Barbri is a long-running leader in bar exam prep and legal education. It offers online courses, lectures, and study tools for the bar exam and other legal exams. This article gives an overview of Barbri’s reviews, pricing, services, and alternatives, to help students and parents compare tutoring platforms and make informed choices.
Barbri Reviews and Testimonials
Trustpilot (barbri.com): 307 reviews, ~4.3/5 average. Reviewers praise Barbri’s structured courses and experienced instructors. Many say they “would not have passed if not for Barbri” and note the engaging lectures and thorough study plans. One reviewer called it “excellent and organized” with “profs who teach and entertain” and lauded its mnemonic aids. A 3-star review mentioned Barbri’s heavy workload and suggested integrating more memory aids. Common positive themes are confidence in passing on the first try, strong practice question banks, and helpful essay grading. The main downside some users mention is the intense study schedule and high cost.
Glassdoor (employees): 109 reviews, 3.8/5 average. Employees (including tutors and staff) often cite a good work-life balance, friendly colleagues, and flexible hours as pros. Management is generally described as supportive. The most frequent complaint is low pay; one review noted Barbri charges students $300/hr for tutoring but pays tutors only $25/hr. Staff also mention limited growth or advancement at the company. These insights mainly reflect the employee perspective, not the student experience.
Indeed (employees): 14 reviews, 3.9/5 average. Some praise the leadership and learning environment. However, other reviews echo Glassdoor, noting that while the work is interesting (especially for law students), pay is low and workloads can be high. Overall, recruiter sites suggest Barbri is a legitimate employer, but pay rates for tutoring are modest.
Barbri’s own site (Testimonials): Barbri’s website features dozens of success stories. Alumni consistently thank Barbri for helping them pass the bar, often on their first attempt. For example, one law graduate said “I would not have passed if not for Barbri” and praised the progress tracking tools and clear lectures. Another said Barbri’s app and detailed practice questions “saved me,” enabling study on the go. Students highlight Barbri’s organization and top professors: “Barbri is the best bar prep course with the best professors,” wrote one user. These testimonials are uniformly positive, though they are carefully curated by Barbri. They emphasize confidence and success on the bar exam thanks to Barbri’s materials and support.
Is Barbri legit? Yes. Barbri has a proven track record (since 1967) and is widely used by bar takers worldwide. Reviews on Trustpilot and from alumni are overwhelmingly positive about passing the exam. There is no indication from reviews that Barbri is a scam. People report real benefits from the courses.
Barbri Pricing
Pricing Range: Barbri’s courses are premium-priced. For U.S. bar prep, their Essentials package (8–10 weeks) is about $1,699 USD, Premium (4 months) $2,399, Elite (4 months + AdaptiBar) $4,199, and Extended (6–10 months) $5,999. In other currencies, for example Barbri’s UK SQE course is £3,448 for SQE1 (40 weeks) and ~£5,499 for an SQE1+SQE2 bundle. Barbri also charges $350/hour for private 1:1 tutoring sessions on top of course fees. Pricing varies by program length and add-ons (like live workshops or flashcards). In short, expect top-tier exam prep pricing ($1,700–$6,000+ depending on program).
If a student only needs a brief review or is self-motivated, Barbri can seem very expensive. BearTheBar notes Barbri “is one of the more expensive options”. By industry standards, Barbri’s full courses cost more than many competitors (e.g. some Kaplan/Themis plans are lower). However, Barbri includes features like unlimited essay grading, the AdaptiBar question bank, and a pass guarantee in premium plans.
What students say about Barbri Pricing: Opinions on pricing are mixed. Some students feel the cost is high. In discussions, people often say Barbri is a premium-priced program and may be overkill for strong self-studiers. A few mention they waited for scholarships or employer sponsorship. Others justify Barbri’s cost by citing its high pass rates and structured support. In general, Barbri is costlier than many general tutoring platforms, but comparable to other elite bar prep courses. There are no broad complaints of hidden upcharges, but students note Barbri does not offer cheap, hourly tutoring like marketplace sites. Overall, many believe the price is high but aligned with the value of a comprehensive bar program.
Hidden costs: There are a few extra fees to know. Barbri requires a nonrefundable enrollment fee (around $295) when you sign up. They also charge a $250 materials deposit for printed books (refundable only if you return all materials within 30 days after results). Shipping and handling of physical materials incurs additional charges. If you miss payment deadlines, late fees can apply (e.g. a $75 fee after the final balance due date). There are no recurring monthly subscriptions – just the one-time course fee. Barbri publishes these in their Terms; students simply need to be aware of the deposit and cutoffs. Most costs are transparent in advance, but to avoid surprises one should plan for the initial fees (enrollment fee, book deposit) and any refund forfeiture if materials are kept.
