Last updated: 27 September 2026; prices read on each provider’s own site that day. Written by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Bottom line: Choose AnalystPrep if value matters and you learn by doing questions: $799 buys lifetime access to all three CFA levels. Choose Kaplan Schweser if you want the most complete, most-used system with notes, study plans, classes and a pass guarantee, and can pay $429 to $1,599 per level for it.
- Pick AnalystPrep if: you are cost-conscious, planning all three levels, or already have lectures
- Pick Schweser if: you want one complete system, strong Level III essay support and PassProtection
- Pick both if: you want SchweserNotes for learning and AnalystPrep for practice
- Money: both pay us a commission, so the recommendation follows your situation
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes the verdict, and we name options we earn nothing from when they are the better fit.
Kaplan Schweser and AnalystPrep are the two CFA prep providers candidates most often weigh against each other, and they represent two different ideas of what prep should be. Schweser is a complete learning system at premium prices. AnalystPrep is a practice-first platform at budget prices, with teaching added on top. Both can get you through the exam; the question is which you need and how much you want to spend.
We read both providers’ CFA pages on 27 September 2026. Both pay us a commission through our links, so this comparison has no reason to favour either.
AnalystPrep vs Kaplan Schweser at a glance
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| AnalystPrep | Kaplan Schweser | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Practice-first: question bank and mocks, with notes, video and live classes added | Complete system: SchweserNotes, study plan, QBank, mocks, classes |
| CFA Level I price (27 Sep 2026) | $349 or $499 (12 months) | $429, $799, $1,099 or $1,499 |
| CFA Level III price | Part of $649 (II + III) or $799 (all levels) lifetime | $529, $899, $1,199 or $1,599 |
| All three levels | $799 once, lifetime access | Bought per level |
| Live instruction | Level I Live Online package, $1,299 | Classes, sold with or alongside packages |
| If you fail | Extensions until you pass; lifetime packages | PassProtection on higher packages |
| Payment options | 40/30/30 plan via Partial.ly | Interest-free instalments or Affirm financing |
| Also covers | FRM, actuarial exams | FRM, CAIA, financial modeling |
| Best for | Value, self-studiers, full-charter planners | Candidates who want the standard, complete package |
Price: the biggest difference
Price is where these two diverge most. On 27 September 2026 Kaplan Schweser listed four Level I packages at $429, $799, $1,099 and $1,499 (named Basic, Essential, Premium and Ultimate when we checked on 22 September), with Level II from $479 to $1,549 and Level III from $529 to $1,599. AnalystPrep listed Level I at $349 for practice or $499 with video and notes, each for 12 months, and a single $799 package with lifetime access to all three levels.
| Scenario | AnalystPrep | Kaplan Schweser |
|---|---|---|
| Level I only, cheapest serious option | $349 | $429 |
| Level I, second tier | $499 (adds video and notes) | $799 (Essential) |
| All three levels, mid-tier each time | $799 (lifetime) | $799 + $849 + $899 = $2,547 |
| All three levels, top tier each time | $799, or $1,299 Live for Level I plus $649 for II and III | $1,499 + $1,549 + $1,599 = $4,647 |
Across the whole charter the gap is large: roughly $1,750 at Schweser’s second tier and nearly $3,900 at the top tier, before any retakes. Schweser’s site also advertises instalment and financing options, and it runs promotions, so the real gap on the day you buy may be smaller.
Study materials and teaching
Schweser’s signature is the SchweserNotes: condensed readings that compress the enormous official curriculum into something manageable, paired with a personalised study plan, a large question bank and mock exams, and classes for candidates who want to be taught. It is a single, coherent system, which is why so many candidates use it and why employers and study groups tend to assume it.
AnalystPrep starts from the other end. Its question banks and computer-based mock exams are the core, with study notes (about 2,000 pages for Level I), video lessons (about 60 hours for Level I) and review summaries on the Learn + Practice and Unlimited packages. Its $1,299 Live Online package adds weekly instructor-led Level I classes that you can join at any point. The teaching is functional; the practice is the draw.
Practice questions and mock exams
This is where AnalystPrep closes the gap. Its question banks are designed to match exam difficulty, with detailed explanations, customisable quizzes and performance tracking against other users; its Live Online package lists 4,000 Level I questions and five full-length mocks. Schweser’s QBank and mocks are also strong and are integrated with its notes and study plan. For pure practice per dollar, AnalystPrep is hard to beat; for practice as part of a guided system, Schweser is more polished.
Guarantees and what happens if you fail
Schweser’s PassProtection guarantee applies to its higher packages and is designed to support you through a retake. AnalystPrep takes a different approach: it says it offers as many extensions as you need until you pass, and its Unlimited packages never expire, so a failed attempt does not mean buying prep again. Neither covers CFA Institute’s registration fee, which you pay again for every attempt; read the terms of either guarantee before you rely on it.
