Education & E-Learning · head to head
MasterClass vs Brilliant
Brilliant
Education & E-Learning
Learn math and science through problem-solving
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Brilliant has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: MasterClass annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses; Brilliant requires active daily engagement to maintain learning streaks, which can feel gamified
- They diverge on capability: MasterClass covers High-quality video, Brilliant covers Interactive lessons.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MasterClass and Brilliant actually diverge.
| Attribute | MasterClass | Brilliant |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 2015 | 2012 |
Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education & E-Learning).
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 MasterClass
- High-quality video
- Workbooks
- Community
- Offline viewing
- Smart TV apps
- Session stories
- Smart TV platforms
- Apple TV support
Only in Brilliant
- Interactive lessons
- Problem-solving
- Daily challenges
- Progress tracking
- Guided paths
- Offline access
- Mobile learning
Both cover
- Mobile apps
- Mobile apps
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MasterClass
- Learning from expertsnot Brilliant
- Inspirationnot Brilliant
- Skill developmentnot Brilliant
- Entertainmentnot Brilliant
Brilliant
- Math learningnot MasterClass
- Science educationnot MasterClass
- Programming basicsnot MasterClass
- Problem-solving skillsnot MasterClass
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
MasterClass
- Annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses
- No instructor interaction or personalized feedback on student work
- No hands-on exercises, assignments, or peer discussion with other students
- Limited interactivity with focus on entertainment value over practical skill development
- Difficult to cancel subscription according to customer reviews
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
MasterClass
On request- Individual$10/month
- All classes
- One device
- Mobile access
- Duo$15/month
- All classes
- Two devices
- Offline viewing
- Family$20/month
- All classes
- Six devices
- All features
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 MasterClass if
- You need high-quality video.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want workbooks.
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 MasterClass or Brilliant better?
- Neither clearly leads. MasterClass starts at On request and Brilliant at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MasterClass or Brilliant?
- Brilliant has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for MasterClass and Free for Brilliant.
- Does MasterClass or Brilliant 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?
- Yes. Brilliant has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MasterClass starts at On request.
- What is MasterClass best used for?
- MasterClass is most often used for learning from experts, inspiration, skill development, entertainment. Of those, learning from experts and inspiration are not what Brilliant is typically brought in for.
- What can MasterClass do that Brilliant cannot?
- MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Offline viewing. Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Problem-solving, Daily challenges, Progress tracking. Both handle Mobile apps, Mobile apps, Web support, IOS support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
MasterClass: What is the pricing structure for MasterClass?
MasterClass requires an annual membership with no single-course purchase option. Standard plan costs $10/month, Plus is $15/month with offline access, and Premium is $20/month for up to 6 devices.
SourceBrilliant: Does Brilliant offer offline learning?
Yes. The Brilliant mobile app allows users to download lessons and learn without internet connection.
SourceMasterClass: How many courses are available on MasterClass?
MasterClass has over 200 video classes taught by celebrities and experts, with each course containing approximately 20 videos of about 10 minutes each plus detailed workbooks.
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.
SourceMasterClass: Does MasterClass provide certificates or formal credentials?
No. MasterClass does not provide certificates upon completing a course, so it does not offer formal recognition for course completion.
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.
SourceMasterClass: Do MasterClass courses include personalized feedback from instructors?
No. All MasterClass courses are pre-recorded videos, so there is no direct interaction with instructors or personalized feedback on student work.
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