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Achievable vs STC for Series 65 (2026)
Two highly-rated Series 65 courses with different strengths. Achievable delivers modern AI-powered adaptive learning. STC offers traditional materials with 1,500+ flashcards and instructor support. Which fits your learning style?
Quick Verdict
Achievable
9.4/10Price: $199
Best for: Self-paced learners who want adaptive learning, AI tutoring, and modern technology
View AchievablePass guarantee (full refund)
STC
9/10Price: $219-$384
Best for: Traditional learners who want flashcards, instructor support, and live classes
View STCPass guarantee (Premier/Premier Plus)
Bottom Line:
Choose Achievable if you want adaptive learning that targets your weak areas, an AI tutor for instant answers, 12-month access (vs 6 months), and a pass guarantee included at the base $199 price. Choose STC if flashcards are essential to your study method, you prefer human instructor support, or you want live class options. Both are strong courses; it comes down to learning style.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Achievable 9.4/10 | STC 9/10 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | ✓ $199 (one package) | $219-$384 (3 tiers) | Achievable |
| Question Bank | ✓ 4,000+ | 2,800+ | Achievable |
| Access Duration | ✓ 12 months | 6 months | Achievable |
| Pass Guarantee | ✓ Yes (base price) | Yes (Premier+ only) | Achievable |
| Flashcards | Not included | ✓ 1,500+ included | STC |
| Adaptive Learning | ✓ Yes (AI-powered) | No | Achievable |
| AI Tutor | ✓ Yes | No | Achievable |
| Instructor Support | AI tutor only | ✓ Instructor hotline | STC |
| Overall Score | 9.4/10 | 9/10 | Achievable |
Show detailed specifications (8 more categories)
| Practice Exams | ✓ 20+ full exams (130 Qs each) | 2 Green Light exams (140 Qs) | Achievable |
| Video Content | 40+ explainer videos | ✓ 12 hours (Premier+) | STC |
| Live Classes | No | ✓ Yes (Premier Plus) | STC |
| Content Format | Mixed (text + integrated quizzes) | Prose (traditional textbook) | Tie |
| Mobile App | No (web only) | Deprecated (use web) | Tie |
| Offline Access | Limited (dump sheets) | ✓ Yes (downloadable materials) | STC |
| Company History | Founded 2016 | ✓ Founded 1969 (55+ years) | STC |
| In-Person Classes | No | ✓ Yes (NYC, Chicago, SF, Boston) | STC |
Ready to choose?
Affiliate links. Both tested anonymously at full price.
Pricing Breakdown
Prices verified: January 2026
Achievable Pricing
- Complete Course $199
- (Only one package, everything included)
Access: 12 months
Pass Guarantee: Full refund if you fail
Flashcards: Not included (use third-party)
STC Pricing
- Standard $219
- Premier $247
- Premier Plus $384
Access: 6 months (all tiers)
Pass Guarantee: Premier/Premier Plus only
Flashcards: Premier/Premier Plus (1,500+)
Pricing Verdict:
Achievable offers better value at $199: you get 12 months of access, a pass guarantee, and adaptive learning. To get a pass guarantee and flashcards from STC, you need Premier at $247 (still only 6 months access). For comparable features, Achievable + third-party flashcards (~$25) costs $224 vs STC Premier at $247.
Flashcards Comparison
Achievable
No flashcards
- ✗ No built-in flashcard system
- ✓ Adaptive quizzes serve similar purpose
- ✓ Compatible with Brainscape (~$25)
- ✓ Spaced repetition built into algorithm
STC
1,500+ flashcards
- ✓ Included in Premier/Premier Plus
- ✓ Organized by chapter and FINRA sections
- ✓ Created by securities experts
- ✗ Not included in Standard ($219)
Flashcards Verdict:
If flashcards are essential to your study method, STC wins clearly with 1,500+ included in Premier/Premier Plus. However, Achievable's adaptive learning algorithm serves a similar purpose by automatically drilling your weak areas. Many Achievable users pair it with Brainscape (~$25) for flashcards, which still costs less than STC Premier.
Features Comparison
Adaptive Learning Achievable wins
Achievable: AI-powered adaptive algorithm tracks your retention for every concept. Uses spaced repetition science to schedule reviews at optimal intervals. Corporate studies show users score ~15% higher compared to static methods.
