Updated September 30, 2026 · AcademyCue Editorial Team
Gleim vs SimpleNursing
Gleim vs SimpleNursing: the differences
| Compare |  Gleim |  SimpleNursing |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2,499 | $46Lower |
| Prices by exam | cpa: $2,499 (Traditional), $2,999 (Premium), $3,499 (Premium Pro) | NCLEX-RN: $46/mo 90-Day Pass ($139 one-time), $60/mo monthly; NCLEX-PN: $46/mo 90-Day Pass ($139 one-time), $60/mo monthly |
| Access period | 18 months | 3 to 24 monthsHigher |
| Live classes | No | YesHas it |
| Practice questions | 12,000Higher | 4,500 |
| Guarantee terms | Access Until You Pass guarantee on Premium courses: follow our program and do the work and you will pass; the Gleim CPA Review Replacement Guarantee keeps all components current for at least 18 months from purchase | Access until you pass: if you don't pass the NCLEX, your access is extended for free until you do, so you never buy prep a second time. |
| Money-back period | 30 daysHigher | 2 days |
| Markets | US | US, CACovers more |
| Full-length practice tests | Not confirmed | 6 |
| Tutoring add-on | Not confirmed | No |
Same on both: Score guarantee (Pass), Free trial (Yes).
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Key differences
- Price from is lower at SimpleNursing: $46 vs $2,499.
- Access period is higher at SimpleNursing: 3 to 24 months vs 18 months.
- Live classes: only SimpleNursing.
- Practice questions is higher at Gleim: 12,000 vs 4,500.
- Money-back period is higher at Gleim: 30 days vs 2 days.
- Support channels: only Gleim offers Community.
- Founded is lower at Gleim: 1974 vs 2017.
- SimpleNursing is available in 1 more country.
- Exams: only Gleim offers CPA.
- Exams: only SimpleNursing offers Nclex.
Our verdict on each
Gleim
Gleim suits CPA candidates who can pay up front for access that runs until they pass, with 18 months of access and 12,000 practice questions behind it. The entry price of $2,499 sits far above budget rivals, and the CPA exam is the only exam it covers.
SimpleNursing
SimpleNursing suits nursing candidates in US and CA who want one focused exam plan and a pass guarantee that extends access after an unsuccessful attempt. Entry starts at $46 a month, and the risk sits with the guarantee rather than with a long refund window.
Score breakdown
| Area | Gleim | SimpleNursing |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.0Entry price of $2,499 is high, but 30 days money back and a pass guarantee sit above the 14-day refund window. | 9.4HigherEntry at $46, monthly at $20, yearly at $180, with a pass guarantee. |
| Offer | 9.4Higher12,000 practice questions with 18 months of access, though live classes are not part of the package. | 8.84,500 practice questions, 6 full length tests, live classes and 3 to 24 months of access. |
| Trust | 9.5Higher30 days money back, a pass guarantee on Premium courses, and nasba cpe credit from a publisher founded in 1974. | 8.0Registered as SimpleNursing LLC in US for US and CA, with a 2 days refund window. |
Which one suits you
Pick Gleim if offer, practice questions, and money-back period matter most.
Pick SimpleNursing if cost, price from, access period, and live classes matter most.
If neither fits
DRCertifications has price from at $19.99, against $2,499 for Gleim and $46 for SimpleNursing.
DRCertifications reviewHow they place
| Ranking | Gleim | SimpleNursing |
|---|---|---|
| CPA, CFA, PMP and nursing exam prep | 14 of 33 | 15 of 33 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Gleim | SimpleNursing |
|---|---|---|
| Exams | CPA | Nclex |
| Continuing education credit | Nasba cpe | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Gleim Publications, Inc. | SimpleNursing LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Founded | 1974Lower | 2017 |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre, CommunityCovers more | Email, Phone, Help centre |
Online courses
| Fact | Gleim | SimpleNursing |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month | Not confirmed | $20 |
| Price per year | Not confirmed | $180 |
| Free tier | Not confirmed | No |
| Free trial length | Not confirmed | 5 days |
| Platform type | Not confirmed | Subscription |
| Subjects | Not confirmed | Science |
| Graded assessments | Not confirmed | Yes |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Gleim | SimpleNursing | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $2,499highest quarter | $46below the median | $69 |
| Access period | 18 monthshighest quarter | 3 to 24 monthshighest quarter | 9 months |
| Practice questions | 12,000highest quarter | 4,500above the median | 3,000 |
| Full-length practice tests | Not confirmed | 6below the median | 8 |
| Money-back period | 30 daysat the median | 2 dayslowest quarter | 30 days |
Median across 50 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Gleim
Pros
- Access runs 18 months, so a slow study pace or a delayed exam date does not cut the material short.
