Software · head to head
Brilliant vs Labster
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; Labster customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes
- They diverge on capability: Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Labster covers Virtual simulations.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Brilliant and Labster actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Labster
- Virtual simulations
- 3D environments
- Theory pages
- Quizzes
- Lab reports
- Mobile access
- Multiplayer
- Canvas
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 Labster
- Science educationnot Labster
- Programming basicsnot Labster
- Problem-solving skillsnot Labster
Labster
- Virtual labsnot Brilliant
- Pre-lab preparationnot Brilliant
- Supplemental learningnot Brilliant
- Remote 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
Labster
- Customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes
- Simulations can lag or freeze depending on operating system and connection speed
- Cannot fully replace hands-on physical lab experience and data collection
- Students report preference for tactile physical lab experience over virtual simulations
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
Labster
On request- Student Access$49/month
- Course simulations
- Mobile access
- Progress tracking
- Institution$undefined/month
- All simulations
- LMS integration
- Analytics
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Custom content
- API access
- Priority support
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Brilliant or Labster better?
- Neither clearly leads. Brilliant starts at Free and Labster at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Brilliant or Labster?
- Brilliant has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Brilliant and On request for Labster.
- Does Brilliant or Labster run on more platforms?
- Brilliant runs on Web, iOS, Android. Labster runs on Web.
- Can I use Brilliant for free?
- Yes. Brilliant has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Labster 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 Labster is typically brought in for.
- What can Brilliant do that Labster cannot?
- Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Problem-solving, Daily challenges, Guided paths. Labster covers Virtual simulations, 3D environments, Theory pages, Quizzes. 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.
SourceLabster: What STEM subjects does Labster cover?
Labster provides interactive 3D simulations across biology, chemistry, physics, and other STEM subjects, designed for university, college, and high school students.
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.
SourceLabster: How many students has Labster served?
Labster has served over 6 million students and thousands of institutions globally with its virtual lab simulations.
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.
SourceBrilliant: 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