If you’re looking at the best CFP® prep courses on the market, you’ve no doubt stumbled across both Kaplan and Dalton plenty of times—and that’s why you’re here.
But more to the point, when it comes to Kaplan vs. Dalton’s CFP® courses, which is the smartest choice?
I took both courses, digging deep into the review materials through the lens of a student preparing for the CFP® exam. In this guide, I’ll highlight the good, the bad, and the ugly of each course. By the end of this quick article, you’ll know exactly which course is the better pick for you.
Which Course Should You Choose? Kaplan or Dalton
- Choose Kaplan if you want the most affordable, well-rounded CFP® prep with strong structure and plenty of practice materials.
- Choose Kaplan if you value a polished platform that makes it easy to move between videos, practice questions, and live classes.
- Choose Kaplan if you prefer a generous 30-day refund policy and PassProtection™ for peace of mind.
- Choose Kaplan if you want a practical, efficient approach that covers every possible exam topic without overwhelming you.
- Choose Dalton if you want a high-intensity challenge with tougher-than-average practice questions to sharpen your skills.
- Choose Dalton if you’re confident, thrive under pressure, and want the Guarantee to Pass™ to back up your hard work.
Overview: Kaplan vs. Dalton CFP®
It’s tough to compare two companies when you don’t know anything about them. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of feature-by-feature comparisons, let’s take a look at these two competitors to see what makes them unique.
Kaplan CFP® Review: A Historic Reputation
Kaplan’s an old hand in the education and exam prep world, covering exams in nearly every field. However, their CFP® exam review courses and education programs stand out for having served over 76,000 professionals, featuring a money-back pass guarantee, and in-depth live classes with real-time support. Plus, with over 300 certification programs available, Kaplan’s education program still accounts for 1/3 of all exam takers, boasting a 70% pass rate.
And I’ll be honest: those statistics did make me feel more confident during my study sessions, even if I wasn’t planning on taking the exam. A good reputation can make a significant difference when it comes to your study experience, and I think it’s worth taking advantage of that. However, Dalton has some serious perks in their own right. Let’s take a look and move on to comparing the two, head-to-head.
“I used Kaplan for SIE, S7, S66 and now used it to pass CFP first time. […] So yeah Id definitely recommend it! First time pass on all my tests.”
Reddit Review
Pros
- PassProtection™ gives students the choice between a refund and a retake
- Kaplan’s CFP® prep courses are some of the most affordable on the market
- Return windows are long, roughly a month, if the course doesn’t match your learning style
- Learn through on-demand lessons, live online classes, and onsite courses
- Exam podcasts make it easier to prepare during your daily tasks
Cons
- If you’re buying on a course-by-course basis, the Kaplan Premium Review Package is the priciest
- Covers everything that might be on the exam, which may feel like overkill to some
Kaplan CFP® Promo Code
Save $549 on Kaplan’s CFP® courses, including high-quality review materials like practice exams, video lessons, and a money-back pass guarantee.
Kaplan CFP® Review
Dalton CFP® Review: A Popular Pick
Meanwhile, Dalton has a comparatively positive public perception, matching key features like money-back pass guarantees and live online classes. According to Dalton’s website, 99% of their students who follow the Dalton Review to a “T” pass the CFP® exam, and apparently, 50% of practicing certified financial planners used Dalton during their certification journey. So, Dalton has a lot to brag about as well.
However, Dalton’s advertising didn’t resonate super well with me when it came to the actual course experience. To be clear, they deliver great products, but their exam prep courses are nearly double the price of Kaplan’s.
Further, the questions are significantly more difficult than the exam, according to multiple reviews and comments from other students. I found them frustrating due to the wording, and I understand the subject material well as it is. Dalton is definitely not for newbies or students who struggle with confidence and self-esteem. However, if you’re confident and ready for a challenge, Dalton could be the answer to your problems.
“Just took and passed the exam today. […] I encourage the Dalton review people to remember that they have styled their questions to be way more difficult than the CFP (as others have said here).”
Reddit Review
Pros
- The Guarantee to Pass™ can help students study with more confidence
- Tricky practice questions make those on the actual exam less of a struggle
- The systems are simpler and more streamlined, helpful if you’re easily overwhelmed
- The Dalton Review study materials are well-crafted and beneficial for learning
Cons
- Dalton’s exam prep courses are significantly more expensive than Kaplan’s
- Return policy is far less generous, with a 5-day window compared to Kaplan’s 30
- Dalton questions are extremely difficult, which might feel demotivational
Dalton CFP® Review
Feature Comparisons
 |  | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Type | CFP® Exam Prep | CFP® Exam Prep | CFP® Education Program | CFP® Education Program |
| Price Range | $599-$1,399 | $1,595-$2,395 | $5,350-$8,049 | $5,595-$7,395 |
| Discounts | Save $549 | No Discounts | Save $549 | No Discounts |
| Access | Varies by Exam Date | Varies by Exam Date | Varies by Exam Date | 6-12 Months |
| Pass Guarantee | PassProtection™ | Guarantee to Pass™ | PassProtection™ | Guarantee to Pass™ |
| Return Policy | Within 30 Days | Within 5 Days | Within 30 Days | Within 5 Days |
| Get Started | LEARN MORE | LEARN MORE | LEARN MORE | LEARN MORE |
Who Should Choose Dalton vs. Kaplan?
