Note from the Editor: Quimbee is no longer operating a standalone bar review course. The platform has been integrated into BARBRI’s ecosystem and now focuses on supplemental tools—most notably Quimbee SideBar Videos, which are still available to purchase. The videos are designed to complement a full bar review program rather than replace it. These short, targeted videos can be used alongside BARBRI or other bar prep courses to reinforce key concepts and clarify difficult topics. I highly recommend them for a quick, visual approach to boosting exam readiness.
Alright, so you’ve made it through law school (congrats, that’s huge!), and now the beast approaches: the bar exam. And like any big challenge, the right preparation can make all the difference.
If you’re wondering which bar review course is going to be your trusty sidekick in this epic battle, two of the biggest names you’ll hear are Quimbee and Barbri.
With the overall first-time pass rate for the bar exam hovering around 83% in early 2024, picking the best course that fits your learning style and budget is crucial. I’ve dug deep into both the Quimbee bar review and the classic Barbri experience to help you figure out which one might be your ticket to J.D. status.
Quimbee vs Barbri? Key Factors to Consider
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s think about what makes you tick.
- If you’re a visual learner who loves engaging, bite-sized content and a modern, sleek platform, then Quimbee might just be your perfect match.
- If you thrive on tons of practice questions and want the most in-depth review with a long track record of success, then Barbri could be calling your name.
- If a money-back guarantee and lifetime access to materials until you pass sound like a dream, Quimbee’s policies will definitely catch your eye.
- If you’re looking for an AI-powered personalized study plan that adapts to your strengths and weaknesses, Barbri’s ISAAC technology is a major draw.
- If you’re on a tighter budget but still want quality, licensed practice questions, Quimbee offers a compelling package without breaking the bank.
Overview: Quimbee vs Barbri
Both Quimbee and Barbri are serious contenders in the legal education space, but they come at bar prep from different angles. I’ve spent time looking at what makes each unique, and here’s the lowdown:
Quimbee Bar Review: The Modern, Value-Packed Innovator
Quimbee started out by making law school life easier with its case briefs and study aids. They’ve applied that innovative, student-focused approach to their bar review course. Think of them as the newer, tech-savvy player that’s all about efficiency and engaging learning.
They’re known for their video lessons, which are actually animated cartoons designed to make complex law concepts easier to grasp and remember. It’s a fresh take compared to traditional lectures.
Here’s a quick look at some of Quimbee’s standout features:
- 300+ concise animated video lessons.
- 250+ minutes of focused video instruction.
- 500 questions to test your knowledge.
- 7,900 digital flashcards to help reinforce key concepts.
One Reddit user mentioned,
“Quimbee was cheaper, they respected my time, and the bar itself was entirely manageable. I actually completed 100% of the course.”
Pros
- More Affordable: Significantly lower price point than Barbri.
- Engaging Video Lessons: Unique animated videos make learning more fun and memorable for visual learners.
- High-Quality Practice Questions: Uses real MBE questions licensed from the NCBE.
- Excellent Mobile App: Highly-rated app for studying on the go.
- Generous Guarantees: Offers a 100% money-back guarantee, if you complete 75% of the course and don’t pass for UBE, CA, FL, and unlimited course retakes until you pass.
- User-Friendly Platform: Clean, modern, and easy-to-navigate online interface.
Cons
- Reading Intensive: Despite videos, the outlines can be quite extensive, requiring significant reading.
- Newer Player: Less time in the bar prep game compared to Barbri
- Less Direct Instructor Interaction: Focus is more on self-study, though attorney essay grading is robust.
Quimbee Bar Review
Barbri Bar Review: The Comprehensive Gold Standard
Barbri is the titan of bar review. They’ve been doing this for over 50 years and have helped millions of law students become legal professionals. Think of them as the established, comprehensive, “leave-no-stone-unturned” option.
Their big selling point is their sheer depth of materials and their adaptive learning technology called ISAAC (Intuitive Study Assistant and Coach). This smart system creates a Personalized Study Plan (PSP) that dynamically adjusts to how you’re doing, ensuring you focus your efforts on areas where you need the most improvement. It’s all about a tailored path to help you conquer the bar exam.
Here are the Barbri key features:
- Over 50 years in bar preparation.
- 5,000 practice questions.
- 100+ hours of video lectures
As one person on Reddit put it,
“I loved Barbri and if given the chance/need, I’d use it again… I honestly had the mentality that I was cheap all through undergrad, all through law school, but the bar exam was not where I would cheapen out.”
Pros
- Extremely Comprehensive: Covers every conceivable angle of the bar exam.
- Personalized Study Plan: ISAAC AI adapts the course to your individual needs.
- Experienced Lecturers: Lectures delivered by well-respected law professors.
- Structured Approach: The PSP provides a clear roadmap for your studies.
