Comparison

Lumosity vs Brilliant

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Lumosity

Engage your mind with a variety of science-based brain games and puzzles designed to improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Personalized daily workouts and detailed performance insights help you track progress and achieve cognitive goals.

Highlights
  • 40+ adaptive brain games
  • Daily personalized workout plans
  • Performance insights
  • Progress tracking
  • Fit Test for baseline scores
  • Games by skill category
Read full description

Train your mind with Lumosity’s fun science-based brain games, played by over 100 million users worldwide. Lumosity is a leading brain training app with cognitive games and puzzles to exercise Memory, Attention, Problem Solving and more. WHAT’S INSIDE THE APP •40+ Brain games that adapt as you play •Daily workout plans to train your brain •Insights into your performance •Track your progress and achieve your training goals GET STARTED WITH A FIT TEST Take a free, 10-minute Fit Test to set your baseline scores and see how your scores compare to others in your age group. EXPLORE BRAIN GAMES BY SKILL Choose the skill you want to target by playing games for speed, memory, attention, flexibility, problem-solving, math and word games. DAILY PERSONALIZED BRAIN WORKOUTS Build daily habits with workouts curated for you. Get personalized challenges based on your training habits and preferences. Practice key skills through curated, targeted brain games. DETAILED TRAINING INSIGHTS Discover your strengths across games with in-depth performance insights. Explore patterns in your gameplay to better understand how you engage with different challenges. THE SCIENCE BEHIND LUMOSITY We’re a team of scientists and designers exploring new ways to challenge the brain and advance cognitive research. We take established cognitive and neuropsychological tasks, or create entirely new, experimental challenges. We then transform these tasks into games and puzzles that challenge core cognitive skills. We also collaborate with 40+ university researchers worldwide. We provide qualified researchers free access to Lumosity’s tools, to support new investigations in the cognitive sciences. WHO IS LUMOSITY FOR? •People of all ages who enjoy challenging their minds with fun, challenging games •Lifelong learners interested in games that engage cognitive skills. •Anyone aiming to exercise Memory, Speed, Attention, or Problem Solving skills. Whether you're drinking your morning coffee or winding down before bed, Lumosity makes it easy to fit a meaningful brain training session into your day. Join millions using Lumosity to train their minds. Download today and build your brain training habit. GET HELP: https://lumositybeta.zendesk.com/ FOLLOW US: http://twitter.com/lumosity LIKE US: http://facebook.com/lumosity LUMOSITY PREMIUM & TERMS With Lumosity Premium, you will work out with a personalized training program, unlock in-depth insights about how you play, and receive tips for better game accuracy, speed and strategy. Lumosity Premium subscriptions are charged through your iTunes account upon confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will automatically renew at the price and period selected above unless you turn off auto-renewal at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You may manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal in your iTunes account settings after purchase. Refunds are not provided for the unused portion of any term, and any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when a purchase is made. Privacy Policy: https://www.lumosity.com/legal/privacy_policy Terms of Service: https://www.lumosity.com/legal/terms_of_service Payment Policy: https://www.lumosity.com/legal/payment_policy California Privacy Policy: https://www.lumosity.com/en/legal/privacy_policy/#what-information-we-collect

About

Brilliant

Master math and computer science through interactive, visual lessons. This app focuses on active problem-solving and personalized practice to build critical thinking and STEM skills. Ideal for students and lifelong learners seeking to deepen their understanding and confidence.

Highlights
  • Interactive problem-solving lessons
  • Personalized practice sets
  • Visual explanations of concepts
  • Expert-crafted STEM courses
  • Real-time feedback
  • Builds critical thinking skills
Features
Read full description

Brilliant is a superintelligent tutor for math and coding. Our team of experts from MIT and Harvard has built a world-class personalized learning system. For students from grade 5 to college and beyond – you work through problems with a tutor that sees where you’re stuck, can sketch right on your screen, asks the right questions, and guides you to real a-ha moments. Forget memorizing formulas. Brilliant is designed to build real understanding and help you excel. It’s there when you need it, adapts to how you think, and makes learning feel like a fun challenge instead of a chore. Master everything from foundational math and algebra to college-level calculus, Python, computer science, AI, neural networks, algorithms, data analysis, physics, and more. Join over 10 million people using Brilliant to reach their learning goals. WHY BRILLIANT WORKS - One-on-one learning for all
 Private tutoring is the most effective way to learn, but it’s expensive, hard to schedule, and out of reach for most families. Brilliant’s tutor works with you one-on-one, every single day, for a fraction of the cost. No scheduling. No waiting. Just learning.
 - Like someone sitting next to you Brilliant’s tutor can see what’s on your screen and react in real time, from highlighting parts of a problem to creating visualizations that bring hard concepts to life. - Expert-crafted curriculum Every course is crafted by our team of human experts from top institutions around the world. And with new and updated courses added every month, there’s always something new to explore. - Learning that adapts to you Brilliant’s tutor personalizes your experience in real time, adjusting to your skill level, filling gaps before they become problems, and helping you build confidence as you go. - Build true problem-solving skills Brilliant doesn’t give you answers. It guides you through problems and to your own a-ha moments. So while you’re learning, you’re also building critical thinking and analytical skills – and having fun. WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING “Koji doesn’t judge. It feels like talking to the most patient teacher.” — Alan “Going through a lesson with Koji is more active, interactive, and guided than traditional learning.” — Lory “She read the problem out loud and figured it out on her own — ‘Oh! I know! Never mind, Mom, I got it!’ I'm seeing those breakthroughs more often.” — Arianne Send feedback to ios@brilliant.org. LIKE US: https://facebook.com/brilliantorg FOLLOW US: https://x.com/brilliantorg Privacy Policy: https://brilliant.org/privacy_policy/ Terms of Use: https://brilliant.org/terms-of-use/