Short on time? Here’s a quick guide to help you make the right choice.
⭐ The Perfect Kaplan Student: If you’re all about practicality, efficiency, and covering every possible subject that might show up on the exam, Kaplan’s your best bet.
⭐ The Perfect Dalton Student: If you like a challenge, and “go big or go home” is your motto, Dalton could be the right choice.
Head-to-Head: Kaplan vs. Dalton Features
Both Kaplan and Dalton deliver strong CFP® prep, but the experience of using each program feels pretty different. I tested the materials from both companies as if I were a student gearing up for the exam, paying attention not just to what they include, but how it actually felt to study with them. Here’s how they stacked up.
Course Content & Structure
With Kaplan, I immediately noticed how well-organized the material was. The curriculum follows the CFP® Board’s outline closely, and that made it easy to trust I wasn’t missing any core topics. Each section flowed naturally into the next, and the practice assignments felt like they reinforced the lessons rather than piling on busywork. I also liked that Kaplan’s pacing gave me enough time to sit with tough concepts without getting lost in the weeds. Overall, it felt like a balanced roadmap that kept me moving forward at a steady pace.
Dalton’s structure, by contrast, felt much more intense. Their practice questions were harder than Kaplan’s—sometimes harder than the real exam, if reviews and my own testing are any indication. On one hand, this meant I felt “battle-tested” after working through them. On the other hand, it occasionally crossed into frustration territory, since the difficulty made me second-guess material I already understood. The program is comprehensive and effective if you’re confident and thrive on pressure, but Kaplan struck a better balance between coverage and usability.
Winner: Kaplan
Tech & Videos
Kaplan’s online platform impressed me with how seamless it was to use. Switching between on-demand videos, live sessions, and practice questions didn’t feel clunky, and everything loaded smoothly. The video lessons themselves were clear, with instructors explaining concepts using clean visuals and straightforward examples. I appreciated that I could pause, rewind, or speed up without losing track of where I was in the course. Having that flexibility made longer study sessions feel manageable, because I wasn’t locked into a rigid format.
Dalton’s tech setup was simpler, which cut both ways. The videos were high-quality, and the instructors came across as experienced and confident. But compared to Kaplan, the system felt bare-bones. There weren’t as many interactive features, and navigating between resources sometimes took extra clicks. It never felt broken, but it also didn’t feel like the kind of polished dashboard I’d expect at Dalton’s higher price point. For students who just want solid videos without extra frills, Dalton delivers, but Kaplan offers a smoother overall experience.
Winner: Kaplan
Investment Worthiness
Kaplan was the clear winner for me when it came to value. Their CFP® prep courses are some of the most affordable on the market, yet the amount of material you get is substantial—thousands of practice questions, live and recorded classes, study tools, and a pass guarantee. I felt like Kaplan struck a good balance between cost and comprehensiveness, making it a practical choice for students who want solid prep without draining their bank account. Even the premium packages felt reasonable considering how much was included.
Dalton, on the other hand, came across as a premium option with a premium price. The materials are excellent, and I can see why students who want to push themselves harder might be willing to pay more. But side by side with Kaplan, it was hard not to notice that Dalton costs almost double for a similar set of resources. I also felt that the steep pricing raised the stakes unnecessarily—especially since Kaplan offers comparable guarantees at a lower cost. Unless you’re set on Dalton’s brand of rigor, Kaplan gives you more bang for your buck.
Winner: Kaplan
Support/Access
Kaplan’s support system gave me the kind of safety net I think a lot of students need. The live class interaction, instructor office hours, and customer service responses all worked together to make me feel like help was available whenever I hit a roadblock. I also liked that Kaplan offers a generous 30-day refund window, which gave me time to settle into the course and decide if it fit my study style. That flexibility made the program feel more student-friendly overall.
Dalton’s support worked differently, and it had its strengths. The instructors were top-notch, and the Guarantee to Pass™ is a bold promise that adds confidence if you’re willing to follow their plan exactly. I also found the course itself streamlined enough that I didn’t get lost hunting for resources. But Dalton’s five-day refund policy felt restrictive, and the higher difficulty of the practice questions sometimes made the “support” feel more like a stress test. Still, if you’re the type who thrives under pressure and wants to be pushed hard by expert instructors, Dalton has an edge here.
Winner: Dalton
Final Verdict
For aspiring CFP® professionals trying to find the best review classes and online courses to help them pass, Kaplan offers one of the best options out there, particularly for students seeking well-rounded exam prep on a budget. However, if you want something tricky that forces you to perform at your best through a “trial by fire,” Dalton can offer that. Ultimately, the perfect choice is up to you and how you study best.
Interested in learning more? Click here for additional details to start your studies sooner.
FAQs
Kaplan is better for most students thanks to its affordability and balanced structure. Dalton is better for confident test-takers who want maximum rigor.
Yes. Kaplan’s CFP® education program is widely respected, serving a third of all exam takers and offering flexible live, on-demand, and in-person options.
Kaplan’s CFP® Review courses have about a 70% pass rate, reflecting both their comprehensive materials and their broad student base.
Dalton reports that 99% of students who follow their program exactly pass the CFP® exam, making it one of the highest success rates available, assuming that the data is trustworthy.
Roughly 40% of candidates fail the CFP® exam, highlighting why structured prep through Kaplan or Dalton is so valuable.