How Barbri’s pricing works: Barbri accepts credit cards or payment plans. In the U.S., they offer Affirm financing (as low as ~$542/month) for qualifying students. In the UK, they have installment plans. Many law firms pay Barbri directly for their hires — Barbri lists “600+ firms” set up for corporate billing. Students can also use scholarships: Barbri advertises public-interest scholarships (for low-income or public-sector candidates) and occasional discounts for early registration. There are no special subgroup discounts publicly listed (e.g. for military or international students). Overall, you pay once per course (or via plan); there are no ongoing subscriptions. Employer billing, installment plans, and scholarships can ease the upfront cost. <h3>Free Trial</h3> Barbri offers a free trial preview called the “Bar Prep Preview”. This lets prospective students experience Barbri’s online platform, sample lectures, and the personalized study plan before enrolling. It requires sign-up on their site and has no cost. There is no fully free tutoring session, but this demo program helps students judge if Barbri’s style suits them. (All trial features are described on Barbri’s site
Refund policy: Barbri’s refund policy is strict. According to their published terms, you can cancel and get a refund if you do so within 5 business days of enrollment. If cancelled between days 6–14 after purchase (before materials ship), Barbri may refund tuition minus a $295 fee. After 14 days, refunds are generally not allowed. Separately, Barbri offers a Pass Guarantee: if you fail the bar, you may retake the course once at no extra tuition (and get some exam fee reimbursement). In user forums, students note that Barbri enforces these windows; refunds after you have started or finished the course are unlikely. Overall, Barbri’s policy favors limited refunds (mostly only if you withdraw very early). Most reviewers do not report abusive refund issues, but they warn that Barbri won’t refund after the deadline.
Barbri Alternatives
Students may compare Barbri to other tutoring or prep services, especially if they need different subjects or pricing. Often the search includes general tutoring platforms or other test-prep companies. Below are some popular alternatives and how they differ from Barbri.
Wyzant is a large tutor marketplace with thousands of tutors in many subjects. Its pros: very wide subject coverage (from math to music), tutors set their own hourly rates (often $10–$80/hour, though top tutors charge more), and new users get a first lesson free. Sessions are one-on-one via Wyzant’s platform or Zoom. The cons: tutor quality varies, and there’s no set curriculum. Also, Wyzant has many customer complaints (Trustpilot 1.5/5) about hidden fees and customer service. Compared to Barbri, Wyzant is cheaper per hour and more flexible on topics, but lacks the exam-specific structure. Barbri provides a full structured course with guaranteed content (for bar prep), whereas Wyzant tutors just charge by the hour on any topic.
Varsity Tutors offers live tutoring and small-group classes across academic subjects. It has a higher Trustpilot rating (4.3/5 with over 11k reviews). Students praise its vetted tutors and personalized matching. Varsity’s tutors are pre-screened, and it offers useful tools (like whiteboards). The downside: sessions are more expensive (often $40–$80/hour) and scheduling can be strict. Varsity has also had some complaints about refunds or subscription issues. Versus Barbri: Varsity covers K-12 and college subjects widely, not just law. It is better for general homework help, but Barbri is law-specialized with bar prep content. Varsity might lack the intensive legal focus Barbri has, but it excels in flexibility and tutor choice for other fields.
Chegg offers 24/7 Q&A help and one-on-one tutoring in math, science, business, and more. Its model is mostly subscription-based, giving access to textbook solutions and quick help. The good: very broad subject coverage and instant help. The bad: many user complaints (Trustpilot ~2.2/5) about poor customer service, billing problems, and sometimes low-quality answers. Chegg’s tutors cost maybe $30–$50/hour. Compared to Barbri: Chegg is great for on-demand homework help in STEM, but it’s not tailored to professional exams. Barbri’s advantage is a guided curriculum and experienced instructors. Chegg has more frequent technical and billing issues, whereas Barbri’s payments are one-time per course.
Course Hero is mainly a study document repository and homework help site. Students can ask tutors questions or use unlocked documents. It’s not live 1:1 tutoring. Many find Course Hero useful for study guides and Q&A, but it requires a monthly subscription (around $10–$40). Course Hero’s Trustpilot is low (1.6/5) with complaints about difficult cancellations, hidden fees, and customer support. Compared to Barbri: Course Hero is much cheaper and covers university coursework, but less structured and not guaranteed to help pass a specific exam. Barbri offers professional instruction for a specific credential (the bar), while Course Hero is more DIY with crowd-sourced content. Barbri has a formal curriculum; Course Hero is more ad-hoc document access.
My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is an online tutoring service focused on STEM and engineering subjects. It offers vetted tutors (often engineers or PhDs) for 1:1 help in math, physics, engineering, and related topics. MEB’s strengths are personalized attention and affordable rates (for example, many tutors charge $20–$50/hour, often lower than elite law tutors). Unlike Barbri, MEB covers college-level STEM and homework help broadly. Students report that MEB is user-friendly and helpful for tough subjects. In contrast to Barbri’s exam prep orientation, MEB helps with ongoing coursework and projects. Thus MEB can be a strong alternative if the student needs help in engineering or science rather than law. (Note: MEB is our own platform, so we highlight that it specializes in complex technical subjects with handpicked tutors.)
