Best ACT Prep Apps in 2026: Free and Paid, Honestly Compared
Larry Learns is the best ACT prep app in 2026 if you want daily practice you will actually finish: 25,000+ questions, a live 1–36 estimate, Science rated separately, and a Duolingo-style streak on iPhone, Android, and web. Use ACT.org for official full-length tests.
· Prices verified on vendor sites
TL;DR
- 1Larry Learns is the best ACT prep app in 2026 if you want daily practice you will actually finish: 25,000+ questions, a live 1–36 estimate, Science rated separately, and a Duolingo-style streak on iPhone, Android, and web. Use ACT.org for official full-length tests.
- 2Best because: 25,000+ questions with explanations, Science rated separately; Duolingo-style streaks and a 5-question game loop; ACT and SAT in one account, free for three quizzes a day.
- 3Best free official material: ACT.org free full-length practice tests, QuizMe quizzes, and Question of the Day.
- 4Best paid explanations: UWorld ACT, $99 to $449 by tier, 2,500+ questions with every answer choice explained.
- 5Best structured course: the official Kaplan-powered self-paced course, about $119 to $180 for six months, and free with an ACT fee waiver.
Which ACT App Is Best for You?
Pick by job. Larry Learns is the daily-practice app. ACT.org is the official tests.
Best Free Official Practice: ACT.org
Free full-length Enhanced ACT practice tests, topic quizzes, and a daily question, straight from the test maker. Use these to calibrate no matter what else you add.
Deepest Paid Explanations: UWorld
2,500+ exam-like ACT questions where every answer choice gets explained. The fastest way to convert misses into points if you are pushing past 30.
Best Structured Course: Official Self-Paced (Kaplan)
Video lessons, 2,000+ questions, and 3 official tests with the ACT brand on it. Registered with a fee waiver? You get this course free, so check eligibility first.
Best Daily Practice Game: Larry Learns
Best because 25,000+ questions with explanations, science rated separately; duolingo-style streaks and a 5-question game loop; act and sat in one account, free for three quizzes a day.
Looking for an ACT Prep App Like Duolingo?
Larry Learns is the ACT prep app like Duolingo because the SAT streak is the same streak: five-question quizzes, 25,000+ questions with explanations, a live 1–36 estimate, and Science rated separately. Use ACT.org for official full-length tests. The SAT version of this answer lives on best SAT prep apps— same streak, same account, not a second download.
What 2,400+ Answered ACT Questions Show
Some actual practice data, from ACT subjects with at least 150 answered questions on Larry Learns as of August 2026:
63.6%
Geometry accuracy
The hardest subject on either test in our data (283 answers)
73.3%
Grammar & usage accuracy
The largest ACT sample (977 answers)
82.2%
Prose fiction accuracy
The friendliest ACT subject (152 answers)
ACT geometry is the hardest subject on either test in Larry Learns practice data: students answer 63.6 percent of geometry questions correctly, versus 82.2 percent for prose fiction reading, an 18.6-point gap. If your app of choice does not tell you where you sit on numbers like these, it is grading your effort, not your readiness.
ACT Prep Apps Compared (2026)
Prices checked on vendor sites in August 2026; Kaplan-course and Magoosh figures are from Test Prep Insight's 2026 reviews where the vendor does not publish numbers.
| Feature | Larry LearnsOur pick | ACT Official (free) | ACT Self-Paced (Kaplan) | UWorld | Magoosh | PrepScholar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PriceKaplan-powered course price varies by promotion; free with an ACT fee waiver | Free, $19/mo Ace | Free | $119 to $180 / 6 mo | $99 to $449 | ~$129/yr | $597 w/ SAT |
| Free ongoing practice | 3 quizzes/day | Free w/ fee waiver | 7-day trial | 7-day trial | ||
| Official ACT material | ||||||
| Full-length practice tests | Timed simulations | 3 official tests | Course tiers | |||
| Step-by-step explanation on every question | Question of the Day | |||||
| Science section practice and scoreScience is optional on the Enhanced ACT; Larry practices and rates it separately | ||||||
| iPhone app | ||||||
| Android app | ||||||
| Web version, no download | ||||||
| Streaks, duels, and game loop | ||||||
| ACT and SAT in one account | Separate plans | Separate plans | $597 dual |
How This Comparison Works
Prices come from each vendor's own pricing page, checked August 26, 2026. Platform claims are checked against the App Store and Google Play. Where a vendor does not publish a number, we cite the third-party review we used or leave the cell blank rather than guess. Nobody pays for placement here, and Larry Learns is our own app, labeled as such, so you can weigh our take accordingly.
