If you’re a future nurse prepping to ace the NCLEX, you’ll want to consider the relative pros and cons of Nursing.com vs UWorld.
Both have helped nursing students across the country through their respective NCLEX review courses.
Beat the pre-test anxieties with a high-quality test prep program. Read on to learn which one better suits your needs and budget.
Price
$246
$279
Apple Reviews
Practice Tests
3
2
Practice Questions
6,000+
2,100+
Content Access Period
1 Year
6 Months
Video Instruction
300+ Lessons
None
Money-back Guarantees
Yes
No
Nursing.com
Over 300,000 people have passed the NCLEX exam with the help of Nursing.com, which was formerly known as NRSNG. Their largely positive prep course reviews and widespread web presence have helped them grow in popularity over the years.
Nursing.com backs up its reputation with stats, claiming a 99.86% pass rate. Nursing students love stats. The company also offers a refund guarantee that rivals others in the industry.
NURSING.com
A comprehensive and budget-friendly NCLEX-RN course that's great for visual learners.
- Well-developed mobile application
- High-quality, exclusive NCLEX simulator (SIMCLEX) that uses test-like algorithm
- Lots of practice questions (6,000+)
- Gold standard 200% pass guarantee (double-money back guarantee)
- No live instruction option
- User interface can feel clunky and harder to navigate
Nursing.com User Reviews
The Apple App store rates Nursing.com at 4.6/5 stars with over 700 reviews. Most users enjoy their crafted plans, their user-friendly interface, and the plethora of practice questions. Learn more about Nursing.com and other NCLEX prep apps.
UWorld NCLEX
Students who use the UWorld NCLEX tend to put a premium on elaborate explanations and helpful questions. UWorld’s question bank was developed with challenging the user in mind. They focus primarily on one main skill: fostering critical thinking.
Nursing knowledge and clinical practice information combine to provide the best content possible with Uworld.
UWorld NCLEX RN Test Prep | 3,500+ Practice Questions
A robust Qbank that is best for supplementing your existing NCLEX-RN comprehensive prep course.
- Extensive, well-researched bank of classic and NGN questions
- Hundreds of brief lecture videos on the most important topics on the exam
- Adaptive (CAT) Practice tests mimic the format of the exam
- Multiple Self-Assessments can be purchased separately
- Tracks your improvement in a detailed manner
- Accessible with mobile app; convenient when away from home
- No live or online review course included with the subscription
- Doesn’t offer a comprehensive curriculum review
- No “pass guarantee”
UWorld User Reviews
The Apple App store rates the UWorld NCLEX at 4.8/5 stars with over 2,000 reviews. Reviewers mostly enjoy the ease of use, the variety of questions, and the improvement tracker.
Features Face to Face
Let’s dip into a head-to-head matchup, feature by feature.
Price
Both offer extensive services, but based on what you get, we prefer Nursing.com in this category. For only $39 a month, you can get the most basic package that includes video lessons. It’s pay as you go, so you can end it any time you need.
For $82 a month, you get one year of access to Nursing.com’s entire library plus a study plan and three SIMCLEX exams. If you pay that for three months, you get the rest of the year for free.
At UWorld, it costs $139 for their simple package. It includes their entire bank of questions. Unfortunately, video lessons aren’t included. This makes it tough for visual learners to retain the information.
For $429, you get UWorld’s bank of questions, plus two self-assessments and one reset option. This gives you access for 730 days (2 years).
Most Affordable NCLEX Course
$39 (per month)
$139 (30 day access)
Most Expensive NCLEX Course
$246 ($82/mo for 3 months) for 1 year access
$429 (730 day access)
Practice Questions
Nursing.com has over 6,000 practice questions, while UWorld only offers around 2,000. But, the quality of UWorld NCLEX questions are higher because they are extensively researched and reviewed. Students who want a more in-depth experience choose UWorld.
Nursing.com has something called SIMCLEX, which is their real-life simulation of the NCLEX. This tests your time management, preparation, and ability to perform under pressure. Many users feel the SIMCLEX prepared them in a way other prep sites couldn’t.
Both Nursing.com and UWorld offer questions that are similar to real NCLEX questions, but the added bonus of SIMCLEX makes Nursing.com hard to pass up.
Question Explanation
Nursing.com is by far the best choice for visual learners. They provide interactive lessons and interesting, colorful content. It’s an overall better experience for the eyes. The video lessons explain aspects of the NCLEX in a simple and understandable way.
Regardless, we have to choose UWorld for the winner. Their questions are comprehensive and detailed. The explanations are descriptive to help the student better understand the content. Though they offer fewer practice questions, they make up for it in quality.
Rote memorization has its own merits – but, to truly excel on the NCLEX, you ideally want to optimize your problem-solving skills. That way, even if you don’t necessarily have the answer memorized, you can approximate the best educated guess.
UWorld outclasses Nursing.com in the critical thinking prep domain.
Content Review & Video Lessons
Since UWorld doesn’t include any appreciable content review, Nursing.com is the clear winner here. In addition to the 6,000 practice questions available on-demand, they offer over 300+ quality video lessons.
They also offer a content review for these lessons. The videos are around 10-minutes each. If you purchase the whole package, it includes:
- Guides
- Tutorials
- Podcasts
User Experience/Platform
UWorld stands out to some students in part because of its incredible, intuitive user interface. It nearly flawlessly mirrors the interface of the actual exam. This is a good way to prepare because when you sit down to take the test, you’ll see something familiar – well-trodden neural pathways, etc.
UWorld also has a mobile app that most students can use when they’re away from their computers. This can be helpful for students who feel like they’re always on the go! (Who isn’t these days?) The graphics on the app are high-quality and detailed. Lastly, it comes with a progress tracker so you can keep an eye on your headway.
