Becker CPA Review starts at $2,499 for the Advantage package. That makes it the most expensive CPA review course on the market by a wide margin.
I used Becker to pass 2 of my CPA exam sections. It's a solid course. But after going through it and then testing every major competitor over the last decade, I can tell you this: cheaper does not automatically mean worse.
Several of the courses below have features Becker doesn't offer at all. And some have more practice questions than Becker despite costing a fraction of the price.
This page ranks every viable Becker alternative by price, from lowest to highest, with an honest breakdown of what you gain and what you give up at each price point.
Here's every course ranked by lowest entry price, with the key specs that matter most. Becker sits at the bottom as the benchmark.
| Course | Lowest Price | MCQ Count | Video Hours | Access Length | Pass Guarantee? | Key Trade-Off vs Becker |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kesler CPA Review | $77/mo; $697 Complete; $1,197 Max | 8,000+ | 913 topic lessons + 8,000+ MCQ explainers | Monthly or one-time | Max: retake benefit | Best Value; self-paced |
| Gleim CPA Review | $999 (MegaBank: test bank only) $2,999 (Premium: full course) |
12,000+ | 100+ (Premium only) | Unlimited (Premium) | Yes (Premium only) | Save $500+ More utilitarian interface, no mobile app |
| UWorld Roger CPA Review | Check current offer (Premier, 18 months) |
9,000+ | 100-120+ | 18 months | Varies by tier | Save $500+ Newer post-acquisition platform |
| NINJA CPA Review | $67/mo ($87/mo all sections) |
7,000-8,000+ | Sparring + Blitz videos | Monthly | 30-day (conditional) | Less polished platform, fewer TBS than Becker |
| Becker CPA Review (benchmark) |
$2,499 (Advantage) |
8,000-9,000+ | 900+ lectures | 24 months | Yes (w/ conditions) | Benchmark |
Prices last verified October 2026. Video hours are approximate and vary by section.
Kesler CPA Review
Monthly $77 | Complete $697 | Max $1,197
Kesler is a complete course with 913 topic lessons, 8,000+ MCQs with explanation videos, 600+ simulations and mentorship. Complete at $697 costs $1,802 less than Becker Advantage's $2,499 list price before discounts. Max at $1,197 is $1,302 less. Those are one-time course comparisons; the $77 Monthly price buys one month of access.
Monthly costs $77/month, Complete costs $697 one time, and Max costs $1,197 one time. Choose Monthly for a shorter study period, Complete for the full digital course without recurring payments, or Max if you will use the printed materials and added support.
Max adds $720 total Print Credit, unlimited personal Ask Kes use for the first 12 months, and a conditional Pass Guarantee. See the plan, access and guarantee comparison before choosing.
Complete includes $60 Print Credit; Max includes $720 for materials you order when ready. One-time access can be reactivated with an active NTS after 12 months. The 30-day purchase-refund policy is separate from Max's conditional retake benefit. Review access and refund terms.
Fun fact: Jimmy Chilimigras, who became one of the youngest CPA passers, used Kesler as part of his study system.
Gleim CPA Review
$999 (MegaBank supplement) / $2,499 (Traditional full course) Save $1,500+
Gleim offers an extensive question bank. Compare coverage, explanations and the package you would actually purchase rather than using a retired course as the benchmark.
Gleim's $999 Mega Test Bank lists 12,000+ MCQs, 1,200+ simulations, digital books and 18 months of access. It is worth comparing if you need fresh practice alongside an existing course. Premium adds video instruction and Access Until You Pass; choose the full course only if you need those additions.
Read my full Gleim CPA Review breakdown >> | See Gleim vs Becker comparison >>
UWorld Roger CPA Review
Compare current Premier pricing. Includes 18-month access. Check the offer against the Becker package you would buy.
UWorld Roger CPA Review (formerly known as Roger CPA Review, and before that, it absorbed what was Wiley CPAexcel) is the closest direct competitor to Becker in terms of overall course quality. The key difference: the lectures.
Roger Philipp, CPA, and Peter Olinto, CPA, are two of the most well-known CPA instructors in the industry. Their lectures run 15-30 minutes instead of Becker's 40-60 minute sessions, and they're genuinely more engaging. If you've ever zoned out during a Becker lecture (and let's be honest, most people have), this is the alternative worth considering.
Read my full UWorld Roger CPA Review breakdown >> | See Becker vs Roger comparison >>
NINJA CPA Review
$67/month ($87/mo for all 6 sections)
NINJA is the cheapest entry point in CPA prep and has evolved well beyond its origins as a simple supplement. Created by Jeff Elliott, CPA of Another71.com, NINJA is now an AICPA-licensed complete course that can be used standalone or as a supplement to another course.
The MCQ bank is larger than most candidates realize: 7,000-8,000+ questions and simulations across all six CPA exam sections (AUD, FAR, REG, BAR, ISC, TCP). The adaptive learning software routes you toward your weak areas, and the platform emulates the actual AICPA exam interface so exam day feels familiar.
Beyond the test bank, NINJA includes: the NINJA Study Guide and Planner, downloadable PDF textbooks, condensed Blitz cram videos for last-minute review, audio lectures you can stream via Spotify or any MP3 player, digital flashcards, and live Sparring tutoring sessions four times per week with archived sessions available on demand.
The Real Cost of the CPA Exam
Your review course is just one line item. Before you decide based on course price alone, factor in everything else:
Exam fees: $300-400 per section (times 4 sections = $1,200-1,600 total).
Notice to Schedule (NTS) fees: Varies by state, typically $50-200 per application window.
Application and evaluation fees: $50-250 depending on your state board.
Opportunity cost: Every month you spend studying is a month you're not earning your full CPA salary premium, which averages $10,000-$15,000/year more than non-CPAs.
The cost of failing: If you fail a section, you pay the exam fee again ($300-400), you lose the time you already invested, and you extend your 30-month testing window. The average retake costs $1,000+ when you add up fees, lost study time, and stress.
The cheapest course that gets you to pass the first time is the best value. Period.
A $999 course that helps you pass all 4 sections on the first try saves you more money than a $2,499 course that leads to two retakes. Choose based on fit, not just sticker price.
For a full breakdown of CPA exam costs and how to plan for them, check out my CPA Exam Application Process guide.
Compare the same type of purchase. Monthly costs $77/month, Complete costs $697 one time, and Max costs $1,197 one time. Monthly may suit a short study period; Complete can be better value for longer preparation. Check current competing offers before buying.
Yes. Thousands of CPA candidates pass every year using Gleim, UWorld Roger, Kesler, and other courses. Becker is the most well-known brand, but the most important factor in passing the CPA exam is how you study, not which course you buy. For study strategy, check out my 21 CPA Exam Study Tips.
Employer funding can make Becker a sensible choice. If paying yourself, compare Becker Advantage at $2,499 before discounts with Kesler Complete at $697 or Max at $1,197. Consider whether you will use the extra support in the Becker package you choose.
Trade-offs vary by course and package: teaching style, live instruction, question explanations and human support. Kesler includes gamification, mentorship and MCQ explanation videos.
Every course below offers either a free trial or a money-back guarantee. Try before you buy.
$77/mo | 30-day money-back guarantee
MegaBank $999 | Full course from $2,499
Check current offer | 7-day trial
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bryan Kesler, CPA is the founder of Kesler CPA Review & Ultimate CPA Exam Guide which earned him a spot on CPA Practice Advisor's Top 20 Under 40.
He has helped thousands of CPA candidates pass the CPA exam since 2013. He failed 5 sections in a row before finally cracking the code, and built Kesler CPA Review to make sure other candidates don't have to struggle the same way.