The best app to train as a football referee
There are many ways to study the Laws of the Game, but not all of them prepare you to actually referee. Here's what separates a great refereeing app from a basic quiz — and how the options compare.
What makes a great referee training app
Real video decisions
The best training mirrors real refereeing — judging technical, disciplinary and VAR situations on actual match clips, not just reading text.
Official exam simulation
A proper app lets you sit a timed, scored mock exam so you know exactly where you stand before the real thing.
Up-to-date IFAB content
The Laws of the Game change. Your app must follow the latest IFAB updates so you never learn outdated rules.
Adaptive practice
Great apps adapt to your level and bring your mistakes back until you master them, instead of repeating what you already know.
Progress tracking
Clear stats — accuracy, progress by Law, time spent — turn practice into measurable improvement.
Multilingual and cross-platform
You should be able to train in your language, on iPhone or Android, wherever you are.
How the options compare
| Feature | Regra18 | Generic quiz apps | PDFs / static study |
|---|---|---|---|
| Real match-clip video decisions | Yes | Rarely | No |
| Timed exam simulation | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| Adaptive training & mistakes clinic | Yes | Rarely | No |
| Live duels & ranking | Yes | No | No |
| Progress stats by Law | Yes | Sometimes | No |
| IFAB content kept up to date | Yes | Varies | Varies |
| Portuguese / English / Spanish | Yes | Varies | Varies |
| iOS & Android apps | Yes | Varies | n/a |
Why referees choose Regra18
Regra18 was built specifically for football referees — from aspiring referees preparing for their first exam to active referees keeping their edge.
- ✓Six training modes in one app: Infinite Training, Video Room, Exam Mode, Mistakes Clinic, Train by Law and Duels.
- ✓Real match-clip video decisions covering technical, disciplinary and VAR calls.
- ✓Official exam simulation with timer and score.
- ✓Content aligned with the IFAB Laws of the Game and kept current.
- ✓Available in Portuguese, English and Spanish on iOS and Android.
- ✓Tools for associations and academies to manage and assess referees.
Try Regra18 free for 7 days
See for yourself why Regra18 is a complete preparation platform, not just a quiz. Start free, cancel anytime.
Start a 7-day free trialFrequently asked questions
What is the best app to become a football referee?+
The best app combines real video decisions, official exam simulation, adaptive practice and up-to-date IFAB content. Regra18 brings all of these together in Portuguese, English and Spanish, for aspiring and active referees alike.
Is there a free referee training app?+
Regra18 offers a 7-day free trial so you can train across every mode before paying. After the trial it's a single plan that unlocks everything.
Which app is best for the referee exam?+
For exam preparation, look for timed, scored exam simulation plus scenario questions and a mistakes clinic — Regra18's Exam Mode and Mistakes Clinic are built exactly for this.
Do referee apps cover VAR?+
Good ones do. Regra18's Video Room includes VAR intervention decisions on real match clips.
Can associations use Regra18?+
Yes. Refereeing associations, academies and committees can manage referees, assign tests and missions, and track progress from a dashboard.