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Software · head to head

Brilliant vs Skillshare

Brilliant logo

Brilliant

Software

Learn math and science through problem-solving

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Skillshare logo

Skillshare

Software

Online learning community for creative skills

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; Skillshare limited language support available compared to Udemy which offers 75 languages
  • They diverge on capability: Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Skillshare covers Video classes.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Brilliant and Skillshare actually diverge.

Attributes where Brilliant and Skillshare differ
AttributeBrilliantSkillshare
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Founded20122010

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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

Only in Skillshare

  • Video classes
  • Class projects
  • Discussions
  • Offline viewing
  • Workshops
  • Curated paths
  • Teacher studio
  • Smart TV apps

Both cover

  • Mobile learning
  • 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 Skillshare
  • Science educationnot Skillshare
  • Programming basicsnot Skillshare
  • Problem-solving skillsnot Skillshare

Skillshare

  • Skill developmentnot Brilliant
  • Creative projectsnot Brilliant
  • Career growthnot Brilliant
  • Side hustlesnot 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

Skillshare

  • Limited language support available compared to Udemy which offers 75 languages
  • Focus on creative skills means limited technical or professional development courses
  • Video quality and instructor expertise varies across courses

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

Skillshare

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Select free classes
    • Class projects
  • Premium$13.99/month
    • All classes
    • Offline viewing
    • No ads
  • Teams$undefined/month
    • Team management
    • Analytics
    • Custom content

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 Skillshare if

  • You need video classes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want class projects.
Skillshare review

Questions people ask

Is Brilliant or Skillshare better?
Neither clearly leads. Brilliant starts at Free and Skillshare at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Brilliant or Skillshare?
Brilliant starts at Free and Skillshare at Free.
Does Brilliant or Skillshare 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?
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 Skillshare is typically brought in for.
What can Brilliant do that Skillshare cannot?
Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Problem-solving, Daily challenges, Progress tracking. Skillshare covers Video classes, Class projects, Discussions, Offline viewing. Both handle Mobile learning, Mobile apps, Web support, IOS 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
Skillshare: How much does Skillshare cost?

Skillshare Premium membership costs $167.88 per year (about $13.99 per month) when billed annually, or $17.99 to $32 per month when paying month-to-month. New members receive a free trial before billing begins.

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
Skillshare: What topics does Skillshare cover?

Skillshare offers more than 30,000 project-based classes in design, illustration, photography, video, writing, marketing, and productivity. Courses often include downloadable resources like templates, brushes, and design files.

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
Skillshare: Can I download Skillshare classes for offline viewing?

Yes, Skillshare Premium members can download classes for offline viewing, allowing you to watch content anywhere without an internet connection.

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
Skillshare: Does Skillshare offer certificates?

Yes, Skillshare classes include certificates of completion as part of the project-based learning model, allowing you to track and share your learning progress.

Source
Skillshare: Is there a free tier on Skillshare?

Skillshare offers a free one-month trial to new users who provide card details. After the trial, a paid subscription is required for continued access.

Source
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