Cons
- Significantly More Expensive: One of the priciest options on the market.
- Traditional Video Lectures: Can be long and dense, which isn’t ideal for all learning styles.
- Less Generous Guarantee: The retake policy is more restrictive, and generally, no money-back pass guarantee.
Barbri Bar Review
Feature Comparison: Quimbee vs Barbri at a Glance
Sometimes, seeing things side-by-side makes it easier. Here’s a quick look at how these two bar prep course giants stack up on key features:
| Feature |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Price Range (Full Course) | ~$1,199 – $2,099 | ~$1,699 – $4,800+ (multiple tiers) |
| Primary Instruction | Online, Self-Paced | Online, Self-Paced with AI-driven Personal Study Plan |
| Video Style | 300+ Short, Animated Videos (5-7 min each) | 100+ Hours of Traditional Lectures (often 20-60+ min) |
| MBE Practice Questions | 2,500+ (Bar Review+), all NCBE-licensed | ~5,000 total (mix of NCBE-licensed & in-house |
| Pass Guarantee |  | |
| Key Study Materials | Animated Videos, Outlines, Licensed MBEs, Flashcards, Graded Essays | Lectures, Outlines, Extensive QBank, ISAAC PSP, Graded Essays |
| Mobile App Rating (Avg.) | iOS: ~4.5-4.8, Android: ~4.5-4.6 | iOS: ~4.5, Android: ~4.5 |
| Personalized Feedback | Unlimited Attorney-Graded Essays & PT | Graded Essays & PTs, ISAAC adaptive learning |
| Course Access Duration | Lifetime (until you pass via unlimited retakes) | Tied to exam; retake policy dictates further access |
| Diagnostic Exams | 4 full-length diagnostic exams | Simulated MBEs and assessments integrated into PSP |
| Customer Support | Chat, Email | Phone, Live Chat, Email; Mentors in higher tiers |
| Financing Available | | |
Why Choose Quimbee or Barbri?
Okay, that’s a lot of info! So, how do you start to lean one way or the other?
I’d say Quimbee is a fantastic choice if you’re a self-starter who values engaging content, a modern learning experience, and wants the best bang for your buck.
Honestly, I was never a fan of sitting through hours and hours of traditional lectures – it just wasn’t how I learned best. So, Quimbee’s animated style is perfect for me.
Plus, that money-back guarantee is pretty sweet for peace of mind.
On the other hand, Barbri might be your winner if you want the most established, all-encompassing course available, and you appreciate a highly structured, AI-guided study plan.
If you believe “more is better” when it comes to practice questions and lecture depth, and the higher price isn’t a dealbreaker (especially if your firm is footing the bill), then Barbri’s reputation and extensive resources are hard to ignore.
But let’s dive deeper into specific features so you can really see which one aligns with your needs.
Quimbee vs Barbri Showdown: Feature-by-Feature
Course Content
Quimbee
Quimbee structures its course around those bite-sized animated video lessons, detailed outlines, thousands of practice questions, including valuable real MBE questions, digital flashcards, and diagnostic exams.
A big plus is their unlimited attorney-graded essays and one graded performance test, which provides crucial personalized feedback.
They offer a full-time schedule (around 10-11 weeks) and a part-time schedule (around 6 months) using the same materials. You can track missed questions and monitor your progress through performance reports, and highlight areas that need more focus.
Barbri
Barbri’s content is built around its ISAAC AI engine, which powers a Personalized Study Plan (PSP). This means the course adapts to you. It includes traditional video lectures from law professors, a very large question bank (about 5,000, with a mix of licensed and Barbri-written questions), extensive outlines, and simulated exams.
Barbri also offers graded essays and performance tests. Their “StudySmart” feature helps you prioritize high-yield topics. Supplemental resources like AdaptiBar (which includes more real questions) and Critical Pass flashcards are often bundled into higher-tier packages or available as add-ons.
A Reddit user comparing approaches said,
“I am of the firm opinion that [Quimbee] is better… Quimbee is just so much more efficient than what I saw in the other programs my friends were using. I had free time left over most days, I actually completed 100% of the course (unlike my peers, who were 80% on Barbri or Themis), and I didn’t feel exhausted doing it.”
Conversely, another user highlighted Barbri’s structure:
“I think what helped [with Barbri] was the organization of it… They all cover the same materials, it’s just how it’s presented.”
The Winner
Barbri for sheer volume and adaptive structure.
While Quimbee’s licensed questions and essay feedback are strong, Barbri’s massive question bank and the adaptive nature of its ISAAC PSP give it a slight edge in overall content structure and personalization for those who want an exhaustive, guided review.
Technology and Videos
Quimbee
Quimbee’s tech is a highlight. I found it to be intuitive, clean, and fast. Their mobile app (both iOS and Android) generally gets very high marks from users for letting you study effectively anywhere.