How it Works?
For Students
Students sign up on Barbri’s website and choose a course (e.g. Bar Review or SQE prep). They create an account and enroll online, paying the deposit or full fee. Once enrolled, students receive login access to Barbri’s learning platform and schedule. Barbri then provides a Personal Study Plan (PSP) and timeline tailored to the student. Each day, students log in to watch recorded lectures, do practice questions, and review materials according to the PSP. There is no open marketplace for choosing tutors; instead, all learning content is delivered by Barbri’s instructors and materials. For additional help, students can purchase Barbri’s private tutoring; if they do, Barbri assigns a tutor best suited to their needs.
For Tutors
Barbri does not operate like a typical tutor marketplace. To become a Barbri tutor, one generally must be hired by Barbri as an instructor or grader. Barbri looks for highly qualified legal professionals (often top law school graduates or attorneys with excellent bar exam scores). Prospective tutors should check Barbri’s career site for openings; opportunities are usually via formal application (e.g. on Barbri’s Teamtailor careers page). In practice, Barbri’s tutoring jobs are full-time or part-time roles, not freelance postings you join on your own schedule.
If you are an aspiring tutor in the U.S. bar program, another route is Barbri’s Private Tutoring program: students who buy tutoring sessions are matched with tutors by Barbri. In this case, Barbri “select[s] the best tutor for your needs” from its poolwww2.barbri.com. As a tutor in this program, you would work through Barbri (as an employee or contractor). The pay structure and number of students come from Barbri’s assignments, not from an open market. For current openings or inquiries, interested tutors can visit Barbri’s careers page or contact the company.
To get started as a Barbri instructor, applicants should check the BARBRI Careers page (e.g. via Barbri’s career portal) for listings of legal education roles.
Barbri: Company Information
Barbri was founded in 1967 in the USA and has operated for over 50 years. It was launched by Chicago attorneys seeking a systematic way to teach law graduates for the bar. The company is now headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with offices across the U.S. and in the UKbarbri.com. Barbri’s founder details are not always publicized, but it started from a joint effort of law professors and attorneys.
Its mission is to “empower every step of the legal learning journey” by providing a continuum of prep and education offerings. Barbri speaks of “opening doors to legal education for the next generation”, aiming to use technology and data to help students pass bar exams. This includes sophisticated analytics and adaptive learning (e.g. their AI-powered study coach “ISAAC”).
Barbri operates globally (primarily in the US and UK). It is most popular in the United States (it has over 1.4 million alumni worldwidebarbri.com) and has grown in the UK since launching SQE prep in 2021. Barbri’s scale includes hundreds of staff; one source notes Barbri has “400+” co-workers globally. Barbri does not publicly list a tutor count, but its US Bar prep covers all 50 states, implying thousands of contracted instructors and support staff. It serves clients in North America and Europe.
Subjects offered: Major areas include every bar exam subject (Constitutional Law, Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law, Civil Procedure, etc.) and MBE (multistate) subjects. For SQE, they cover UK law topics. They also cover LSAT, legal writing, and general law school courses via West Academic casebooks. Essentially, Barbri’s subjects span first-year law topics through bar exam specifics, as well as some pre-law (LSAT) content.
Unique features: Barbri advertises personalized learning tools. For example, it has an Adaptive Study Plan (powered by their AI coach “ISAAC”) that customizes daily assignments for each student. It includes a large question bank (MBE simulator) and a mobile app for on-the-go study. They offer unlimited essay grading and a “Barbri Guarantee” (one free retake if you fail). Barbri also emphasizes its star lecturers (often law school deans or renowned professors). In practice, reviews suggest their technology and question drills help with exam practice, but some claim features like the pass guarantee have strict terms.
Customer Support and Policies: Barbri provides support via phone, email, and live chat (through its website and student portal). In practice, response times are generally reasonable for pre-enrollment questions. During courses, students can ask their mentor or instructors with technical issues. However, in online reviews, users occasionally mention slow support replies or website glitches (more often on unrelated platforms, since direct support reviews for Barbri are scarce). Barbri’s refund/guarantee policy offers a free retake if you don’t pass (the BARBRI Guarantee), but only limited refunds for cancellations as noted above.
MEB’s support comparison: My Engineering Buddy offers 24/7 support chat and is praised for quick tutor matching. MEB’s refund policy is more flexible (e.g., they often let new users change tutors or cancel with little penalty, per MEB’s own terms). If customers want responsive, ongoing help and easy cancellation, MEB has an edge; Barbri’s structure leaves less room for custom support beyond its fixed curriculum.
