ExamWizardz vs Professor Messer
Written by Jonathon Eades, who builds ExamWizardz — so read accordingly. Every claim below is verifiable from the linked public sources. Last verified October 13, 2026.
Professor Messer's A+ video course is free — 63 videos for Core 1 and 74 for Core 2, about 24 hours in all — and it is where a lot of people start. He sells course notes and practice exams, runs a monthly study-group livestream, and hosts a free Discord.
ExamWizardz is less a replacement for free videos than the practice layer that goes with them: interactive PBQs, simulated labs, practice tests and mock exams. Plenty of learners will do best using both.
Choose ExamWizardz for interactive PBQs, simulated hands-on labs and unlimited practice tests in one place.
Choose Professor Messer for a free, complete video course, cheap notes and a big live community. Then add hands-on practice from somewhere.
Side by side
| Feature | ExamWizardz | Professor Messer |
|---|---|---|
| Video course | 443 short video lessons | Free: 63 videos (10 hours 11 minutes) for Core 1, 74 (13 hours 41 minutes) for Core 2 |
| Written material | 311 human-reviewed lessons | Course Notes, $30 per exam |
| Practice exams | 1,691 practice questions; unlimited full mocks on Pro | $30 per exam: 3 90-question exams as PDF or print |
| Performance-based questions | 184 interactive PBQs across 9 interaction types, 90 of them full hands-on labs | PBQs printed in the practice exam PDF or book |
| Hands-on labs | 90 simulated hands-on labs: 60 desktop labs, 28 PC bench builds, 2 command-line labs | None of his own; resells CertMaster Labs at $125 per exam |
| Community | Discord study community | Monthly study-group livestreams and a free Discord |
| Price | $99 for 6 months, free tier | Videos free; Success Bundle $119 per exam |
Both columns verified October 13, 2026from public pages and our production database. “Not published” means the vendor doesn't state a figure publicly.
Free videos are the best deal in A+ prep
Professor Messer's course covers every objective, costs nothing and is easy to trust. If money is tight, start there; nothing on this page changes that.
Where videos stop: PBQs and labs
CompTIA lists A+ among its certifications with simulation PBQs: you configure, troubleshoot or build in a simulated environment instead of picking an answer. Watching someone do that is not the same as doing it.
Messer's practice exams include PBQs on the page, in a PDF or a printed book. For interactive labs he resells CompTIA's CertMaster Labs at $125 per exam ($250 for both). ExamWizardz includes 184 interactive PBQs across both cores, 90 of them full simulated labs, in the $99 six-month plan.
A setup that works
Watch Messer's free videos for each section, then practise that section on ExamWizardz: its questions, PBQs and labs, then a full mock when the plan says you are ready. That is free plus $99 for six months, and you can try ExamWizardz's free tier first. Prices checked October 13, 2026.
Where ExamWizardz wins
- 184 interactive PBQs you do, not read
- 90 simulated labs, including PC bench builds
- 1,691 practice questions and unlimited full mock exams
- A study plan and readiness score that tell you when to book
Where Professor Messer wins
- A complete A+ video course, free
- Monthly live study groups and a big, active Discord
- Course notes for $30 per exam
- Printed books and an audio course for study away from a screen
Sources
- Professor Messer: free 220-1201 video course
- Professor Messer: free 220-1202 video course
- Professor Messer: 220-1201 Success Bundle (notes and practice exam prices)
- Professor Messer: A+ study group replays
- Professor Messer: CertMaster Labs for 220-1200
- CompTIA: performance-based questions explained (A+ uses simulation PBQs)
- ExamWizardz pricing
Related: ExamWizardz vs Dion Training
Judge it yourself
The free tier includes the first course sections, the public practice test, and every free tool — no credit card required.