Though you don’t need a degree to become a real estate agent, you do need to complete some coursework and take exams to prove you know your stuff. Most states require between 40 and 300 hours of classes to be eligible to sit for the state and national real estate exams.
But how do you get those hours and prep for your tests?
Colibri and Kaplan provide top-of-the-line online real estate schools for aspiring realtors and brokers. But which is worth your hard-earned money?
In this quick and easy guide, I’ll outline the main details you need to know so you can purchase a course with complete confidence that it’s the perfect fit for you.
Which School Should I Choose? Colibri vs Kaplan
- Choose Colibri if you want an affordable course with a 100% money-back guarantee, providing a low-risk investment for your real estate education.
- Choose Colibri if you need accessible and interactive support, like live Q&A sessions, Exam Crammer webinars, and text-based assistance.
- Choose Colibri if you’re looking for career-focused tools, such as buyer/seller checklists, action plans, and job aids to kickstart your real estate career.
- Choose Kaplan if you live in a state Colibri doesn’t cover, as Kaplan serves 46 states compared to Colibri’s 41.
- Choose Kaplan if you prefer a practice-heavy learning style with resources like workbooks, flashcards, and live coaching to reinforce key concepts in your exam preparation.
Colibri Real Estate
Colibri was one of the first companies in the world to offer online education in the real estate space back in 1998. Though they’ve gone through several evolutions and rebrands, they’ve remained a lasting testament to the power of a quality product and outstanding customer service.
Colibri Real Estate has helped over 520,000 real estate agents earn their licenses, ace their exam prep, and meet continuing education requirements over the past 27 years. Plus, with an expert faculty of 132 local instructors, a 4.4-star rating on Google Reviews, award-winning technology, live classes, career-building resources, and a 100% money-back guarantee if you fail your exam, there is sincerely no safer investment than Colibri’s real estate courses.
“My experience at Colibri has been fantastic! Lisa is an exceptional instructor—knowledgeable and skilled at making class enjoyable. Additionally, Colibri helps set clear expectations about joining class which is a great aspect of the program as it holds you accountable to finish courses from A-Z.”
Marlon Estrada
Kaplan Real Estate School
Kaplan is a well-known option for real estate education, but when people outside the realtor sphere hear the word “Kaplan,” chances are, they’re thinking of test prep in general. Pick an exam, and there’s a high likelihood Kaplan has a prep course for it. From the ACT and SAT to the Bar Exam and USMLE, Kaplan is an overarching umbrella for every course a career-driven student could ask for.
Kaplan Real Estate School boasts an impressive 4.5-star average rating on Trustpilot. They also report that 9 out of 10 students recommend Kaplan, and 92% had a positive experience with their instructor(s). Plus, Kaplan is one of the only resources for your real estate career that covers nearly all 50 states. So, whether you live in New York City, Los Angeles, or Chicken, Alaska (yes, that is an actual city!), Kaplan’s got you covered. Literally.
“I had a fantastic experience with the Kaplan Real Estate Education program! The course materials were clear, comprehensive, and easy to understand. The instructors were knowledgeable and offered helpful insights that made remembering some course topics easily. Their live online hub is a great asset. I highly recommend their program to anyone looking to start a career in real estate.”
Naveen K.
Colibri vs Kaplan Real Estate Course Comparison
| Course |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $200-$1,000 | $180-$1,300 |
| Discounts | Save 50% | No Discounts |
| Financing |  | |
| Access | Six Months | Six Months |
| Guarantees | Money-Back Guarantee | Extended Access |
| States Covered | 38 (Plus Three Partners) | 46 |
| Live Classes | | |
| Support | Call, Email, Text, Chat | Call, Email, Chat |
| Get Started | Start Now | Start Now |
State Availability
Colibri Real Estate: Covers 38 states and an additional three via partnerships
Kaplan Real Estate: Covers 46 states; doesn’t cover Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, or West Virginia
🏆 Winner: Kaplan Real Estate
Compared to companies like AceableAgent, which currently only serves 13 states, both Colibri and Kaplan have a huge advantage in terms of state coverage—but there’s a clear winner between the two of them.
Colibri Real Estate personally serves 38 states and partners with other companies to cover three additional states, for a total of 41.
States that are not served through Colibri or partnerships include:
| Connecticut | Delaware | New Hampshire |
| New Mexico | North Dakota | Oregon |
| Rhode Island | South Dakota | West Virginia |
Meanwhile, Kaplan Real Estate covers a whopping 46 states.
