Side by side
Brilliant vs PhET Interactive Simulations
Both stand on statistics learning software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+1
Brilliant offers interactive STEM courses, with a free tier and paid options that add unlimited access and full Koji tutoring. Learners who need offline lessons or completion certificates should note that neither is available.
Visit Brilliant Free plan WebWindowsMac+2
PhET combines interactive simulations with online and offline access across several platforms. Students and teachers can use the free plan, but commercial users need a license and some platform limitations apply.
Visit PhET Interactive SimulationsThe facts
| Brilliant | PhET Interactive Simulations | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | No | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Mac, Web | Web, Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android |
| Lowest paid plan | Individual Premium: $20 a month | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 6 | 1 |
| Maker | Brilliant | Not published |
| Website | brilliant.org | phet.colorado.edu |
| On statistics learning software | #1 of 40 | #4 of 40 |
Brilliant: what it does well
- Courses cover math, coding, data science, science, technology, and AI
- Problems include visual models and immediate feedback
- Premium includes unlimited lessons and practice
- Family Premium includes six seats
- Available on Android, iOS, and web
What to know first
- Free accounts are limited to two lessons per day
- Free accounts see occasional ads
- Lessons cannot be downloaded for offline use
- No completion certificates
PhET Interactive Simulations: what it does well
- Free simulations are available to students and teachers.
- Simulations support virtual experiments and guided lessons.
- All simulations are open source.
- Mobile apps support offline use.
- Available on web, desktop, and mobile platforms.
What to know first
- Android browser-based HTML5 simulations are not officially supported.
- Linux is not officially supported.
- Commercial use requires a license.
Alternatives to Brilliant Alternatives to PhET Interactive Simulations The whole list