Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you. Our rankings are based solely on merit, not commission rates. Full disclosure
Kaplan vs Achievable for Series 65 (2026)
Two of the most popular Series 65 prep courses, but very different approaches. Kaplan offers traditional materials with the largest question bank. Achievable delivers modern adaptive learning with AI tutoring. Which is right for you?
Quick Verdict
Kaplan
7.1/10Price: $159-$319
Best for: Traditional learners who want the largest question bank and industry-standard materials
View KaplanNo money-back guarantee
Achievable
9.4/10Price: $199
Best for: Self-paced learners who want adaptive learning, AI tutoring, and a pass guarantee
View AchievablePass guarantee (full refund)
Bottom Line:
Choose Kaplan if you want the largest question bank (4,230), prefer traditional prose-style content, or need live instructor access. Choose Achievable if you want adaptive learning that targets your weak areas, an AI tutor for instant answers, 12-month access (vs 5 months), and the security of a pass guarantee. For most self-study candidates, Achievable offers better value.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Kaplan 7.1/10 | Achievable 9.4/10 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $159-$319 | $199 (one package) | Tie |
| Question Bank | ✓ 4,230 | 4,000+ | Kaplan |
| Access Duration | 5 months | ✓ 12 months | Achievable |
| Pass Guarantee | No | ✓ Yes (full refund) | Achievable |
| Adaptive Learning | No | ✓ Yes (AI-powered) | Achievable |
| AI Tutor | No | ✓ Yes | Achievable |
| Video Content | ✓ 12+ hours | 40+ explainer videos | Kaplan |
| Flashcards | $29 extra | Not included | Tie |
| Overall Score | 7.1/10 | 9.4/10 | Achievable |
Show detailed specifications (6 more categories)
| Practice Exams | 1 full exam (140 Qs) | ✓ 20+ full exams (130 Qs each) | Achievable |
| Content Format | Prose (traditional textbook) | Mixed (text + integrated quizzes) | Tie |
| Mobile App | No (web only) | No (web only) | Tie |
| Offline Access | No | ✓ Limited (dump sheets) | Achievable |
| Customer Support | Email (48hr response) | ✓ Email, phone, text | Achievable |
| Live Instruction | ✓ Yes ($319 package) | No | Kaplan |
Ready to choose?
Affiliate links. Both tested anonymously at full price.
Pricing Breakdown
Prices verified: December 2025
Kaplan Pricing
- Basic Self-Study $159
- Essential Self-Study $199
- Premium OnDemand $289
- Premium Live Online $319
Access: 5 months
Extensions: $49 per 5 months
Flashcards: $29 (separate)
Achievable Pricing
- Complete Course $199
- (Only one package, everything included)
Access: 12 months
Extensions: Not typically needed
Pass Guarantee: Full refund if you fail
Pricing Verdict:
At the comparable tier ($199), both offer similar upfront pricing. But Achievable provides significantly better value: 12 months of access (vs 5), a pass guarantee, and no hidden costs for extensions or flashcards. Kaplan's true cost can reach $277+ ($199 + $49 extension + $29 flashcards) for the same 12-month period.
Question Bank Comparison
Kaplan
4,230 questions
- ✓ Largest question bank among major providers
- ✓ Excellent question explanations
- ✗ Only 1 full practice exam (140 questions)
- ✗ Static quizzes (no adaptive learning)
Achievable
4,000+ questions
- ✓ 20+ full practice exams (130 questions each)
- ✓ Adaptive algorithm targets weak areas
- ✓ Spaced repetition for long-term retention
- • 1,300+ quiz questions + 2,600+ exam questions
Question Bank Verdict:
Kaplan has slightly more total questions (4,230 vs ~4,000), but Achievable's advantage is how you use them. Achievable's adaptive algorithm ensures you're always practicing your weakest areas, while Kaplan requires manual chapter selection. Achievable also offers 20+ full practice exams vs Kaplan's single exam, giving you far more exam simulation experience.
