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Education · head to head

Brilliant vs Khan Academy

Brilliant logo

Brilliant

Education

Learn math and science through problem-solving

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Khan Academy logo

Khan Academy

Education

Free world-class education for anyone, anywhere

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Brilliant requires active daily engagement to maintain learning streaks, which can feel gamified; Khan Academy the Internet Archive's capture of Khan Academy's homepage on 1 January 2021 stated it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and that its full library of practice and lessons 'is all free for learners and teachers', funded by donations rather than subscriptions.
  • They diverge on capability: Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Khan Academy covers Video lessons.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Brilliant and Khan Academy actually diverge.

Attributes where Brilliant and Khan Academy differ
AttributeBrilliantKhan Academy
Pricing modelUnknownfree
Founded20122008

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education).

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
  • Guided paths
  • Offline access
  • Mobile learning
  • Mobile apps

Only in Khan Academy

  • Video lessons
  • Practice exercises
  • Mastery system
  • Personalized learning
  • Teacher tools
  • Parent dashboard
  • Test prep
  • Google Classroom

Both cover

  • Progress tracking
  • 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 Khan Academy
  • Science educationnot Khan Academy
  • Programming basicsnot Khan Academy
  • Problem-solving skillsnot Khan Academy

Khan Academy

  • Free self paced learning across maths, science and humanitiesnot Brilliant
  • Assigning practice and tracking student progress in a classroomnot 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

Khan Academy

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Khan Academy's homepage on 1 January 2021 stated it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and that its full library of practice and lessons 'is all free for learners and teachers', funded by donations rather than subscriptions.

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

Khan Academy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Video lessons
    • Practice exercises
    • Progress tracking

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 Khan Academy if

  • You need video lessons.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want practice exercises.
Khan Academy review

Questions people ask

Is Brilliant or Khan Academy better?
Neither clearly leads. Brilliant starts at Free and Khan Academy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Brilliant or Khan Academy?
Brilliant starts at Free and Khan Academy at Free.
Does Brilliant or Khan Academy run on more platforms?
Brilliant runs on Web, iOS, Android. Khan Academy runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Brilliant for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Khan Academy is typically brought in for.
What can Brilliant do that Khan Academy cannot?
Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Problem-solving, Daily challenges, Guided paths. Khan Academy covers Video lessons, Practice exercises, Mastery system, Personalized learning. Both handle Progress tracking, 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
Khan Academy: Is Khan Academy free?

Yes. Khan Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and states that it is a free tool for students, teachers and parents alike, with over 840 free courses and teacher tools provided at no cost. It relies on donor support rather than fees.

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
Khan Academy: Who is Khan Academy for?

Khan Academy serves students, teachers and parents, covering core academic subjects from K-12 through early college. The platform is available in more than 190 countries and over 55 languages.

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
Khan Academy: How is Khan Academy funded if it is free?

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Khan Academy is funded by donations rather than subscriptions. Its about page states that donor support is what keeps the classroom tools free.

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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