Is MasterClass Worth It? A First-Hand Review (Updated for 2024)
Imagine getting lessons not just from a field expert, but from someone who is so good at their craft that they have become globally famous. That’s the idea behind MasterClass.
- Masterclass Offers: Grab the Latest Discount Code ➡️
Its a pretty unique offering: elite level professionals giving classes at an affordable price – no wonder many people have a few doubts:
- How does Masterclass really work in practice?
- Does this concept work?
- Can these veterans really teach in a way that beginners will understand?
- Wouldn’t it cost the average learner too much money to learn from their idols?
- Is Masterclass worth it?
If these questions have ever crossed your mind after you heard of the MasterClass online learning platform, you’re not alone.
I had the same questions.
So, I set out to find answers by subscribing to the platform for several months. Here’s my write up: a frankly honest MasterClass review based on my own experience.
Here, I’ll talk about the following aspects:
Before diving into the review, I thought it pertinent to get under the skin of Masterclass – who is behind the company and what’s their goal.
MasterClass Overview
MasterClass was founded in October 2014 by David Rogier and Aaron Rasmussen. The pair started the company while David was still a student at Stanford. Back then, they called the startup “Yanka Industries.” It wasn’t until May 2015 that the official name became “MasterClass.”
The key concept behind the startup was to provide premium, yet affordable, coaching via video lessons across various fields. They started with only three instructors and classes:
- Serena Williams (Tennis class)
- Dustin Hoffman (Acting class)
- James Patterson (Writing class)
These instructors were people who were at the top of their professions. Hence, the startup stood out from most of the other e-learning platforms.
Today, MasterClass boasts over 180 classes in its library and almost as many high-profile instructors teaching them. They have big names such as Neil deGrasse Tyson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Alicia Keys teaching lessons. You can find a course in just about any category.
I spent several months on the platform and took as many courses as I could. After documenting my experience, I was able to create this honest review. Below is an overview of MasterClass based on the key aspects that determine whether or not it is worth it.
| Course Categories | Food Writing Music Design & Style Business Art & Entertainment Sports & Gaming Wellness Science & Tech Community & Government Home & Lifestyle |
| Course Requirements | None |
| Content Formats | Classes Playlists Sessions Series |
| Spoken Language | English (subtitles available in other languages) |
| Certifications | None |
| Instructor Selection Criteria | Must be famous in their field and currently relevant |
| One-on-one Interaction | Unavailable |
| Community | Limited – only through sessions |
| What I Liked the Most | Video quality |
| What I Disliked the Most | Customer support |
| Pricing | $180 – $276 per year |
| Discounts | Available via limited time offers |
| Refund Policy | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Masterclass Pros & Cons
Pros
- Fantastic video production
- Engaging course content
- Instructors are considered celebrities in their fields
- Affordable, despite having premium instructors
- Favorable refund policy
- Discounts are available
- Apps are available for almost all kinds of devices
Cons
- No certificate of course completion
- No chance for one-on-one interaction with instructors
- Restrictive pricing options as you can’t pay on a monthly or per-course basis
- Poor customer support
Honest Verdict
I believe MasterClass is great for beginners looking to start their careers or learn more about a topic that interests them.
Can you make money or get a job from completing MasterClass courses?
Probably, but it will mostly boil down to your talent, work ethic, and desire to learn further.
MasterClass won’t magically make you a field expert. A lot of the online classes are hands-off and pre-recorded.
However, you can learn a lot of valuable tips from the knowledge and experiences of industry experts.
So, what is my honest recommendation?
If you’re a creative person looking to explore a new career or brush up on your skills, MasterClass is ideal for you.
The fact that one annual subscription grants you access to all courses is a huge plus.
Use that opportunity to explore all the fields that interest you until you find your best fit.
MasterClass Courses
Each course on the platform is called a “class.” In this section, I’ll walk you through all the MasterClass categories, requirements, structure, and more.
My aim is to give you such a detailed review that you will know as much about how MasterClass works as an actual member.
