What to Use Instead of Kaplan for GED Prep

Onsego is the strongest alternative to Kaplan for GED prep.

Like Kaplan, Onsego is recognized by GED Testing Service and provides a complete GED preparation program covering all four subjects.

Students choose Onsego instead of Kaplan because they prefer bite-sized video lessons and a more relaxed but highly effective approach to studying.

Onsego offers three one-time-payment plans starting at $79 for six months, equivalent to $13.17 per month. Every plan also includes four official GED Ready vouchers, which Kaplan does not include.

Onsego uses open personalization: you decide what to study.

For adults preparing around work and family, that structure can make the difference between continuing to make progress and giving up.

Onsego vs. Kaplan at a Glance

	Onsego	Kaplan
Price	Starting at $79 for 6 months	$129 for 3 months
Monthly cost equivalent	$13.17	$43
Access length	6 months	3 months
GED Ready vouchers	Yes, 4 included	No
Personalized study path	Yes	No
Video format	Short videos, single topic	Long videos, multiple topics
Practice tests	100 practice tests, including 8 full-length practice tests	8 practice tests, including 4 full-length practice tests
AI Tutor	Yes	No
TI-30XS calculator course	Yes	No
Score Booster	Included with the Pro plan	No
Confidence and study-skills course	Yes	No
GED-aligned materials	Yes	Yes

This table compares the most popular plans: Onsego Advantage and Kaplan Self-Paced.

Why Onsego May Be a Better Fit

Onsego specializes in GED preparation

Onsego is a specialized program focused on helping students pass the GED test. Its lessons, practice tests, calculator training, study planners, and support features are all built around that single goal.

Kaplan is a traditional test-prep company offering preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including the SAT, ACT, GRE, LSAT, nursing entrance exams, and GED.

Because Onsego focuses specifically on GED preparation, it can build tools around the needs of GED students, including short lessons, dedicated TI-30XS calculator training, personalized module quizzes, GED Ready vouchers, and confidence-building support.

Short lessons instead of long lectures

This is one of the biggest differences between Onsego and Kaplan.

Kaplan’s self-paced course presents the material in long video lessons. Many run approximately 45 to 60 minutes and cover four or five topics in one video. Some students may like sitting down for one extended lesson, but this format can be difficult for adults who have limited study time or find it hard to concentrate for a full hour.

Onsego takes a different approach. Each video focuses on one topic and generally lasts about three minutes. A student can watch a lesson, answer the quiz questions, and complete one clear step in a short study session.

Many GED students study during lunch breaks, after work, or after their children are asleep. With Onsego, they do not need to find a free hour before they can begin. Even 10 or 15 minutes is enough to complete several focused lessons.

Students control what they study

Every Onsego module begins with a “Can I Skip It?” quiz. The quiz shows students whether they already understand the material covered in that module.

Based on the result, students can:

• Skip the module if they already know the material
• Complete the module if they need more practice
• Study it anyway if they want to reinforce their knowledge

The quiz provides guidance, but the final decision belongs to the student.

This matters because adults begin GED preparation with different skills and gaps. One person may need extensive help with math but very little help with reading. Another may have the opposite experience.

Kaplan advertises Smart Reports, but we could not find any independent reviews evaluating this feature.

We also did not find a comparable feature that allows students to check their knowledge and skip individual modules before studying them.

Both programs provide GED-aligned materials

GED Testing Service recognizes publishers whose curriculum materials have completed its content-alignment review.

Both Onsego and Kaplan offer materials aligned with the skills and subjects covered on the current GED test. The main differences are not basic subject coverage, but how the material is taught, how long students receive access, and which additional tools are included.

Onsego includes GED Ready vouchers

The GED Ready test is the official practice test created by GED Testing Service. It is designed to show whether a student is likely to pass the corresponding GED subject test.

There are four GED Ready tests—one for Math, Science, Social Studies, and Reasoning Through Language Arts. They normally cost $7.99 each.

Every Onsego plan includes four vouchers, worth approximately $32 combined. Kaplan does not include GED Ready vouchers with its self-paced course.

Onsego includes dedicated calculator training

Students can use the TI-30XS calculator for most of the GED Math test.

Onsego includes a complete TI-30XS calculator course that teaches students how to solve GED Math problems with the calculator. The lessons show which calculator functions to use and how to enter each problem correctly.

This gives students another way to approach GED Math without relying only on memorizing formulas and traditional calculation methods.

Kaplan covers the math skills tested on the GED, but it does not list a separate TI-30XS calculator course as part of its self-paced program.

Onsego helps students rebuild their confidence

For many adults returning to education, confidence can be as important as understanding the material. Students may not have studied in years, and some begin their preparation believing they are simply “bad” at school or math.

Every Onsego plan includes a confidence-building and study-skills course. Students also have access to an AI Tutor for immediate help with lessons and quiz questions.

