AnalystPrep CFA Review (2025): The Best Budget Option?
Best for: Best Budget Option Updated 12/16/2025Price: from 249 USD/course
Pros
- Unbeatable value
- Lifetime access
- Massive QBank
- Bundles for all 3 levels
- 7-day refund policy
Cons
- Low production value videos
- Dated interface
- Limited instructor support
CFA prep is notoriously expensive. Between the exam fees and a course like Kaplan, you’re easily looking at $2,000+. AnalystPrep exists to solve that problem.
With packages starting under $300, AnalystPrep is the budget king. But in the high-stakes world of the CFA exam, is “cheap” a good thing?
The AnalystPrep Value Proposition
AnalystPrep’s strategy is volume and value. They don’t have the fancy studios of Salt Solutions or the 30-year history of Kaplan, but they have content.
1. The Question Bank (QBank)
This is the main selling point. AnalystPrep boasts a massive database of over 3,000 practice questions for Level 1 alone.
- Difficulty: The questions are generally fair, though some users find them slightly easier than the actual exam.
- Customization: You can build custom quizzes based on specific readings or topics (e.g., “Give me 20 questions on FIFO vs. LIFO”).
2. Lifetime Access
Most CFA courses expire after your exam date. AnalystPrep offers Unlimited Lifetime Access packages.
- Why it matters: If you fail (which 60% of people do), you don’t have to pay again. You can also buy all three levels at once for a huge discount.
3. Study Notes & Videos
- Notes: The study notes are surprisingly good. They are concise summaries of the curriculum, similar to SchweserNotes but less detailed.
- Videos: This is the weak point. The videos are essentially a screen recording of an instructor talking over a PowerPoint. They get the job done, but they can be dry.
For many students, AnalystPrep is a supplement, not a primary course. They buy Kaplan for the text and AnalystPrep for the extra practice questions. However, for self-motivated learners on a budget, it is possible to pass using AnalystPrep alone.
Pricing (2025)
- Practice Package ($199): QBank and Mock Exams only.
- Learn + Practice ($249): Adds Video Lessons and Study Notes.
- Premium Package ($349): Full access + priority support.
- Unlimited Package ($499): All 3 Levels + Lifetime Access (best value).
Pros
- **Price:** Unbeatable value. A fraction of the cost of competitors.
- **Lifetime Access:** Pay once, use it forever.
- **QBank Size:** Thousands of questions to drill concepts.
- **Bundles:** Getting all 3 levels for under $500 is a steal.
Cons
- **Video Quality:** Low production value compared to Salt Solutions.
- **Platform:** The interface feels a bit dated.
- **Support:** Instructor help is limited compared to premium courses.
Final Verdict
AnalystPrep is the best choice for two types of candidates:
- Budget-Conscious Students: If you literally cannot afford Kaplan, AnalystPrep is a capable alternative that gives you everything you need to pass, provided you are self-disciplined.
- Practice Junkies: If you’ve already bought Kaplan but ran out of practice questions, buying AnalystPrep’s QBank is a cheap way to get fresh material.
It’s not the “best” course on the market, but it is easily the best value.