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Software · head to head

Brilliant vs edX

Brilliant logo

Brilliant

Software

Learn math and science through problem-solving

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
edX logo

edX

Software

Online courses from the world's top universities

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Brilliant has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Brilliant requires active daily engagement to maintain learning streaks, which can feel gamified; edX individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view
  • They diverge on capability: Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, edX covers Video lectures.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Brilliant and edX actually diverge.

Attributes where Brilliant and edX differ
AttributeBrilliantedX
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2012).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Brilliant

  • Interactive lessons
  • Problem-solving
  • Daily challenges
  • Progress tracking
  • Guided paths
  • Offline access
  • Mobile apps

Only in edX

  • Video lectures
  • Interactive exercises
  • Discussion forums
  • Certificates
  • MicroMasters
  • Professional certificates
  • Degrees
  • LMS integrations

Both cover

  • Mobile learning
  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Brilliant

  • Math learningnot edX
  • Science educationnot edX
  • Programming basicsnot edX
  • Problem-solving skillsnot edX

edX

  • Learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (MIT, Harvard, Cambridge)not Brilliant
  • Career changers pursuing MicroMasters or professional certificatesnot Brilliant
  • Individuals in regions with limited access to higher educationnot Brilliant

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Brilliant

  • Requires active daily engagement to maintain learning streaks, which can feel gamified
  • Premium subscription needed for full course access; basic free tier is limited
  • Focuses only on STEM subjects; no humanities or social sciences
  • Interactive nature requires more time commitment than passive video learning

edX

  • Individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view

Pricing, plan by plan

Brilliant

Free
  • Premium Monthly$24.99/month
    • Access to all 90+ courses
    • No ads
  • Premium Annual$150/year
    • Access to all 90+ courses
    • No ads

edX

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the edX review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Brilliant if

  • You need interactive lessons.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want problem-solving.
Brilliant review

Choose edX if

  • You need video lectures.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want interactive exercises.
edX review

Questions people ask

Is Brilliant or edX better?
Neither clearly leads. Brilliant starts at Free and edX at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Brilliant or edX?
Brilliant has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Brilliant and On request for edX.
Does Brilliant or edX run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Brilliant for free?
Yes. Brilliant has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. edX starts at On request.
What is Brilliant best used for?
Brilliant is most often used for math learning, science education, programming basics, problem-solving skills. Of those, math learning and science education are not what edX is typically brought in for.
What can Brilliant do that edX cannot?
Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Problem-solving, Daily challenges, Progress tracking. edX covers Video lectures, Interactive exercises, Discussion forums, Certificates. Both handle Mobile learning, Web support, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Brilliant: Does Brilliant offer offline learning?

Yes. The Brilliant mobile app allows users to download lessons and learn without internet connection.

Source
Brilliant: Is there a free tier for Brilliant?

Yes. Brilliant offers a free basic tier with access to some courses. K-12 teachers and their students can qualify for free Premium access.

Source
Brilliant: What subject areas does Brilliant cover?

Brilliant covers over 90 courses across mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, and data science, taught by experts from MIT, Harvard, Google, and Microsoft.

Source
Brilliant: How does Brilliant's teaching approach differ from video lectures?

Brilliant emphasizes active learning through interactive problem-solving rather than passive video watching, similar to Duolingo's gamified approach.

Source
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