In Q4 of 2024, the FAR pass rate was a shocking 36.8%. Even without the low dips, the CPA exam averaged 53% across every attempt and all six sections.
Let me cut to the chase: the CPA exam is hard, but the right prep course can help.
And yet, every CPA prep provider screams from the rooftops that they’re the best choice. So who’s telling the truth?
Gleim and Becker are usually considered the top dogs in the CPA exam review course realm, with Surgent a close third. So, of the two, who takes the crown? I passed the CPA exams myself back in the day, but I took a fresh look at Becker and Gleim for this guide, spending dozens of hours studying their textbooks, watching their video lessons, and taking their practice exams.
In this review, I’m sharing my findings so you can choose the best CPA review course for you.
Gleim vs. Becker CPA: Which Fits Your Learning Style?
- If you’re a visual learner, Becker’s engaging video lectures will help you master complex topics with ease.
- If you want a mobile-friendly experience, Becker’s top-rated app on both Apple and Google is a big plus.
- If you prefer structured learning, Becker’s live classes and coaching sessions offer the guidance you need.
- If you’re looking for extensive support, Becker’s success coaches and tutor access give it an edge.
- If you’re a self-motivated learner, Gleim’s flexible, on-demand format allows you to study at your own pace.
- If you want maximum practice, Gleim’s massive question bank gives you more hands-on prep than most competitors.
Meet the Course Providers: Becker and Gleim
Before we dig into the details, let’s take a look at the fighters in the ring. Who are Becker and Gleim, what do they have to offer, and which students would benefit most from their study materials?
Becker CPA Review: For the Ambitious Live Learners
Becker is nothing if not impressive on the surface. Most notably, their students have accounted for 90% of Elijah Watts Sells Award-winners since 2007 (that means they passed every section on their first try with a cumulative average score of 95.50).
Further, they’ve served nearly 2 million students in the accounting industry, and their CPA courses boast a pass rate of 94%.
They’ve packed in plenty of standout features that help set them apart from the competition:
- ⭐ Live Online Classes – One of the few CE providers that offer real-time instruction with expert educators.
- 📱 Top-Rated Mobile App – Their app holds a 4.8-star average rating across 1,900+ reviews, making it one of the most trusted tools for studying on the go.
- 🤝 Personalized Support – Includes up to 25 1-on-1 tutoring sessions and 25 success coaching calls.
It’s easy to see why Becker continues to be a favorite among students who want structure, flexibility, and extra support all in one package.
Becker’s best for students who want more than just studying and getting the job done. Ambitious top-performers will be drawn to Becker’s history of producing award-winners and up to 50 hours of personalized human-to-human support. Live learners will be drawn to Becker’s LiveOnline virtual classroom, and students who want a more fun approach will love the mobile app.
However, Becker’s most widely-discussed drawback is the price. They’re the most expensive option out there, and while it’s for good reason, that doesn’t mean they’re suddenly more affordable for students on a tight budget. If you look at other reviews, particularly on Reddit, you’ll see the same sentiment over and over again:
“Becker is the best in my opinion based on other people i have talked to. However, it is also the most expensive. See if your job can pay for it.”
DragonflyMean1224
Becker CPA Review
Gleim CPA Review: For the Independent Self-Studiers
Becker might be the “top dog,” but Gleim absolutely holds its own—especially for students who prefer to learn by doing.
Here’s what makes Gleim stand out:
- 🧠 13,000+ Practice Questions – Ideal for students who thrive through repetition and mastering multiple-choice questions.
- 💸 Lower Price Point – While Gleim isn’t the cheapest option out there, even their premium package costs thousands less than Becker’s Concierge plan.
- 🤖 Prep Pal AI Assistant – Helps guide your study schedule and adapt to your progress.
What you won’t get with Gleim:
- No live classes
- No mobile app
- No 50+ hours of personalized support
But you will get hands-on guidance from real accounting experts and personal counselors—plus a question bank that rivals any in the industry.
The perfect Gleim student is a self-starter who prefers to go at their own pace. They learn best through practice, and they’d much rather be overprepared and know they’ll probably pass than spend less time, but have that sense of anxious uncertainty on exam day.
Enjoy $1,050 Off Gleim CPA Premium Pro Course
I wouldn’t say that Gleim is budget-friendly; in fact, Becker’s second-highest-tier package, the Pro Package, is often on sale for less than Gleim’s least expensive course. However, if you want the premium-tier experience, Gleim is a much more affordable choice.
“HUGE test bank. I was able to answer 2k-3k questions per test and have different questions all the time. 97% of answer explanations were well laid out (although sometimes wordy, especially REG). I felt for some topics I learned more reading the explanations than the book.”
