Gleim CPA Review vs Kesler CPA Review (2026)

Why This Comparison Matters in 2026

Gleim and Kesler approach CPA exam prep from opposite directions. Gleim was founded in 1974 by Dr. Irvin N. Gleim and built its reputation on volume: more questions, more simulations, more raw content than almost any competitor. Kesler was built in 2015 on behavioral psychology: gamification, accountability, and mentorship that keep you studying even when motivation fades.

With the CPA Evolution exam now in its second full year and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) bringing tax changes to REG and TCP in 2026, both courses are actively updating their materials. The question isn't which course has "enough" content. Both do. The question is which approach matches how you actually study.

I used Gleim's test bank personally to pass my final two CPA exam sections after my Becker access expired. I know firsthand what Gleim does well and where it leaves you on your own. That experience, along with helping 3,000+ candidates pass since 2015, shapes everything in this comparison.

Quick-Look Comparison Table

Data verified February 2026. See the individual Gleim CPA Review and Kesler CPA Review pages for full details.

What Gleim Does Well

I used Gleim to pass two sections of the CPA exam, and I recommend it regularly. Gleim earned a 4-out-of-5 rating on my full Gleim review for good reasons.

If sheer question volume and detailed analytics were enough to guarantee passing, Gleim users would have the highest pass rate in the industry. But the overall CPA exam pass rate still hovers around 50%. That tells you something important: having a mountain of content doesn't automatically translate into consistent study habits and passing scores.

Where Gleim Falls Short (and Why Candidates Stall)

Gleim's weakness isn't content. It's everything that surrounds the content. After working with thousands of candidates who have used Gleim, these are the patterns I see over and over.

The pattern is clear: Gleim dominates on raw question volume and adaptive analytics. Kesler dominates on motivation, accountability, mobile access, and cross-platform flexibility. These strengths don't compete. They complement each other perfectly.

How Kesler Fills Every Gap

1. Gamification That Makes Studying Addictive

Gleim's approach is methodical: read the text, answer questions, check your analytics, repeat. There's nothing wrong with that loop, but there's nothing pulling you back into it either. Kesler takes the same study actions and wraps them in behavioral psychology. You earn XP for every question answered, level up from 1 to 100, unlock 50+ achievements across bronze, silver, gold, and platinum tiers, and build streak multipliers up to 5x. It works on the same principles that make Duolingo sticky: you don't want to break the streak.

The difference between Gleim and Kesler on this front is the difference between a gym with great equipment and a gym with great equipment plus a coach tracking your attendance.

2. Cross-Platform Mapping (Use Gleim + Kesler Together)

If you already own Gleim, Kesler's Cross-Platform Mapping tool is the bridge. Select "Gleim" as your primary course, and Kesler automatically organizes its 8,000+ practice questions to align with your Gleim study unit schedule. You get Gleim's massive question bank for depth, plus Kesler's unique question angles for breadth. This feature also works with Becker, Surgent, Wiley, and UWorld Roger.

3. Proactive Mentorship (Not Just Expert Q&A)

Gleim offers a Personal Counselor and team of Accounting Experts on Premium and Premium Pro tiers. These are reactive resources: they help when you reach out with a question. Kesler's UCEG mentorship program, included with every subscription, is proactive. It teaches you how to master your mental mindset, optimize study techniques for your learning style, manage time as a busy professional, use any study materials effectively (including Gleim), develop test-taking strategies for MCQs and simulations, and recover from failed sections. This system has helped 3,000+ candidates pass since 2015.

4. Goal Crusher: Accountability That Keeps You Moving

Gleim has no accountability tools. You study alone, and when motivation drops, nothing catches you. Kesler's Goal Crusher system lets you create weekly study goals, invite up to 6 squad members, set rewards and consequences, and track progress together in real-time. Research shows you're 65% more likely to hit a goal with an accountability partner, and 95% with structured stakes. Goal Crusher operationalizes that research.

5. Native Mobile Apps

Gleim does not have a dedicated mobile app. You can access their Personal Classroom through a mobile browser, but the experience isn't optimized for phones. Kesler offers full native iOS and Android apps, so you can study during commutes, lunch breaks, or anywhere else without dealing with a clunky browser interface.

6. A Complete Course at a Fraction of the Price

Kesler isn't just a supplement. It includes 8,000+ MCQs, 150+ task-based simulations, 3,200+ pages of study materials, 235 lessons, digital flashcards, mobile apps, and coverage of all 6 CPA exam sections. All for $97/month or $997/year.

Where Kesler is still growing: video lectures are expanding throughout 2026 but currently focus on text-based lessons and strategy-focused mentorship videos. And Kesler's simulation count (150+) is smaller than Gleim's 1,300+. If you need maximum simulation volume or prefer video-based instruction, the Gleim + Kesler combination covers both needs.

Head-to-Head: Where Each Course Wins

Who Should Use What: Decision Framework

Click any scenario below to see my specific recommendation:

Pricing Breakdown: What You're Actually Paying

Prices before discounts. Prices last verified February 2026. See Gleim discounts and Kesler discounts for current offers.

The math: If you pass all sections in 6 months using Kesler standalone, you're looking at roughly $582 total. Even at 12 months, that's $997 on the annual plan. Gleim's cheapest full course (Traditional) is $2,499 for 18 months without video lectures. Adding Kesler to Gleim at $97/month for 6 months costs $582 on top of your Gleim investment, but it dramatically improves your consistency and odds of passing within Gleim's access window.

Success Stories: Real Candidates Who Used Kesler

Over 3,000 CPA candidates have passed using Kesler since 2015. Many came after getting stuck with Gleim, Becker, Wiley, or UWorld Roger. You can browse all success stories at ucegsuccess.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bottom Line

Gleim gives you the deepest question bank in CPA prep. Kesler gives you the system, motivation, and accountability to use those questions consistently. Together, they cover every angle of exam preparation.

If you already have Gleim, add Kesler for $97/month. You'll get gamification that makes studying habit-forming, Cross-Platform Mapping to sync with your Gleim schedule, the UCEG mentorship program, Goal Crusher accountability, native mobile apps, and 8,000+ unique practice questions Gleim doesn't have. It's the difference between owning a library and having a study system built around that library.

If you're starting from scratch, Kesler CPA Review gives you a complete course with all the human support systems and behavioral tools that traditional courses don't include, at a price point that doesn't require financing. You can always add the Gleim MegaBank later if you want more question volume, but most candidates find Kesler sufficient on its own.

At $97/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee, the risk is essentially zero. The cost of not passing is another testing window, another $400+ in exam fees, and months of your life you won't get back.