Surgent vs UWorld:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, UWorld had more branded searches than Surgent among CPA review courses in the United States. UWorld had about 2,180 branded searches, while Surgent had 1,000. UWorld made up 6.5% of all CPA review course searches we track, and Surgent accounted for 3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about CPA review courses, UWorld appeared in four of the five answers and Surgent in two. UWorld was mentioned before Surgent in every answer that named either.
Who do people search for more?
UWorld, about 2 searches for every 1 for Surgent
Who does AI mention more?
UWorld, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Surgent in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
UWorld, named ahead of Surgent in 4 of 4 answers
Follow Surgent vs UWorld and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top CPA review courses in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, UWorld was mentioned in four out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in both Google AI Overviews. Surgent was mentioned in two out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in both Google AI Overviews. UWorld was listed before Surgent in every answer that named either.
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.
Becker5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
NINJA CPA Review5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Gleim5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers- UWorld4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Surgent2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Universal CPA Review2 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Wiley CPAexcel0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Maxwell CPA Review0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about CPA review courses
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best CPA review course?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which CPA review course is best for working full time?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the cheapest way to study for the CPA exam?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cpa review course”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“cpa exam 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 UWorld, Surgent. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Becker | NINJA CPA Review | UWorld | Gleim | Surgent | Universal CPA Review | Wiley CPAexcel | Maxwell CPA Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 60% | 17.9% | 6.6% | 5.3% | 4.3% | 2.9% | 2.4% | 0.56% |
| Nov 2025 | 59.1% | 17.6% | 7.5% | 5.2% | 5.2% | 2.9% | 1.9% | 0.46% |
| Dec 2025 | 61.3% | 14.9% | 7.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% | 3% | 2% | 0.58% |
| Jan 2026 | 64.1% | 15.6% | 6.6% | 4.6% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 2.1% | 0.75% |
| Feb 2026 | 61.5% | 15% | 7.8% | 5.4% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 2.5% | 0.58% |
| Mar 2026 | 64.5% | 15.7% | 6.7% | 4.6% | 3.1% | 2.6% | 2.1% | 0.75% |
| Apr 2026 | 60.6% | 18.1% | 7.3% | 4.4% | 4.4% | 2.9% | 1.6% | 0.7% |
| May 2026 | 64.8% | 15.8% | 6.4% | 4.7% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 1.4% | 0.61% |
| Jun 2026 | 65.6% | 15.9% | 6.4% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 0.62% |
| Jul 2026 | 66.6% | 16.2% | 6.5% | 3% | 3% | 2.6% | 1.2% | 0.78% |
| Aug 2026 | 65.3% | 15.9% | 7.3% | 3.8% | 3.8% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.62% |
| Sep 2026 | 66% | 16.1% | 6.5% | 4.8% | 3% | 2.1% | 0.95% | 0.62% |
How has the Surgent and UWorld comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- UWorld was ahead of Surgent in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Surgent’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States moved from 4.3% to 3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.3K to 1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, UWorld’s share of searches among CPA review courses in the United States moved from 6.6% to 6.5%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2K to 2.2K.
How did search popularity change for United States CPA review courses in September 2026?
2 changes
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%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Surgent’s and UWorld’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.
Other head-to-heads among CPA review courses
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.