Is Brilliant Worth It in 2026? An Honest Review of Brilliant and Its Alternatives

Is Brilliant worth it? Yes, if you want to master STEM subjects logically and have 15 minutes a day to devote to them. Brilliant.org offers courses from MIT and Harvard experts, fun activities, and interactive lessons.

Here's what most reviews won't tell you: Brilliant is best suited for a small group of learners. You may find Brilliant's options limited if you want to be well-rounded, explore subjects beyond equations, or need learning that fits into real 10-minute breaks.

Let's look at what Brilliant offers, its pricing, and who can really benefit from using it.

Or try the Nibble app, with over 400 lessons, covering math, biology, geography, and history!

Yes, Brilliant is worth it for STEM learners who enjoy puzzle-based learning and have more than 15 minutes daily. But if you're a curious enthusiast looking to explore diverse topics in STEM and beyond, you can try Nibble.

Brilliant is a good choice if:

• You're passionate about STEM fields. You are truly interested in math, science, and computer science, not just to prepare for exams, but to understand how things work.
• You learn best when you solve problems. The interactive style of Brilliant suits your preference for tackling challenges rather than watching lecture videos.
• You're able to practice daily. You have 15–30 minutes daily and enjoy building streaks. Daily challenges help you stay engaged over time.
• You want to improve your critical thinking. Whether you're preparing for interviews, updating your skills, or keeping your mind active, Brilliant helps you build problem-solving skills.
• You don't need certificates. You're learning for self-improvement, not for credentials. Gaining wisdom is your main goal.

Brilliant only offers STEM courses. If you want to study a wider range of topics, such as history, philosophy, art, and psychology, there are other platforms with quick, enjoyable lessons on many subjects.

🧠 Download the Nibble learning app and unlock 400+ engaging lessons.

Brilliant is an interactive online learning platform founded in 2012 by Sue Khim. The platform focuses on STEM education with logical thinking and hands-on challenges.

Active learning is the main focus in Brilliant. From experts at MIT, Harvard, Google, and Microsoft, Brilliant offers over 60 courses in math, science, and computer science.

To make learning fun, the platform uses daily challenges, progress tracking, streaks, and interactive visuals similar to Duolingo. Topics like neural networks and data analysis feel more like games than traditional lessons.

Many online study platforms use video lectures. Rather than watching, you learn by doing with Brilliant.

Brilliant's distinctive features include:

• Problem-first learning. Brilliant does not explain concepts at the beginning of the lesson. Starting with puzzles and games, you discover patterns and solutions along the way.
• Interactive courses. Users engage in an active learning experience with animations, drag-and-drop exercises, and quizzes in Brilliant.
• Expert-designed content. The lessons are developed by specialists from top tech companies that work with these concepts every day.
• Game-based motivation. Tracking progress, earning achievement badges, and tracking streaks make learning fun.

Brilliant offers a game-based user experience. If you prefer step-by-step guidance, its "figure it out yourself" style might be frustrating.

Brilliant specializes in math, computer science, and science, spanning courses from basic algebra through quantum computing.

Here are the main subjects and topics you can learn:

1. Mathematics

This topic contains Brilliant's most extensive library, ranging from basic foundations to advanced university-level math courses.

• Foundational: Pre-algebra, Geometry Fundamentals, and "Mathematical Thinking."
• Intermediate: Algebra I and II, Trigonometry, and Statistics.
• Advanced: Calculus (Differential and Integral), Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Differential Equations.
• Specialized: Number Theory, Complex Numbers, and Group Theory.

2. Applied Computer Science and Programming

The focus here is on "thinking like a computer" rather than only memorizing syntax.

• Programming: Interactive Python courses from beginner to intermediate levels.
• CS Fundamentals: Algorithms, data structures, and computer architecture.
• Neural Networks and AI: How Large Language Models (LLMs) work, the math behind neural networks, and machine learning basics.
• Modern Tech: Cryptocurrency, blockchain, and search engines.

3. Data Science

These courses bridge math and practical data applications.

• Data Analysis: Visualization, probability, and sampling of data.
• Quantitative Skills: Regression analysis, statistics, and Bayesian probability.

4. Science

Brilliant focuses on the "why" and "how" of physical laws using simulations.

• Physics: Classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and special relativity.
• Quantum Physics: Quantum computing and the basics of quantum mechanics.
• Applied Science: Solar energy, computational biology, and "Scientific Thinking."

5. Logic and Deduction

Unique to Brilliant are courses that focus purely on sharpening your brain's reasoning power.

• Logical Reasoning: Logic puzzles, "Truth and Lies," and deductive reasoning.
• Problem Solving: Everyday math and "Mind-Bending" math puzzles.

Each Brilliant course is divided into short lessons, though some can take 30–45 minutes if you get stuck on challenging topics or problems.

Courses start with basic knowledge and get progressively more difficult. This approach makes them a good choice whether you're refreshing high school math or mastering advanced topics.

If you want to learn beyond STEM, Brilliant.org courses won't fully satisfy your interests. If you're curious about the French Revolution, Shakespeare, or ancient philosophy, you'll need to look elsewhere, such as Nibble's all-around short courses.

Brilliant offers typical features for interactive learning:

• Expert STEM courses: You can jump between topics and courses freely.
• Brilliant Math & Science Wiki: A unique Brilliant expert community with all the explanations you need.
• Brilliant for Educators program: K-12 educators and their students may qualify for a free Brilliant Premium plan.
• Daily challenges: Build a consistent learning habit with daily activities and a motivation system.
• Offline mode on mobile: Download lessons to your phone and learn anywhere without an internet connection.
• Progress tracking features: The platform tracks your completed lessons and courses and shows you exactly where you stand.

