5 Best Online Real Estate Schools in California for 2026
Editorial Note: We sometimes earn a small commission from partners listed. This never affects editor opinions or evaluations. More
Need to get your real estate license in California? I’ve spent over 155 hours evaluating the 11 most popular courses approved by the California Department of Real Estate. I’ve checked out each and every course, and there are clear winners and losers – so be sure to read my guide thoroughly! And don’t forget to check out our guide for all the steps required to get your real estate license in California.
-
Informative and digestible content
-
Easy-to-use interface
-
Super high pass rates
-
Pass guarantee
-
Real-world examples from industry-leading experts
-
Exam simulator
-
Knowledgeable instructors
-
Affordable courses
-
Self-paced
-
Podcast style learning
-
Several packages to choose from
-
Lots of practice exams
-
Updated study material
-
Engaging instructors
-
1:1 tutoring available
Review Our Top Schools
-
Informative and digestible content
-
Easy-to-use interface
-
Super high pass rates
-
Pass guarantee
-
Overview
If you’re looking to avoid tedious content, this is the perfect course for you. With its impressive track record of high pass rates, it offers you the greatest chance of success. For new agents, I’d suggest taking a look at the Deluxe package. The extra perks like the 75 videos & audio lessons and PrepAgent Deluxe Exam Prep make it a good value.
When clicking through the course, the format is what first caught my attention. The natural pauses that are built in are really helpful for study breaks, and I loved how interactive the course was. I went in expecting monotonous summarizing and slides filled with text, but I was pleasantly surprised by the interactive games, infographics, and videos that really helped me absorb the material.
If the 135-hour course is not finished within 12 months, Aceable offers an option to extend access for an additional 6 months at a cost of $49.
-
Pros & Cons
- In-course audio feature
- Excellent test prep
- Mobile app for studying
- Have to pay to extend course access
- Some bugs on the mobile app
-
Support
Aceable makes it super easy to get in touch with an actual person. It’s also worth noting that their customer support team is based in the United States, ensuring a smooth communication experience without language barriers.
Aceable has superior learning materials for best retention based on your best learning practices as well as multiple effective tools for support, and money back guarantee if you don’t pass. Every package also includes exam prep of some kind.
-
Real-world examples from industry-leading experts
-
Exam simulator
-
Knowledgeable instructors
-
Overview
OnlineEd is a great choice if you’re looking to get your real estate license in a pinch. With the ability to navigate through the lessons at your own pace, you can complete the course in a matter of weeks. This flexibility is great if you have a busy schedule, as there are no time restrictions imposed. The exam simulator is also a great value, and allows you to get used to the questions that will appear on the test.
OnlineEd is your best bet if you’re looking to get your California real estate license as quickly as possible, as they have specific policies in place to speed up the 135 hour process.
-
Pros & Cons
- Free information packet available
- Live instructor support
- Good student reviews
- No refund policy
- Slow response times on the weekends
-
Support
OnlineEd’s new live chat feature enhances their support capabilities, allowing you to quickly get in touch with someone regarding course details, licensing requirements, and other pressing questions.
The instructor help is a great benefit that many online real estate schools aren’t able to offer. If you have a question, you can get live help from one of the instructors who designed the course itself. Your instructor can also review and comment on each quiz to help you understand the course concepts before going into to take the state exam.
-
Affordable courses
-
Self-paced
-
Podcast style learning
-
Overview
RealEstateU offers the most budget-friendly course option in California and allows for quick progression through the material at your own pace making it potentially the fastest route to acquiring a real estate license in just a few weeks. Convenience ratings reflect its popularity among over 225,000+ real estate professionals for its accessibility and compatibility across devices.
Despite a somewhat basic interface, the course provides a structured checklist and progress tracker to aid navigation. However, the predominantly text-based content may prove monotonous for some learners, lacking the interactive elements found in other courses, potentially hindering information retention. Best for those who are highly self-motivated learners.
-
Pros & Cons
- 30-day refund available
- Podcast style course
- Cheap price point
- Email only support
- Email only support
-
Support
Unfortunately, there is no live support available, but you can email the support team with customer service questions 24/7.
It is the lowest cost to complete the course and comes with a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
-
Several packages to choose from
-
Lots of practice exams
-
Overview
Colibri Real Estate stands out in California with its unmatched refund policy, offering a Pass or Don’t Pay Guarantee, a course swap option, and a demo of the student dashboard before payment. While pricing leans towards the higher end, Colibri offers 5 packages with frequent discounts available, to purchase according to your individual preferences.
Colibri provides consistently supportive course content across all packages, including study guides and coaching videos from Buffini & Company. These videos offer valuable real-world insights. While additional features such as test prep, live Q&A sessions, and simulated exams are available in premium packages, even the basic course provides sufficient resources for success, catering to diverse learning styles.
A standout feature is the “readiness assessment,” offering personalized feedback on exam readiness, guiding students in your preparation journey.
-
Pros & Cons
- "Career Starting" coaching videos
- Decent student reviews
- Live Q&A sessions
- Must pay for physical study materials if you want them
- Only 6 months of access before having to extend
-
Support
You can pay to extend your course access by selecting a 7, 30, or 60-day option (prices go up the longer you want to extend). You can also choose the “retake” option which will give you a $25 discount to start the course over.
They have a policy where you either pass the exam on your first try or don’t pay. There are 5 packages available including a scheduled livestream course.
-
Updated study material
-
Engaging instructors
-
1:1 tutoring available
-
Overview
PrepAgent is a fully integrated test prep solution for anyone who wants focused practice for the real estate exam with unlimited access to practice exam tests.
PrepAgent stands out among competitors with a 5-star rating out of over 1,100 reviews. You have access to 1:1 tutoring, audio lessons, focused interactive vocabulary flashcards, and worksheets, and they record your practice test scores to see how you’re improving. There’s an option to take a free practice test, plus they offer interactive flashcards to keep students engaged.
-
Pros & Cons
- Audio recordings available
- Can get 1:1 tutoring
- Several packages to choose from
- Exam prep only available for a limited time
- Online only
-
Support
There is a live chat as well as recorded webinars to watch in the future in case you miss an online webinar.
There are 75+ Exam Prep Videos, live weekly webinars, an e-book with 100+ pages of exam prep, interactive flashcards, and vocabulary worksheets.