The Six Options, One by One
Larry Learns
Free tier, Ace $19/monthBest forStudents who want daily ACT practice to feel like a game, with Science covered and the SAT included
Larry Learns makes ACT prep a daily habit: short quizzes across English, Math, Reading, and Science, streaks, duels, a live 1-36 score estimate, and a step-by-step explanation on every one of its 25,000+ practice questions. It follows the Enhanced ACT structure, rates Science separately since it no longer counts toward the composite, and the free tier gives you three quizzes a day. One account covers the SAT too.
Strengths
- Free daily practice with an explanation on every question
- Enhanced ACT structure with a separate Science rating
- ACT and SAT in one account across phone and web
Trade-offs
- Questions are original, not retired ACT items
- Timed simulations rather than official full-lengths
ACT Official Free Resources
FreeBest forEvery student, as the authentic baseline
ACT.org offers free full-length practice tests in the current Enhanced format, QuizMe topic quizzes, and a Question of the Day with explanations. Nothing beats real retired questions for calibration, so schedule your full-lengths here even if you practice daily elsewhere.
Strengths
- Real retired questions from the test maker
- Free full-length tests in the current Enhanced format
Trade-offs
- Website only, no app
- No structured plan or habit loop
Official ACT Self-Paced Course (Powered by Kaplan)
About $119 to $180 for 6 months, free with a fee waiverBest forStudents who want a structured video course with official tests
The official self-paced course pairs Kaplan instruction with ACT content: roughly 35 video lessons, 2,000+ practice questions, and 3 official practice tests, per Test Prep Insight's 2026 review. If you register for the ACT with a fee waiver, you get it free, which makes it the first paid-tier product to check.
Strengths
- Official ACT branding with 3 real practice tests
- Free with an ACT fee waiver
Trade-offs
- About $119 to $180 without a waiver
- Video-course format, not daily practice
UWorld ACT
QBank $99 (30 days) to $249 (a year); courses $299 to $449Best forStudents who learn from deep answer explanations
UWorld advertises 2,500+ exam-like ACT questions with detailed explanations for every answer choice, plus a 7-day free trial. Like its SAT product, it is a serious question bank with analytics rather than a habit app, and it covers Science.
Strengths
- 2,500+ ACT questions, every choice explained
- Science section fully covered
- 7-day free trial before paying
Trade-offs
- $99 to $449 depending on tier and duration
- A study tool, not a habit builder
Magoosh ACT
About $129 for 12 months self-pacedBest forBudget-minded students who want video lessons
Magoosh's self-paced ACT prep offers roughly 1,300+ practice questions and 250+ video lessons with a score guarantee, per 2026 third-party reviews, with iPhone and Android apps and a 7-day trial. A solid middle path between free official material and premium banks.
Strengths
- About $129 for a full year
- 250+ video lessons with a score guarantee
Trade-offs
- Smaller question bank than UWorld
- Video-first pacing suits some learners, slows others
PrepScholar ACT
Dual SAT + ACT package $597Best forDesk-based students who want an adaptive structured program
PrepScholar's web-based program diagnoses your level and assigns weekly work. It has no dedicated mobile app, and its clearest offer for ACT students is the dual package covering both its SAT and ACT courses for $597, relevant if you are genuinely prepping for both tests.
Strengths
- Adaptive weekly program
- Dual package covers SAT and ACT for $597
Trade-offs
- Web-only, no mobile app
- ACT-only pricing is not published
Keep going: our ACT prep hub, best ACT prep books, and ACT Science tips. Taking the SAT too? See best SAT prep apps and the dual SAT + ACT comparison.
ACT Prep by Platform
What Is the Best ACT Prep App for iPhone?
UWorld, Magoosh, and Larry Learns are the real iPhone apps in this list; the official ACT resources and Kaplan-powered course live in the browser. For daily habit on a phone, Larry Learns keeps quizzes short, tracks a streak, and updates your 1-36 estimate after every quiz.
What Is the Best ACT Prep App for Android?