The Pro plan adds Score Booster. Onsego instructors review a student’s results, identify the skills that need improvement, and provide targeted guidance before the student takes the GED test.

Kaplan offers email support from its faculty, but it does not list a separate confidence course, AI Tutor, or Score Booster service as part of its self-paced package.

What Kaplan Offers

Kaplan has decades of test-prep experience and strong brand recognition. Its self-paced GED course includes:

• Three months of access
• More than 150 instructional videos
• One diagnostic test per subject
• One full-length practice exam
• Email support from Kaplan faculty
• A conditional money-back guarantee

Kaplan may be a good fit for students who prefer traditional, classroom-style lectures or feel more comfortable choosing a widely recognized test-prep company.

Onsego may be a better fit for students who want shorter lessons, longer access, official GED Ready vouchers, dedicated calculator training, and more support tools designed specifically for GED students.

Onsego vs. Kaplan: Which Should You Choose?

Both programs cover all four GED subjects and provide self-paced online instruction. The better choice depends on how you prefer to study.

Choose Kaplan if you want:

• Traditional, classroom-style preparation
• A program from a widely recognized test-prep company

Choose Onsego if you want:

• Short, single-topic video lessons
• Six or 12 months of access
• Four included GED Ready vouchers
• A dedicated TI-30XS calculator course
• The ability to skip material you already understand
• An AI Tutor for immediate questions
• Confidence and study-skills training
• Instructor guidance through Score Booster with the Pro plan

For students studying around work and family, Onsego’s short lessons and longer access period may make the program easier to complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I use instead of Kaplan for GED prep?

Onsego is a strong full-course alternative to Kaplan. It covers all four GED subjects and includes short video lessons, practice tests, personalized module quizzes, TI-30XS calculator training, an AI Tutor, and four GED Ready vouchers.

What are the best GED prep programs like Kaplan?

Onsego offers the same basic all-subject coverage as Kaplan but uses a different teaching approach. Lessons are divided into short, single-topic videos, and students receive tools such as GED Ready vouchers, personalized module quizzes, calculator training, and an AI Tutor.

Is Kaplan or Onsego better for GED Math?

Onsego may be the better fit for students who want to use the TI-30XS calculator as their main GED Math strategy.

Onsego includes a dedicated calculator course that teaches students which functions to use for common GED Math problems. Kaplan covers GED Math but does not list a separate TI-30XS calculator course.

How much does Kaplan’s GED course cost?

Kaplan’s self-paced GED course costs $129 for three months of access. That is equivalent to approximately $43 per month when the price is divided across the full access period.

Kaplan charges one upfront payment rather than a monthly subscription.

How much does Onsego cost?

Onsego offers three one-time-payment plans:

• Advantage costs $79 for six months, equivalent to $13.17 per month.
• Advantage Plus costs $119 for 12 months, equivalent to $9.92 per month, and includes the Essay Checker.
• Advantage Pro costs $199 for 12 months, equivalent to $16.58 per month, and includes Fast Mode and Score Booster.

All three plans include four GED Ready vouchers, the TI-30XS calculator course, practice tests, flashcards, and an AI Tutor.

Is Onsego cheaper than Kaplan?

Yes. Based on the full access period, every Onsego plan costs less per month than Kaplan’s self-paced GED course.

Kaplan costs $129 for three months, equivalent to about $43 per month. Onsego starts at $79 for six months, equivalent to $13.17 per month. Its lowest monthly equivalent is $9.92 with the 12-month Advantage Plus plan.

These are not monthly subscriptions. Both companies charge an upfront fee.

Does Onsego include GED Ready vouchers?

Yes. Every Onsego plan includes four GED Ready vouchers—one for each GED subject. The four vouchers have a combined retail value of approximately $32.

Kaplan does not include these vouchers with its self-paced course.

How long are Kaplan’s GED video lessons?

Many of Kaplan’s self-paced GED video lessons run approximately 45 to 60 minutes and cover several topics. Onsego’s videos cover one topic at a time and generally last about three minutes.

Is Onsego recognized by GED Testing Service?

Yes. GED Testing Service recognizes Onsego as a trusted publisher whose curriculum materials are fully aligned with the GED test.

Kaplan also offers GED-aligned materials. The main differences between the programs are their lesson formats, prices, access periods, and included study tools.

Does Kaplan offer a GED guarantee?

Kaplan advertises a conditional money-back guarantee for its GED course. Students should review Kaplan’s current eligibility requirements and conditions before enrolling.

Onsego offers a seven-day money-back guarantee if a student decides the program is not a good fit.

If I switch from Kaplan to Onsego, do I have to start over?

No. Every Onsego module begins with a “Can I Skip It?” quiz.

If you already understand a topic you studied with Kaplan or another program, you can use the quiz to check your knowledge and skip that module.

This allows you to focus on what you still need to learn instead of automatically beginning with the first lesson.

Last Updated on September 2, 2026