Alone_Obligation_973
Gleim CPA Review
Becker and Gleim CPA Course Comparison
| Provider |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,499 – $6,349 | $2,499 – $3,499 |
| Discounts | Save $1,350 | Save 46% |
| Financing | Starts at $104/mo | Starts at $226/mo |
| Access | 24 Months to Unlimited | 18 Months to Unlimited |
| Guarantees | 100% Money-Back$1,000 BackUnlimited Access | 100% Money-BackUnlimited Access |
| Practice MCQs | 8,000+ | 11,500+ |
| Practice TBSs | 500+ | 1,600+ |
| Live Classes |  |  |
| Video Lectures | 900+ Videos | 100+ Hours |
| Mobile App | | |
| Mock Exams | Up to 8 + 12 Mini Exams | Up to 8 |
| Get Started | Learn More | Learn More |
Becker vs. Gleim: Feature Face-Off
Now, let’s pit the two against each other where it matters the most in CPA exam prep to discover who’ll emerge victorious.
Adaptive Learning Technology
Both Gleim and Becker take advantage of adaptive learning technology, which you’ve probably heard dropped as an industry buzzword but may not know the definition of. Let me explain.
Adaptive learning technology isn’t unique in the test prep industry, at least for the most prominent providers (Becker, Gleim, Surgent, UWorld). What it does is, unsurprisingly, adapt to the student using the course, specifically by monitoring your strengths and weaknesses.
It’s directly tied into the practice exams, where you can usually switch it on and off. Switch it on, and you’ll be tested more frequently on the question types and topics you miss the most, to strengthen those weaker areas (and get more points on the actual CPA exam).
Honestly, it’s pretty difficult to compare the adaptive tech between the two because, from my experience, Becker’s Adapt2U and Gleim’s SmartAdapt™ technologies work in a similar way. So, what other tech features can we discuss?
Gleim recently introduced Prep Pal, an “AI study assistant” that’s a lot like ChatGPT, but it’s accessible in the same tab as your reading. At first, I was skeptical. Honestly, ChatGPT can do everything Prep Pal can. However, it was surprisingly helpful to have it right next to my reading, perfect for defining a concept in a simple explanation. Plus, ChatGPT is notoriously inaccurate. According to a study conducted by Purdue University on ChatGPT for programming questions,
“Our analysis shows that 52% of ChatGPT answers contain incorrect information and 77% are verbose.”
Accounting isn’t programming, but they’re both complex topics with room for error. Prep Pal, on the other hand, is explicitly programmed for CPA topics and exam questions, minimizing that error margin. So, it’s a lot more helpful than it seems at first.
🏆 Winner: Gleim: Both providers have similar adaptive technology tools, but Gleim’s Prep Pal AI study assistant pushes it over the edge in the tech category.
Mobile Apps
Gleim doesn’t have a mobile app, but Becker does, and it’s a genuinely outstanding study tools. Becker’s CPA Exam Review is available for Android and iOS devices, featuring a 4.8-star average for both versions across 13,000+ reviews.
I was a little skeptical at first (exam prep apps typically have unimpressive ratings, to say the least), but I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the review score was on par with my experience. I wish I had this app when I was studying for the exam! Not only did it make exam prep more accessible, especially for studying when you’re “out in the world” (say, commuting or waiting for an appointment), but I was better able to reinforce concepts I’d been working on if I couldn’t get serious study time in that day.
The app includes features such as:
- 250 hours of audio/video lectures
- Thousands of MCQ practice questions
- Unlimited practice exams
- 1,250+ flashcards
🏆 Winner: Becker: Becker having a mobile app gives it the win automatically, but regardless, their app is one of the best study apps in the test prep industry.
Video Lessons
Obviously, Becker has live online video lectures, but for the sake of this section, I just want to focus on the on-demand lessons from both providers.
Gleim’s video lectures are decent. The audio quality is good, the slides are well done and not too overloaded with content, and the instructors speak clearly. Plus, I appreciated having the outline for the topic and a note-taking section on the side of the page, all easily accessible in the same tab. That said, don’t expect a video as engaging as something you’d find on YouTube.
Accounting can be dry already, but we’re all doing this because it interests us—at least a little. All you’d have to do to bring it home is talk about it like a real human being, make relevant analogies, and show a picture or graph now and then to hold attention.
Gleim rarely, if ever, does any of those things, and it feels like a wasted opportunity, because it would take so little to turn these videos from good to great.
Meanwhile, Becker CPA courses nail it. They have course videos as well as podcasts!
There are a handful of instructors, but one of my favorites is Mike Potenza. He’s clearly a brilliant mind in accounting and knows his stuff, but he doesn’t talk to you like he’s writing his doctoral thesis via voice-to-text.
Instead, his lectures made me feel nostalgic for a great biology teacher I had, who knew how to use imagery, humor, and analogies to make science enjoyable and accessible for a group of middle school kids.
Potenza has that same quality. For example, in the lesson on LLCs, he addresses the audience with a hook: Think of a platypus. He describes this weird creature in a funny way, showing a little video, and then goes on to explain how LLCs are this hybrid of company structures: part partnership, part corporation. Quick, easy, fun, and I could tell you every point verbatim—because I was actually paying attention.
