Softwr

Software · head to head

Brilliant vs LinkedIn Learning

Brilliant logo

Brilliant

Software

Learn math and science through problem-solving

From
Free
Rated
-
LinkedIn Learning logo

LinkedIn Learning

Software

Develop skills with expert-led courses

From
On request
Rated
-

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; LinkedIn Learning listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £5.80 to £286 per user per year for LinkedIn Learning, submitted directly by LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company
  • They diverge on capability: Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, LinkedIn Learning covers Video courses.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Brilliant and LinkedIn Learning actually diverge.

Attributes where Brilliant and LinkedIn Learning differ
AttributeBrilliantLinkedIn Learning
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Founded20122003

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), 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
  • Progress tracking
  • Guided paths
  • Offline access
  • Mobile apps

Only in LinkedIn Learning

  • Video courses
  • Certificates
  • Learning paths
  • Skill assessments
  • LinkedIn integration
  • Offline viewing
  • Recommendations
  • LinkedIn

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 LinkedIn Learning
  • Science educationnot LinkedIn Learning
  • Programming basicsnot LinkedIn Learning
  • Problem-solving skillsnot LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning

  • Skill developmentnot Brilliant
  • Career growthnot Brilliant
  • Team trainingnot Brilliant
  • Professional developmentnot 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

LinkedIn Learning

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud 14 at £5.80 to £286 per user per year for LinkedIn Learning, submitted directly by LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company

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

LinkedIn Learning

On request
  • Monthly$29.99/month
    • All courses
    • Certificates
    • LinkedIn integration
  • Annual$19.99/month
    • All courses
    • Offline viewing
    • Personalized recommendations
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Admin tools
    • Analytics
    • Learning paths

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.

Choose LinkedIn Learning if

  • You need video courses.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want certificates.

Questions people ask

Is Brilliant or LinkedIn Learning better?
Neither clearly leads. Brilliant starts at Free and LinkedIn Learning at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Brilliant or LinkedIn Learning?
Brilliant has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Brilliant and On request for LinkedIn Learning.
Does Brilliant or LinkedIn Learning run on more platforms?
Brilliant runs on Web, iOS, Android. LinkedIn Learning runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Brilliant for free?
Yes. Brilliant has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LinkedIn Learning 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 LinkedIn Learning is typically brought in for.
What can Brilliant do that LinkedIn Learning cannot?
Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Problem-solving, Daily challenges, Progress tracking. LinkedIn Learning covers Video courses, Certificates, Learning paths, Skill assessments. 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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