---
title: "USMLE prep courses in the United States: Which are searched most?"
description: "Compare the question banks and video courses medical students in the US use to prepare for the USMLE. Share of Search among AMBOSS, Boards and Beyond, Pathoma, Sketchy, UWorld, Lecturio and Kaplan, the USMLE prep 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-usmle-prep-courses"
publisher: "Brandwave"
---

# USMLE prep courses in the United States: Which are searched most?

Compare the question banks and video courses medical students in the US use to prepare for the USMLE. Share of Search among AMBOSS, Boards and Beyond, Pathoma, Sketchy, UWorld, Lecturio and Kaplan, the USMLE prep 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**: USMLE prep courses
- **Market**: United States
- **Brands compared**: 7
- **Month measured**: Sep 2026
- **Highest Share of Search**: AMBOSS, 60.5%

## Which brand is most popular in search among USMLE prep courses in the United States?

- In September 2026, AMBOSS was the most searched among USMLE prep course brands in the United States, with an estimated 60.5K branded searches, 60.5% of all searches for the seven we track.
- Boards and Beyond is in 2nd place, 38.3 percentage points behind at 22.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AMBOSS’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States increased from 57.3% to 60.5%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Boards and Beyond’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States increased from 21% to 22.2%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pathoma’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States decreased from 7.7% to 6.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sketchy’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States decreased from 4.2% to 3.6%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, UWorld’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States decreased from 4.9% to 3.4%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lecturio’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States decreased from 4.2% to 2.9%.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AMBOSS’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States peaked at 60.5% in September 2026 and was lowest at 53.4% in November 2025.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Boards and Beyond’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States peaked at 23.9% in November 2025 and was lowest at 17.4% in May 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Pathoma’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States peaked at 9.1% in December 2025 and was lowest at 6.5% in July 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sketchy’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States peaked at 4.2% in October 2025 and was lowest at 2.7% in April 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, UWorld’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States peaked at 10.7% in July 2026 and was lowest at 3.4% in September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lecturio’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States peaked at 4.2% in October 2025 and was lowest at 2.3% in August 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sketchy rose from 6th to 4th among USMLE prep courses in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, UWorld fell from 4th to 5th among USMLE prep courses in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Lecturio fell from 5th to 6th among USMLE prep courses in the United States.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kaplan held steady: its share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States moved less than 0.5 percentage points.

## Top USMLE prep courses in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In Brandwave's three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, UWorld was mentioned most often, in four of the five answers. UWorld was recommended most often, coming first in all three answers that gave a list. Pathoma was second, and Sketchy was third. Lecturio, which ranked sixth 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 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| UWorld | 1st | 3 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 |
| Pathoma | 2nd | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 5 |
| Sketchy | 3rd | 1 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 5 |
| AMBOSS | 4th | 2 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 5 |
| Boards and Beyond | 5th | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 5 |
| Lecturio | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 5 |
| Kaplan | Not ranked | 0 of 3 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 5 |

## Every AI answer about USMLE prep courses

- Asked ChatGPT "What are the best resources for USMLE Step 1?": 1. UWorld, 2. Pathoma, 3. Sketchy, 4. AMBOSS
- Asked ChatGPT "Which question bank should I use for Step 2 CK?": 1. UWorld, 2. AMBOSS
- Asked ChatGPT "How should I plan my dedicated study period for Step 1?": 1. UWorld
- Searched Google, AI Overview "usmle prep": 1. Kaplan
- Searched Google, AI Overview "usmle step 1 prep": 1. UWorld, 2. Pathoma, 3. Sketchy, 4. Boards and Beyond, 5. AMBOSS

Not named in any answer: Lecturio.

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

- [AMBOSS vs Boards and Beyond: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/amboss-vs-boards-and-beyond): 60.5% against 22.2% Share of Search.
- [AMBOSS vs Pathoma: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/amboss-vs-pathoma): 60.5% against 6.6% Share of Search.
- [AMBOSS vs Sketchy: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/amboss-vs-sketchy): 60.5% against 3.6% Share of Search.
- [AMBOSS vs UWorld: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/amboss-vs-uworld): 60.5% against 3.4% Share of Search.
- [Boards and Beyond vs Pathoma: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/boards-and-beyond-vs-pathoma): 22.2% against 6.6% Share of Search.
- [Boards and Beyond vs Sketchy: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/boards-and-beyond-vs-sketchy): 22.2% against 3.6% Share of Search.
- [Boards and Beyond vs UWorld: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/boards-and-beyond-vs-uworld): 22.2% against 3.4% Share of Search.
- [Pathoma vs Sketchy: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/pathoma-vs-sketchy): 6.6% against 3.6% Share of Search.
- [Pathoma vs UWorld: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/pathoma-vs-uworld): 6.6% against 3.4% Share of Search.
- [Sketchy vs UWorld: compare search popularity](/demand/us/compare/sketchy-vs-uworld): 3.6% against 3.4% Share of Search.

