Comparison · Updated October 2026

Kaplan NMLS prep alternatives (2026)

Prices checked Oct 30, 2026Sources linked in the tableBy Alex Hernandez, NMLS #1605167 · Founder of MLO Pass, so we are not neutral
Short answer

We couldn't find a current Kaplan NMLS or SAFE MLO prep product to compare. The old Kaplan Mortgage address now redirects to a different provider, and Kaplan isn't on the latest NMLS approved provider list. If you were looking at Kaplan, the main current options are MLO Pass ($99 once, lifetime access), OnCourse Learning Prep xL ($199, the biggest question bank we found), Mortgage Educators ($79.99 to $129.99, video-based), The CE Shop Exam Prep Edge ($149, diagnostic-first) and EstatePass (free to start). None of them replace the required 20-hour NMLS pre-licensing course.

120
Questions (115 scored)
190 min
Test length
75%
Passing score
53%
First-time pass rate (NMLS, as of 12/31/2024)
What we found

Is Kaplan NMLS prep still available?

Kaplan is a well-known test prep brand, and older articles still list Kaplan mortgage courses. Here's what we could verify on Oct 30, 2026:

  • kapmortgage.com redirects to SmartMLOs.com. SmartMLOs.com is run by RW Media, LLC and lists NMLS provider ID 1405061 on its site.
  • Kaplan isn't on the NMLS approved provider list. The NMLS Approved Course Provider List (updated Sept 29, 2026) has no provider named Kaplan.
  • We couldn't find mortgage licensing on Kaplan Financial Education's site. Its public pages we could reach list insurance, securities and other finance programs. Its site blocked part of our check, so if you find a current Kaplan MLO product, confirm the course ID and price with Kaplan directly.

So we haven't listed a Kaplan price on this page. Any Kaplan price you see quoted elsewhere may be out of date.

Side by side

Kaplan alternatives compared

Standalone SAFE MLO test prep, priced as shown on each provider's own page. Swipe sideways on mobile to see every column.

Prices and features as shown on each provider's own page, checked Oct 30, 2026. *Access period as listed on earlier checks of the provider's package pages. "Not listed" means the page doesn't say. Prices and sales change, so confirm before you buy. The $110 NMLS test fee is separate.
OptionPricePricing modelAccessPractice examsAI study helpPass guaranteeChecked
MLO Passmlopass.com/pricing$99One-time. Free account available.Lifetime, nothing renewsYesFull mocks: 115 questions, 190 min, weighted like the real testYesAI TrainerNoOct 30, 2026
OnCourse Learning: Prep xLSource$199One-time list price (a sale price was showing Oct 30)365 days*Yes11 simulated exams, 1,825+ questionsYesAI-powered study partnerNot listedOct 30, 2026
Mortgage Educators & Compliance: Ultimate Exam PrepSource$129.99One-time (listed as a limited-time offer). Standard: $79.99365 days*Yes1,500+ practice questions, 7+ hrs of videosNot listedConditionalExam reimbursement guarantee (Ultimate)Oct 30, 2026
The CE Shop: Exam Prep EdgeSource$149One-time list price (a promo price was showing Oct 30)Not listedYesInitial assessment, dynamic practice examsNot listedNot listedOct 30, 2026
EstatePass (MortgagePass)SourceFree to startFree tier; paid plans on its pricing pageVaries by planYes6,500+ practice questions, timed mocksYesLists AI-powered prepSee its termsOct 30, 2026
Kaplan (mortgage)Not foundWe couldn't find a current Kaplan NMLS product to priceN/AUnverifiedUnverifiedUnverifiedOct 30, 2026

Disclosure: MLO Pass publishes this page. We've stuck to what each provider says on its own site, linked every source, and left out anything we couldn't verify. If something is out of date, tell us in the Skool community and we'll fix it.

Honest notes

Who each option fits

$99 one-time · lifetime

MLO Pass

Best if you want to pay once and keep access for life. Full mock exams (115 questions, 190 minutes, weighted to the five content areas), an AI Trainer, flashcards, mistake review, a readiness score and study games. Runs in the browser on any device. No pass guarantee and no video course. Free account to start.

$199 list · 365 days

OnCourse Learning Prep xL

Best for the largest question bank we found: 1,825+ questions, 11 simulated exams, 800+ flashcards, a game center and an AI study partner. Also bundled with OnCourse's 20-hour PE packages. Prep xL details

$79.99 to $129.99

Mortgage Educators & Compliance

Best for video learners. Ultimate lists 1,500+ questions, 7+ hours of topic videos and an exam reimbursement guarantee with conditions; Standard lists 300+ questions. MEC test prep

$149 list

The CE Shop Exam Prep Edge

Best for a diagnostic-first flow: a free initial assessment, lessons grouped by topic, and practice exams that change each time. Exam Prep Edge

Free to start

EstatePass (MortgagePass)

Best for trying a large free bank first. Its mortgage page lists 6,500+ practice questions, flashcards and timed mock exams across all five content areas, plus a 10-question diagnostic. EstatePass mortgage

Free

Official NMLS materials

Read these whatever you buy: the SAFE MLO test content outline and the testing handbook. Then try our free practice test.

FAQ

Kaplan alternatives FAQ

Does Kaplan still sell NMLS SAFE exam prep?
We couldn't confirm a current one. As of Oct 30, 2026, kapmortgage.com redirects to SmartMLOs.com (RW Media, LLC, NMLS provider 1405061), Kaplan isn't listed on the NMLS Approved Course Provider List dated Sept 29, 2026, and we couldn't find mortgage licensing on Kaplan Financial Education's site. If you have a Kaplan quote in hand, confirm the course ID and its NMLS approval before you pay.
What is the cheapest alternative to Kaplan for the SAFE MLO test?
Free resources come first: the NMLS content outline and testing handbook are free, and EstatePass has a free tier. For paid tools, as of Oct 30, 2026 we saw Mortgage Educators' Standard Exam Prep at $79.99, MLO Pass at $99 once, Mortgage Educators' Ultimate at $129.99, The CE Shop's Exam Prep Edge at $149 and OnCourse Prep xL at $199, with sale prices sometimes lower. The $110 NMLS test fee is separate.
Do any of these replace the 20-hour NMLS pre-licensing course?
No. Exam prep tools, including MLO Pass, don't award NMLS education credit. You still need at least 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensure education from an approved provider. OnCourse, Mortgage Educators and The CE Shop sell approved courses separately or in bundles.
Which option has lifetime access?
MLO Pass is $99 one time with lifetime access and no renewals. OnCourse and Mortgage Educators list 365 days for their prep packages on the pages we checked, and EstatePass lists both subscription and pay-once plans on its pricing page.
How hard is the SAFE MLO test?
NMLS reports a 53% first-time pass rate as of December 31, 2024 (source). The test has 120 questions (115 scored), runs 190 minutes, and needs a 75% to pass.

MLO Pass is not affiliated with or endorsed by NMLS, the CSBS, Kaplan, or any provider named here. Product names belong to their owners. This page is study information, not legal advice.

Start free, then pay once if it clicks.

Create a free MLO Pass account and try the questions and Shot Clock quiz. Upgrade once for $99 to unlock full mock exams, the AI Trainer and your readiness score, with lifetime access. Code MLOPASS gives you a $20 credit.

Study with other future MLOs. Join the NMLS Test Prep community on Skool to ask questions, swap study tactics, and get exam-day tips from people working toward the same SAFE MLO test.

Join NMLS Test Prep on Skool