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STC vs Knopman Marks for Series 65 (2026)
Two traditional providers with very different price points. STC offers solid value with flashcards, instructor hotline, and a pass guarantee. Knopman Marks is the premium choice with extensive faculty support and physical textbooks. Is the extra $200-$600 worth it?
Quick Verdict
STC
9/10Price: $219-$384
Best for: Traditional learners who want flashcards, instructor hotline, and a pass guarantee at a reasonable price
View STCPass guarantee (Premier/Premier Plus)
Knopman Marks
8/10Price: $395-$1,020
Best for: Learners who need extensive instructor support, physical textbooks, and have the budget for a premium program
View Knopman Marks30-day refund policy (no pass guarantee)
Bottom Line:
Choose STC if you want solid value with flashcards (1,500+), instructor hotline, and a pass guarantee at $247-$384. Choose Knopman Marks if your firm is paying and you need extensive instructor support with weekly strategy calls. STC offers better value for most self-directed learners. Knopman's premium pricing without a pass guarantee is hard to justify unless you need hands-on coaching.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | STC 9/10 | Knopman Marks 8/10 | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | ✓ $219 (Standard) | $395 (Gold) | STC |
| Access Duration | 6 months | ✓ 12 months | Knopman |
| Pass Guarantee | ✓ Yes (Premier+ only) | No | STC |
| Flashcards | ✓ 1,500+ (Premier+) | 1,000+ (all tiers) | STC |
| Question Bank | ✓ 2,800+ | 2,000-2,500 | STC |
| Instructor Support | Hotline (all tiers) | ✓ Weekly calls (Diamond) | Knopman |
| Video Content | 12 hours | ✓ 9-30 hours | Knopman |
| Physical Materials | Printed manual | ✓ Textbook + workbook | Knopman |
| Overall Score | 9/10 | 8/10 | STC |
Show detailed specifications (8 more categories)
| Practice Exams | 2 Green Light (140 Qs) | Multiple preset exams | Tie |
| Live Classes | Yes (Premier Plus, 4 cities) | ✓ Yes (Platinum+, unlimited) | Knopman |
| Adaptive Learning | No | ✓ Predictive analytics | Knopman |
| Mobile App | Deprecated (use web) | iOS only (limited) | Tie |
| Offline Access | Yes (downloadable) | Yes (videos + flashcards) | Tie |
| Company History | ✓ Founded 1969 (55+ years) | Founded 1991 (30+ years) | STC |
| In-Person Classes | ✓ NYC, Chicago, SF, Boston | NYC area | STC |
| Content Format | Prose (15 chapters) | Traditional textbook | Tie |
Ready to choose?
Affiliate links. Both tested anonymously at full price.
Pricing Breakdown
Prices verified: January 2026
STC Pricing
- Standard $219
- Premier $247
- Premier Plus $384
Access: 6 months (all tiers)
Flashcards: 1,500+ (Premier/Premier Plus)
Instructor: Hotline (all tiers)
Pass Guarantee: Premier/Premier Plus
Knopman Marks Pricing
- Gold (Self-Study) $395
- Platinum (Most Popular) $620
- Diamond (Premium) $1,020
Access: 12 months (all tiers)
Flashcards: 1,000+ (all tiers)
Instructor: Strategy calls (1-weekly)
Pass Guarantee: None (95% pass rate claim)
Pricing Verdict:
STC offers significantly better value. STC Premier Plus ($384) with pass guarantee, 1,500+ flashcards, videos, and live classes costs less than Knopman's base Gold package ($395). Knopman's premium pricing makes sense only if you need extensive instructor support and your firm is covering the cost. For self-directed learners, the $176-$636 premium for Knopman is hard to justify without a pass guarantee.
Instructor Support Comparison
STC
Instructor Hotline
- ✓ Instructor hotline in ALL packages (even $219)
- ✓ 24/7 tech support
- ✓ Live classes in Premier Plus (4 cities)
- • 55+ years of exam prep experience
Knopman Marks
High-Touch Faculty Support
- ✓ Private strategy calls (1-3+ per week by tier)
- ✓ Unlimited live review sessions (Platinum+)
- ✓ Unlimited live blended classes (Platinum+)
- ✓ Email faculty Q&A (all tiers)
Instructor Support Verdict:
Knopman wins decisively on instructor support. Their faculty-centric model includes weekly strategy calls (Diamond), unlimited live sessions (Platinum+), and personalized coaching. STC's hotline is useful but more reactive. If you're a self-directed learner who rarely asks questions, STC's hotline is sufficient. If you need hand-holding and accountability, Knopman's high-touch approach may justify the premium.