## How did search popularity change for United States USMLE prep courses in September 2026?

- In September 2026, AMBOSS gained share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States, from 58.8% to 60.5%.
- In September 2026, Boards and Beyond gained share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States, from 21.5% to 22.2%.
- In September 2026, Lecturio gained share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States, from 2.3% to 2.9%.
- In September 2026, UWorld lost share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States, from 5.5% to 3.4%.
- In September 2026, Pathoma lost share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States, from 7.9% to 6.6%.
- In September 2026, Sketchy rose from 5th to 4th among USMLE prep courses in the United States.

## Share of Search ranking

| Rank | Brand | Share of Search | Estimated monthly branded searches | Change vs prior month | Owned by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | AMBOSS | 60.5% | 60.5K | -18.2% | AMBOSS |
| 2 | Boards and Beyond | 22.2% | 22.2K | -18.1% | McGraw Hill |
| 3 | Pathoma | 6.6% | 6.6K | -33.3% | Pathoma |
| 4 | Sketchy | 3.6% | 3.6K | -18.2% | Sketchy |
| 5 | UWorld | 3.4% | 3.4K | -51.6% | UWorld |
| 6 | Lecturio | 2.9% | 2.9K | 0.0% | Lecturio |
| 7 | Kaplan | 0.74% | 740 | +32.1% | Kaplan |

