Magoosh ACT Review (2025): The Best Value in Prep
Best for: Best Value Updated 11/29/2025Price: from 129 USD/year
Pros
- Incredibly affordable (often ~$129)
- Excellent mobile app for studying on the go
- +4 point score improvement guarantee
- Video explanations for every single question
- User-friendly, modern interface
Cons
- Fewer practice tests than Kaplan or Princeton Review
- No live classes in the standard plan
- Essay grading is not included
The Verdict: Budget-Friendly Brilliance
Magoosh disrupted the test prep industry by asking a simple question: “Why does prep have to cost $1,000?” Their answer is a high-quality, all-digital course that costs a fraction of the big competitors.
For self-motivated students, Magoosh is often all you need. It covers all the bases without the fluff (or the price tag).
How It Works
Magoosh is primarily a video-based platform.
- Watch a Lesson: Short, digestible videos covering a specific concept (e.g., “Comma Splices” or “Trigonometry Basics”).
- Practice: Do practice questions related to that concept.
- Review: If you get a question wrong, watch the video explanation (every question has one!).
The “+4 Point” Guarantee
Despite the low price, Magoosh offers a serious guarantee: improve your score by 4 points or get your money back. This is one of the most generous guarantees in the industry, especially considering the price point.
The Mobile App
Magoosh has one of the best mobile apps in the game. It allows you to watch lessons, do practice questions, and review flashcards from your phone. It’s perfect for squeezing in 10 minutes of study time on the bus or between classes.
Who Should Avoid It?
If you need a teacher standing over your shoulder to make you do the work, Magoosh might not be for you. It requires self-discipline. Also, if you want a classroom experience, you’ll need to upgrade to their Live Class option (which is still cheaper than competitors but more than the basic plan).
Final Thoughts
Magoosh is the “Netflix” of ACT prep—affordable, on-demand, and high quality. Unless you absolutely need a live tutor, we recommend starting with Magoosh. You might find it’s all you need.