If you’re anything like me, making a big decision can cause a lot of anxiety (and according to the National Library of Medicine, that could hurt your test scores).
You do countless hours of research, poring through every review and Reddit thread known to humanity, and you’re still torn, but at least you’ve culled it down to two. The finish line is finally in sight.
I’ve personally dug through ExamFX and Kaplan courses, specifically comparing Series 6, 7, 63, and 65’s live sessions, on-demand video lessons, digital textbooks, practice exams, and bonus study materials (like study planners and glossaries).
Here’s what I found.
ExamFX vs. Kaplan: Which is Right for You?
- If you want live instruction and real-time support, choose Kaplan. Their live classes and instructor hotline make it easy to get help exactly when you need it.
- If you prefer structured learning with step-by-step guidance, choose Kaplan. The course walks you through every topic in a clear, organized way—no guesswork required.
- If you’re aiming to overprepare and want tons of practice, choose Kaplan. Their massive question banks and high-quality explanations help you master even the trickiest concepts.
- If you like studying at your own pace, choose ExamFX. The flexible format lets you build your own study plan and progress on your own timeline.
- If you want clear direction without a steep learning curve, choose ExamFX. The platform is easy to use, with built-in study tools that guide you through the content.
- If you value phone-in instructor access during work hours, choose ExamFX. Their live support line gives you direct help without waiting for an email reply.
The Competitors: ExamFX vs. Kaplan
Before we dig into the details, here’s a brief overview of each competitor and what they bring to the table for securities exam prep.
Kaplan: For Deep Divers Who Crave Instructor Support
Kaplan has been around since 1938—that’s over 80 years in the test prep industry. As you can imagine, to last that long, they’ve had to build a stellar reputation and a proven track record of student success. Their 4.2-star average rating and 91% securities exam pass rate are solid indicators, but more importantly, their materials speak for themselves.
Prospective students can look forward to thousands of exam-quality practice questions, which, when compared to questions from past Series 6, 7, 63, and 65 exams, are nearly spot-on. Kaplan is one of the only top securities prep providers to offer live online classes and a direct hotline to an instructor for personalized support. This makes them a brilliant choice for students who thrive in a guided, supported environment—one where they can become overprepared and have an easier exam day.
“Used Kaplan for the SIE, Series 6 and Series 63 exams. Passed all 3 on the first try. Thank you, Kaplan!”
Diana Pershes
ExamFX: For Independent Learners to Choose Their Own Adventure
On the other hand, ExamFX is unique in that they’ve merged with Training Consultants, a company founded in 1979. So, while the team is newer, there’s still an established history of helping students succeed.
Further, where some acquisitions can make companies inconsistent and messy, it seems like this was the joining of two great providers to create a stronger resource for students.
ExamFX is a great choice for self-starters who prefer to go at their own pace and customize their journey. It offers five different types of practice materials, a custom exam generator, and a treasure trove of excellent bonus tools like a glossary and acronyms, online flashcards, and detailed analytics and reporting. There aren’t live classes, but that may not be your preference, and ExamFX has solid on-demand video lessons.
“I passed my Series 66 in 4 weeks with this material. I also passed my state insurance exams. It was easy to navigate and the information was current. Best part, it was cheaper than the competition.”
C. Rose
Course Feature Comparisons
| Provider |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range | $79-$479 | $100-$415 |
| Discounts | No Discounts | Save 20% |
| Access Length | 5 Months | 3-6 Months |
| Live Classes |  |  |
| Pass Guarantee | | |
| Pass Rate | ~91% | 91% |
| Recommendation Rate | 95% | Not Reported |
| Trustpilot Reviews | ⭐ 4.2 (3,200+ Reviews) | ⭐ 4.0 (2,300+ Reviews) |
| Best For | Full Coverage and Live Instruction | Simple, Structured Study Plans |
| Learn More | Learn More | Learn More |
Kaplan vs. ExamFX: Feature Face-Off
Now, let’s pair the two courses against one another and see which takes the crown.
Course Content and Structure
In going through Kaplan’s courses, a strong structure is the number one thing that stood out to me. Every single section is perfectly paced with video lessons, live classes, specific reading passages, and quick quizzes and exercises to ensure you’re learning and reinforce those new facts in your mind. There really isn’t much room for making your own decisions; it’s step-by-step, follow the instructions, get support when you need it, and you’ll probably pass.
ExamFX feels more personal, where you can pick and choose what you want to do and when. Obviously, there’s still structure, but it feels less rigid than Kaplan, which could be a pro or a con. However, you’re getting a fraction of the support compared to Kaplan. Where Kaplan offers live classes and direct access to instructors as integral elements of the course structure, ExamFX is a little more “ask if you need anything,” which may make it difficult for more reserved students to get the help they need.
🏆 The Winner: Kaplan
Live Classes and Video Lessons
As far as tech goes, both providers are pretty light and equal in that lightness. However, there’s a big difference between the courses’ instruction and video lectures, so in this section, I’ll focus on that differentiator.
As I’ve mentioned, Kaplan offers live online classes for many of their securities courses. Let’s face it: every person is different; not everyone can learn by reading a book and having the information lock in their mind forever (I wish). Kaplan appeals to the rest of us, who have clarifying questions and need personalized explanations for those stubborn subjects that just won’t “click.”
Though it depends a bit on your instructor, my live class experience was phenomenal for the most part. The instructors were welcoming, passionate, and patient when the CPA-educated course reviewer had yet another dumb question. I feel like I could’ve asked, “Why?” like a toddler, and they would’ve patiently walked me through it every time.
Further, the live and on-demand classes do a lot to help you with note-taking, giving helpful slides and whiteboard demonstrations that highlight the main points (so you don’t have to wade through an ocean of irrelevant text). It got a little dry at times, but again, the right instructor made a big difference.