Nursing.com offers an app too, but it’s not as aesthetically pleasing. It’s a little less glossy and intricately designed than UWorld. We’ve also heard about some technical issues with accessing the course material and signing up.
Regardless, it still gets the job done. Students can use it when away from their computers as a way to prep for their NCLEX exam.
Pass Guarantees
Nursing.com is the only prep provider of the two that offers a pass guarantee, so they are once again the winner in this category. It’s called the “Gold Standard 200% pass guarantee.” It comes with a double money-back promise for users who don’t pass the test.
They call it their “Famous (and Semi-Crazy)” guarantee. To qualify, you only need to follow three steps:
- Pass at least one SIMCLEX test
- Take your NCLEX exam
- Receive double the money back if you don’t pass
Nursing.com is the only NCLEX prep provider that offers this opportunity. In fact, we don’t think there’s anyone else in the entire prep industry that offers anything like this. If you choose them, you can rest easy knowing you didn’t waste any money no matter the results of the exam.
Obviously, you’d rather pass the NCLEX than get a double refund, but it’s a win-win of sorts – and a hearty incentive for Nursing.com to get their course right to avoid losing money.
Content Access Period
Nursing.com gives three days access to their content as a free trial period. If you like it, then after the 3 days you will set off into your subscription of $82 a month for six months. If you choose the latter option, you receive 18 months free once you’ve paid for your last month!
All-in-all this is a pretty great deal; you can use the service as much or as little as you want. Another huge bonus is no matter what package you buy, you receive all the same materials.
With UWorld, their content access ranges from 30 days to 730 days. You can also choose a package for 60 days, 90 days, 120 days, 180 days, and 360 days. Since most packages come with the same question bank and self-assessments, it just depends on how long you’ll need to use the service.
The only downside is that you have to upgrade to at least 60 days if you want the self-assessment. Even then, you only get one chance. If you want two self-assessments, you’ll need to purchase the 120-day package.
Standout Features
You’re clamoring to hear about these courses’ standout features and how they compare. We aim to please.
Free Trials – yes or no?
- Nursing.com: Yes! You get three days of free access to their entire content library.
- UWorld: No, a free trial is not included. In order to access any of their content, you need to purchase their 30-day package.
Student Support – yes or no?
- Nursing.com: Yes! Nursing.com has plenty of support options. They also offer an exclusive Facebook page where other nursing students share their successes and struggles.
- UWorld: Yes! UWorld has a FAQ page, but also offers a contact number with business hours. You can call for student support during their business hours.
Refunds – yes or no?
- Nursing.com: Yes! Nursing.com offers a “200% money-back guarantee” if you qualify. All you need to do is contact them within 60 days of your failed NCLEX.
- UWorld: No, UWorld does not offer refunds or a money-back guarantee.
Nursing.com vs UWorld – FAQ
Here we survey a few of the most common questions preppers have about Nursing.com and UWorld.
Is Nursing.com worth it for the NCLEX?
Yes, we think Nursing.com is worth it. Compared to other test prep providers, they are extremely generous in their prices and money-back guarantee. Their app might not be the best in the world, but they make up for it with other content. We also like that you can use Nursing.com month-to-month without penalty.
How similar is SIMCLEX to the NCLEX?
The SIMCLEX is about as similar to the NCLEX as you can get. The questions range from 75 to 145 depending on how you score. Most simulators offer 75 questions max. It also gives you a time limit, which helps you prepare for the swiftness of the NCLEX.
Can I pass the NCLEX with just UWorld?
Yes, you can pass the NCLEX if you just use UWorld. Their platform is similar to the way the NCLEX looks, which helps you gain familiarity. Also, their questions are detailed and they give good feedback.
The Bottom Line: UWorld vs Nursing.com
Our overall verdict is that Nursing.com provides the best bang for your buck. They also provide more materials and lesson plans than UWorld. If we were going by value in this Nursing.com vs Uworld review, then Nursing.com would come out on top.
On the other hand, UWorld provides more intricate questions and feedback. Their question bank might be smaller, but it’s a powerful prep package nonetheless.
All-in-all, we choose Nursing.com as the overall winner. Their money-back guarantee, free trial, and self-professed 99.86% pass rate are too enticing to ignore.
If you’re a nursing student, consider using Nursing.com to study for the NCLEX if you:
- are a visual learner
- aren’t sure how long you’ll need to study (or want to go month-to-month)
- want guaranteed money back if you don’t pass
- like the idea of a real-world NCLEX simulator (SIMCLEX)
NURSING.com
A comprehensive and budget-friendly NCLEX-RN course that's great for visual learners.
- Well-developed mobile application
- High-quality, exclusive NCLEX simulator (SIMCLEX) that uses test-like algorithm
- Lots of practice questions (6,000+)
- Gold standard 200% pass guarantee (double-money back guarantee)
- No live instruction option
- User interface can feel clunky and harder to navigate
You might want to pick UWorld if you:
- prefer honing your prep strategy over content review
- want a progress tracker
- use your phone a lot to study (the app is top-notch)
UWorld NCLEX RN Test Prep | 3,500+ Practice Questions
A robust Qbank that is best for supplementing your existing NCLEX-RN comprehensive prep course.
- Extensive, well-researched bank of classic and NGN questions
- Hundreds of brief lecture videos on the most important topics on the exam
- Adaptive (CAT) Practice tests mimic the format of the exam
- Multiple Self-Assessments can be purchased separately
- Tracks your improvement in a detailed manner
- Accessible with mobile app; convenient when away from home
- No live or online review course included with the subscription
- Doesn’t offer a comprehensive curriculum review
- No “pass guarantee”