Categories
There are 11 MasterClass categories available on the platform. Each of these has classes related to a specific field or niche. Here are the categories:
- Food
There are 32 classes in the food category. Celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsay are in charge of a lot of them. They share their tips and methods on topics like baking, mixology, and grilling.
You can also learn to cook food using ingredients and methods indigenous to places such as India, Italy, and Japan.
- Read: Our Gordon Ramsay Masterclass Review
- Read: Our Alice Waters Masterclass Review
- Writing
Writing is a profession that is harder than it looks. You need skill and experience to effectively convey your thoughts via print. That is why writing has its own MasterClass category with 31 classes.
From fiction and poetry to screenwriting and character development, there seems to be a class for every area of the trade. I suspect many will find a lot of value in learning directly from best-selling authors.
- Read: Our Aaron Sorkin Masterclass Review
- Music
The music category is where you’ll find some of the most recognizable faces in the entertainment industry. You can learn from top vocalists like John Legend and Alicia Keys or instrumentalists like Yo-Yo Ma or Ringo Starr. They teach songwriting, beat-making, singing, and stage performance in a catalog of 24 classes.
- Design & Style
There are 23 stylish classes here. Some of them teach you how to style yourself with clothes and hair. Others focus more on your ability to style events with other people. There are even drawing courses and photography.
The category is solely focused on enhancing human and environmental aesthetics. Even if you don’t apply the knowledge you gain to a business, you can still use the skills you learned.
- Business
With over 40 courses to choose from, this category may contain the secret ingredient you seek for a new business. You get to learn from successful serial entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson and Kris Jenner.
These are people who have proven themselves in the business world, and they teach topics like sales, branding, and disruption.
- Arts & Entertainment
This category has the largest amount of content, and for good reason. A lot of people in the art profession join MasterClass because they want to learn trade secrets from seasoned actors, musicians, storytellers, and more.
There are 86 classes under the art and entertainment umbrella. You’ll find lessons from celebrities like Usher, Natalie Portman, and Issa Rae.
- Read: Our Neil Gaiman Masterclass Review
- Sports & Gaming
Although the sports and gaming section of the MasterClass course library began with one class by Serena Williams, a lot has changed over the years. The category now holds 17 different classes.
These cover sports ranging from basketball to gymnastics. You can even learn about skateboarding and poker.
- Wellness
The classes in the wellness category focus on helping students improve their mind, body, and soul. With mindfulness lessons, yoga instructions, and healthy diet tips, the courses here promise to offer value to anyone, no matter their profession.
Of the 14 classes in the category, there are also mindset lessons that may help boost motivation and creativity.
- Science & Tech
There are only 10 classes in the science and technology section. However, it boasts some of the biggest names in the science and tech industry. Marques Brownlee and Neil deGrasse Tyson are two of the most popular instructors.
Check the category to find classes about scientific thinking, space exploration, videography, and more.
- Community & Government
Who would have thought that it would one day be possible to learn from a former US president? MasterClass makes it possible, and you can find classes from the likes of Bill Clinton, George Bush, and Hillary Clinton.
The instructors here teach leadership, economics, conservation, social change, and more. You get to choose from 18 different classes.
- Home & Lifestyle
There are 20 classes in the home and lifestyle category. They range from lessons about gardening to cooking and interior design.
These courses are for both regular homeowners and people looking to earn a living with the skills they learn on the platform.
Requirements
We’ve seen cases where people need to meet certain requirements (other than make a payment) before they can access a course. Does MasterClass have similar requirements?
The short answer is no; you do not need to meet any educational or professional requirements prior to taking a class. There are courses for both beginners and advanced students.
Well, what about system requirements?
It’s true that the footage from the ads and even the website look like they might only run smoothly on exceptional or high-end devices. However, you only need a simple web browser and an internet speed of at least 5 MB per second.
I recommend that you use either of the following browsers for the best experience:
- Google Chrome
- Apple Safari
- Mozilla Firefox
Update the browser to the latest version, and you should be fine. You should also have over 500 MB of storage space on your device, as you might need it to store downloadable files during the lessons.
