Overview
Artemstar and Aptitude Test Prep are two very different resources. Artemstar is a revived DevOps blog that focuses on hands-on technical writing for engineers. Aptitude Test Prep is a free practice tool and guide library for job candidates preparing for employer aptitude tests. This comparison will help you understand their features, pricing, and ideal use cases.
What is Artemstar?
Artemstar is a small revival project that brings back a DevOps blog which stopped updating around 2018. The original site was lost when hosting lapsed and no backups remained, but the domain was available and the Wayback Machine had snapshots. The current project preserves the original tone and continues publishing practical posts on Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, Git, AWS, VPNs, and more. Recent articles include a Tailscale VPN guide, a GitHub Actions starter for AWS deploys, an OpenTofu vs Terraform comparison, and an EKS IAM roles explainer.
What is Aptitude Test Prep?
Aptitude Test Prep offers free timed practice for real employer aptitude tests. It features five timed numerical reasoning questions built around a live chart, scored instantly with worked solutions. It also provides 16 step-by-step guides to major test publishers like SHL (Verify G+, numerical, inductive, verbal), CCAT, Watson Glaser, TestGorilla, Pymetrics, Cappfinity, Amazon Work Simulation, and the Big Four assessments. A 40-question SHL numerical pack with detailed solutions and personalised insights is launching soon for $9 one-time.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Artemstar | Aptitude Test Prep |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | DevOps blog with hands-on technical content | Timed practice and guides for aptitude tests |
| Target Audience | DevOps engineers, sysadmins, cloud professionals | Job candidates preparing for aptitude tests |
| Content Format | Long-form blog posts, tutorials, opinions | Interactive quizzes, step-by-step guides, FAQs |
| Interactive Practice | None | Five timed numerical reasoning questions with live chart |
| Topic Coverage | Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, AWS, VPN, Git | SHL, CCAT, Watson Glaser, TestGorilla, Pymetrics, etc. |
| Depth of Instruction | Narrative, experience-based problem-solving | Exam-oriented, with formats, timings, scoring rules |
| Free vs Paid | Entirely free | Free core; $9 paid pack launching soon |
| Update Frequency | Irregular; revival of a blog that stopped in 2018 | Guides dated September 2026; new content upcoming |
| Community Support | None built-in | None built-in |
| Unique Value | Preserves a respected DevOps blog with practical insights | Realistic timed practice and publisher-specific guides |
Pricing
Artemstar is completely free. All content is accessible without payment, and there are no premium tiers or paywalls.
Aptitude Test Prep offers its core practice tool and guides for free. A 40-question SHL numerical pack with detailed solutions and personalised insights is launching soon for $9 one-time. This makes it an affordable option for candidates who want deeper practice.
Pros and Cons
Artemstar
Pros:
- Completely free and open access
- High-quality, practical DevOps content from an experienced engineer
- Covers current tools and debates (e.g., OpenTofu vs Terraform, Tailscale)
- Preserves valuable historical posts from the original blog
Cons:
- No interactive elements or practice exercises
- Publishing schedule is irregular and may not cover all DevOps topics
- Limited to blog format; no structured learning path
Aptitude Test Prep
Pros:
- Free timed practice with instant scoring and worked solutions
- Comprehensive guides for major aptitude test publishers
- Practical tips and strategies to improve test performance
- Affordable paid pack ($9) for deeper SHL numerical practice
Cons:
- Paid pack not yet available (launching soon)
- Focus is narrow: primarily aptitude tests, not broader career skills
- No community or instructor support
Verdict
Artemstar and Aptitude Test Prep serve entirely different audiences. Artemstar is a free, revived DevOps blog for engineers who want practical, experience-based technical writing. Aptitude Test Prep is a free practice tool and guide library for job candidates facing employer aptitude tests, with an affordable paid pack coming soon. Choose Artemstar if you work in DevOps and want to learn from real-world problem-solving; choose Aptitude Test Prep if you need to pass a numerical or cognitive test for a job application.