Features Comparison
Adaptive Learning Achievable wins
Kaplan: No adaptive learning. You manually select chapters to quiz and track your own weak areas. Progress tracking is basic.
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.
AI Tutor Achievable wins
Kaplan: No AI tutor. You rely on email support (48-hour response time) or self-research for questions.
Achievable: "Ask Achievable" AI tutor answers questions instantly, fine-tuned specifically for Series 65 exam content. No waiting for email replies.
Video Content Kaplan wins
Kaplan: 12+ hours of instructor-led video lectures (Premium packages). Structured curriculum with professional production quality. Live online option ($319) includes real-time Q&A.
Achievable: 40+ explainer videos covering specific topics. Narrated with adjustable speed/voice. No live instruction option.
Pass Guarantee Achievable wins
Kaplan: No pass guarantee. No refund if you fail. One of the few major providers without this safety net.
Achievable: Full money-back guarantee. Requirements: pass at least one practice exam, then fail the real Series 65, submit scores for verification. Shows confidence in their 95%+ pass rate claim.
Who Should Choose Kaplan
Kaplan is the better choice if you:
- Prefer traditional prose-style textbooks over interactive formats
- Want the absolute largest question bank (4,230 questions)
- Need live instructor access and real-time Q&A ($319 package)
- Your employer is paying and prefers the industry-standard name
- Value brand recognition (Kaplan has 70%+ market share)
Who Should Choose Achievable
Achievable is the better choice if you:
- Want adaptive learning that automatically identifies and drills your weak areas
- Prefer getting instant answers from an AI tutor instead of waiting for email support
- Need more than 5 months to study (Achievable offers 12 months)
- Want the security of a pass guarantee (money back if you fail)
- Prefer modern, interactive content over traditional textbook prose
- Are self-motivated and don't need live instructor access
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kaplan or Achievable better for the Series 65?
For most candidates, Achievable is the better choice. It scores 9.4/10 vs Kaplan's 7.1/10 in our testing. Achievable offers adaptive learning, an AI tutor, 12-month access, and a pass guarantee, all for $199. Kaplan has a larger question bank (4,230 vs 4,000+) and live instruction options, but lacks modern features and charges extra for extensions.
Which has more practice questions, Kaplan or Achievable?
Kaplan has more raw questions (4,230 vs ~4,000), but the difference is minimal. Achievable compensates with 20+ full practice exams and an adaptive algorithm that ensures you practice the right questions. Quality of practice often matters more than quantity.
Does Kaplan or Achievable have a pass guarantee?
Only Achievable offers a pass guarantee. If you pass at least one practice exam then fail the real Series 65, Achievable refunds your $199 in full. Kaplan offers no pass guarantee or money-back policy.
Which is cheaper, Kaplan or Achievable?
They're similarly priced at the comparable tier. Achievable is $199 for everything. Kaplan's Essential package is also $199, but Premium packages run $289-$319. Kaplan also charges $49 for 5-month extensions and $29 for flashcards. Achievable includes 12 months and a pass guarantee at the base price.
Can I switch from Kaplan to Achievable if I don't like it?
Yes, you can purchase Achievable separately. Kaplan doesn't offer refunds, so you'd be paying for both. Many Reddit users report switching from Kaplan to Achievable after struggling, then passing. Consider trying Achievable first since it has a pass guarantee.
Final Verdict
Kaplan
7.1/10
Best for traditional learners who want the largest question bank
View KaplanNo money-back guarantee
Achievable
9.4/10
Best for self-paced learners who want adaptive learning and a pass guarantee
View AchievablePass guarantee (full refund)
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, more than double the access time (12 months vs 5), and a pass guarantee that Kaplan lacks. At the same $199 price point, Achievable delivers significantly more value. The only reasons to choose Kaplan are if you specifically want live instruction ($319 package), prefer traditional prose textbooks, or your employer requires Kaplan specifically.
Related Comparisons
FTC Disclosure:
We earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through our links. We purchased both Kaplan and Achievable anonymously at full price to ensure unbiased reviews. Our rankings are merit-based and not influenced by commission rates. See our full affiliate disclosure.