Gleim vs Kesler CPA review: question bank or video coaching
In the Gleim vs Kesler CPA choice, Gleim Traditional costs $2,499 for 18 months and lists the largest question bank, with Premium tiers that guarantee access until you pass. Kesler is a video-led monthly subscription reported at $97 a month, with a reported 30-day refund and no pass guarantee. Over Gleim Traditional’s 18 months, Kesler would cost about $1,746 against $2,499.
Gleim from its own pages; Kesler as reported, since the copy of its own site we could see was out of date. Checked October 2026. Not hands-on tested.
| Gleim | Kesler | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2,499 (Traditional); Premium $2,999 and $3,499 | $97 a month (reported) |
| 12 / 18 months | $2,499 / $2,499 | $1,164 / $1,746 |
| Access | 18 months; until you pass on Premium tiers | Monthly; an unlimited option reported |
| Guarantee | Updated materials until you pass; Premium Pro adds a conditional refund | 30-day refund reported; no pass guarantee |
| Style | Largest question bank | Video-led lessons (reported) |
Gleim vs Kesler CPA pricing in detail
| Option | Price | Access | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gleim Traditional | $2,499 | 18 months | Self-study system |
| Gleim Premium | $2,999 | Until you pass | Lecture videos, flashcards, expert help, Access Until You Pass |
| Gleim Premium Pro | $3,499 | Until you pass | All six sections, Prep Pal AI, Personal Counselor, conditional refund, one year of free CPE |
| Kesler Monthly | $97 a month (reported) | While subscribed | Full course while you pay; cancel any time |
| Kesler Unlimited Access Until You Pass | $997 standard (Kesler’s discount page shows $697) | Until you pass | One payment; all six CPA sections |
Gleim from gleim.com; Kesler from keslercpareview.com pages we could reach; checked October 13, 2026
Kesler’s own discount page lists a one-payment Unlimited Access Until You Pass plan at a standard $997, shown at $697 with its discount. If that offer is live when you buy, it undercuts every Gleim tier and removes the risk of a monthly bill running on. Check the price at checkout, as Kesler’s offers change often.
What you get in each course
| Gleim | Kesler | |
|---|---|---|
| Practice questions | 12,000+ multiple-choice questions, 1,200+ simulations | 8,000+ practice questions |
| Teaching | Video and audio lectures, digital books | Whiteboard explainer videos paired with questions |
| Sections covered | All six on Premium Pro | All six |
| Support | Personal Counselor and Accounting Experts | CPA mentorship |
| Study style | SmartAdapt adaptive course | Gamification: points, streaks and levels |
| Try first | Free course demo | Free trial, no credit card |
From each provider’s own pages, checked October 13, 2026
The two suit different learners. Gleim is the deeper practice bank and the more traditional course, with books and lectures. Kesler is built around short explainer videos tied to each question and a game-style study loop, which candidates who struggle to stay motivated may find easier to stick with. Kesler also markets itself as a supplement to another course, so some candidates pair it with Gleim rather than choosing one.
Choose Gleim if
- You want the most practice questions, or a fixed price however long you take (Premium tiers, from $2,999).
- You prefer books and full lectures to short videos.
- You want a refund option: Gleim Premium Pro adds a conditional refund.
Choose Kesler if
- You learn best from video and expect to finish within about two years.
- You want a low one-payment unlimited plan, if Kesler’s $997 Unlimited offer is live.
- You need motivation and mentorship more than a bigger question bank.
Mistakes to avoid
- Leaving a monthly plan running after you pass, or between sections when you are not studying.
- Comparing Kesler’s monthly price with Gleim’s one-off price over too short a period. Work out your real study length first with the CPA study schedule planner.
- Assuming a 30-day refund is a pass guarantee. It only covers changing your mind early.
- Skipping the free trials. Both let you try before paying.
Common questions
Is Kesler cheaper than Gleim?
Usually. Kesler’s monthly plan is reported at $97, which comes to about $1,746 over 18 months against $2,499 for Gleim Traditional. Kesler’s one-payment unlimited plan is listed at $997 standard.
Which has more practice questions?
Gleim. It lists 12,000+ multiple-choice questions and 1,200+ simulations; Kesler lists 8,000+ practice questions.
Does either offer a money-back guarantee?
Gleim Premium Pro offers a conditional refund if you follow its suggested steps and do not pass. Kesler offers a 30-day money-back guarantee but no pass guarantee.
Can I use Kesler with Gleim?
Yes. Kesler presents itself as usable alongside another course, and some candidates use it to add videos and motivation to a question-heavy course such as Gleim.
Related comparisons
Becker vs Gleim, UWorld vs Gleim, Becker vs NINJA and Becker vs UWorld, or see all CPA course comparisons.
Sources: Gleim Premium Pro CPA Review and Kesler CPA Review plans, checked October 13, 2026.