Online Course Platform Reviews · 2026

Pricing, plan rules and review data last checked October 3, 2026. This review is based on Brilliant’s own help center and Terms of Use plus public Trustpilot data, not on a hands-on course audit.

Brilliant teaches math, science, computer science and data analysis through interactive problems instead of video lectures. Free accounts get two lessons a day, and Premium removes the limits and unlocks its AI tutor, Koji. Here is what Premium costs, what the free plan really includes, what Brilliant’s terms say about renewals and refunds, and who should (and shouldn’t) pay for it.

What Is Brilliant.org?

Brilliant is an interactive learning platform founded in 2012. Its courses cover math, computer science, science and data analysis, and Brilliant lists more than 40 interactive courses on its subscription page. Instead of watching someone explain a concept, you work through puzzles and exercises on the page and get immediate feedback. Premium adds Koji, an AI tutor that guides your thinking when you get stuck.

Is Brilliant Shutting Down?

No. Searches for this usually come from a mix-up with a different company. Brilliant, the smart-home maker known for in-wall control panels and light switches, ran out of money in May 2024, laid off most of its staff and went looking for a buyer, as The Verge reported. It was later bought by an investment group and now operates as Brilliant NextGen. That company has no connection to Brilliant.org, the learning platform reviewed here, which is still operating: its help center and pricing articles were updated in September 2026.

How Much Does Brilliant Cost?

Brilliant tells shoppers to check its subscription page for current pricing, because the price depends on plan type, location and promotions. The standard US prices widely reported in 2026 are:

The math: twelve months on the monthly plan would cost about $335.88, so the annual plan is roughly half the price. It pays for itself after a little under six months of use. The flip side is that the annual plan is one large non-refundable payment (see the billing section below).

Brilliant says it rarely discounts Premium; the main exception is its annual Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale, plus occasional partnerships. Brilliant also says it sometimes offers free trials, but availability varies by platform, account and timing, so don’t assume one will be offered. K–12 teachers and their students may qualify for free Premium through Brilliant for Educators.

Free vs Premium

The free plan is real but tightly limited. According to Brilliant’s help center:

That is enough to find out whether the teaching style suits you, but at two lessons a day a full course takes a long time. Free and Premium users alike can solve hands-on problems, track streaks and XP, and compete in Leagues.

What Is Koji, the AI Tutor?

Koji is Brilliant’s built-in tutor. It can see what you are working on, including the interactive elements on screen, and walks you through the thinking step by step instead of handing you the answer. Brilliant says Koji is built partly on a third-party AI model, with its behavior customized by Brilliant’s team, and that it is available on most courses, including nearly all of the math and coding courses. Free users get a limited preview; Premium users get full access. You can mute Koji in your settings if you prefer to work without it.

Renewals, Refunds and What Trustpilot Shows

Brilliant’s Terms of Use (effective February 9, 2026) set the rules that matter most before you pay:

• Subscriptions renew automatically for an equivalent period at the price you agreed to, until you cancel.
• To avoid being charged for the next term, the cancellation must be submitted at least one business day before the current term ends.
• All payments are non-refundable, and partially used subscription periods get no refund or credit. Any refund Brilliant does give is voluntary and at its sole discretion.
• Promotions such as free trials convert to a paid subscription unless you cancel before the promotion period ends. Brilliant’s help center suggests cancelling at least 24 hours before a trial ends.

On Trustpilot, Brilliant holds a rating of about 4.1 to 4.2 out of 5 from roughly 2,900 reviews as of September 2026, with about 82% of reviews at five stars and about 11% at one star. Positive reviews commonly praise the interactive lessons and responsive support. Critical reviews of Brilliant commonly point to auto-renewal charges and declined refund requests rather than to the courses themselves, which fits what the terms say: refunds are a courtesy, not a right.

Checklist: Avoid an Unwanted Charge

1. Check which plan you are on. A monthly plan renews every month and an annual plan renews once a year, so know the date of your next charge.
2. Cancel at least one full business day early. Brilliant’s terms require this to avoid the next charge, so a same-day cancellation may be too late.
3. Cancel where you subscribed. On the web, use Subscription Settings in your account. If you subscribed through the Apple App Store or Google Play, cancel there instead.
4. If you start a free trial, cancel at least 24 hours before it ends unless you want to be charged.
5. If you are charged unexpectedly, contact support@brilliant.org promptly. Refunds are discretionary, so ask quickly and politely rather than waiting.
6. Unsure about commitment? Starting monthly costs more per month but limits how much you can lose if you stop using it.

Teaching Style and Course Quality

Almost every screen asks you to do something: drag, adjust, predict or solve. That suits people who understand an idea better by working with it than by hearing it explained. Brilliant is STEM-only by design, so it won’t help with business, writing or marketing skills. It also doesn’t build a portfolio or give you a record you can show employers, so pairing what you learn with a small project of your own makes the knowledge stick and gives you something to point to.

One practical tip for Premium subscribers: use the jump-to-any-lesson feature to go straight to the topics you are weakest in instead of working through every course in order.

Who Brilliant Fits

This table is our assessment based on what Brilliant offers:

Pros and Cons

Brilliant vs Other Platforms

• Brilliant vs DataCamp: DataCamp is built around data science and AI skills; Brilliant covers broader math, science and computer science foundations through interactive problems. See our Is DataCamp Worth It review.
• Brilliant vs Codecademy: Codecademy is coding-specific; Brilliant spans math, science and CS fundamentals. See our Is Codecademy Worth It review.
• If you need a certificate: Brilliant itself points learners who need formal credentials toward colleges, professional certification programs, and MOOCs that offer verified certificates, such as Coursera and edX.

Final Verdict

Worth it if you want to build STEM intuition by solving problems, you’ll use Koji and the jump-ahead feature, and you are comfortable setting a reminder for your renewal date.

Not worth it if you need a certificate or credential, your goals are outside math, science, computer science and data, or you’d rather learn from video lectures.

Frequently Asked Questions