Features Comparison
Pass Guarantee STC wins
STC: Pass guarantee in Premier ($247) and Premier Plus ($384). Course repeat or refund if you meet study requirements and fail.
Knopman Marks: No pass guarantee despite being the most expensive option. They claim 95% pass rate but offer no protection if you fail.
Flashcards STC wins
STC: 1,500+ flashcards in Premier and Premier Plus. Organized by chapter and FINRA sections. 50% more than Knopman.
Knopman Marks: 1,000+ flashcards in all packages, including Gold ($395). Available offline in mobile app.
Access Duration Knopman wins
STC: 6 months access for all packages. Extensions available for additional fee.
Knopman Marks: 12 months access. Double the time, which matters if you have a busy schedule or need to reschedule your exam.
Physical Materials Knopman wins
STC: Printed study manual included. Digital-first approach.
Knopman Marks: Physical textbook with eBook access in all packages. Spiral-bound workbook in Platinum and Diamond. Better for tactile learners who prefer highlighting and note-taking.
Who Should Choose STC
STC is the better choice if you:
- Want the best value with flashcards, hotline, and pass guarantee
- Are paying out of pocket and budget matters
- Need a pass guarantee for peace of mind
- Are a self-directed learner who doesn't need extensive coaching
- Live in NYC, Chicago, SF, or Boston and want in-person classes
- Want more flashcards (1,500+ vs 1,000+)
Who Should Choose Knopman Marks
Knopman Marks is the better choice if you:
- Your firm is paying and cost is not a concern
- Need extensive instructor support and accountability
- Want weekly strategy calls with faculty
- Prefer physical textbooks and workbooks for studying
- Need more access time (12 months vs 6 months)
- Are studying for RIA and want a structured program
Frequently Asked Questions
Is STC or Knopman Marks better for Series 65?
STC is better value for most learners with a score of 9.0/10 vs Knopman's 8.0/10. STC offers a pass guarantee, more flashcards (1,500+), and costs significantly less ($219-$384 vs $395-$1,020). Knopman wins on instructor support and access duration, but the premium price without a pass guarantee makes it harder to recommend for self-paced learners.
Why is Knopman Marks so much more expensive?
Knopman Marks charges premium prices ($395-$1,020) for extensive faculty support including weekly strategy calls, unlimited live review sessions, and live blended classes. The Diamond package includes 3 months of personalized Strategy Advising valued at $500. It's designed for firm-sponsored candidates or those who need significant hand-holding.
Does Knopman Marks have a pass guarantee?
No, Knopman Marks does not offer a pass guarantee despite being the most expensive Series 65 provider. They claim a 95% overall pass rate, but there's no refund or extended access if you fail. STC offers a pass guarantee in Premier ($247) and Premier Plus ($384) packages.
Which has more flashcards, STC or Knopman Marks?
STC has 1,500+ flashcards in Premier and Premier Plus packages, while Knopman Marks has 1,000+ flashcards in all packages. STC has 50% more flashcards, but Knopman includes them at all price tiers, including the $395 Gold package.
Should I choose Knopman Marks if my firm is paying?
Possibly. If your firm is covering the cost and you want maximum instructor support, Knopman's Platinum ($620) or Diamond ($1,020) packages offer weekly strategy calls, unlimited live sessions, and personalized coaching. However, if you're a self-directed learner, STC Premier ($247) with its pass guarantee may be sufficient even with firm sponsorship.
Final Verdict
STC
9/10
Best value with flashcards, hotline, and pass guarantee
View STCPass guarantee in Premier/Premier Plus
Knopman Marks
8/10
Premium option for extensive instructor support
View Knopman MarksNo pass guarantee
Our Recommendation:
For most learners, STC is the better choice. It offers 1,500+ flashcards, instructor hotline in all packages, a pass guarantee (Premier+), and in-person class options at a fraction of Knopman's price. Knopman's main advantages are extensive faculty support (strategy calls, unlimited live sessions) and 12-month access. Choose Knopman only if your firm is covering the cost and you need significant hand-holding. For self-directed learners paying out of pocket, STC Premier at $247 delivers better value than Knopman Gold at $395.
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FTC Disclosure:
We earn affiliate commissions when you purchase through our links. We purchased both STC and Knopman Marks anonymously at full price to ensure unbiased reviews. Our rankings are merit-based and not influenced by commission rates. See our full affiliate disclosure.