Essential Education GED Academy review

Essential Education's GED Academy gives you the most complete self-paced GED course on this list for the lowest regular price. The GED & HiSET Academy plan costs $19.99 a month or $99.99 once for lifetime access, and it includes all subjects, more than 3,000 practice questions and quizzes, essays graded by experts, a personalized study plan and support from student advisors. The course runs in English and Spanish, and you can get a Proof of Enrollment letter, which some employers and programs ask for. For $23.99 a month or $129.99 lifetime, the Plus Job Skills plan adds courses on work, computer, money and college skills. Essential Education also offers a scholarship that brings its most popular plan to $15.99 a month. The weak spot is the lack of live teaching: if you learn best from an instructor in real time, GED Live or Peterson's Core Prep Plan with live tutoring will suit you better. For most adults studying on their own schedule, the lifetime plan is hard to beat.

Who it is for

adults who want a full GED course for under $20 a month

Price

GED & HiSET Academy $19.99 a month or $99.99 for lifetime access; Plus Job Skills $23.99 a month or $129.99 lifetime.

GED & HiSET Academy $19.99 /month or $99.99 lifetime
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 13, 2026.

Key features

• All four GED subjects included in the $19.99 a month plan
• 3,000+ practice questions and quizzes
• Essays graded by experts
• Personalized study plan and study time tracker
• Available in English and Spanish

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Lifetime access costs $99.99 once, so there is no monthly bill to forget
• Strength: 7-Day Money-Back Guarantee on both plans
• Strength: Plus Job Skills plan adds 3 job courses with 90 lessons for $23.99 a month
• Weakness: No live classes with a teacher on the standard plans
• Weakness: The course covers both GED and HiSET, so some material is shared rather than GED only
• Weakness: The GED test fee is not included

Key facts

• Monthly plan: $19.99 per month
• Lifetime plan: $99.99 one time
• Practice questions: 3,000+
• Languages: English and Spanish
• Refund: 7-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Where it ranks

Essential Education GED Academy is No. 1 in our Best GED Prep Courses verdict.