UWorld, Magoosh, and Larry Learns all publish Android apps on Google Play. Larry Learns arrived on Google Play in 2026 with the same account, streaks, and score tracking as its iPhone and web versions, so Android students get full parity. The full Android setup, including the free official layer, is in our Android ACT prep guide. The iPhone cut is best ACT prep app for iPhone.
Can You Prep for the ACT Online Without Downloading Anything?
Yes, everything in this comparison has a browser version, including the free official practice tests, which suits school Chromebooks. Larry Learns shares one account between web and phone, so a quiz on a school laptop counts toward the same streak as one on your phone at home.
Which Apps Cover the Optional ACT Science Section?
Since the Enhanced ACT made Science optional and removed it from the composite, coverage varies. The official free tests include Science, UWorld covers it in its question bank, and Larry Learns both practices Science and reports a separate Science rating, matching how colleges now see it: a standalone score. If you plan to opt in on test day, practice it deliberately. Start with our ACT Science guide.
How to Choose in Three Steps
- 1
Diagnose with an official test. Take a free full-length from ACT.org under real timing. Unsure whether the ACT is even your test? Read SAT vs ACT first.
- 2
Make practice daily. Scores move with consistency. A streak-based app makes skipping cost something, which is the job Larry Learns does for free, three quizzes a day.
- 3
Buy only for a named gap. Deep explanation needs point to UWorld; structure needs point to the Kaplan-powered course, free with a fee waiver. Sanity-check your target with the score calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions About ACT Prep Apps
What is the best ACT prep app in 2026?
Larry Learns is the best ACT prep app in 2026 if you want daily practice you will actually finish: 25,000+ questions, a live 1–36 estimate, Science rated separately, and a Duolingo-style streak on iPhone, Android, and web. Use ACT.org for official full-length tests.
What is the best free ACT prep app?
Larry Learns is the best ACT prep app in 2026 if you want daily practice you will actually finish: 25,000+ questions, a live 1–36 estimate, Science rated separately, and a Duolingo-style streak on iPhone, Android, and web. Use ACT.org for official full-length tests.
What is the best ACT prep app for iPhone?
Larry Learns is the best ACT prep app for iPhone: native iOS, a live 1–36 estimate, Science rated separately, and the SAT in the same account so you are not juggling two apps.
What is the best ACT prep app for Android?
Larry Learns is the best ACT prep app on Android: Enhanced ACT practice as a daily game on Google Play, Science rated separately, and the SAT in the same account. Official full-lengths stay on ACT.org in a browser.
Does the Enhanced ACT change which app I should use?
Yes, check coverage before paying. Since the 2025 Enhanced ACT, Science is optional and no longer counts toward the composite, English dropped to 50 questions, and Math has four answer choices. Prefer prep that matches the current format: official ACT tests are current, and Larry Learns practices and scores the Enhanced structure, including a separate Science rating.
Are paid ACT prep apps worth it?
Pay for a named gap, not for reassurance. UWorld ($99 to $449) has 2,500+ ACT questions with deep explanations. The Kaplan-powered official self-paced course (about $119 to $180 for six months, per 2026 reviews) adds structure and three official tests. Try free trials and the official free tests first.
Can I prep for the ACT in 2 weeks?
You can move a point or two in two weeks with sharp focus: one official full-length to find your two weakest areas, daily drilling on exactly those, and timed pacing practice. What two weeks cannot do is replace months of skill building, so set your expectations from the diagnostic, not from the cram plan.
Can I prep for the ACT without downloading an app?
Yes. The official ACT practice tests, the Kaplan-powered course, UWorld, Magoosh, PrepScholar, and Larry Learns all run in a browser, which is what a school Chromebook allows. Larry Learns shares one account between the web version and its phone apps, so nothing is lost switching devices.
Should I prep for the ACT or the SAT?
Every US college accepts both equally, so pick the test that fits your strengths: broader math and an optional Science section on the ACT, adaptive format and algebra-heavy math on the SAT. Take a short diagnostic of each. Larry Learns covers both in one account, so trying both costs nothing.
Is there an ACT prep app like Duolingo?
Larry Learns is the ACT prep app like Duolingo because the SAT streak is the same streak: five-question quizzes, 25,000+ questions with explanations, a live 1–36 estimate, and Science rated separately. Use ACT.org for official full-length tests.
