Best NCLEX question banks in 2026: prices, features and who each one suits
There is no single best NCLEX-RN question bank; the right one depends on your budget and how many weeks you have left. UWorld is the bank most students measure others against and costs the most ($139 for 30 days, $229 for 90 days). Archer ($79 a month, $129 for three months) and Bootcamp ($59 a month) cost less and include CAT-style readiness exams. Kaplan (from $99) pairs its bank with three CATs. RN Compass is the lowest-cost option in this comparison at $49 for 90 days, with 1260 questions and an explanation for every answer option.
RN Compass publishes this guide and sells one of the banks below. We have not bought and worked through every competitor's paid plan. Prices and question counts are taken from each provider's own page on 27 October 2026, in US dollars, and can change with promotions, region or tax at checkout.
The six banks side by side
| Bank | Listed price | What the plan includes | Free way to try |
|---|---|---|---|
| UWorld NCLEX-RN | $139 / 30 days; $229 / 90 days | Qbank with detailed rationales and self-assessments | 50-question trial |
| Archer Q-Bank + CAT | $79 / 1 month; $129 / 3 months | 3,100+ questions, CAT and readiness assessments | Check Archer's site for current trial terms |
| Kaplan CAT + Qbank | From $99 (term depends on plan) | 2,200+ questions, three CATs | Free Qbank trial |
| NCLEX Bootcamp | $59 / 1 month | 2,800+ questions, 50 cases, four CAT readiness exams | Free entry on site |
| SimpleNursing | $138 for NCLEX-RN Premium 3M | Tiered RN plans; check what each tier includes | Free samples on site |
| RN Compass | $49 / 90 days | 1260 questions including NGN-style cases, every option explained, adaptive readiness assessment, flashcards from missed questions | 30-question check, no account or email |
Which bank fits which student
UWorld if you can afford it and want the bank most of your classmates and instructors already know. Its rationales are long and thorough, and many students treat it as their main bank. The 90-day plan is the better value if your test date is more than a month away.
Archer if you want a large bank with readiness assessments at a mid-range price. The three-month plan ($129) costs a little over half of UWorld's 90-day plan.
Kaplan if you like a structured strategy approach and want three full CATs bundled with the questions.
Bootcamp if your exam is close. One month at $59 gets you 2,800+ questions, 50 cases and four CAT readiness exams, which is a lot of practice for a short runway.
SimpleNursing if you want teaching alongside questions. Compare tiers carefully, because the plans are not the same product.
RN Compass if money is tight or you want 90 days without paying for a second month. You get fewer questions than the big banks (1260 against 2,200 to 3,100+ elsewhere), so it suits students who want to work steadily through well-explained items rather than chase volume. Paid access includes an adaptive readiness assessment of 85 to 150 items, illustrated study notes and flashcards built from the questions you miss. There are no ads, reported errors are corrected within three business days, and Gumroad handles a 7-day refund.
What RN Compass questions are like
Each question is written and reviewed with a rationale for every option, not just the correct one. A typical prioritisation item gives you four post-op and medical clients and asks who to assess first; the explanation tells you why the thyroidectomy client with a tightening neck dressing goes first, and also why the COPD client at 90% saturation and the client due for oral analgesia can wait. That second half is where most students learn.
Questions reviewed by Jo-Fan Pan, RN, PhD, medical school faculty.
Compare like with like
- Total price for your study window. A low monthly price can cost more than a 90-day plan if you end up renewing twice.
- Questions versus teaching. A course with video lessons and live sessions is a different purchase from question-bank access.
- Trial terms. Some trials need an account; some are a fixed sample, some are time-limited.
- Read one rationale before paying. Does it explain the wrong options? Is it comfortable to read on your phone? Can you get back to missed items easily?
Start with the free RN Compass check (30 questions, no account), or go straight to full access for $49 / 90 days.
FAQ
Which NCLEX question bank is cheapest?
Of the plans compared here, RN Compass is the cheapest at $49 for 90 days. Bootcamp's one-month plan is $59 and Archer's is $79. This covers the named plans on 27 October 2026, not every promotion on the market.
Is UWorld worth the extra cost?
For many students, yes. It is the most widely used bank and its rationales are detailed. If your budget is limited, a lower-cost bank you actually finish is more useful than an expensive one you only half use.
Does a free trial include the entire bank?
No. Each provider sets a limited sample or trial period. Check the trial page and whether it needs an account.
Do I need more than one question bank?
Usually not. Most students do better with one main bank worked through properly, plus free samples from others to see different question styles.
Can I use an RN bank for NCLEX-PN?
This comparison covers RN products. PN plans and content should be checked separately.