- The bank holds 12,000 practice questions, the same count as the highest figure in this category.
- Premium courses carry a pass guarantee, and the replacement promise keeps components current after purchase.
Cons
- The entry price of $2,499 is far above Testprep Training at $12.99 and Allied Schools at $68.
- Live classes are not part of the offer, so study is self paced around 12,000 questions with no scheduled instructor.
- The catalogue covers CPA only, so anyone taking a different professional exam has to look elsewhere.
SimpleNursing
Pros
- A pass guarantee rather than a refund promise, so an unsuccessful attempt does not mean buying prep again.
- A free trial of 5 days lets you sample 4,500 practice questions before committing.
- Live classes sit alongside the question bank, and assessments are part of the plan.
Cons
- There is no free tier, so nothing stays available once the trial ends.
- The money-back window is 2 days, well under the 14 day site median.
- Exams covered come down to nclex, so no other nursing or professional exam is part of the same plan.
Who each suits
Gleim
Who it suits
- CPA candidates in US who prefer to pay the entry price of $2,499 and keep the material until they sit the exam.
- Learners who want drilling volume, with 12,000 questions and 18 months to work through them.
- Anyone who wants phone support, since support runs on email, phone and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Testprep Training, if the budget decides it: entry there starts at $12.99.
- DRCertifications, whose entry price of $19.99 suits a small first purchase in a different format.
- Allied Schools, with an entry price of $68, for candidates who want state exam prep on a smaller ticket.
SimpleNursing
Who it suits
- Nursing candidates sitting nclex in US and CA who want questions and live classes in the same place.
- Learners whose test date may move, since access runs 3 to 24 months and a pass guarantee extends it further.
- People who prefer a phone line as well as email, since support covers email, phone and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone wanting something free to keep, since there is no free tier and the trial runs 5 days.
- Candidates who want a refund window longer than 2 days, which sits below the 14 day site median.
- Testprep Training or DRCertifications, if the exam is not the NCLEX, since cover here runs to nclex only.
Current offers
SimpleNursing
Current offer
Free trial
5-day free trial, no credit card required: 5 days free
Limited access pass: watch real lessons, open study guides and try practice questions; no credit card required.
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Bonus
Free study guide or flashcard set with Full Journey Pass: up to $80 value
Included with the $312 one-time Full Journey Pass; one physical item of your choice, redemption code emailed with the purchase confirmation, no shipping cost.
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Bonus
Nursing Career Passport 1-year access with Pass Guarantee: $99 Elite Learning membership
Included free for one year with the $189 one-time NCLEX-RN Pass Guarantee; redeemed and accessed on Elite Learning.
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Gleim | SimpleNursing |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | No | Yes |
| United States | Yes | Yes |
Questions about each
Gleim
What does Gleim CPA Review cost at entry?+
Gleim's CPA Review is sold in tiers named Traditional, Premium and Premium Pro, and the entry price of that range is $2,499. The higher tiers sit above it, and the Premium tier is where the pass guarantee applies. Cheaper routes into the same exam include Testprep Training at $12.99.
Is there a free trial before I buy?+
Yes, a free trial is offered on the CPA Review, so the material can be sampled before paying. The trial is worth using on the higher tiers, where the entry price of $2,499 and the Premium Pro tier are the largest commitments on offer. If the trial is not enough, refunds run for 30 days.
SimpleNursing
What does SimpleNursing cost to start?+
Entry pricing begins at $46, with a monthly option at $20 and a yearly plan at $180. NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN follow the same structure, priced either as a term pass or month to month, and refunds are handled within 2 days.
Is there a free trial or a free plan?+
There is a free trial, and it lasts 5 days. There is no free tier, so nothing stays available once the trial ends. The trial is the only route to sample 4,500 practice questions and 6 full length tests before paying, so it is worth using in full before deciding.