Acely: students who want a browser-based SAT and ACT plan with 50 full-length tests and an AI tutor
SAT and ACT prep comparison
Dolphin SAT vs Acely
Acely and Dolphin both cover the SAT and the ACT, and both advertise a conditional score guarantee. Acely runs in a browser, and its paid plans include 50 full-length practice tests, an adaptive study plan and an AI tutor. Dolphin offers free iPhone and Android apps for daily practice, with full-length tests on paid Dolphin Web. Compare the plan you would actually use.
Quick answer
Should I choose Dolphin SAT or Acely?
Consider Acely if you want SAT and ACT prep in a browser with 50 full-length practice tests, an adaptive study plan and an AI tutor, and its prices fit your budget. Consider Dolphin if you want free iPhone and Android apps with a video explanation for every question, plus lower published prices for full-length tests and score tracking on Dolphin Web. Both cover the SAT and ACT and offer conditional score guarantees.
Reviewed
Best for
Dolphin: students who want free iPhone and Android practice with a video explanation for every question
Families comparing published prices, free trials and score guarantee conditions before paying
Feature comparison
Published by Dolphin, not an independent ranking or a hands-on test of Acely. We checked Acely's pricing, score guarantee, terms and help center pages, and Dolphin's own pricing and guarantee terms, on October 31, 2026. This is a source-based comparison of SAT and ACT preparation. Prices and plan terms can change; confirm them before paying.
| Feature | Dolphin SAT | Acely |
|---|---|---|
| Free accessAcely free account | Free iPhone and Android apps; Dolphin Web is a paid subscription | Free account with a 20-minute skills assessment, one full-length SAT test and one full-length ACT test; no credit card |
| Free trialAcely trial terms | Any eligible trial is shown at checkout before you pay | 3-day trial on all plans; a credit card is required to start it |
| Paid plansAcely plans and prices | Dolphin Web: $100 billed monthly, $150 every 3 months, or $300 yearly (October 2026) | $149 billed monthly, $297 billed quarterly, or $588 billed annually; every plan covers the SAT and ACT |
| DevicesAcely mobile access | Free iPhone and Android apps, plus Dolphin Web in a browser | Web browser on any device; Acely says it is not available as a mobile app |
| Practice libraryAcely product overview | 10,000+ SAT and ACT questions, each with a video explanation; full-length tests on Dolphin Web | 15,000+ questions and 50 full-length tests (30 SAT, 20 ACT) from its in-house curriculum team |
| Study plan and AIAcely plan features | Adaptive daily practice and progress tracking, plus Pip, an AI study assistant: hints before you answer, a full explanation after | Personalized adaptive study plan, score predictions, and an AI tutor for each test |
| Score guaranteeAcely guarantee conditions | Eligible web Premium plans: 200+ SAT or 5+ ACT points, or up to three months of fees back | 200+ SAT or 5+ ACT points, or 100% of the fees paid in the qualifying 3-month period |
How should you choose between Dolphin and Acely?
Step 1
What can you try before paying?
Dolphin's iPhone and Android apps are free for daily SAT and ACT practice, and its full-length practice tests are part of paid Dolphin Web. A free Acely account needs no credit card and includes a 20-minute skills assessment, one full-length SAT practice test and one full-length ACT practice test. Acely's 3-day trial unlocks the full platform, including the personalized study plan; it requires a credit card, and Acely says you are not charged until the trial ends. A student who wants to sit a full-length test before paying can do that with Acely's free account. A student who wants ongoing phone practice without paying can use Dolphin's apps.
Step 2
How do the published prices compare?
Acely lists $149 billed monthly, $297 billed quarterly and $588 billed annually, and says every plan includes full access to every feature for both the SAT and the ACT. As of October 2026, Dolphin Web costs $100 billed monthly, $150 billed every 3 months or $300 billed yearly, so Dolphin's published price is lower at each billing period. The plans include different things, so compare the practice tests, explanations and study tools you would use. Check the exact total and renewal terms at checkout for either product.
Step 3
Do you study on a phone or a computer?
Dolphin's free iPhone and Android apps are for daily practice on a phone, and Dolphin Web adds full-length tests and deeper review in a browser. Acely's help center says Acely is not currently available as a mobile app, but it works in a browser on any device and is optimized for desktop and mobile. Acely also recommends studying on the same device you plan to use on test day, which is useful advice whichever product you choose.
Step 4
How do the score guarantees compare?
Both guarantees are tied to a 200-point SAT or 5-point ACT increase, and both require an official starting score of 1250 or lower on the SAT or 26 or lower on the ACT. Acely requires a starting test from the last three months, a 3-month continuous paid subscription, at least 500 practice questions, 10 or more full-length Acely practice tests, correction of all mistakes, and an official retest within 60 days after the subscription ends. It refunds 100% of the subscription fees paid during that 3-month period. Dolphin's guarantee covers eligible web Premium plans and requires a starting score from the previous six months, eight consecutive weeks of study, and 600 different practice questions, correction exercises and three timed full-length tests within the first 12 weeks. It refunds up to the first three monthly payments, the first quarterly payment, or 25% of an annual purchase. Read the full terms before relying on either.
Step 5
Where do official practice tests fit?
Use College Board's Bluebook app for official full-length digital SAT practice. Dolphin is independent and is not affiliated with College Board or ACT. Acely says it has partnered with ACT to bring official ACT content into Acely, which may matter to students preparing mainly for the ACT. Treat any third-party practice score as an estimate, not an official result.
Keep comparing SAT prep options
Primary sources
- Acely plans, free account and trialAcely
- Acely product overviewAcely
- Acely score improvement guaranteeAcely
- Do you have a mobile app?Acely Help Center
- Dolphin Web plans and pricesDolphin
- Score Improvement Guarantee termsDolphin
- About Dolphin and key factsDolphin
- Official full-length digital practice testsCollege Board
FAQ
Does Acely have a mobile app?
Not currently. Acely's help center says it is not available as a mobile app, and that you can use it in a browser on any device, optimized for desktop and mobile. Dolphin has free iPhone and Android apps, and Dolphin Web runs in a browser.
Is Acely free?
Partly. A free Acely account needs no credit card and includes a 20-minute skills assessment, one full-length SAT practice test and one full-length ACT practice test. Full access comes with a paid plan, and Acely's 3-day free trial requires a credit card.
Do Acely and Dolphin both cover the ACT?
Yes. Every Acely plan covers the SAT and the ACT, with 30 SAT and 20 ACT full-length practice tests listed, and its site also lists PSAT and AP prep. Dolphin covers the SAT and the ACT (English, Math, Reading and Science) in the same account, and also covers the PSAT.
Do Dolphin and Acely offer score guarantees?
Yes, both with conditions. Each is tied to a 200-point SAT or 5-point ACT increase for students starting at 1250 or lower on the SAT or 26 or lower on the ACT. The study requirements, deadlines and refund amounts differ, so read Acely's guarantee page and Dolphin's guarantee terms before you subscribe.