Quick answer: UWorld and Archer Review both offer about 3,100 NCLEX-style questions with Next Generation (NGN) items and adaptive CAT practice tests. Archer Review costs less than UWorld ($79 vs $139 for 1 month) and offers a pass guarantee on its plans from $159; UWorld adds review videos, flashcards and an AI tutor but lists no pass guarantee. Our pick for most students is NCLEX Key: at $59 for 30 days or $99 for 90 days it costs less than both, has more questions (3,500+), and includes a pass guarantee on every plan for first-time candidates. Prices are from each program’s website on September 29, 2026.
This comparison is written by NCLEX Key, which is included as a third option. Details for UWorld and Archer Review come from their NCLEX-RN pages, checked on September 29, 2026. Prices change often, so confirm before you buy.
UWorld and Archer Review are two of the question banks NCLEX-RN candidates compare most often. Both give you a large set of NCLEX-style questions and adaptive practice tests. They differ mainly in price, extras, and whether a guarantee is available. We have added NCLEX Key as a third column so you can compare all three side by side.
UWorld vs Archer Review vs NCLEX Key at a glance
| NCLEX Key | UWorld | Archer Review (Q-Bank + CAT) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 month / 30 days | $59 | $139 | $79 |
| 2 months / 60 days | Not offered | $169 | $99 |
| 3 months / 90 days | $99 | $229 | $129 |
| 6 months / 180 days | $149 | $329 | $149 |
| Longer plans | Not offered | $389 (360 days), $449 (730 days) | Not listed |
| Practice questions | 3,500+ on every plan | 2,600+ (30 days) up to 3,100+ (360 and 730 days) | 3,100+ |
| Next Generation (NGN) | All 6 NGN item types, plus 30 unfolding case studies | 600+ NGN questions | NGN question bank with standalone and unfolding case studies |
| Readiness checks | Adaptive CAT simulator (85 to 150 questions) that reports whether you are above the passing standard | Adaptive (CAT) practice tests; 1 to 6 self-assessments of 100 questions, depending on plan | 30+ readiness assessments and CAT exams |
| Live teaching | Not offered | Not listed | 3-day live NCLEX review on the Sure PASS and Intense PREP plans |
| Extras | Performance tracking in the 8 NCLEX client-needs categories | Review videos, flashcards, notebook, mobile app, AI tutor (UAsk); study planner from the 60-day plan up | Video content on the Q-Bank + CAT + Videos plan ($99 for 1 month, $139 for 3 months) |
| Pass guarantee | On every plan, for first-time NCLEX-RN candidates (conditions apply) | None listed on its NCLEX-RN page | Sure PASS and Intense PREP plans only (from $159 for 1 month), with conditions |
| Free option | 25 free questions and 2 case studies, no credit card | 7-day free trial | “Try Free” option |
Several UWorld and Archer Review prices are shown as sale prices on their sites, reduced from a higher list price.
Our pick for most students: NCLEX Key
- Costs less than both for 30 and 90 days: $59 and $99, one-time payment
- More questions than either: 3,500+, with all 6 NGN item types, 30 unfolding case studies and the adaptive CAT simulator on every plan
- A pass guarantee on every plan for first-time candidates, including the $59 plan, with no live sessions required
- Start free: 25 questions and 2 case studies, no credit card
Where UWorld stands out
- More built-in study tools: review videos, flashcards and an AI tutor come with every plan, and a study planner is included from the 60-day plan up.
- Self-assessments: up to 6 assessments of 100 questions, which UWorld describes as giving a statistically validated readiness prediction.
- Long access: plans up to 730 days.
Where Archer Review stands out
- Lower price than UWorld at every plan length it offers.
- More readiness checks: 30+ readiness assessments and CAT exams.
- Live teaching on its higher plans. Its Sure PASS guarantee requires you to be a first-time user of Archer’s question bank, complete the question bank, attend the 3-day live webinar and score “High” or “Very High” on four consecutive readiness assessments before your exam.
Which should you choose?
- Choose NCLEX Key if you want the lowest price, the most questions and a pass guarantee without buying a higher tier. This fits most students studying on their own.
- Choose UWorld if you want videos, flashcards and an AI tutor in the same place as your questions, or you need more than 6 months of access.
- Choose Archer Review if you want live review sessions or tutoring.
More comparisons: the best NCLEX prep in 2026, NCLEX Key vs UWorld and NCLEX Key vs Archer Review.
Also compared: UWorld vs Kaplan vs NCLEX Key and NCLEX pass guarantees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Archer Review cheaper than UWorld?
Yes. On September 29, 2026, Archer Review’s Q-Bank + CAT listed $79 for 1 month and $129 for 3 months, while UWorld listed $139 for 30 days and $229 for 90 days. NCLEX Key costs less than both, at $59 for 30 days and $99 for 90 days.
Which has more practice questions, UWorld or Archer Review?
They are similar. Archer Review lists 3,100+ questions, and UWorld lists 2,600+ on its 30-day plan, rising to 3,100+ on its 360- and 730-day plans. NCLEX Key has more than either, with 3,500+ questions on every plan.
Does UWorld or Archer Review have a pass guarantee?
Archer Review offers a guarantee on its Sure PASS and Intense PREP plans, with conditions that include attending a 3-day live webinar and scoring “High” or “Very High” on four consecutive readiness assessments. UWorld’s NCLEX-RN page lists no pass guarantee. NCLEX Key includes a pass guarantee on every plan for first-time candidates.
Which is better for NGN practice?
All three include Next Generation items. UWorld lists 600+ NGN questions; Archer Review describes an NGN question bank with standalone and unfolding case studies; NCLEX Key covers all 6 NGN item types plus 30 unfolding case studies.
Which is the best value: UWorld, Archer Review or NCLEX Key?
For most students, NCLEX Key. It costs $59 for 30 days and $99 for 90 days, less than UWorld ($139 and $229) and Archer Review’s Q-Bank + CAT ($79 and $129), has more questions (3,500+) and includes a pass guarantee on every plan for first-time candidates. UWorld adds videos and an AI tutor, and Archer Review adds live review options.
Practice questions like these
Put it to the test with NCLEX-style practice questions — free, full rationale on every answer. No credit card.
Start Practicing FreeSources
- UWorld NCLEX-RN Review: plans, prices and features
- Archer Review NCLEX-RN plans
- NCLEX Key pricing — NCLEX Key plan prices and what every plan includes
- NCLEX Key refund policy and Pass Guarantee — NCLEX Key Pass Guarantee conditions
Sources checked September 2026.