Ninja vs Becker CPA Review: Which Is Right for Your Prep?

When you’re looking through CPA review courses and deciding which is best for you, you’ve probably come across both Becker and Ninja.

But they’re wildly different CPA exam prep companies.

Whereas Becker is generally regarded as the “best of the best,” Ninja is known as an affordable option on the market.

So, the question becomes: is Ninja enough to pass the CPA exam, or is it smarter to go with a safer bet, like Becker?

I’ll give you all the info you need to make that decision for yourself, including pricing, guarantees, support, study materials, and so much more.

Are you ready? Let’s dig in!

Key Takeaways

• Becker: The Gold Standard: Known for its top-tier quality, Becker offers comprehensive content, high-quality practice questions, and adaptive technology that boost CPA candidates’ chances of passing on the first try.
• Ninja: Budget-Friendly Supplement: With its subscription model, Ninja is a popular choice for CPA candidates looking for a supplementary resource to boost their prep without breaking the bank.
• Advanced Learning Tools: Becker’s Adapt2U technology and Exam Day Ready℠ Score are standout features that tailor content to individual weaknesses, enhancing study efficiency and exam readiness.
• Pricing Consideration: While Becker’s packages start at $2,499, Ninja’s $67 monthly fee appeals to budget-conscious candidates who are supplementing or need a short-term study aid.
• Best of Both: For ultimate exam prep, combining Becker’s comprehensive materials with Ninja’s supplemental tools creates a well-rounded, cost-effective strategy that supports various learning styles.

Overview: Becker vs. Ninja CPA Review

We have two competitors in the ring, both excellent choices in their own right. Let’s take a closer look at the opponents in today’s showdown.

Becker CPA Review: The Gold Standard

Saying “Becker” in the CPA prep world is like saying “Kobe,” “Lebron,” or “Shaq” in the basketball world.

The name needs no elaboration: a few letters exude an entire brand of excellence.

They’re generally regarded as one of the best CPA review courses on the market and usually rank #1—for good reason.

Here are just a few of Becker’s stats that make them the top dog:

• Over 1 million CPA candidates chose Becker as their CPA review course
• Becker reports that their students have a 94% pass rate
• Since 2007, over 90% of Elijah Watt Sells Award winners studied with Becker
• Becker sports a 4.8-star rating on Trustpilot
• Over 2,900 organizations choose Becker to prep their staff for exams

The bottom line is that Becker is flat-out the best—and they have the receipts to prove it. However, just because they’re the best doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best for you. Let’s take a look at Ninja to see what they’re all about.

Ninja CPA Review: The Affordable Underdog

Ninja is, admittedly, an underdog in this fight. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have accolades of their own.

That being said, their number one selling point, by far, is their low price and their subscription model. At just $67 for access to the CPA exam section of your choice, many CPA candidates have used Ninja as a supplemental resource for their more expensive course—because at that price, why not?

But are they just a supplemental resource, or are they something more?

Let’s dive into the features of both review courses to find out.

Feature Comparisons

NOTE: Some of Becker’s features are exclusive to certain packages, so not all of the above features are included in every Becker CPA package.

Why Becker Knocks Out Ninja for CPA Prep Courses

When it comes to your CPA exam preparation, Becker CPA review courses are always my #1 recommendation.

Here’s the thing about passing the exam on your first try. It’s not just about retake fees, confidence, or even your time and money going down the drain.

If you’re not passing these exams, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad test taker. It means you’re not ready for your dream career. And if you want to be ready, Becker is the choice.

After all, in 2023 alone, 98% of Elijah Watt Sells Award winners were candidates who succeeded, thanks to Becker. There were 40 winners, meaning only one didn’t use Becker. It’s absolutely wild. (If you didn’t know, this award is only given to candidates who pass every section on their first try with a score of 95.5 or more on each. It’s a HUGE deal.)

Bottom line? Becker is the safest bet you can make on a CPA prep course.

Textbooks and Course Content

Becker is obviously the king when it comes to your primary CPA material. They feature concise yet comprehensive digital and printed textbooks with plenty of graphs and diagrams for visual learners. Further, Becker is known for their strict adherence to the AICPA exam blueprints, so you can rest assured that you’ll only study concepts you’re likely to find on the actual exam.

With Ninja, you’ll get access to their Ninja Book and Ninja Notes for every exam section. The notes are basically the CliffsNotes versions of the book, which is also sort of how their videos function. As far as notes go, I think theirs are pretty decent, but none of their written materials compare to Becker’s. Becker’s textbooks are just flawless, in my opinion.

🏆 The Winner: Becker leads in textbooks and course content, offering detailed, exam-focused materials that outshine Ninja’s more condensed resources.

Video Lectures and Instruction

For the most part, I feel that the Becker videos do their job. They’re comprehensive, they give you broad oversight of what you need to know, and they walk you through the reading you’ll have to do with the textbooks.

Some students do really well with videos alone, and some don’t find the videos helpful at all—a lot of it depends on your learning style and using trial and error to figure out where the videos fit in your study plan. I really enjoy some of the instructors, particularly the ones who excel at getting to the root of a concept right away. And there is a ton of video content, so choosing a Becker course is a great choice if you learn best through video.

Becker also has audio content available on their mobile app, so you can learn on the go.

Meanwhile, Ninja audio and video options are fine for what they are. I’ve found that in the candidate community, folks tend to either love them or hate them. In my opinion, they’re a little dry and lackluster, and they’re difficult to learn from because they lack the depth I’d like. However, the downloadable versions are a welcome addition for those of us with hectic schedules trying to fit in a few extra minutes of studying during commutes or at the gym.

