AMBOSS vs Kaplan:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, AMBOSS had more branded searches than Kaplan among USMLE prep courses in the United States. AMBOSS had about 60,500 branded searches, while Kaplan had 740. AMBOSS made up 60.5% of all USMLE prep course searches we track, and Kaplan accounted for 0.74%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about USMLE prep courses, AMBOSS appeared in three of the five answers and Kaplan in one. AMBOSS was mentioned before Kaplan in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
AMBOSS, about 82 searches for every 1 for Kaplan
Who does AI mention more?
AMBOSS, mentioned in 3 of 5 answers, Kaplan in 1
Who does AI recommend more?
AMBOSS, named ahead of Kaplan in every answer
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Top USMLE prep courses in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, AMBOSS was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Kaplan was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. AMBOSS was listed before Kaplan in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
UWorld4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- AMBOSS3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Pathoma2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Sketchy2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Boards and Beyond1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Kaplan1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Lecturio0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about USMLE prep courses
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best resources for USMLE Step 1?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which question bank should I use for Step 2 CK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“How should I plan my dedicated study period for Step 1?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“usmle prep”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“usmle step 1 prep”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 28, 2026.
Share of searches by month for AMBOSS, Kaplan. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | AMBOSS | Boards and Beyond | Pathoma | Sketchy | UWorld | Lecturio | Kaplan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 57.3% | 21% | 7.7% | 4.2% | 4.9% | 4.2% | 0.7% |
| Nov 2025 | 53.4% | 23.9% | 8.7% | 3.9% | 5.3% | 3.9% | 0.92% |
| Dec 2025 | 55.9% | 20.4% | 9.1% | 4.1% | 6.4% | 3.3% | 0.73% |
| Jan 2026 | 55.2% | 20.3% | 9% | 4% | 6.6% | 4% | 0.89% |
| Feb 2026 | 59% | 17.7% | 7.9% | 3.5% | 7.7% | 3.5% | 0.67% |
| Mar 2026 | 55.3% | 20.3% | 7.4% | 3.3% | 10.6% | 2.6% | 0.51% |
| Apr 2026 | 56.4% | 20.7% | 7.5% | 2.7% | 9.4% | 2.7% | 0.61% |
| May 2026 | 58.3% | 17.4% | 7.8% | 2.8% | 10.3% | 2.8% | 0.63% |
| Jun 2026 | 60.4% | 18.1% | 6.6% | 2.9% | 8.7% | 2.9% | 0.43% |
| Jul 2026 | 59.4% | 17.8% | 6.5% | 2.9% | 10.7% | 2.3% | 0.45% |
| Aug 2026 | 58.8% | 21.5% | 7.9% | 3.5% | 5.5% | 2.3% | 0.45% |
| Sep 2026 | 60.5% | 22.2% | 6.6% | 3.6% | 3.4% | 2.9% | 0.74% |
How has the AMBOSS and Kaplan comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- AMBOSS was ahead of Kaplan in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AMBOSS’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States moved from 57.3% to 60.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 60.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kaplan’s share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States moved from 0.7% to 0.74%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 740.
How did search popularity change for United States USMLE prep courses in September 2026?
1 change
In September 2026, AMBOSS gained share of searches among USMLE prep courses in the United States, from 58.8% to 60.5%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using AMBOSS’s and Kaplan’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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