STC: No adaptive learning. Traditional chapter quizzes and final exams. You manually identify and drill weak areas. "Green Light" diagnostics help identify gaps but don't adapt automatically.
Flashcards STC wins
Achievable: No built-in flashcards. The adaptive quiz system is designed to replace traditional flashcard drilling. Third-party options like Brainscape ($25) are compatible.
STC: 1,500+ flashcards included in Premier and Premier Plus packages. Organized by chapter and FINRA exam sections. Created by securities market experts. Excellent for memorization-heavy content.
Instructor Support STC wins
Achievable: AI tutor ("Ask Achievable") provides instant answers to content questions. No human instructor access. Email support available for technical issues.
STC: Instructor hotline included in ALL packages (even Standard $219). Premier Plus adds live virtual and in-person classes. Available in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston. 55+ years of exam prep expertise.
Pass Guarantee Achievable wins
Achievable: Pass guarantee included at $199 base price. Full refund if you pass a practice exam then fail the real Series 65. Shows confidence in their 95%+ pass rate.
STC: Pass guarantee only in Premier ($247) and Premier Plus ($384), NOT the Standard $219 package. Offers course repeat or refund. Must meet study requirements.
Who Should Choose Achievable
Achievable is the better choice if you:
- Want adaptive learning that automatically identifies and drills your weak areas
- Are comfortable getting answers from an AI tutor instead of human instructors
- Need more than 6 months to study (Achievable offers 12 months)
- Want a pass guarantee included at the base price (not an upsell)
- Prefer modern, interactive content over traditional textbook prose
- Don't rely heavily on flashcards for memorization
Who Should Choose STC
STC is the better choice if you:
- Flashcards are essential to your study method (STC includes 1,500+)
- Prefer talking to human instructors rather than AI
- Want live class options (virtual or in-person)
- Live in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, or Boston (in-person classes available)
- Value a company with 55+ years of exam prep experience
- Prefer traditional prose-style textbooks over interactive formats
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Achievable or STC better for the Series 65?
For most candidates, Achievable is the better choice. It scores 9.4/10 vs STC's 9.0/10 in our testing. Achievable offers adaptive learning, an AI tutor, 12-month access, and a pass guarantee at the base $199 price. STC is better if you need flashcards (1,500+) or prefer learning from human instructors.
Does STC have flashcards and Achievable doesn't?
Correct. STC includes 1,500+ flashcards in Premier ($247) and Premier Plus ($384) packages. Achievable has no built-in flashcards. Many Achievable users pair it with third-party flashcard apps like Brainscape (~$25), which still costs less than STC Premier.
Which has a better pass guarantee, Achievable or STC?
Achievable's pass guarantee is more accessible. It's included in the base $199 package with a full refund if you fail. STC only offers the pass guarantee in Premier ($247) and Premier Plus ($384) packages, not the Standard $219 package.
Can I get live instruction with Achievable?
No. Achievable is entirely self-paced with no live instruction. If you want live classes, STC offers them in the Premier Plus package ($384), with options for virtual or in-person sessions in NYC, Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston.
Why is STC's access period only 6 months?
STC's 6-month access is standard for traditional prep courses. However, this can create pressure for busy professionals. Achievable offers 12 months, giving you more flexibility. STC does offer extensions for an additional fee if needed.
Final Verdict
Achievable
9.4/10
Best for self-paced learners who want adaptive learning and modern technology
View AchievablePass guarantee included at $199
STC
9/10
Best for traditional learners who want flashcards and instructor support
View STCPass guarantee in Premier/Premier Plus
Our Recommendation:
For most Series 65 candidates, Achievable is the better choice. It offers modern adaptive learning that targets your weak areas, an AI tutor for instant answers, double the access time (12 months vs 6), and a pass guarantee included at the $199 base price. The only reasons to choose STC are if flashcards are essential to your study method (STC includes 1,500+), you prefer human instructors over AI, or you want live class options. Both are quality courses; it comes down to your learning style.
Related Comparisons
FTC Disclosure:
We earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through our links. We purchased both Achievable and STC anonymously at full price to ensure unbiased reviews. Our rankings are merit-based and not influenced by commission rates. See our full affiliate disclosure.