## Historical estimated branded-search demand

| Month | Brand | Estimated monthly branded searches | Share of Search | Rank |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Oct 2025 | AMBOSS | 60.5K | 57.3% | 1 |
| Oct 2025 | Boards and Beyond | 22.2K | 21% | 2 |
| Oct 2025 | Pathoma | 8.1K | 7.7% | 3 |
| Oct 2025 | UWorld | 5.2K | 4.9% | 4 |
| Oct 2025 | Lecturio | 4.4K | 4.2% | 5 |
| Oct 2025 | Sketchy | 4.4K | 4.2% | 6 |
| Oct 2025 | Kaplan | 740 | 0.7% | 7 |
| Nov 2025 | AMBOSS | 49.5K | 53.4% | 1 |
| Nov 2025 | Boards and Beyond | 22.2K | 23.9% | 2 |
| Nov 2025 | Pathoma | 8.1K | 8.7% | 3 |
| Nov 2025 | UWorld | 4.9K | 5.3% | 4 |
| Nov 2025 | Lecturio | 3.6K | 3.9% | 5 |
| Nov 2025 | Sketchy | 3.6K | 3.9% | 6 |
| Nov 2025 | Kaplan | 850 | 0.92% | 7 |
| Dec 2025 | AMBOSS | 49.5K | 55.9% | 1 |
| Dec 2025 | Boards and Beyond | 18.1K | 20.4% | 2 |
| Dec 2025 | Pathoma | 8.1K | 9.1% | 3 |
| Dec 2025 | UWorld | 5.7K | 6.4% | 4 |
| Dec 2025 | Sketchy | 3.6K | 4.1% | 5 |
| Dec 2025 | Lecturio | 2.9K | 3.3% | 6 |
| Dec 2025 | Kaplan | 650 | 0.73% | 7 |
| Jan 2026 | AMBOSS | 60.5K | 55.2% | 1 |
| Jan 2026 | Boards and Beyond | 22.2K | 20.3% | 2 |
| Jan 2026 | Pathoma | 9.9K | 9% | 3 |
| Jan 2026 | UWorld | 7.2K | 6.6% | 4 |
| Jan 2026 | Lecturio | 4.4K | 4% | 5 |
| Jan 2026 | Sketchy | 4.4K | 4% | 6 |
| Jan 2026 | Kaplan | 980 | 0.89% | 7 |
| Feb 2026 | AMBOSS | 60.5K | 59% | 1 |
| Feb 2026 | Boards and Beyond | 18.1K | 17.7% | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | Pathoma | 8.1K | 7.9% | 3 |
| Feb 2026 | UWorld | 7.9K | 7.7% | 4 |
| Feb 2026 | Lecturio | 3.6K | 3.5% | 5 |
| Feb 2026 | Sketchy | 3.6K | 3.5% | 6 |
| Feb 2026 | Kaplan | 690 | 0.67% | 7 |
| Mar 2026 | AMBOSS | 60.5K | 55.3% | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | Boards and Beyond | 22.2K | 20.3% | 2 |
| Mar 2026 | UWorld | 11.6K | 10.6% | 3 |
| Mar 2026 | Pathoma | 8.1K | 7.4% | 4 |
| Mar 2026 | Sketchy | 3.6K | 3.3% | 5 |
| Mar 2026 | Lecturio | 2.9K | 2.6% | 6 |
| Mar 2026 | Kaplan | 560 | 0.51% | 7 |
| Apr 2026 | AMBOSS | 60.5K | 56.4% | 1 |
| Apr 2026 | Boards and Beyond | 22.2K | 20.7% | 2 |
| Apr 2026 | UWorld | 10.1K | 9.4% | 3 |
| Apr 2026 | Pathoma | 8.1K | 7.5% | 4 |
| Apr 2026 | Lecturio | 2.9K | 2.7% | 5 |
| Apr 2026 | Sketchy | 2.9K | 2.7% | 6 |
| Apr 2026 | Kaplan | 650 | 0.61% | 7 |
| May 2026 | AMBOSS | 60.5K | 58.3% | 1 |
| May 2026 | Boards and Beyond | 18.1K | 17.4% | 2 |
| May 2026 | UWorld | 10.7K | 10.3% | 3 |
| May 2026 | Pathoma | 8.1K | 7.8% | 4 |
| May 2026 | Lecturio | 2.9K | 2.8% | 5 |
| May 2026 | Sketchy | 2.9K | 2.8% | 6 |
| May 2026 | Kaplan | 650 | 0.63% | 7 |
| Jun 2026 | AMBOSS | 60.5K | 60.4% | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | Boards and Beyond | 18.1K | 18.1% | 2 |
| Jun 2026 | UWorld | 8.7K | 8.7% | 3 |
| Jun 2026 | Pathoma | 6.6K | 6.6% | 4 |
| Jun 2026 | Lecturio | 2.9K | 2.9% | 5 |
| Jun 2026 | Sketchy | 2.9K | 2.9% | 6 |
| Jun 2026 | Kaplan | 430 | 0.43% | 7 |
| Jul 2026 | AMBOSS | 74K | 59.4% | 1 |
| Jul 2026 | Boards and Beyond | 22.2K | 17.8% | 2 |
| Jul 2026 | UWorld | 13.3K | 10.7% | 3 |
| Jul 2026 | Pathoma | 8.1K | 6.5% | 4 |
| Jul 2026 | Sketchy | 3.6K | 2.9% | 5 |
| Jul 2026 | Lecturio | 2.9K | 2.3% | 6 |
| Jul 2026 | Kaplan | 560 | 0.45% | 7 |
| Aug 2026 | AMBOSS | 74K | 58.8% | 1 |
| Aug 2026 | Boards and Beyond | 27.1K | 21.5% | 2 |
| Aug 2026 | Pathoma | 9.9K | 7.9% | 3 |
| Aug 2026 | UWorld | 7K | 5.5% | 4 |
| Aug 2026 | Sketchy | 4.4K | 3.5% | 5 |
| Aug 2026 | Lecturio | 2.9K | 2.3% | 6 |
| Aug 2026 | Kaplan | 560 | 0.45% | 7 |
| Sep 2026 | AMBOSS | 60.5K | 60.5% | 1 |
| Sep 2026 | Boards and Beyond | 22.2K | 22.2% | 2 |
| Sep 2026 | Pathoma | 6.6K | 6.6% | 3 |
| Sep 2026 | Sketchy | 3.6K | 3.6% | 4 |
| Sep 2026 | UWorld | 3.4K | 3.4% | 5 |
| Sep 2026 | Lecturio | 2.9K | 2.9% | 6 |
| Sep 2026 | Kaplan | 740 | 0.74% | 7 |

## What is being compared

- **AMBOSS**: Measured on the search term “amboss”.
- **Boards and Beyond**: Measured on the search term “boards and beyond”.
- **Kaplan**: Measured on the search terms “kaplan step 1” and “kaplan usmle”, summed into one figure.
- **Lecturio**: Measured on the search term “lecturio”.
- **Pathoma**: Measured on the search term “pathoma”.
- **Sketchy**: Measured on the search term “sketchy medical”.
- **UWorld**: Measured on the search terms “uworld step 1”, “uworld step 2” and “uworld usmle”, summed into one figure.

- [AMBOSS](/demand/us/brands/amboss)
- [Boards and Beyond](/demand/us/brands/boards-and-beyond)
- [Kaplan](/demand/us/brands/kaplan)
- [Lecturio](/demand/us/brands/lecturio)
- [Pathoma](/demand/us/brands/pathoma)
- [Sketchy](/demand/us/brands/sketchy)
- [UWorld](/demand/us/brands/uworld)

## 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 USMLE prep courses in the United States?

In September 2026, AMBOSS was the most searched among USMLE prep course brands in the United States, with an estimated 60.5K branded searches, 60.5% of all searches for the seven we track.

## Cite this page

Brandwave. "USMLE prep courses in the United States: Which are searched most?". https://gobrandwave.com/demand/us/categories/us-usmle-prep-courses

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