🏆 Winner: Becker: I’m not even exaggerating: I sincerely believe Becker’s videos are the best out there. Not only are you getting hundreds of them, but they’re perfectly bite-sized (usually under 10 minutes long), engaging, funny, and visually appealing. If videos are your make-or-break review course feature, pick Becker.
Guarantees, Access, and Value
Both Becker and Gleim offer 100% money-back guarantees on their highest-priced CPA exam review courses. Becker features unlimited course access for 3 of their 4 packages, where Gleim provides the Access Until You Pass® Guarantee in the Premium and Premium Pro Review Systems.
Regarding price, Becker’s Concierge bundle is a bit like the Rolls-Royce of review courses, several thousand dollars more expensive than Gleim’s Premium Pro package. However, the price ranges are nearly identical if you take Concierge out of the equation.
So, ignoring Concierge for a second, you’re looking at providers who are roughly equivalent in terms of guarantees, access, and price. Then, the question becomes about value. And which one is more valuable depends on you.
I don’t know if it’s one of those “it’s on sale but not really, we’re tricking you” things, but like I mentioned before, Becker’s second most expensive course is often on sale at a price cheaper than Gleim’s least costly, which is an incredible value. If you can catch that deal, Becker gives you more structured support, polished materials, and live access for less money—which, frankly, is hard to beat.
🏆 Winner: Becker: When the pricing stars align, Becker offers the better deal—especially for students who want more hands-on structure and premium tools baked into the package. Gleim still holds strong as a great value for independent learners, but Becker’s combination of features and frequent discounts gives it the edge here.
Student Support
When it comes to support, you’re getting a genuinely impressive amount from both providers. Let’s start with Gleim.
It depends on the package, but generally, Gleim CPA review courses offer email and phone support, accounting experts to answer your topic questions, personal counselors to answer your study questions, and even private study groups where you can connect and collaborate with fellow students who get the grind.
Meanwhile, Becker turns it up a notch. Naturally, in the Pro and Concierge packages, you’re getting the benefit of live interaction with your instructor, who’s available to answer your questions on the content in real-time. Live online classes have night and weekend sessions for busy professionals with even busier schedules, which I really appreciated. If you want the most traditional experience with the highest levels of 1:1 support, Becker even provides in-person classes in Dallas, TX, in the same two packages.
It’s clear that Becker offers more support, but the support quality was also more potent (in part, I’m sure, because there’s such a heavy emphasis on it). Support is one of Becker’s biggest differentiators, and while both Becker’s and Gleim’s support teams were invested in my success and eager to help, Becker’s team seemed more willing to go above and beyond to help. For example, to review the course, I had to make up questions (remember, I already passed these exams!).
I had a question about general test tips, and not only did their success coach refer me to materials inside the course, they went out of their way after the call to send over additional materials like PDFs and a podcast for even deeper engagement. Gleim’s support team was great too, patiently listening to my “fake questions.” I sometimes deliberately took way too long to get something, just to see what would happen, and both teams were always patient and considerate, waiting until it clicked.
🏆 Winner: Becker: Both providers offer a great deal of support, but Becker’s the only provider who offers up to personalized tutoring and success coaching. Plus, it felt like Becker’s team was more willing to go above and beyond simply answering my questions; they hooked me up with relevant resources and I truly felt like they wanted me to succeed.
Course Discounts
Becker CPA Promo Code
Becker’s CPA program combines live classes, adaptive tools, and one-on-one coaching to support every stage of your exam prep. Save $1,350 on its industry-leading CPA review courses and get started with full exam coverage and expert guidance.
Gleim CPA Discount Code
Gleim offers extensive resources for CPA candidates, including a massive test bank, SmartAdapt™ personalization, and detailed answer explanations. Save 46% on its CPA review courses and dive into comprehensive, self-paced learning that adapts to your needs.
Enjoy $1,050 Off Gleim CPA Premium Pro Course
Who’s the Winner?
Becker does nearly everything right. With their strong support options, outstanding video lessons, unlimited access, pass guarantees, and reasonably priced Pro package, I can’t gush about them enough. Yes, there’s a lot to go through, and you might get overwhelmed. But if you’re serious about passing, those live classes and success coaching sessions can help you streamline the process and focus on the things that matter.
Gleim feels like it’s getting a bad rap in this article, but it’s just because they’re against the best in the business. In any other face-off, I bet that Gleim’s extensive test bank, AI tech, Access Until You Pass® Guarantee, and personal counselors would make a much stronger showing, as they really do have a lot to offer the independent, self-paced student.
Are Becker CPA review courses the best fit for you? Learn more here.
Is Gleim’s offer suite a better match for your needs? Find out below.
FAQs
Becker offers more support, better video lessons, and broader features, making it the top pick for most students.
Becker and UWorld both report a 94% pass rate, the highest rate in the industry.
Yes—Gleim provides thorough materials and an extensive question bank that can fully prepare you for the exam.
Definitely! Becker’s structured approach and live support make it one of the most effective CPA review options available.
The “Becker bump,” the phenomenon where students see a large improvement in their actual CPA exam scores after using Becker, is very real—many students report score increases after switching.