Level by level
| Level | What the exam rewards | Better fit |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | Breadth and speed across a huge syllabus | AnalystPrep for value; Schweser if you need the notes to structure it |
| Level II | Item-set (vignette) analysis and practice volume | Either; AnalystPrep’s item-set bank is strong value |
| Level III | Constructed-response (essay) answers and portfolio management | Schweser, for its essay strategy and classes |
The combination many candidates use
You do not have to choose one. A common setup is Schweser’s notes or lectures for learning the material and AnalystPrep’s question bank and mocks for practice. Buying Schweser’s entry tier and AnalystPrep’s Practice package for Level I cost $778 on 27 September 2026, less than Schweser’s Premium tier on its own, and gives you two independent sources of exam-style questions.
How to read the pass-rate claims
Both providers lean on success claims. Schweser’s Level I page says candidates who prepare with it are more likely to pass than those who use other providers; AnalystPrep calls itself the number-one-rated platform and cites more than 50,000 candidates and 4.5 million questions answered. Treat all of these as marketing. They are self-reported, the populations differ (Schweser is the default choice, so its customers include many employer-funded and well-prepared candidates), and neither is audited by CFA Institute, which publishes only overall exam pass rates.
What predicts your result is not the logo on your notes but the hours you put in and how much of that time you spend answering exam-style questions under timed conditions. Pick the provider that makes you do more of that.
Five mistakes candidates make when choosing
- Buying the top tier for Level I by default. Level I rewards breadth and practice; most candidates do not need the most expensive package to pass it.
- Paying per level when they plan to finish the charter. If you intend to sit all three levels, a lifetime all-levels package changes the maths completely.
- Forgetting the exam fee. CFA Institute’s registration fee is separate from prep and is paid again for every retake; guarantees protect your prep spend, not that fee.
- Buying notes they will not read. If you learn by doing questions, a heavy notes package is money spent on paper. Start from how you actually study.
- Ignoring the free samples. Both providers let you try material before buying; do a timed set from each and choose the one whose explanations make sense to you.
Who should choose AnalystPrep
- candidates planning all three levels who want to pay once ($799, lifetime)
- self-studiers who learn by working through questions
- candidates outside the US or on a tight budget who need a payment plan
- anyone who already has lectures and needs a strong question bank
Who should choose Kaplan Schweser
- candidates who want one complete, widely used system and a structured study plan
- anyone who finds the official curriculum overwhelming and wants it condensed
- Level III candidates who need essay strategy and instruction
- candidates who value a formal pass guarantee and can pay premium prices
See AnalystPrep CFA packages → See Kaplan Schweser CFA packages →
Our verdict
If you are paying your own way and you learn by practising, AnalystPrep is the better buy: its question bank and mocks are genuinely strong, and $799 for lifetime access to all three levels is unmatched value. Kaplan Schweser is the better choice if you want the complete, guided system most candidates use, the condensed notes, Level III essay support and a formal guarantee, and your budget or employer can cover it. And if you can afford a little more than AnalystPrep alone, combining Schweser’s notes with AnalystPrep’s practice is a strong middle path. For the full field, including Mark Meldrum, Wiley and UWorld, see our best CFA prep courses guide, and for AnalystPrep in depth, our AnalystPrep review.
Frequently asked questions
Is AnalystPrep as good as Kaplan Schweser?
For practice questions and mock exams, AnalystPrep is competitive at a fraction of the price. Schweser is the more complete system: its SchweserNotes, study plans, classes and PassProtection guarantee are why most candidates use it. The right choice depends on whether you need a full teaching system (Schweser) or mainly practice and value (AnalystPrep).
How much cheaper is AnalystPrep than Schweser?
On 27 September 2026 Schweser’s Level I packages cost $429 to $1,499 per level, and its Level III packages $529 to $1,599. AnalystPrep charged $349 or $499 for Level I with 12 months of access, or $799 once for lifetime access to all three levels. Across the full charter, AnalystPrep can cost a fraction of Schweser’s mid-tier packages.
Which has the better question bank?
Both are strong. AnalystPrep’s question bank and mocks are its core product and are well regarded for difficulty; Schweser’s QBank is larger in ecosystem terms and tightly integrated with its notes and study plan. Many candidates rate AnalystPrep’s questions as the better value per dollar.
Does AnalystPrep have a pass guarantee like Schweser’s PassProtection?
Not in the same form. Schweser’s PassProtection applies to its higher packages. AnalystPrep offers extensions until you pass and lifetime access on its Unlimited packages, which protects what you spent on prep. Neither refunds CFA Institute’s exam fee.
Can I combine AnalystPrep and Schweser?
Yes, and many candidates do: SchweserNotes or lectures for learning, AnalystPrep’s question bank and mocks for practice. It costs more than AnalystPrep alone but usually less than Schweser’s top tiers.
Which is better for CFA Level III?
Level III rewards essay (constructed-response) practice. Schweser invests heavily in Level III essay strategy and classes; AnalystPrep includes essay-type questions in its Level III bank. Candidates who struggle with the written portion usually benefit from Schweser’s instruction.