---
title: "CPA review courses in the United States: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the review courses accountants in the US use to prepare for the CPA exam. Share of Search among Becker, NINJA CPA Review, UWorld, Gleim, Surgent, Universal CPA Review, Wiley CPAexcel and Maxwell CPA Review, the CPA review courses Brandwave compares in the United States, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time."
canonical: "https://gobrandwave.com/demand/us/categories/us-cpa-review-courses"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# CPA review courses in the United States: Which are searched most?

Compare the review courses accountants in the US use to prepare for the CPA exam. Share of Search among Becker, NINJA CPA Review, UWorld, Gleim, Surgent, Universal CPA Review, Wiley CPAexcel and Maxwell CPA Review, the CPA review courses Brandwave compares in the United States, using the same methodology, market, and reporting period. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.

## Key facts

- **Competitive set**: CPA review courses
- **Market**: United States
- **Brands compared**: 8
- **Month measured**: Sep 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: Becker, 66%

## Which brand is most popular in search among CPA review courses in the United States?

- In September 2026, Becker was the most searched among CPA review course brands in the United States, with an estimated 22.2K branded searches, 66% of all searches for the eight we track.
- NINJA CPA Review is in 2nd place, 50 percentage points behind at 16.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Becker’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States increased from 60% to 66%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NINJA CPA Review’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States decreased from 17.9% to 16.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gleim’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States decreased from 5.3% to 4.8%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Surgent’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States decreased from 4.3% to 3%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Universal CPA Review’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States decreased from 2.9% to 2.1%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wiley CPAexcel’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States decreased from 2.4% to 0.95%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Becker’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States peaked at 66.6% in July 2026 and was lowest at 59.1% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, NINJA CPA Review’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States peaked at 18.1% in April 2026 and was lowest at 14.9% in December 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, UWorld’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States peaked at 7.8% in February 2026 and was lowest at 6.4% in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gleim’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States peaked at 5.4% in December 2025 and was lowest at 3% in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Surgent’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States peaked at 5.4% in December 2025 and was lowest at 3% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Universal CPA Review’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States peaked at 3.7% in February 2026 and was lowest at 2.1% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Wiley CPAexcel’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States peaked at 2.5% in February 2026 and was lowest at 0.95% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, UWorld and Maxwell CPA Review held steady: their share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States each moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Top CPA review courses in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Becker, NINJA CPA Review and Gleim appeared every time. Becker was recommended most often, coming first in four out of five answers. UWorld was second, and Gleim was third. Wiley CPAexcel, which ranked seventh in searches, was not mentioned at all.

Brands get a higher AI rank if they are mentioned earlier in the answers that list options.

| Brand | AI rank | ChatGPT answers that named it | Google AI Overviews that named it | All answers that named it |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Becker | 1st | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| UWorld | 2nd | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Gleim | 3rd | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| NINJA CPA Review | 4th | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 |
| Surgent | 5th | 0 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 5 |
| Universal CPA Review | 6th | 0 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 5 |
| Wiley CPAexcel | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 5 |
| Maxwell CPA Review | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 5 |

## Every AI answer about CPA review courses

- Asked ChatGPT "What's the best CPA review course?": 1. Becker, 2. UWorld, 3. Gleim, 4. NINJA CPA Review
- Asked ChatGPT "Which CPA review course is best for working full time?": 1. Becker, 2. UWorld, 3. Gleim, 4. NINJA CPA Review
- Asked ChatGPT "What's the cheapest way to study for the CPA exam?": 1. NINJA CPA Review, 2. Gleim, 3. Becker
- Searched Google, AI Overview "cpa review course": 1. Becker, 2. UWorld, 3. Gleim, 4. Surgent, 5. Universal CPA Review, 6. NINJA CPA Review
- Searched Google, AI Overview "cpa exam prep": 1. Becker, 2. UWorld, 3. Gleim, 4. Surgent, 5. Universal CPA Review, 6. NINJA CPA Review

Not named in any answer: Wiley CPAexcel and Maxwell CPA Review.

Brands are listed in the order each answer named them. The answers were collected in United States on October 28, 2026.

