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Comparison

CaptainsGround vs Lapware — USCG Exam Prep Compared

LAPWARE is a long-standing, well-regarded USCG license study program covering deck and engine credentials all the way up the ladder. CaptainsGround is a free, citation-backed drilling tool. They aim at overlapping candidates from different angles.

Every answer cited & verifiedAll 4 USCG exam modulesReviewed by a former NMC exam writer

TL;DR

LAPWARE: paid access billed in 31-day blocks (about $150 for the first month including a $50 setup fee, then $100 per 31 days), deck and engine sold separately, deep coverage and a strong professional reputation, but a dated web interface. CaptainsGround: free to start, every answer cited to a public source, modern web UI, with AB and QMED tracks alongside OUPV/Master.

Side by side

Price

CaptainsGround

Free to start · Pass plans from $79

LAPWARE

~$150 first 31 days ($50 setup + access), then $100 per 31-day renewal; deck & engine sold separately

Billing model

CaptainsGround

One-time pass plan (or free tier)

LAPWARE

31-day access blocks, renewed on demand within 12 months

Credential coverage

CaptainsGround

OUPV / Master + AB and QMED (Oiler, Junior Engineer, Electrician/Refrigerating)

See QMED tracks

LAPWARE

Broad — deck and engine, entry ratings through unlimited licenses

Citations on every answer

CaptainsGround

Yes — 33/46 CFR, COLREGs, public engineering references

LAPWARE

Answer keys; limited per-question sourcing

Question source

CaptainsGround

Original questions, calibrated to the NMC exam format

LAPWARE

Large practice-question banks

Interface

CaptainsGround

Modern, mobile-friendly web app

LAPWARE

Capable but widely described as dated

Reputation

CaptainsGround

Newer entrant, citation-audited

LAPWARE

Long-established, trusted by professional mariners

Spaced repetition

CaptainsGround

FSRS-4 flashcards

LAPWARE

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Which should you pick?

Pick CaptainsGround if…

  • Price: Free to start · Pass plans from $79
  • Billing model: One-time pass plan (or free tier)
  • Credential coverage: OUPV / Master + AB and QMED (Oiler, Junior Engineer, Electrician/Refrigerating)
  • Citations on every answer: Yes — 33/46 CFR, COLREGs, public engineering references
  • Question source: Original questions, calibrated to the NMC exam format
  • Interface: Modern, mobile-friendly web app
  • Reputation: Newer entrant, citation-audited
  • Spaced repetition: FSRS-4 flashcards

Pick LAPWARE if…

  • Price: ~$150 first 31 days ($50 setup + access), then $100 per 31-day renewal; deck & engine sold separately
  • Billing model: 31-day access blocks, renewed on demand within 12 months
  • Credential coverage: Broad — deck and engine, entry ratings through unlimited licenses
  • Citations on every answer: Answer keys; limited per-question sourcing
  • Question source: Large practice-question banks
  • Interface: Capable but widely described as dated
  • Reputation: Long-established, trusted by professional mariners
  • Spaced repetition: —

Bottom line

LAPWARE has the deeper catalog and the track record for higher-level engine and deck licenses, and if you want its bank you'll pay per 31-day block for deck and engine separately. If you want a free, modern, citation-backed way to drill AB, QMED, or a captain's license — and to verify every answer against the rule it tests — CaptainsGround is the lighter-weight fit, and many candidates use both.

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CaptainsGround vs LAPWARE — USCG License Exam Prep · CaptainsGround