Length and Structure
All MasterClass programs follow a similar structure. There are categories, and each one has several classes in it. Each class is made up of a number of video lessons.
We’ve already discussed the MasterClass categories in detail. Now it’s time to talk about how the classes and lessons are structured.
Classes
An instructor, or a group of instructors, teaches each class. They cover a specific topic in a series of video lessons. Even if there’s still a lot more to learn about the topic, the class tries to follow a steady progression and have a definite conclusion. Note that a class can belong to more than one category.
Also, the classes offer resources in the form of downloadable guides of 5 to 50 MB. They serve as workbooks with drills, tips, and additional instructions. These guides are usually dozens of pages long, and I got good value from them.
If you’re unsure about what a class holds for you, here are a few ways to learn more about it in minutes:
- Read the class description.
- Watch the class trailer.
- Read the class lesson plan and learn about each item.
- Watch the class sample.
You can do all of the above on the website even if you don’t have a MasterClass account.
So, how long is a MasterClass class?
The length of a class on MasterClass ranges from 1 hour and 20 minutes to 14 hours and 7 minutes. Most of the class durations fall within this range.
Lessons
Several lessons make up each class. Each lesson covers a different aspect of the class topic. MasterClass claims to structure these lessons in a way that helps students move from beginner to more advanced level in a few hours.
You can learn more about each lesson by going through the class lesson plan. There, you will find a lesson title and description.
Most classes have less than 20 lessons. Each lesson lasts for at least 2 minutes and at most 20 minutes. There are outliers, but these are rare on the platform as it markets itself as producing bite-sized content.
Other content formats
Classes are not the only type of content on the MasterClass platform. They also offer video lessons in the form of the following:
- Playlists
A MasterClass playlist is a compilation of snippets from several video lessons. These lessons could be taken from the same class, instructor, or category. They are aimed at providing quick value on a specific subject or several related subjects.
- Series
Presently, there are only three series on the platform. These original MasterClass series contain seasons and episodes. They are not instructional, like other types of content on the platform. Rather, they use documentary-style storytelling to provide value.
Famous speakers use the series to tell stories about other influential figures, their inspirations, and events that happened in their field.
- Sessions
The MasterClass sessions are a lot like the regular classes. However, they are more practical and require hands-on participation. For example, in the videography session with Marques Brownlee, you would have to create your original video by the end. You can also share your work or ask questions via the community feeds. Your instructors or other students will respond and share their thoughts.
Note that sessions aren’t live. The video lessons are pre-recorded, and you will always have access to them on your active account.
Language
Unfortunately, all the lessons on MasterClass only have English versions. Some of the courses do offer subtitles in other languages, including the following:
- Spanish
- French
- German
- Japanese
- Chinese
- Portuguese
- Italian
- Hindi
- Polish
Certifications
Even though the most important part of taking a course is the knowledge you gain, I still believe certificates are important. They serve as proof of your skills and help you get jobs or clients more easily.
Unfortunately, MasterClass does not offer any form of certification. That means you get no professional certificate, certificate of completion, or verified certificate.
The best you can get is an email proof of completion. The company sends it to you once you’ve finished a course. It contains a congratulatory message plus some tips and class recommendations.
Most Popular MasterClass Courses
If you’re wondering, what are the best masterclasses? You can find them below. We’ve compiled a list of the 10 most popular courses on the platform.
Categories: Business
Duration: 3 hours and 4 minutes
Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator, and he transfers his wealth of knowledge in this course. You can apply his experience and tips to your everyday activities that involve negotiating with other people.
In 18 lessons, Chris offers insights into human psychology and teaches various communication skills. There are exercises where you get to see him put some of the theories into action. Also, he tries to refer to his personal experiences as an FBI negotiator. These are real stories, and they will help you make key decisions in the most tense of situations.
The course also comes with a downloadable workbook. It contains examples that portray how you can use the skills you learned from the course.
