organization, you need an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate. To get one you pass the “Unmanned Aircraft General – Small” (UAG) knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center (FAA). Our Part 107 hub walks through every step. This page covers one question: should you pay for a prep course, and if so, which one?
What the test looks like (so you know what a course must cover)
- 60 scored multiple-choice questions, plus 5 unscored validation questions, in 2 hours. You need 70% to pass (PSI UAG bulletin).
- According to PSI’s bulletin, the current split is roughly Regulations 48%, Airspace 20%, Operations 25%, Weather 5% and Loading and performance 2%. That split comes from an industry job-task analysis completed in 2025.
- The FAA says testing centers charge about $175 (FAA FAQ). If you fail, you have to wait 14 calendar days before retesting (14 CFR 107.71).
Since regulations are almost half the test, a good course should spend real time on Part 107 rules and on reading sectional charts for airspace questions.
Comparison table (as of November 2026)
| Course | Listed price | What the school says you get | Pass guarantee (summary) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilot Institute Part 107 Made Easy |
$249 list; shown at $159 when checked | 15+ hours of video in 200+ short lessons, 20 quizzes (300+ questions), unlimited practice exams, flashcard app, cheat sheet, live office hours, lifetime access | Full course refund plus $175 if you don’t pass on your first try; also a 30-day money-back guarantee |
| Drone Pilot Ground School (UAV Coach) |
$299 for 1 person ($249 each for 2–4); a $159 price was also shown on the pricing page when checked | 80+ video and text lessons, 400+ question practice bank, study plans, flashcards, weekly live Zoom study sessions, lifetime access; discounts for military, public safety, STEM educators and nonprofits | Course refund plus the $175 test fee if you complete the course and hit the required practice-test scores (85%+) first |
| Drone Launch Academy Part 107 Test Prep |
$199 | HD video lectures, 300+ practice questions, five full-length practice tests, 75+ page downloadable e-book, instructor support, lifetime access | Course refund plus an exam-fee credit if you completed all modules, scored 85%+ on a final exam within 7 days of your test, and file within 90 days |
| FAA free materials | $0 | Remote Pilot Study Guide, Airman Certification Standards, testing supplement and official sample questions | None |
Sources: Pilot Institute, Drone Pilot Ground School pricing and course page, Drone Launch Academy. Pass rates and student counts are the schools’ own claims and haven’t been independently verified.
A closer look at each option
Pilot Institute: the most content for the money
Pilot Institute’s course is the longest of the three by its own count (15+ hours). It’s taught by Greg Reverdiau, who the school says is an FAA Certified Flight Instructor. Its guarantee is the simplest to read: if you don’t pass on your first try, it says it refunds the course and sends $175. Pilot Institute is also one of the FAA’s approved TRUST test administrators (FAA TRUST list). Good fit if: you want a lot of explanation and like short videos.
Drone Pilot Ground School: live help and group pricing
Run by UAV Coach since 2014, it stands out for weekly live Zoom study sessions and one-on-one support by phone or email. Its pricing page also lists group pricing and discounts for public-safety workers. Good fit if: you want to ask a real person questions, or you’re training a small team. The guarantee requires you to finish the course and reach 85% on practice tests first. The school’s homepage and FAQ word the number of practice tests differently, so read the current terms before you buy.
Drone Launch Academy: the lowest listed price
At $199 it’s the cheapest of the three at regular price, and it includes a printable e-book study guide, which helps if you like studying on paper. Its instructors include an FAA-certified Advanced Ground Instructor and an aviation lawyer, according to the school. Good fit if: you’re on a budget and want a printable guide. Its guarantee has the strictest timing conditions of the three.
Studying free with FAA materials
The FAA publishes everything the test is built from: the Remote Pilot Study Guide, the Remote Pilot Airman Certification Standards, the testing supplement with the charts you’ll see on test day, and sample UAG questions. The material is dry, and there’s no guarantee if you fail. But if you’re disciplined, a few weeks with these is enough for many people. Only the $175 test fee is at risk.
How to choose
- Price the whole thing. Course plus the roughly $175 test fee. With a course, most people spend around $360–$475 at list prices.
- Read the guarantee rules. Two of the three require practice-test scores or completion records before they’ll pay out. Screenshot your scores.
- Check for updates. PSI’s bulletin shows the test was rebalanced toward regulations after the 2025 job-task analysis. Ask the school when its material was last updated.
- Look for a free preview. All three offer sample lessons. Watch one before paying to see whether the teaching style works for you.
- Watch for sales. Two of the three were showing discounted prices when we checked. Don’t pay full price if a sale is a few days away.
Already a pilot? You may not need the test at all
If you hold a Part 61 pilot certificate (not a student certificate) and have a current flight review, the FAA lets you take the free online course ALC-451 instead of the knowledge test. You then apply through IACRA and verify your identity with a FSDO, examiner, ACR or CFI (FAA).
After you pass: staying current is free
Your certificate doesn’t expire, but to keep flying under Part 107 you must complete free online recurrent training (ALC-677) every 24 calendar months (14 CFR 107.65). You don’t need a paid course for that.
Next steps
- New to drones? Start with Start Here.
- Flying only for fun? You need the free TRUST test, not Part 107. See Drone Rules.
- Ready to go commercial? Follow the step-by-step guide in our Part 107 hub, then read how to start a drone business and drone insurance.
Sources
- FAA: Become a Certificated Remote Pilot
- FAA FAQ: cost of a remote pilot certificate
- PSI: Unmanned Aircraft General – Small information bulletin (PDF)
- eCFR: 14 CFR Part 107, Subpart C (certification)
- FAA: Remote Pilot Airman Certification Standards (PDF)
- Pilot Institute: Part 107 Made Easy
- Drone Pilot Ground School: pricing
- Drone Launch Academy: Part 107 Test Prep
