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Education · head to head

Brilliant vs Open edX

Brilliant logo

Brilliant

Education

Learn math and science through problem-solving

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Open edX logo

Open edX

Education

Open-source platform powering online learning

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; Open edX no license fees for software but requires separate spending on hosting, infrastructure, and maintenance
  • They diverge on capability: Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Open edX covers Course authoring.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Brilliant and Open edX actually diverge.

Attributes where Brilliant and Open edX differ
AttributeBrilliantOpen edX
Pricing modelUnknownfree

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

Only in Open edX

  • Course authoring
  • Interactive videos
  • Assessments
  • Discussions
  • Certificates
  • Analytics
  • xBlocks
  • LTI tools

Both cover

  • Mobile apps
  • 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 Open edX
  • Science educationnot Open edX
  • Programming basicsnot Open edX
  • Problem-solving skillsnot Open edX

Open edX

  • MOOC creationnot Brilliant
  • Corporate trainingnot Brilliant
  • Blended learningnot Brilliant
  • Degree programsnot 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

Open edX

  • No license fees for software but requires separate spending on hosting, infrastructure, and maintenance
  • Customization and support from third-party providers requires additional investment

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

Open edX

Free
  • Self-HostedFree
    • Full platform
    • Community support
    • All features
  • Managed Hosting$undefined/month
    • Hosted solution
    • Support
    • Maintenance

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 Open edX if

  • You need course authoring.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want interactive videos.
Open edX review

Questions people ask

Is Brilliant or Open edX better?
Neither clearly leads. Brilliant starts at Free and Open edX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Brilliant or Open edX?
Brilliant starts at Free and Open edX at Free.
Does Brilliant or Open edX run on more platforms?
Brilliant runs on Web, iOS, Android. Open edX 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 Open edX is typically brought in for.
What can Brilliant do that Open edX cannot?
Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Problem-solving, Daily challenges, Progress tracking. Open edX covers Course authoring, Interactive videos, Assessments, Discussions. Both handle Mobile apps, 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
Open edX: How much does Open edX cost?

Open edX software itself is completely free with no license fees. Organizations must cover their own hosting, infrastructure, maintenance, and customization costs.

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
Open edX: Are there hosting options for Open edX?

Open edX offers three deployment options: self-hosted (organizations deploy independently), managed providers (third-party companies offer cost-effective managed services), and a free sandbox for testing.

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
Open edX: What does free mean for Open edX?

There are no license fees to use the Open edX software. Organizations can download and deploy it independently or use managed hosting providers for a fee.

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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