Categories: Wellness, Home & Lifestyle
Duration: 6 hours and 30 minutes
This course is all about improving your mental health. It’s taught by one of the all-time greats of western mindfulness, Jon Kabat Zinn. He teaches several meditation techniques that will help you relax, relieve stress, and improve focus.
Jon also discusses the science behind mindfulness and how it affects aging in humans. There are several exercises in this class, including modern yoga. It also comes with a downloadable guide that delves deeper into the mindfulness and meditation tips in the video lessons.
The entire topic, lesson structure, and tips indicate that anyone can benefit from the class, irrespective of their age, religion, or occupation.
Categories: Food, Home & Lifestyle
Duration: 3 hours and 54 minutes
In case you’ve never heard of Gordon Ramsay, you should know that he’s considered the most famous chef in the world. Many recognize him from his many cooking shows, including Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmare.
Ramsay brings his talent, skills, and personality to MasterClass in this 20-lesson video course. It covers everything about cooking: from sourcing ingredients and recipes to cooking techniques and tips.
This is a masterclass that both beginners and seasoned cooks can enjoy, as the topics covered are not complex. The class also includes a cookbook containing recipes and cooking instructions.
This was Gordon Ramsay’s first course on MasterClass, and he later returned for a sequel course focused on restaurant recipes.
Check out the full review of Gordan Ramsay Teaches Cooking 1 & 2
Categories: Food, Home & Lifestyle
Duration: 5 hours and 41 minutes
Yotam Ottolenghi is one of the greatest chefs of this century. The Israeli-born culinary icon teaches the art of Middle Eastern cooking in 26 lessons. This masterclass covers recipes and cooking tips for several Middle Eastern delicacies, including the following:
- Muhammara
- Shakshuka
- Mafalda pasta
- Dukkah
Yotam takes his time in each video as he walks you through the steps to make condiments, spreads, and main courses. He uses both Middle Eastern indigenous spices and other ingredients that are globally available, such as rice. You’ll find more recipes and ingredients in the downloadable cookbook.
Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Writing
Duration: 4 hours and 49 minutes
Neil Gaiman is an award-winning author who, until now, has never taught in an online class. He is the lead instructor in this masterclass that takes students on a journey that explores storytelling in modern writing.
You can learn how to understand genre expectations, build compelling characters, and create realistic fiction. The information in the 19 lessons may prove useful to budding writers and established authors who want to hone their craft or venture into fiction.
The course extends to a downloadable class resource where you can get extra info and lesson exercises to help you practice.
Check out the full review of Neil Gaiman Teaches the Art of Storytelling
Categories: Design & Style, Business
Duration: 3 hours and 48 minutes
This course helps both makeup enthusiasts and cosmetic professionals. Headed by elite make-up artist and entrepreneur, Bobbi Brown, this class takes you through various tips and tricks of facial cosmetics.
You’ll learn all about how she started and sustained her own cosmetic company by evolving with the current trends in make-up. You’ll also discover the top make-up essentials, what works with different skin tones, and what mistakes to avoid.
Bobbi also talks about skin care and how to do it right. The class is very practical, and you’ll see her do her magic on the faces of a diverse set of models.
Taking this class will give you access to 19 video lessons and a class resource containing Bobbi’s product recommendations.
Categories: Home & Lifestyle
Duration: 2 hours and 48 minutes
Brandon McMillan is one of the most famous dog trainers in the world. He became so thanks to the success of his dog show, “Lucky Dog.” The program has won three Emmy awards out of eight nominations.
You can get direct lessons from Brandon on forming a bond with your dog. With that bond, you can teach your dog to do several activities on command, such as:
- Sitting
- Specific barking
- Digging
- Staying
You can also teach your dog to understand simple commands such as “no” or “come.” In 15 lessons, Brandon shares all of these and more. Taking the course could help you establish a strong bond with your pet as soon as possible. You can also download the class workbook to learn more about commands.
Categories: Business, Science & Tech
Duration: 2 hours and 14 minutes
World-famous astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, joins MasterClass to produce one of the most popular science and tech courses on the platform. The class does touch on astrological concepts, but the main topic of discussion is science and philosophy.