## Compare search popularity between leading brands

- [Becker vs NINJA CPA Review: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/becker-cpa-vs-ninja-cpa): 66% against 16.1% Share of Search.
- [Becker vs UWorld: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/becker-cpa-vs-uworld): 66% against 6.5% Share of Search.
- [Becker vs Gleim: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/becker-cpa-vs-gleim): 66% against 4.8% Share of Search.
- [Becker vs Surgent: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/becker-cpa-vs-surgent): 66% against 3% Share of Search.
- [NINJA CPA Review vs UWorld: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/ninja-cpa-vs-uworld): 16.1% against 6.5% Share of Search.
- [NINJA CPA Review vs Gleim: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/gleim-vs-ninja-cpa): 16.1% against 4.8% Share of Search.
- [NINJA CPA Review vs Surgent: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/ninja-cpa-vs-surgent): 16.1% against 3% Share of Search.
- [UWorld vs Gleim: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/gleim-vs-uworld): 6.5% against 4.8% Share of Search.
- [UWorld vs Surgent: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/surgent-vs-uworld): 6.5% against 3% Share of Search.
- [Gleim vs Surgent: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/gleim-vs-surgent): 4.8% against 3% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for United States CPA review courses in September 2026?

- In September 2026, Gleim gained share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States, from 3.8% to 4.8%.
- In September 2026, Becker gained share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States, from 65.3% to 66%.
- In September 2026, Surgent lost share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States, from 3.8% to 3%.
- In September 2026, UWorld lost share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States, from 7.3% to 6.5%.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Maxwell CPA Review in the United States rose 23.5% over 12 measured months, from 170 to 210 in September 2026.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Wiley CPAexcel in the United States fell 55.6% over 12 measured months, from 720 to 320 in September 2026.
- Estimated monthly branded searches for Universal CPA Review in the United States fell 18.2% over 12 measured months, from 880 to 720 in September 2026.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Becker | 66% | 22.2K | 0.0% | Becker Professional Education |
| 2 | NINJA CPA Review | 16.1% | 5.4K | 0.0% | NINJA CPA Review |
| 3 | UWorld | 6.5% | 2.2K | -12.1% | UWorld |
| 4 | Gleim | 4.8% | 1.6K | +23.1% | Gleim |
| 5 | Surgent | 3% | 1K | -23.1% | Surgent |
| 6 | Universal CPA Review | 2.1% | 720 | 0.0% | Universal CPA Review |
| 7 | Wiley CPAexcel | 0.95% | 320 | -17.9% | Wiley |
| 8 | Maxwell CPA Review | 0.62% | 210 | 0.0% | Maxwell CPA Review |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | Becker | 18.1K | 60% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | NINJA CPA Review | 5.4K | 17.9% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | UWorld | 2K | 6.6% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | Gleim | 1.6K | 5.3% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Surgent | 1.3K | 4.3% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Universal CPA Review | 880 | 2.9% | 6 |
| Oct 2025 | Wiley CPAexcel | 720 | 2.4% | 7 |
| Oct 2025 | Maxwell CPA Review | 170 | 0.56% | 8 |
| Nov 2025 | Becker | 18.1K | 59.1% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | NINJA CPA Review | 5.4K | 17.6% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | UWorld | 2.3K | 7.5% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | Gleim | 1.6K | 5.2% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Surgent | 1.6K | 5.2% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Universal CPA Review | 880 | 2.9% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | Wiley CPAexcel | 590 | 1.9% | 7 |
| Nov 2025 | Maxwell CPA Review | 140 | 0.46% | 8 |
| Dec 2025 | Becker | 18.1K | 61.3% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | NINJA CPA Review | 4.4K | 14.9% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | UWorld | 2.2K | 7.4% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | Gleim | 1.6K | 5.4% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Surgent | 1.6K | 5.4% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | Universal CPA Review | 880 | 3% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | Wiley CPAexcel | 590 | 2% | 7 |
| Dec 2025 | Maxwell CPA Review | 170 | 0.58% | 8 |
| Jan 2026 | Becker | 22.2K | 64.1% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | NINJA CPA Review | 5.4K | 15.6% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | UWorld | 2.3K | 6.6% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | Gleim | 1.6K | 4.6% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Surgent | 1.3K | 3.8% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | Universal CPA Review | 880 | 2.5% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Wiley CPAexcel | 720 | 2.1% | 7 |
| Jan 2026 | Maxwell CPA Review | 260 | 0.75% | 8 |
| Feb 2026 | Becker | 14.8K | 61.5% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | NINJA CPA Review | 3.6K | 15% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | UWorld | 1.9K | 7.8% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | Gleim | 1.3K | 5.4% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Surgent | 880 | 3.7% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Universal CPA Review | 880 | 3.7% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | Wiley CPAexcel | 590 | 2.5% | 7 |
| Feb 2026 | Maxwell CPA Review | 140 | 0.58% | 8 |
| Mar 2026 | Becker | 18.1K | 64.5% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | NINJA CPA Review | 4.4K | 15.7% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | UWorld | 1.9K | 6.7% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Gleim | 1.3K | 4.6% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Surgent | 880 | 3.1% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Universal CPA Review | 720 | 2.6% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Wiley CPAexcel | 590 | 2.1% | 7 |
| Mar 2026 | Maxwell CPA Review | 210 | 0.75% | 8 |
| Apr 2026 | Becker | 18.1K | 60.6% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | NINJA CPA Review | 5.4K | 18.1% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | UWorld | 2.2K | 7.3% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Gleim | 1.3K | 4.4% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Surgent | 1.3K | 4.4% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | Universal CPA Review | 880 | 2.9% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Wiley CPAexcel | 480 | 1.6% | 7 |
| Apr 2026 | Maxwell CPA Review | 210 | 0.7% | 8 |
| May 2026 | Becker | 22.2K | 64.8% | 1 |
| May 2026 | NINJA CPA Review | 5.4K | 15.8% | 2 |
| May 2026 | UWorld | 2.2K | 6.4% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Gleim | 1.6K | 4.7% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Surgent | 1.3K | 3.8% | 5 |
| May 2026 | Universal CPA Review | 880 | 2.6% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Wiley CPAexcel | 480 | 1.4% | 7 |
| May 2026 | Maxwell CPA Review | 210 | 0.61% | 8 |
| Jun 2026 | Becker | 22.2K | 65.6% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | NINJA CPA Review | 5.4K | 15.9% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | UWorld | 2.2K | 6.4% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Gleim | 1.3K | 3.8% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Surgent | 1.3K | 3.8% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Universal CPA Review | 880 | 2.6% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Wiley CPAexcel | 390 | 1.2% | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | Maxwell CPA Review | 210 | 0.62% | 8 |
| Jul 2026 | Becker | 22.2K | 66.6% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | NINJA CPA Review | 5.4K | 16.2% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | UWorld | 2.2K | 6.5% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Gleim | 1K | 3% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Surgent | 1K | 3% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Universal CPA Review | 880 | 2.6% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Wiley CPAexcel | 390 | 1.2% | 7 |
| Jul 2026 | Maxwell CPA Review | 260 | 0.78% | 8 |
| Aug 2026 | Becker | 22.2K | 65.3% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | NINJA CPA Review | 5.4K | 15.9% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | UWorld | 2.5K | 7.3% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | Gleim | 1.3K | 3.8% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Surgent | 1.3K | 3.8% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Universal CPA Review | 720 | 2.1% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Wiley CPAexcel | 390 | 1.1% | 7 |
| Aug 2026 | Maxwell CPA Review | 210 | 0.62% | 8 |
| Sep 2026 | Becker | 22.2K | 66% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | NINJA CPA Review | 5.4K | 16.1% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | UWorld | 2.2K | 6.5% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | Gleim | 1.6K | 4.8% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | Surgent | 1K | 3% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | Universal CPA Review | 720 | 2.1% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Wiley CPAexcel | 320 | 0.95% | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | Maxwell CPA Review | 210 | 0.62% | 8 |