🏆 The Winner: Becker wins for video lectures, offering comprehensive, in-depth content that suits visual learners better than Ninja’s more basic options.

Technology

Unsurprisingly, Becker has an edge when it comes to technology. Students create customized quizzes and take practice tests and mock exams, all of which are linked to Becker’s adaptive learning software, Adapt2U. This technology tracks where each individual person excels and where their knowledge has some gaps. Then, in future quizzes and tests, the tech can specifically present someone with questions in areas they struggle with until it becomes old hat. All of this ties into Becker’s Exam Day Ready℠ Score, which indicates—you guessed it—how ready a candidate is for test day.

Even further, Becker recently introduced Newt™, an AI study tool that plays the role of ChatGPT specifically for CPA candidates. Ask questions, get answers, and learn from mistakes in your practice materials. One of the best uses for Newt™ is reviewing your practice exam results, clarifying why you got questions wrong, and how to do better when you try again.

Becker’s technology often results in something called the “Becker Bump,” where their performance on mock exams and practice tests is often an average of 10 additional points higher on the actual exam.

Meanwhile, Ninja uses a learning algorithm as well, in both their CPA test bank questions and even their digital flashcards. Like Becker’s, this adaptive technology helps students identify and improve upon their weaknesses for a more efficient learning experience.

🏆 The Winner: Becker wins on technology, with AI tools and an Exam Day Ready℠ Score that enhances test readiness beyond Ninja’s capabilities.

CPA Test Bank Questions

Both test banks offer 8,000+ multiple-choice questions to practice with, as well as unlimited practice exams. However, Becker has some unique features that Ninja doesn’t:

• 8 full-length simulated mock exams
• 12 mini exams
• About 200 additional practice task-based simulations

Further, Becker is known for their high-quality practice questions which are remarkably similar to the ones you’ll find on the exam—though noticeably more difficult, which helps boost the “Becker Bump.”

Meanwhile, the Ninja MCQ bank is solid for additional practice, but their task-based simulations tend to be weirdly formatted; consequently, they may not be a good tool for all candidates.

🏆 The Winner: Becker is superior for test bank questions, offering realistic, high-quality simulations and mock exams that closely mimic the actual CPA test.

Pricing and Value

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: why on earth would anyone spend thousands of dollars for Becker when you can spend just hundreds on Ninja instead?

Let me put it this way: only about 20% of CPA candidates pass every section of the CPA exam on their first try. That means, for the other 80% of candidates, you’re looking at retake fees.

Depending on where you live, retake fees can be as high as $300 per section. So, if you use Ninja for a year and fail one of the four sections, you’ll be paying at least $1,000 anyway (and that’s assuming you only have to retake one section, which is statistically unlikely).

Plus, though they try to shy away from this label, many students consider Ninja to be an excellent option for supplementary material but not enough for a standalone CPA exam review course.

One student suggests using Ninja and Becker together, particularly if there are sections you’re not as confident in:

To go even further, if you access Ninja for 24 months (like the access length for Becker’s lowest-priced package), you’ll pay $1,608, which isn’t a huge difference compared to Becker’s $2,499. And, Becker offers flexible payment plans with 0% interest. That means you can be a Becker student for as low as $104 per month.

Ultimately, if you choose to get Ninja, it pairs really well with Becker. Just watch that price tag, as the subscription cost adds up over time.

🏆 The Winner: Ninja is the better value for budget-conscious students, but Becker’s pricing may be worth it for those seeking higher-quality materials and a greater chance of passing on the first try.

Access and Support

Naturally, Ninja’s access is as long as you’re willing to pay $67 a month for. However, even for a low-priced option, they have some decent support available. If you learn best in a group, you’ll appreciate their group tutoring and study session options. However, their 1-on-1 support options are noticeably lacking.

Luckily, you’ll find the personalized support you need with Becker. Becker offers up to 25 one-hour-long tutoring sessions, as well as up to 25 one-hour-long success coaching sessions. Further, Becker’s live class options, whether virtual or in-person, both include Q&A sessions so you can ask about concepts you’re struggling with and get the clarity you need to succeed.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that most of Becker’s support options are limited to their Pro and Concierge Packages.

🏆 The Winner: Becker stands out in access and support, with personalized tutoring and coaching options that surpass Ninja’s group-focused support.

Becker or Ninja CPA: Which One Do I Choose?

Here are the highlights you need to know.

• If You’re Looking for Comprehensive Coverage and Support, Choose Becker: Becker is ideal if you want in-depth content, structured support, and advanced learning tools to maximize your chance of passing on the first try.
• If You’re on a Tight Budget or Need a Supplemental Resource, Choose Ninja: Ninja’s low monthly fee and straightforward resources make it perfect for candidates who need affordable support or want additional practice alongside another course.
• If You Want the Best of Both Worlds, Choose Both: Combining Becker’s thorough content with Ninja’s practical, bite-sized resources provides a complete prep experience that covers all bases and enhances confidence for exam day.

Final Verdict

Ultimately, Becker CPA Review is always the one to beat. They’re my #1 most recommended CPA review course across the board. However, there’s one thing that can make Becker even better, and that’s Ninja.

Look, Becker is the better option. If you’re only going to get one, I say, choose Becker. But when Ninja is such an incredible supplement to Becker’s top-notch study materials, why compromise? Especially when Ninja is so affordable?

Ultimately, bundling the two is a dynamic duo that will make worrying whether you’ll pass or not a thing of the past. Get both. Stop staring at the ceiling and sweating your sheets out every night. It’s time to get some well-deserved rest, knowing you’ve got this in the bag.

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