Neil teaches you unbiased thinking, developing curiosity, and finding factual answers through research. If you’ve ever watched one of Neil’s videos circulating on social media, you know he’s a charismatic speaker. In this class, he lets all of his charisma shine through to create 13 engaging lessons.
Categories: Design & Style, Home & Lifestyle
Duration: 2 hours and 13 minutes
Kelly Wearstler teaches you how to decorate and design interiors for your home, office, or client. She is an award-winning designer who shares her experience and passion for interior decor in this popular masterclass.
Kelly covers topics such as picking colors, what materials to use, making patterns, and maximizing space. The 17-lesson class is designed with several practical lessons. You can use what you learn to create unique styles of your own.
Kelly also shares her inspiration sources and more tips in the downloadable class resource.
Categories: Design & Style, Arts & Entertainment
Duration: 3 hours and 4 minutes
Annie Leibovitz is mostly famous for being the first female chief photographer at Rolling Stone. Up until now, she hasn’t created an online photography class.
In this masterclass, she dives into various photography-related topics, such as the following:
- Concept making
- Lighting
- Perspective
- Focus
- Sharpness
She also uses case studies by immersing students in photo shoots. The entire class features 15 lessons, including sessions with students from the San Francisco Art Institute.
MasterClass Instructors
Part of what makes a great class is the instructor. Their ability to convey information in a clear, concise, and engaging manner is important.
This section will be all about the tutors on MasterClass. We know they are some of the best at what they do, but how good are they at teaching?
Let’s start by exploring their qualifications based on the company’s selection criteria for tutors.
Instructor Selection Criteria
So far, you may be wondering: “How does MasterClass get celebrities?” No other online learning platform has been able to get so many big names to teach their classes.
Before MasterClass approaches a potential instructor, the candidate must be famous in their field. They must be one of the best.
This means that whoever has an interest in such a field must have heard of this person. For example, it’s almost impossible for you to be a basketball lover and not know the player named Steph Curry.
The potential instructor must also be currently relevant. This means that they must still be actively involved in their field at the time of recording the lessons. These instructors are not retired has-beens with nothing better to do. Rather, they are still doing projects or developing the industry in one way or another.
In fact, a lot of the celebrities who create masterclasses see them as a way to give back to people who idolize them and to leave a relevant body of work for when they finally retire.
The celebrities get paid a large sum to record the courses in their own style. They also get a share of the revenue the class generates after publishing.
Most Famous Celebrities
We’ve already talked about the most popular classes on the platform. Now, I’ll reveal five of the biggest celebrity instructors to work with Masterclass and all of the work they’ve put out.
You may find someone who interests you and see if they have a class you’re interested in taking.
- Bill Clinton
Masterclass: Inclusive Leadership
The folks at MasterClass were able to get a former United States president to create an online course. This is a massive achievement, as people from all over the world can learn from such an influential political figure.
The 42nd US president gives a class on how to become a better leader. You can learn why he is so good at tasks that most people struggle with, such as public speaking and negotiation.
- Hillary Clinton
Masterclass: The Power of Resilience
Hillary Clinton is one of the most powerful politicians in the United States. She has served as first lady, senator, and secretary of state.
She was also the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate in the 2016 election, where she narrowly lost to Donald Trump. Despite the defeat, Hillary continues to play a major role in American politics. Hence, she is one of the best people to teach others how to have a resilient mindset in the face of setbacks.
- Samuel L. Jackson
Masterclass: Acting
Samuel L. Jackson is a well-known American actor and producer who has starred in major blockbusters in the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s. He is the third-highest-grossing actor in the world, as the movies he has appeared in have earned over $27 billion.
Some of his best works are Django Unchained, Iron Man, Pulp Fiction, and Shaft. Samuel teaches a masterclass on acting and is the most famous celebrity in that category.