## What is being compared

- **Becker**: Measured on the search term “becker cpa”.
- **Gleim**: Measured on the search term “gleim cpa”.
- **Maxwell CPA Review**: Measured on the search term “maxwell cpa”.
- **NINJA CPA Review**: Measured on the search term “ninja cpa”.
- **Surgent**: Measured on the search term “surgent cpa”.
- **Universal CPA Review**: Measured on the search term “universal cpa”.
- **UWorld**: Measured on the search terms “roger cpa” and “uworld cpa”, summed into one figure.
- **Wiley CPAexcel**: Measured on the search term “wiley cpa”.

- [Becker](/demand/us/brands/becker-cpa)
- [Gleim](/demand/us/brands/gleim)
- [Maxwell CPA Review](/demand/us/brands/maxwell-cpa-review)
- [NINJA CPA Review](/demand/us/brands/ninja-cpa)
- [Surgent](/demand/us/brands/surgent)
- [Universal CPA Review](/demand/us/brands/universal-cpa-review)
- [UWorld](/demand/us/brands/uworld)
- [Wiley CPAexcel](/demand/us/brands/wiley-cpaexcel)

## Methodology

- [How is the Brand Demand Index measured?](/demand/methodology): Where the figures come from, what they compare, and how they may be reused.

## Frequently asked questions

### Which brand is most popular in search among CPA review courses in the United States?

In September 2026, Becker was the most searched among CPA review course brands in the United States, with an estimated 22.2K branded searches, 66% of all searches for the eight we track.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "CPA review courses in the United States: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/us/categories/us-cpa-review-courses

This page is also available as HTML at https://gobrandwave.com/demand/us/categories/us-cpa-review-courses. Brandwave publishes an index of its Markdown pages at https://gobrandwave.com/llms.txt.