I was never on the verge of falling asleep, but some instructors just had this natural sense of when to turn on the energy or make a joke to rope everyone back in. I really enjoyed my classes, and I’d recommend them if you value live instruction in your prep course.
“What made my experience great was the online live video trainings!!! I prefer live lecture/conversation vs constant reading. Each trainer I had was lively and informative; not mono-toned.”
Debra Orr
As for ExamFX, you’re not getting any live classes, but you can access dozens of hours of on-demand video lessons, depending on the review course you choose. I found that the videos weren’t especially engaging, but they get the job done, and I can see why some students swear by ExamFX for that reason.
The biggest issue I had was the feeling that the lecturers were just reading off the slides, and, even if that works, it rubbed me the wrong way, which made it challenging to stay focused. Plus, the volume and diction were inconsistent, which made it even more difficult. One student echoes this in her own review:
“But the worst part of the course were the videos. The one gal spoke well and was easy to understand, but talked to the “audience” as if we were all five years old. The other gal spoke too fast, sometimes mumbled, and lowered her voice to a whisper for no reason whatsoever.”
Kelly C.
🏆 The Winner: Kaplan
Access and Value
Here’s the thing about the pricing of these courses: it’s all over the place. Kaplan charges less for the Series 3, 4, 6, 7, and 99 exam prep courses. However, for the SIE, Series 9, 10, 24, 63, 65, and 66, ExamFX is more affordable. Kaplan has a lower low end and a higher high end of the total price range.
However (and I’m sorry for bringing it up again!), Kaplan has, might I remind you, live classes and personalized 1-on-1 support. That alone pushes Kaplan over the value threshold, particularly when considering the pricing is so close. Further, Kaplan’s access period is 5 months across the board, with a fee to extend access for another 5 months. Meanwhile, ExamFX almost always offers two packages: the Online Course and Textbook packages. Where the Online Course Package provides 6 months, one more than Kaplan, the Textbook Package has an access period of just 3 months.
However, one of the biggest criticisms of both courses was the price compared to the access length. One student said of Kaplan:
“The Property and Casualty Agent course was thorough and prepared me for my state exams. Support was quick to reply to any questions that I had. My only complaint is that for the price, you should have access to the course longer instead of having to pay for extensions.”
Jordan Brawley
Nevertheless, you’re getting more with Kaplan: more materials, more value, and more consistency. Another student does an outstanding job of summarizing my thoughts on value:
“The price for Kaplan is just as much as Examfx, but sooooo much better. Kaplan even comes with a live in person class along with online videos and instructors. So my recommendation is that if you are studying for the series 65, use Kaplan.”
Anthony
🏆 The Winner: Kaplan
Student Support
Though I’ve talked quite a bit about Kaplan’s outstanding student support options already, ExamFX has some great options in their own right, so I’m going to switch it up and start there.
ExamFX—say it with me—doesn’t have live classes. But that doesn’t mean you’re not getting any 1-on-1 instructor support. In fact, ExamFX not only offers the traditional “send a message and get a response within 24 hours”-style hotline, but they actually let you phone in during standard business hours and get your questions answered by an instructor right then, whether you’re curious about study strategies or you’re stuck on Chapter 5’s learning outcomes.
Phone-in support is invaluable, and when I tried it for myself, I was impressed with the team’s speed and eagerness to lend a hand. It seemed like they cared about my experience, which gave me an even greater trust in ExamFX’s commitment to student success.
Unfortunately for them, in this article, they’re paired against an exam prep juggernaut with student support on lock. Re-enter Kaplan, which—say it with me—has live classes. That means live, 1-on-1 support for all of your questions, the second they arise. Plus, if you have questions about your reading or on-demand video lessons, you can bring them to class without waiting for a message back.
However, if you don’t mind waiting, you can dig into InstructorLink™: Kaplan’s email-style hotline to get your questions answered by your instructors within two business days. I’ve already talked about the live class experience, so let me address InstructorLink™. I sent 10 different messages through the tool, and only had to wait longer than 24 hours once. Most of the time, messages returned within a few hours on the same day, which was a fantastic surprise. With all of those notes combined, Kaplan is the winner here.
🏆 The Winner: Kaplan
Course Discounts
Kaplan Securities Promo Codes
on Kaplan’s Securities Licensing courses. With flexible study packages, strong practice question banks, and live online classes, Kaplan is a good fit for learners who want expert support on the path to exam day.
ExamFX Discount Codes
Save 20% on ExamFX securities exam prep. Known for its interactive learning platform and customizable study plans, ExamFX is a solid option for students who want structured learning with tech-forward tools and instructor support.
Save Up to 20% on ExamFX Securities Review Courses
Final Verdict
Ultimately, though Kaplan is generally a better choice, both courses have significant strengths, and work better for different students.
➡️ Kaplan’s live classes, large question banks, and stellar reputation make it the perfect choice for students who want a guided learning experience with an ample amount of personalized support.
➡️ ExamFX is a better choice for the independent learner who wants a “choose your own adventure” experience and the freedom to do exam prep their way.
So, which are you? Choose your adventure and grab your perfect-fit course!
FAQs
Kaplan is generally better for students who want live classes and in-depth prep, while ExamFX suits independent learners seeking a flexible, structured platform.
ExamFX reports a pass rate of around 91% for its securities licensing exam prep courses.
Top competitors include Securities Institute of America (SIA), Securities Training Corporation (STC), and Achievable.
SIA and STC tend to be the best, most well-rounded securities study programs for most students, but Achievable, Kaplan, and ExamFX are also good options.
You can contact ExamFX via their website chat, email, or by phone during standard business hours for instructor or tech support.