Screenshots

Lumosity4 screens
Brilliant4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Lumosity at 131K against Brilliant's 33K. Lumosity also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Lumosity sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $11.99 per month and Brilliant sells 16 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Lumosity against 4.7 for Brilliant. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 131K and 33K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 79% and 79% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. Both last shipped on October 20, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Lumosity versus Brilliant: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLumosityBrilliant
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (131K ratings)4.7 (33K ratings)
Positive reviews79.4% of reviews — better79.0% of reviews
Number of ratings131K — better33K
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#79#60 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size257 MB104 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLumos Labs, Inc.Brilliant.org

Customer experience

Lumosity

All ratings130,507 ratings
Positive93.6%
Neutral4.1%
Negative2.3%
Written reviews3,499 reviews
Positive79.4%
Neutral5.8%
Negative14.8%

Brilliant

All ratings32,990 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral2.3%
Negative3.3%
Written reviews3,651 reviews
Positive79.0%
Neutral7.7%
Negative13.4%

User reviews

Lumosity

From 131K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Challenging and engaging games
  • 👍 Helps improve cognitive abilities
  • 🧠 Effective brain training
  • 💡 Variety of games and exercises
  • 🧠 Noticeable improvements in memory and focus

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🔒 Limited access to features without premium
  • 🐛 Glitches and performance issues
  • 🤔 Frustrating difficulty progression
  • 🤔 Repetitive and unengaging at higher levels

Brilliant

From 33K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Quick exercises, fast improvement
  • 👍 Engaging and easy learning
  • 👍 Effective learning of complex topics
  • 👍 Intuitive and challenging but not intimidating
  • 👍 Wonderful learning tool

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches
  • 🔍 Limited variety of learning methods
  • 🔍 Limited course selection
  • 🔍 Inconsistent explanations and unclear wording

Bugs and requests

Lumosity

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Login and account issues
  • Inconsistent performance across devices
  • Syncing problems between mobile and desktop
  • Unreliable customer support

Requested features

6 requests
  • More free games and content
  • Ability to slow down or adjust game difficulty
  • Better performance and stability
  • More detailed progress tracking and insights
  • Ability to compete with friends
Show 1 more
  • Easier subscription management and cancellation

Brilliant

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Progress not saving correctly
  • Explanations not loading properly
  • Home page not loading
  • Difficulty cancelling subscription

Requested features

6 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Offline mode
  • Spaced repetition practice
  • Ability to bookmark/save difficult problems
  • More detailed explanations
Show 1 more
  • More courses in other scientific fields

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Lumosity

Subscriptions7
  • Lumosity Premium2 variants$11.991 Month
  • Lumosity Premium14 Days trial$11.991 Month
  • Lumosity Premium$35.991 Year
Show 4 more
  • Lumosity Premium$54.991 Year
  • Lumosity Premium$69.991 Year
  • Lumosity Premium2 variants$89.001 Year
  • Lumosity Premium14 Days trial$89.001 Year
One-time1
  • One Month Subscription$14.99
16 purchases

Brilliant

Subscriptions16
  • Brilliant Premium - Personal stats & exclusive problems$19.991 Month
  • Brilliant Premium: Fun, challenging problems in math and science by experts2 variants$24.991 Month
  • Brilliant Premium$24.991 Month
Show 13 more
  • Brilliant Premium with Tutor$30.001 Month
  • Brilliant Premium: Fun, challenging problems in math and science by experts$74.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium: Fun, challenging problems in math and science by experts$96.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium: Fun, challenging problems in math and science by experts$111.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium$111.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium: Fun, challenging problems in math and science by experts2 variants$119.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium$127.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium7 Days trial$127.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium: Fun, challenging problems in math and science by experts$149.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium7 Days trial$149.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium7 Days trial$159.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium with Tutor7 Days trial$167.991 Year
  • Brilliant Premium with Tutor7 Days trial$191.991 Year

Questions

Is Lumosity free?
Lumosity is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Brilliant free?
Brilliant is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lumosity or Brilliant?
Lumosity and Brilliant are both rated 4.7 out of 5 on the App Store, from 131K and 33K ratings respectively.
Do Lumosity or Brilliant have ads?
Both Lumosity and Brilliant show ads.
Which is updated more often, Lumosity or Brilliant?
Lumosity ships an update weekly, and Brilliant weekly. Most recently, Lumosity was updated on October 20, 2026 and Brilliant on October 20, 2026.
Which is more popular, Lumosity or Brilliant?
Lumosity currently peaks at #79 in the App Store charts, and Brilliant at #60. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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