Global Reach and Localization: Barbri’s platform is globally accessible (website and app) but content is only in English. It primarily targets U.S. (Bar exam) and UK (SQE) students. They do not offer tutoring in other languages. Students worldwide can enroll, but know that all instruction and support are English-based. Barbri pricing is mostly in USD or GBP, so users pay in their region’s currency (USD for US courses, £ for UK).
My Engineering Buddy also serves an international audience with English tutoring, and allows tutor languages (some tutors are multilingual). MEB’s platform supports students from any country and may cater to different currencies. If a student is outside English-speaking countries, both Barbri and MEB operate in English, but MEB tutors may speak other languages if needed. Overall, both platforms are global in reach, but neither offers localized (non-English) versions of their content at this time.
Barbri’s Future Plans: Barbri is actively investing in technology and expansion. Notably, Barbri has integrated **AI and data analytics** deeply into its programs. Its blog describes an AI-powered study assistant (ISAAC) that personalizes each student’s study journey using performance data. Barbri says it will increase use of such AI-driven tools to refine learning paths.
Looking ahead, Barbri is likely to continue enhancing its online platform (possibly more AI features, mobile enhancements) and growing its legal course catalog (such as new country exam prep). The company’s focus on “data-driven personalized learning”barbri.com and its recent investments indicate it sees tech as key to future growth.
FAQs About Barbri
How does Barbri compare to My Engineering Buddy? Barbri focuses on law exam preparation, while My Engineering Buddy specializes in STEM and homework help. Barbri offers structured courses for the bar exam with renowned law instructors; MEB offers 1:1 tutoring in subjects like math, engineering, and science. Barbri is generally more expensive and exam-specific; MEB covers a broader range of academic topics and often at lower hourly rates. Students should choose Barbri for legal exams and MEB for help in advanced STEM subjects.
Is Barbri better than Kaplan for bar prep? Barbri and Kaplan are both big bar prep brands. Barbri’s coverage is comprehensive and often gets slightly higher pass rates in some reviews. Kaplan sometimes has cheaper bundles. Reviews say Barbri’s instructors and question bank are strong, but Kaplan’s learning platform and flexibility may suit some. (Answer based on industry consensus; sources show Barbri is top-rated in many head-to-head comparisons.)
Does Barbri offer a money-back guarantee? Barbri’s “Pass Guarantee” lets a student retake the course once at no tuition if they fail (and covers some exam fees). This is different from a full refund guarantee. In terms of money-back: only initial cancellations are refundable per their policy (5-day or 14-day windows). There is no unconditional refund if you simply are unhappy – after the deadline, no refunds are given.
How long is the Barbri Bar Review course? Barbri’s standard Bar Review runs 8–10 weeks. It expects students to study about 40 hours per week for those weeks. The schedule is very structured, with daily assignments and several full-simulated MBE exams. Students can study flexibly (day or night), but overall prep time is intensive.
Can I pause Barbri and resume later? Barbri’s programs have fixed timelines leading up to the exam. While you can study at your own pace each day, there is no built-in “pause” feature. If you miss days, Barbri’s study plan (ISAAC) will try to adjust your future work. However, if you need to fully pause or retake a course, you’d typically have to withdraw and enroll in a future session (possibly invoking the guarantee if failing).
Does Barbri support multiple languages? All Barbri courses and support are in English. Barbri does not offer native content in other languages (their SQE program is for English law, LSAT for North America, etc.). Non-English speakers would need to use Barbri’s English platform (or seek multilingual tutors on other sites).
How do Barbri tutors get paid? Barbri tutors (instructors or graders) are paid by Barbri, not by the student directly. Reports say Barbri pays a fixed rate for tutoring jobs; reviewers noted it was about $25/hr even while charging $300/hr to students. In any case, tutors cannot set their own price – Barbri defines the pay.
Tips for getting students on Barbri: Since Barbri assigns tutors to enrolled students, a Barbri tutor doesn’t “attract” students in the normal marketplace sense. To be selected, tutors should apply through Barbri’s official channels and maintain good performance reviews. Responding promptly and demonstrating expertise (through Barbri’s vetting process) helps; ultimately, Barbri matches its most successful tutors to students seeking extra help.
Conclusion
Barbri’s strengths are its specialized bar exam content, veteran instructors, and proven track record in helping students pass. Its weaknesses include high cost, intense workload, and rigid structure. It does not cover academic subjects outside the legal field. My Engineering Buddy is a strong alternative for students who need help in engineering, math, or other STEM areas. MEB offers flexible 1:1 support in many subjects, often at lower rates, making it a compelling choice if Barbri’s focus on law and price are not a match. Students seeking help with complex homework or college coursework should consider MEB, while Barbri remains a top choice for dedicated bar exam preparation.
