Aurelius vs Paladin: which history app is better?
Short answer
Aurelius (our app) scores 9.2/10 and Paladin 4.6/10. Both make 5-minute illustrated lessons with a quiz after each, on iPhone and Android. Aurelius teaches 13 eras in chronological order with credited sources for $9.99 a month (3-day free trial); Paladin tells animated stories about famous people for $12.99 a month and has far more ratings (4.6 from 23,623). Pick Aurelius to understand history in order, Paladin for animated stories.
We make Aurelius. Every fact below comes from the two apps' US App Store and Google Play listings, read October 20, 2026.
| App | Score | Best for | App Store rating | Google Play rating | Price (US) | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurelius Our app | 9.2/10 | Learning world history in order, as connected stories, in 5 minutes a day | No ratings yet | No rating shown yet | 3-day free trial, then $9.99/month or $79.99/year | iPhone/iPad, Android |
| Paladin | 4.6/10 | Animated 5-minute stories about famous people | 4.6 from 23,623 ratings | 4.6 from 19,124 reviews | Pro: $12.99/month, $24.99 for 3 months; six yearly prices listed, $29.99 to $99.99 | iPhone/iPad, Android |
Side by side
| Aurelius (our app) | Paladin | |
|---|---|---|
| Lessons | 127 illustrated lessons, about 5 minutes | Animated 5-minute lessons |
| Organized by | 13 eras in chronological order, lessons linked | Famous people (Cleopatra, Lincoln…) |
| Quiz | After every lesson, with explanations | After every lesson |
| Rewards | XP, levels, streaks, 76 Honors | Levels, collectible characters |
| Play with others | Trivia battles, challenges with friends | Not described |
| Sources | Images credited; lessons fact-checked | Not described |
| Price (US) | $9.99/month or $79.99/year, 3-day trial | $12.99/month; $24.99/3 months; yearly $29.99–$99.99 |
| Ratings | None yet (launched Jan 2026) | 4.6 (23,623) App Store; 4.6 (19,124) Google Play |
| Platforms | iPhone, iPad, Android | iPhone, iPad, Android |
Scores by criterion
| Criterion | Aurelius | Paladin |
|---|---|---|
| Learning design (22%) | 10 | 8 |
| Chronological path (22%) | 10 | 1 |
| Sources and accuracy (17%) | 10 | 2 |
| History depth (12%) | 10 | 5 |
| Price and clarity (10%) | 10 | 2 |
| Platforms (10%) | 8 | 8 |
| Ratings (7%) | 1 | 10 |
| Total | 9.2 | 4.6 |
Which should you choose?
- Choose Aurelius if you want to understand how history fits together, from Ancient Egypt to the Cold War, with sources you can see, and pay less per month.
- Choose Paladin if you mostly want animated stories about famous people and the reassurance of a large, well-rated app.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aurelius better than Paladin?
On our seven criteria, yes: 9.2 vs 4.6. Paladin wins clearly on ratings; Aurelius wins on chronological order, sources and price clarity. We make Aurelius, so check the facts above.
Which is cheaper, Aurelius or Paladin?
Aurelius: $9.99 a month or $79.99 a year, against Paladin's $12.99 a month (US App Store, October 2026).
Are both on Android?
Yes, both are on Google Play and the App Store.
Which is better for adults who never liked history at school?
Aurelius, because it tells history as one story in order, so each lesson makes the next easier to follow. Paladin's stories about famous people are fun but don't connect into a timeline.
Can I try both for free?
Aurelius has a 3-day free trial. Paladin is free to download, but its listing does not say what you can learn without Pro.
The bottom line
Same short-lesson format, different goal: Paladin for animated portraits of famous people, Aurelius for the whole story in order, with sources and a lower monthly price. Try Aurelius free for 3 days, or read the full Paladin review.
Sources
- Aurelius: Learn History and Paladin: Learn History, US App Store listings and in-app purchases, and Google Play listings (US), read October 20, 2026.