- Christina Aguilera
Masterclass: Session: Elevate Your Singing and Stage Presence, Class: Singing
Christina Aguilera is an American music artist. She is known for having a spectacular singing voice. Having sold over 100 million records and won a Grammy Award, she’s an icon in the industry.
Her songs include Genie in a Bottle, The Voice Within, and Beautiful. She has created two courses on MasterClass (including one session).
- Neil deGrasse Tyson
Masterclass: Scientific Thinking and Communication
When it comes to explaining scientific concepts in a fun and engaging way, no one does it better than Neil deGrasse Tyson. He has won several awards from organizations like NASA.
Neil deGrasse Tyson is also popular on social media, and many of his interviews have gone viral over the years. He has also played minor roles in Hollywood, especially guest-starring in The Big Bang Theory.
One-On-One Interaction
One of the best ways to learn faster is to have direct access to your instructor. That is why I always love it when a course offers one-on-one tutor interaction. Unfortunately, there is no way for you to directly contact a MasterClass instructor.
This restriction is understandable, as the instructors are celebrities. Hence, there’s a high risk that a direct line of contact could be misused.
Community
There is currently no forum-like community on MasterClass. This means that you cannot create site-wide public threads and have others comment on your post.
However, you can join a session and interact with your peers as a community. These sessions allow you to post your work and get feedback from peers. You can also ask questions and get answers from them.
My MasterClass Learning Experience
So far, I’ve covered most of the capabilities of the MasterClass programs and their instructors. Now, it’s time for me to take you through my personal journey on the platform.
I can divide my entire learning experience with MasterClass into five parts:
- Video quality
- Accessibility
- Features
- Platforms
- Support
To give you a more concise idea of each part I cover, I will include my score rating. This rating is over 5.0, and it will tell you how satisfied I was with that aspect of MasterClass.
Video Quality: 5/5
MasterClass has some of the best videos I’ve ever seen on an online course platform. They have a full production team that works closely with the instructors to create high-quality and professional-looking videos.
You can watch videos in HD up to 1080p. This is a screenshot I took while watching one of the video lessons in HD. See how sleek it looks?
The lighting and contrast levels in masterclasses are also top-notch. All of their videos have a dark hue that gives the impression of luxury and eliteness, which is the concept behind the entire company.
Then there’s the background. All of the instructors are placed in backgrounds that are great to look at, but not so clustered that they distract the viewer from the main lesson. It’s easy to forget that you’re watching an online video course and not having a conversation with the speaker.
The audio quality is just as great as that of the video. In all of the lessons I watched, I could hear the instructors loud and clear. This might not be much to some people, but I take a lot of online courses, and if you’ve ever tried to learn with low or disjointed sound, you would understand.
Content Quality: 3.5/5
Maybe it has always been clear that MasterClass has great videos. But what about content? Do the instructors live up to their name and give real, unique value to the viewer?
I’ll be talking about all of that and more in this section. To determine content quality, I’ll refer to my learning experience in terms of ease of use and lesson value.
Lesson Value
Did I get any value from taking MasterClass classes? The short answer is yes, I did.
To give you a clearer view, here’s a list of the first set of content I watched:
- KELLY WEARSTLER teaches Interior Design
- GORDON RAMSAY teaches Cooking I
- SIMONE BILES teaches Gymnastics Fundamentals
- TONY HAWK teaches Skateboarding
- Get Pumped Up playlist by Issa Rae, Malala Yousafzai, Chris Hadfield and more
- GOAT series: The Greatest of All Time
- HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON teaches the Power of Resilience
I found almost all of the classes to be fun, engaging, and highly practical for pre-recorded content. Of course, the fact that the videos are not live makes them less interactive, but I still got a great deal of value from them.
MasterClass is an example of what can happen when quality production meets talented and charismatic instructors.
Ease of Use
The platform is moderately easy to use. Each time you log in, you’ll see some recommendations for you containing classes, sessions, and playlists.
You can easily search for what you want through the search bar at the top of the page. Input a name, topic, or class, and you’ll get the closest matches as results. While these results are pretty accurate, their setup could be better.