For me, the absolute standout feature was their collection of over 300 animated video lessons. I found these shorts, usually just 5-7 minutes long, incredibly engaging. They use cartoons to explain complex legal concepts.
If you’re a visual learner or find traditional lectures a bit dry, these could be a game-changer for your exam prep. They aim to make learning less of a chore and more memorable.
Barbri
Barbri’s platform is robust and centered around the ISAAC AI and your Personalized Study Plan to keep you on track. Their video lectures are more traditional: law professors delivering detailed content.
While these are comprehensive, I personally found some of them to be quite long and dense. It’s good to see, though, that Barbri has been updating its lecture format with shorter segments, often around 20-30 minutes, and interactive bits like quick quizzes right in the videos.
Their mobile app is functional and allows for offline viewing. However, there was occasional clunkiness.
The Winner
Quimbee for video engagement and mobile app experience
If engaging, modern video content and a top-notch mobile experience are high on your list, Quimbee takes the crown here. Barbri’s tech is powerful for planning, but Quimbee’s delivery is often more appealing.
Value and Guarantee
Quimbee
Quimbee is the clear leader in affordability. Their full bar review course includes a 100% money-back guarantee if you complete 75% of the coursework and fail the UBE, California, or Florida bar. They also offer unlimited free retakes until you pass, which gives incredible value and peace of mind.
Barbri
Barbri is positioned as a premium course, and its price reflects that. However, they offer financing and internal installment plans. Barbri doesn’t typically offer a straightforward money-back pass guarantee like Quimbee. Instead, they have the “Barbri Guarantee,” which allows for a course retake.
The terms of this retake vary: some tiers might require 87% or even 100% course completion for a free retake of the same course, while higher-end options might offer more flexibility or even some reimbursement for exam retake fees if you don’t pass. There’s also usually a refundable deposit for physical books.
The Winner
Quimbee for overall affordability and guarantee.
Because of its sheer value, strong money-back guarantee, and unlimited retakes, Quimbee is hard to beat, especially if the budget is a major focus. You get a lot of high-quality resources for a much lower investment.
Support and Access
Quimbee
Quimbee offers customer support primarily through online chat and email, with users generally reporting response times within 24 hours.
While they don’t typically offer extensive one-on-one tutoring, their unlimited attorney essay grading provides very valuable, personalized support on your writing.
Course access is a huge plus. With their unlimited retake policy, you effectively have lifetime access until you pass your bar exam.
Barbri
Barbri provides a wider range of support channels, including phone, live chat, and email, for both general queries and 24/7 technical support.
Depending on the course tier, you might also get access to small group coaching sessions or even a 1:1 mentor. This can be a significant advantage if you benefit from more direct human interaction. Course access is generally tied to your specific exam date, with the Barbri Guarantee governing access for retakes.
The Winner
Barbri for a broader range of direct support options.
While Quimbee’s lifetime access and essay grading are fantastic, Barbri’s availability of phone support, dedicated tech support, and the potential for coaching or mentorship give it an edge. It’s really helpful for students seeking more direct and varied support channels.
Final Verdict: Quimbee or Barbri?
So, after all that, which bar review course comes out on top in the Quimbee vs Barbri debate? Well, it depends!
I believe Quimbee is the better overall choice. It strikes an excellent balance between quality, modern teaching methods, affordability, and an unbeatable guarantee. If you’re self-motivated, appreciate engaging video lessons, and need a course that respects both your time and your wallet, Quimbee is a fantastic option.
However, Barbri remains a formidable and highly effective option, especially if you thrive on an extremely structured, AI-personalized study plan and want the most comprehensive dive into every possible topic.
Ultimately, both Quimbee and Barbri are quality bar prep providers that have helped countless students pass the bar exam. The best course for you is the one that fits your individual learning style and what makes you feel most confident. No matter which you choose, commit to your study plan, put in the work, and you’ll be well on your way to conquering that exam!
FAQs
Quimbee is significantly more affordable than Barbri, often costing less than half the price of Barbri’s standard packages.
Yes, both courses offer access to NCBE-licensed MBE questions. Quimbee emphasizes that all its MBE questions in certain packages are licensed, while Barbri offers a mix, with the number of licensed questions potentially varying by tier.
Quimbee uses short, engaging animated cartoon videos to explain concepts. Barbri uses more traditional, longer video lectures featuring law professors.
Quimbee offers a 100% money-back guarantee if you complete 75% of the course and fail the UBE, CA, FL Bar Review+, and also provides unlimited free course retakes until you pass. Barbri has a “Barbri Guarantee” that allows for course retakes, but the specific terms, like the course completion percentage required for a free retake, vary by the package purchased.
Yes, both Quimbee and Barbri have mobile apps for iOS and Android, allowing you to study on the go. User reviews suggest Quimbee’s app is generally more highly rated for user experience.
