Software · head to head
Codecademy vs Brilliant
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Codecademy free plan has limited access to quizzes and projects; Brilliant requires active daily engagement to maintain learning streaks, which can feel gamified
- They diverge on capability: Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Brilliant covers Interactive lessons.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Codecademy and Brilliant actually diverge.
| Attribute | Codecademy | Brilliant |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | freemium | Unknown |
| Platforms | Web | Web, iOS, Android |
| Founded | 2011 | 2012 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Codecademy
- Interactive coding
- Instant feedback
- Projects
- Quizzes
- Career paths
- Mobile app
- Offline practice
- Community forums
Only in Brilliant
- Interactive lessons
- Problem-solving
- Daily challenges
- Progress tracking
- Guided paths
- Offline access
- Mobile learning
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.
Codecademy
- Learn to codenot Brilliant
- Career transitionnot Brilliant
- Skill buildingnot Brilliant
- Portfolio projectsnot Brilliant
Brilliant
- Math learningnot Codecademy
- Science educationnot Codecademy
- Programming basicsnot Codecademy
- Problem-solving skillsnot Codecademy
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Codecademy
- Free plan has limited access to quizzes and projects
- Pro pricing at $15.99/month is among the higher options for coding education platforms
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Codecademy
Free- FreeFree
- Basic courses
- Interactive lessons
- Community
- Plus$17.49/month
- All courses
- Projects
- Quizzes
- Pro$29.99/month
- Everything in Plus
- Interview prep
- Real-world projects
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
Which should you pick?
Choose Codecademy if
- You need interactive coding.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want instant feedback.
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 Codecademy or Brilliant better?
- Neither clearly leads. Codecademy starts at Free and Brilliant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Codecademy or Brilliant?
- Codecademy starts at Free and Brilliant at Free.
- Does Codecademy or Brilliant run on more platforms?
- Codecademy runs on Web. Brilliant runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Codecademy for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Codecademy best used for?
- Codecademy is most often used for learn to code, career transition, skill building, portfolio projects. Of those, learn to code and career transition are not what Brilliant is typically brought in for.
- What can Codecademy do that Brilliant cannot?
- Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Instant feedback, Projects, Quizzes. Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Problem-solving, Daily challenges, Progress tracking. Both handle Mobile apps, Web support, IOS support, Android support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Codecademy: Does Codecademy have a free plan?
Yes. Codecademy offers a permanent free plan with access to basic courses and introductory content. Advanced features like quizzes, projects, and career paths require Pro with a 7-day free trial.
SourceBrilliant: Does Brilliant offer offline learning?
Yes. The Brilliant mobile app allows users to download lessons and learn without internet connection.
SourceCodecademy: What is Codecademy Pro pricing?
Codecademy Pro costs $15.99/month when billed annually. Student pricing is available at a discount.
SourceBrilliant: 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.
SourceBrilliant: 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