The handful of states Kaplan doesn’t cover include:
| Delaware | Indiana |
| Louisiana | West Virginia |
Pricing, Guarantees, and Access
Colibri Real Estate: Slightly lower prices for most courses, pass guarantee with 100% refund if you fail, six-month access period
Kaplan Real Estate: Slightly higher prices for most courses, extended access if you fail your exam, six-month access period
🏆 Winner: Colibri Real Estate
In terms of pricing, the Kaplan Real Estate School courses cost a bit higher, though it isn’t usually by a substantial, make-or-break amount. However, that slim amount can be a determining figure when you’re a student on a lean budget. Colibri’s courses range between $200 and $1,000, whereas Kaplan’s range between $180 and $1,300.
As for guarantees, Colibri’s is much better. If you fail your exam, Kaplan gives you extended access to your course (which is nice but also feels like a “gee, thanks” moment). Meanwhile, Kaplan’s 100% money-back guarantee is much more impressive and makes for a safer investment. Yes, safety is necessary to consider, but so is stress. Imagine how much less stress you’ll feel knowing that if exam day doesn’t go your way, at least you’ll get your investment back.
Finally, both courses offer the same access length of six months from the date of purchase.
Learning Environment and Video Lessons
Colibri Real Estate: More accessible for students with disabilities, stellar Career Booster Pack, dedicated instructor Q&A sessions
Kaplan Real Estate: Increased focus on practice, print materials, 8-week career program with live coaching
🏆 Winner: Colibri Real Estate
For many students, the video lessons and course structure are a massive piece of the pie when determining the best fit for their needs. After all, you can’t learn if a course doesn’t cater to your learning style.
Luckily, Colibri’s online courses come with live webinars, instructor Q&A, and even audio narration with adjustable speeds, making for an interactive and accessible experience. Colibri also features simulated exams, flashcards, and audio review guides. One of my favorite pieces of content from Colibri is their Career Booster Pack, which includes how-to videos for learning practical realtor skills, job aids for new agents, buyer and seller checklists, and customizable action plan templates.
Alternatively, Kaplan sports a suite of live online classes, including niche-specific options outside of your state curriculum, such as math and national laws, the latter of which has Spanish language options. You’ll also appreciate their on-demand video library, print/digital textbooks and workbooks, practice questions, 700+ flashcards, and a proctored final exam. Like Colibri, Kaplan offers career resources through their Real Estate Accelerator Online Video Course, which includes live weekly coaching to teach you the art of the sale.
Support
Colibri Real Estate: Live classes, live Q&A sessions, Exam Crammer webinars, and text support on top of the baseline call/email/chat
Kaplan Real Estate: Live classes, career coaching/career mentor, call/email/chat
🏆 Winner: Colibri Real Estate
Finally, not every student is a self-study savant. Many learners need personalized, 1-on-1 advice and tutoring to succeed. If that sounds like you, read on to discover what you can expect with Colibri vs. Kaplan.
Colibri provides outstanding support resources for its students, including state-approved instructor support, the live Exam Crammer webinar series, and live Q&A sessions. At every step of the way, you can trust an expert to help you thrive through the process and ace your exams.
Plus, you can call, email, or use the chat feature to support… but it gets better. Breathe a sigh of relief, introverts, because you can text the support team.
In the meantime, Kaplan lacks live Q&A sessions and text support. However, they still offer opportunities for instructor interaction through their live classes. Their live career coaching and career mentor connection are huge pluses.
Spend Less to Study: Discount Codes
Before I reveal the winner…
Let’s get real. Spending hundreds—and perhaps even thousands—of dollars on a course isn’t fun. Let’s ease that burden with some knockout coupons and promo codes so you can spend less time worrying about your wallet and more time prepping for your dream career.
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Final Verdict
Ultimately, though Kaplan is a solid option for most students, it’s tough to get better than Colibri. They’re a real-estate-only company, ensuring every single team member is a true expert. Their nearly three-decade-long legacy is a testament to their excellence. And, with a 4.4-star average rating on Google and their Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, it’s obvious they prioritize the success of their students above all else.
Regardless of which course you choose, I’m proud of you for investing in yourself and believing in your abilities. Honestly, that’s half the battle, and you’re crushing it. I know you’ll do great things in the real estate industry, and I wish you a long, lucrative career. Best of luck!
FAQs
The best real estate course depends on your learning style and state requirements. Colibri Real Estate and AceableAgent are often recommended for their comprehensive online offerings.
Kaplan costs roughly between $180 and $1,300, while Colibri ranges from about $200 to $1,000, depending on the state and package. Generally, Colibri is a bit more affordable.
Yes, Colibri Real Estate is accredited in California, operating as Real Estate Express with DRE Approval S0410.
Yes, Colibri Real Estate offers video lectures as part of their course materials to enhance learning. This includes streamed live classes and audio narration as well.
Yes, Kaplan offers the Real Estate Terms Flashcards and Reference app, which includes over 700 terms and flashcards for study.
