If you track CE hours, you've probably heard of CE Broker. It works, but it's built for a dozen different professions and the free tier is limited.
Here's how CE Broker compares to StyleCE, a free tracker built just for cosmetologists.
What is CE Broker?
CE Broker is a CE tracking and reporting platform used by nurses, therapists, cosmetologists, and other licensed professionals. Some state boards use it as their official tracking system. The free tier is basic. Paid plans start at $29.99/year.
What is StyleCE?
StyleCE is a free CE hour tracking app built exclusively for cosmetologists. It covers all 50 states plus DC, tracks hours by category, and sends renewal reminders. Available as a native app on iPhone and Android. The free plan includes unlimited CE logging for one license.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | StyleCE | CE Broker |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free (Pro $4.99/mo) | Free basic / $29.99+/yr |
| State Coverage | All 50 states + DC | Limited states |
| Mobile App | Native iOS + Android app | iOS/Android app |
| CE Hour Logging | Unlimited (free) | Limited on free tier |
| Category Tracking | Automatic by state | Varies |
| Renewal Reminders | Push notifications | Email reminders (paid) |
| Expiry Countdown | Visual countdown timer | Basic date display |
| Progress Bars | By category & total | Total only (free) |
| Built For | Cosmetologists | Multiple professions |
| PDF/CSV Export | Pro plan | Professional plan |
| Certificate Storage | Pro plan | Professional plan |
Why cosmetologists pick StyleCE
Free means free
Track one license with unlimited CE logging, progress tracking, and reminders. No cost. No trial. No credit card.
Built for one profession
StyleCE is for cosmetologists. Period. The interface, requirements data, and category tracking are all built around what you actually need. No clutter from nurse or therapist features.
All 50 states + DC
StyleCE has CE requirement data for every US state and the District of Columbia. Whether you are licensed in Florida (16 hours) or a state with no CE requirement, your renewal info is always at your fingertips.
Native mobile app
StyleCE is a native app for iPhone and Android. Download it from the App Store or Google Play for the fastest experience with push notifications and offline access.
When you might need CE Broker too
CE Broker connects directly to some state boards, so your completed hours get reported automatically. If your state requires CE Broker for official verification (Florida does for some professions), use both: CE Broker for reporting, StyleCE for personal tracking.
StyleCE is your personal tracker. It helps you know where you stand. Your state board is still the official source for verification.
Which one should you use?
If you just want to know where you stand on CE hours and get reminded before your license expires, StyleCE does that for free. If your state board requires CE Broker for official reporting, use both.