AlphaTest: students who want lower-priced Pro plans and an AI Tutor on the free plan
SAT and ACT app comparison
Dolphin SAT vs AlphaTest
AlphaTest and Dolphin both cover the SAT and the ACT, offer a free way to start, and advertise conditional score guarantees. AlphaTest lists lower Pro prices, an AI Tutor on its free plan, and one app for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Dolphin offers free iPhone and Android apps with a video explanation for every question, and full-length tests on paid Dolphin Web.
Quick answer
Should I choose Dolphin SAT or AlphaTest?
Consider AlphaTest if price is the main factor: its One-Month Pro plan is listed at $29.99 and includes 30 adaptive full-length tests, and its AI Tutor is also on the free plan. Consider Dolphin if you want free iPhone and Android apps with a video explanation for every question, plus full-length tests and score tracking on Dolphin Web. Both cover the SAT and ACT and offer conditional score guarantees.
Reviewed
Best for
Dolphin: students who want free iPhone and Android practice with a video explanation for every question
Students comparing score guarantee rules, including students who start above 1250 on the SAT
Feature comparison
Published by Dolphin, not an independent ranking or a hands-on test of AlphaTest. AlphaTest's pricing and score guarantee pages, its App Store listing, and Dolphin's own pricing and guarantee terms were checked on October 31, 2026. This is a source-based comparison of SAT and ACT preparation. Prices, in-app purchase options and plan terms can change; confirm them before paying.
| Feature | Dolphin SAT | AlphaTest |
|---|---|---|
| Free accessAlphaTest free plan | Free iPhone and Android apps; Dolphin Web is a paid subscription | Free plan with a personal plan, selected questions, foundation vocab, the AI Tutor and daily energy |
| Paid plansAlphaTest Pro prices | Dolphin Web: $100 billed monthly, $150 every 3 months, or $300 yearly (October 2026) | Website: One-Week Pro $9.99, $29.99 billed monthly, $129.99 every 6 months, or $199.99 yearly |
| DevicesAlphaTest App Store listing | Free iPhone and Android apps, plus Dolphin Web in a browser | Website and an App Store app for iPhone, iPad and Mac |
| App Store ratingAlphaTest ratings | 4.8 out of 5 from 1.3K ratings (October 2026) | 4.6 out of 5 from 284 ratings (October 31, 2026) |
| Practice libraryAlphaTest Pro inclusions | 10,000+ SAT and ACT questions, each with a video explanation; full-length tests on Dolphin Web | Pro lists 15,000+ questions, 30 adaptive full-length tests and 16 mini tests; not from Bluebook |
| AI helpAlphaTest AI Tutor | Pip, an AI study assistant: hints before you answer and a full explanation after; off during timed practice tests | AI Tutor on free and Pro plans; says SAT specialists review its AI explanations |
| Score guaranteeAlphaTest guarantee conditions | Eligible web Premium plans; starting score of 1250 or lower on the SAT or 26 or lower on the ACT | First One-Year Pro plan; the target depends on your starting score |
How should you choose between Dolphin and AlphaTest?
Step 1
What does each free option include?
Dolphin's iPhone and Android apps are free, and its full-length practice tests, score tracking and deeper review are part of paid Dolphin Web. AlphaTest lists a free plan with a personal plan, selected practice questions, foundation vocab, its AI Tutor and daily energy. AlphaTest says its energy system gives free energy every day, plus bonus energy for every five correct answers. Its Pro plans add Unlimited Energy, 15,000+ questions, 30 full-length tests and 16 mini tests.
Step 2
How do the published prices compare?
AlphaTest's website lists One-Week Pro at $9.99, One-Month Pro at $29.99 billed monthly, Six-Month Pro at $129.99 billed every 6 months and One-Year Pro at $199.99 billed annually. As of October 2026, Dolphin Web costs $100 billed monthly, $150 billed every 3 months or $300 billed yearly. On these published prices AlphaTest costs less, which matters if budget is the main limit. Its App Store listing shows several in-app purchase prices, so confirm the price where you buy. Dolphin's checkout shows your exact total before you pay.
Step 3
Which devices do you study on?
Dolphin has free iPhone and Android apps for daily practice, and Dolphin Web runs in a browser for full-length tests and review. AlphaTest's app is listed for iPhone, iPad and Mac on the App Store, and AlphaTest says its platform also works through its website. AlphaTest's website links to its apps on the App Store and Mac App Store. If you use an Android phone, check Google Play for its current availability.
Step 4
How do the score guarantees differ?
AlphaTest's guarantee is for first-time One-Year Pro users who have an official score report from before they started. For the SAT, it guarantees a 150-point increase for starting scores of 1250 or below, or a score of at least 1400 for higher starting scores. For the ACT, it guarantees a 4-point increase from 27 or below, or at least 31 from above 27. Students must complete the required study plan exercises and at least 4 full-length AlphaTest practice tests, then take the official test within 30 days of finishing the program, to qualify for a 100% refund. Dolphin's guarantee covers eligible web Premium plans for starting scores of 1250 or lower on the SAT or 26 or lower on the ACT, targets a 200-point SAT or 5-point ACT increase, and refunds up to three months of Premium fees. AlphaTest's guarantee covers students who start above 1250 on the SAT; Dolphin's does not.
Step 5
Where do official Bluebook tests fit?
AlphaTest says its questions are not from the official Bluebook app and are written to mirror the digital SAT. Dolphin is independent and is not affiliated with College Board or ACT. Use College Board's Bluebook app for official full-length digital SAT practice, and treat any third-party practice score as an estimate, not an official result.
Keep comparing SAT prep options
Primary sources
- AlphaTest plans, free plan and FAQAlphaTest
- AlphaTest score guaranteeAlphaTest
- SAT & ACT Prep: AlphaTestApp Store
- Dolphin on the App StoreApp Store
- Dolphin Web plans and pricesDolphin
- Score Improvement Guarantee termsDolphin
- About Dolphin and key factsDolphin
- Official full-length digital practice testsCollege Board
FAQ
Is AlphaTest free?
Partly. AlphaTest lists a free plan with a personal plan, selected practice questions, foundation vocab, its AI Tutor and daily energy. Its 15,000+ question library and 30 full-length tests are listed under Pro, and its pricing page offers a 3-day free trial of Pro.
Does AlphaTest cover the ACT?
Yes. AlphaTest says a paid plan includes both SAT and ACT prep, so you do not need separate plans. Dolphin covers the SAT and the ACT (English, Math, Reading and Science) in the same account, and also covers the PSAT.
Is AlphaTest cheaper than Dolphin?
On published prices, yes. On October 31, 2026, AlphaTest's website listed One-Month Pro at $29.99 and One-Year Pro at $199.99. As of October 2026, Dolphin Web costs $100 billed monthly or $300 billed yearly, and Dolphin's iPhone and Android apps are free. Compare what each plan includes before choosing on price.
What does Dolphin include beyond phone practice?
Dolphin Web is a paid subscription that adds full-length practice tests, score tracking and deeper review to the free iPhone and Android apps. Dolphin's library has 10,000+ SAT and ACT questions, each with a video explanation, and Dolphin also covers the PSAT.