Brilliant is a strong choice for users focused on STEM subjects who prefer interactive, problem-solving based learning and are willing to pay for a premium experience. Khan Academy is an excellent, free option for users seeking a wide range of subjects and video-based instruction.
| Attribute | Brilliant | Khan Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Subject Coverage (Breadth and Depth) | Focuses on STEM subjects (Math, Science, Computer Science) with courses from introductory to advanced levels. Specific subjects include algebra, geometry, calculus, logic, statistics, probability, physics, quantum mechanics, AI, neural networks, algorithms, and Python. Limited to STEM. | Offers a wide range of subjects, from basic math to college-level calculus, grammar to storytelling, AP Physics to Art History. Covers math, economics, finance, science, engineering, computing, arts, humanities, test prep, college prep, career prep, and English language arts. Strong in math and science, less depth in humanities. |
| Instructional Methods (e.g., video lectures, interactive exercises) | Uses interactive problem-solving rather than video-based lectures. Emphasizes hands-on learning with interactive lessons and challenging problems. | Primarily uses pre-recorded video lessons, interactive quizzes, and practice exercises. Lessons are delivered by subject matter experts and include visuals and simple language to explain complex concepts. |
| Personalization and Adaptive Learning | Adapts to your level with lessons and challenges tailored to your skills. The app prompts for information to tailor the experience and create personalized learning paths. | Provides personalized learning pathways tailored to individual student needs. The platform adapts to each learner's level, offering practice exercises tailored to their understanding. Provides personalized recommendations based on strengths and weaknesses. Adaptive practice features adjust difficulty based on user performance. |
| Progress Tracking and Reporting | Allows you to track your progress and see your development. Provides a snapshot of your learning journey, showing lessons started, finished, or in progress. Digital portfolios provide a comprehensive view of student progress. | Offers a personalized learning dashboard to track progress, set goals, and get recommendations. Progress reports show the percentage of mastery completion at the course and unit levels. Teachers can monitor student progress, identify areas for improvement, and tailor the learning experience. |
| Cost and Subscription Model | Freemium model with free and premium content. Free plan includes daily puzzles and the introduction to paid courses. Premium subscriptions offer unlimited access to courses, quizzes, and offline mode. Monthly subscriptions are around $24.99 - $27.99 per month (as of July 2025). Annual subscriptions are around $13.49 per month when billed annually. Group plans are available. A 7-day free trial is typically available. | Entirely free. No account needed to access lessons, but creating an account allows you to track progress and access additional features. |
| User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) | Known for its excellent user experience. The interface is designed to be intuitive and engaging. Visual learning aids are strong. The user interface includes a transparent canvas, left toolbar, right toolbar, bottom toolbar, and a command center. | Simple, easy to navigate, and minimalistic. User-friendly and intuitive. Some users find the teacher interface not intuitive. |
| Mobile Accessibility (iOS and Android) | Accessible on various devices, including tablets, smartphones, computers, and laptops. Functions smoothly on both iOS and Android devices. | Offers both iOS and Android apps. |
| Offline Content Availability | Premium subscribers can access content offline. | Allows users to download videos for offline viewing. Khan Academy Kids includes 'Kodi's Suitcase,' a section with stories, letters, numbers, logic, and letter tracing available offline. For using Khan Academy in a permanently disconnected environment, Kolibri is recommended. |
| Community Features (Forums, Collaboration) | Offers a community-driven learning platform. Community features are helpful for collaboration and support. | Has community features where learners can ask questions and get help from other learners. With an active, verified account, you can participate in student discussion forums. |
| Teacher Tools and Classroom Integration | Brilliant for Educators provides tools to manage classes, share content, and track student progress. Teachers can create classes, assign content, and invite students. It integrates with Google Classroom and is designed to comply with global privacy laws, including COPPA, FERPA, and GDPR. | Provides tools for teachers to monitor student progress, identify areas for improvement, and tailor learning. Teachers can assign lessons and track student progress. |
| Assessment and Testing Features | Uses interactive lessons and challenges to test skills. Assessments and tests are aligned with learning objectives and provide feedback. The platform offers AI-powered assessment tools for automated scoring and personalized feedback. | Allows learners to test their understanding with unit tests and mastery challenges. |
| Content Quality and Accuracy | Content is created by experts from institutions like MIT, Caltech, Duke, Microsoft, and Google. Focuses on developing critical thinking and logical reasoning skills. Content is regularly updated. | Prioritizes accuracy and employs subject matter experts who use a wide range of source materials. Content is regularly updated and aligned with school curricula. |
| Price | $24.99 - $27.99 per month (monthly subscription, as of July 2025), $13.49 per month (annual subscription, as of July 2025) | Free |