Brilliant subscription provides four options, plus a free trial to test the app before you commit. Here's how much Brilliant.org costs:

* Prices are accurate as of January 2026. Check the official platforms for the latest offers and regional pricing variations.

Here's how Brilliant stacks up against other online learning platforms:

* Prices are accurate as of January 2026. Check the official platforms for the latest offers and regional pricing variations.

Brilliant is cheaper than Coursera but offers no certificates. It's more expensive than Khan Academy (which is free) but focuses on the same STEM subjects. Unlike Nibble, which covers everything from history to math in truly bite-sized lessons, Brilliant locks you into STEM-only content and costs more.

For a detailed comparison, check out our Nibble app vs Brilliant overview.

🧠 Craving more than STEM? Download Nibble 10-minute lessons on everything from fractals to Shakespeare for just $11.99 per month.

Before you commit to a subscription, here's what actual Brilliant users love and what frustrates them most.

Users on Reddit, Trustpilot, and app stores praise specific features that set Brilliant apart. Here's what keeps learners coming back:

• Interactive learning approach. Brilliant makes you think, not just watch lecture videos. Reddit users praise the platform's ability to "build intuition" rather than requiring memorization.
• Gamified motivation. In the same way that mobile games are addictive, daily challenges, streaks, and progress bars tap into the same dopamine loops. The use of gamification allows users to stick with learning longer than with traditional methods.
• An easy-to-use interface. Brilliant's design has received praise from most reviewers. The mobile app is intuitive, visually pleasing, and offline-compatible.
• Customer support: Brilliant's support team responds quickly to issues (locked accounts, billing questions). Reviews on Trustpilot often mention "fast resolution" and "helpful support."

No platform is perfect, and here's what frustrates Brilliant's users most:

• STEM-only focus limits intellectual growth: If you're curious about anything beyond math, science, and coding, Brilliant is limited to STEM courses.
• No certificates or credentials: You can't add Brilliant courses to your CV or LinkedIn. If you're learning to boost your career prospects, platforms such as Coursera and Udacity offer university-issued certificates.
• Bite-sized lessons aren't always bite-sized: Brilliant markets 15-minute lessons, but Reddit users report sessions stretching to 30-45 minutes when stuck on difficult problems. 
• Surprising auto-renewal charges. There have been reports of users being charged unexpectedly after their free trials have ended. Despite Brilliant's promise, many people report never receiving email reminders.
• The learning curve for beginners is steep. Many students say courses assume basic knowledge.
• No instructor support for one-way learning. There is no way to ask questions or get clarification. If you don't understand something, you are on your own.

🧠 Ready to learn beyond equations? Nibble covers everything in 10 minutes.

Brilliant can be worth it to try for:

When may Brilliant not be worth money:

Let's check out reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and the app store to get the full picture. Some users find Brilliant lacking and superficial.

For example, a Reddit user posted concerns about how Brilliant's approach translates to actual learning:

I let my kids play with it, but I don’t think its great. It is a bit superficial. It lacks depth. And the exercises are too easy. So it doesn’t represent real practice. I guess it’s good to make you feel like your are learning. And it has some nice visualizations. — lifeistrulyawesome

Brilliant and Duo had me feeling like I was learning. I think they are really trying. However, in all practical use cases I couldn't recall — i could only recall in the context of the app. This is probably why people say attack your learning from different angles, to inform your brain that you'll need to recall this information from outside of phone time. — jimofthestoneage

Another Reddit user also has mixed feelings. They love Brilliant's learning approach but see it losing its edge:

It used to be way better. I miss the daily challenges. Still, I love how they turn math into a journey of discovery instead of just rote memorization.I do feel, though, that they’ve lowered the level of difficulty a lot to make the problems more appealing to a wider audience. — GioVillalba

Reviewers on Trustpilot praise Brilliant's user-friendly design. They value how the platform divides learning into smaller segments. This approach allows them to advance steadily. Users say the simple explanations and clear visuals make learning enjoyable.

Customer service at Brilliant is highly rated on review sites. When users have issues with their accounts or billing, the support team responds promptly and is helpful.

Most complaints are about Brilliant subscriptions automatically renewing. Several users report unexpected charges and difficulty getting refunds.

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Several alternatives are available if Brilliant's STEM focus feels too narrow, or if you want more variety at a lower price. Here are the top learning platforms in 2026 compared to Brilliant.

The question isn't "what's best"; it's what you want to learn. If you're committed to STEM mastery through problem-solving, Brilliant delivers. But there's a distinction between specialist STEM learning and becoming a well-rounded thinker.

If you're looking for a platform that helps you replace scrolling with an addictive geography game or dive into topics beyond STEM, try broader learning apps.

If you want to pursue more than STEM, that's where the Nibble app can be a great option:

• Rich 10-minute lessons: Nibble's lessons fit into coffee breaks, commutes, or waiting rooms. Learning path that actually fits your time.
• Diverse topics: Go from learning about who invented the first school to how to divide fractals — all in one day. Nibble covers everything from math and logic to art, history, and literature.
• Fun microlearning that sticks: Interactive quizzes, motion graphics, and games make learning seem like entertainment. Replace toxic scrolling with knowledge that actually matters.
• Learn the "why," not just the "what": Nibble doesn't just teach facts — it helps you understand why things matter. Why was Napoleon exiled twice? Why do we procrastinate? Why does art move us?
• Built for curious generalists, not specialists: If your interests span multiple fields (like most interesting people), Nibble is designed for you. You're not locked into STEM — you're free to explore everything that makes you intellectually curious.
• Easy to fit into your real life: Busy professionals, lifelong learners, and anyone who wants meaningful screen time love Nibble because it works with your schedule, not against it.
• Affordable learning plans: Nibble costs much less than Brilliant and offers more topics with truly short lessons.

Turn your scrolling time into learning — try the Nibble app today!