Khan Academy vs Brilliant
Two beloved ways to learn math and science. The free nonprofit against the interactive puzzle premium.
Khan Academy
World-class fundamentals, completely free.
Brilliant
Math, data, and CS through interactive puzzles.
| Feature | Khan Academy | Brilliant |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.5 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Price | Free | From €13.99/mo |
| Free plan | ||
| Best for | Free fundamentals | Daily brain training |
| Category | Everything under one roof | Tech & data |
| Provider | Khan Academy (nonprofit) | Brilliant Worldwide |
| Visit Khan Academy | Visit Brilliant |
Our verdict
Brilliant turns concepts into clever interactive puzzles and makes daily practice genuinely fun. It is the nicer product to use. Khan Academy covers more ground, goes deeper on fundamentals with its mastery system, and costs nothing, ever, from a nonprofit without ads.
As a paid habit Brilliant is defensible, but on value and completeness the free champion wins. Khan Academy first, Brilliant as the fun upgrade.
“Completely free, no catch, no upsell. A nonprofit that teaches math, science, and economics better than most paid platforms. The gold standard for foundational knowledge.”Editorial team, on Khan Academy
“Learning math and computer science by solving puzzles instead of watching videos works absurdly well. Fifteen minutes a day actually sticks. Depth is capped, motivation is not.”Editorial team, on Brilliant
Frequently asked questions
Khan Academy or Brilliant: which should I use?
Start with Khan Academy and add Brilliant only if you want the upgrade. Khan Academy covers more ground, goes deeper on fundamentals with its mastery system and costs nothing, ever, from a nonprofit without ads. Brilliant is the nicer product to use, turning concepts into clever interactive puzzles, but what you pay for is engagement.
Is Brilliant worth paying for when Khan Academy is free?
Only if the habit sticks. Brilliant Premium is $167.88 a year, $13.99 a month billed annually, with a 7-day free trial and a free tier of daily sample lessons. Khan Academy is free forever, with no premium tier holding back the good material. Prices last checked June 2026. Try free first, then decide deliberately.
Which is better for school level math?
Khan Academy. Its mastery-based exercises adapt to your level across math, science, economics and computing, and the Khanmigo tutor helps when you get stuck. Brilliant is strong on concepts and on daily practice, but its depth has limits and it will not walk you through a curriculum the way Khan Academy does.
Does either one give me a certificate?
Neither gives you anything an employer will check. Khan Academy is about foundations rather than credentials, and Brilliant has no certificates worth listing. That is fine for what they are: the place to rebuild the fundamentals everything else builds on. If you need proof for a resume, take that goal to a certificate platform instead.
What does Brilliant.org cost in 2026 for interactive math and science with interleaved practice?
Brilliant Premium is $167.88 a year, which is $13.99 a month billed annually, after a 7-day free trial; the free tier serves daily sample lessons. Prices last checked June 2026. The practice is interactive problem solving across math, science, data and programming. Brilliant does not market interleaved practice by name: brilliant.org describes sessions as visual and interactive, with practice built around the gaps in what you have mastered.