MasterClass shows you a list of classes and individual lessons as results. That can confuse a new user. Also, you may search for an instructor who has multiple classes. Sometimes the results show the latest class at the top of the list, the lessons in that class, and the second class right at the bottom. This can be pretty misleading and clunky. You can see it happen here when I searched for “Gordon Ramsay.” I think it will be better if the results show only the matching classes.
There is also a library page where you can view all of the content. I was able to filter this library based on category, format, and duration. I also got a personalized filter, which I can use to find the courses I’m currently taking, those I’ve finished, and the ones on my wait list.
Features: 4/5
Online learning platforms have the advantage over traditional schools because they can include technology in their learning process. Unfortunately, not all platforms use the opportunity well enough.
I included a features section in the review because I want you to have a clear picture of what it’s like to use the online platform.
- My Notes
My Notes is a feature that only appears when you watch videos in normal-sized mode and not fullscreen. You can find it on the right-hand side of the screen, just beside “All Lessons.”
The My Notes feature allows you to take private notes on the class while you watch the video lessons. You can always access these notes later by heading to the My Progress page and scrolling downward. The notes are also accessible through the instructor page.
- Playback Rate
MasterClass videos allow you to control their playback rate. You can make the videos play much faster or slower, depending on what you need at the time. This is great for fast binge-watching or slow note-taking.
There are four playback rate options:
- 1x (normal speed)
- 0.5x
- 1.5x
- 2.0x
- Share Button
While watching a video, you can choose to share a link to it via several social media options. The process is semi-automatic, and all you have to do is click a few buttons.
These social media options are:
- Facebook post
- LinkedIn post
- Twitter tweet
- Facebook Messenger DM
This feature might seem self-serving from MasterClass, but there are cases where you might find it useful. For instance, when you find a lesson that would benefit your friends, followers, colleagues, or employees, it helps to have a way to share it quickly. They will also receive a Guest Pass, which allows them free access to the class for 14 days.
- Bookmarks
When a video lesson is playing, you can instantly bookmark the lesson. This allows you to return to that exact timestamp in the lesson. It’s great for marking the key moments in a class.
Like My Notes, you can find your bookmarks on the My Progress page.
- MasterClass App
When it comes to learning in an unconventional environment, such as on the bus or during lunch, apps can be quite useful. However, the apps have to offer enough value to justify a download.
You can download apps for the following types of devices:
- iOS
- Android
- Roku
- Infinity
- Amazon
The apps work just like the web version. However, there are some added perks, including the following:
- You can listen to the audio versions of the lessons.
- You can also watch MasterClass courses on your smart TV.
- You may use the Android or iOS apps to download lessons and view them offline.
Unfortunately, you don’t get the My Notes feature.
I thought the app was a good companion. However, it did feel a bit clunky at times. There were a few bugs, and the navigation could be better.
MasterClass Support: 2/5
The website’s support operates via a customer service ticket. There is also a help center where you can find tutorial videos, troubleshooting guides, and FAQs.
Although my experience with the support team wasn’t too bad, they took too long to respond. The general public doesn’t seem satisfied with their customer care either. Customer support reviews on sites like TrustPilot reveal MasterClass is subpar in that aspect because a majority of their reviews are negative.
MasterClass Pricing and Plans
This part of my MasterClass review focuses on the monetary aspect of the platform. You’ll learn what pricing options are available. I’ll also be giving some money-saving tips.
Plans
So, how much does MasterClass cost?
It will cost you between $180 and $276 to get access to MasterClass courses. The platform only bills students annually. So, at a starting price of $15 per month, you need to spend at least $180.
Below are the plans and pricing options for MasterClass. They are very similar, so I created the table to reflect only the differences between them.
| Name | Individual | Duo | Family |
| No. of Simultaneous connected devices | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Offline Viewing | No | Yes | Yes |
| Monthly Price | $15 | $20 | $23 |
| Annual Price | $180 | $240 | $276 |
Please note that every plan will give you complete access to all of the classes, playlists, sessions, and series in the MasterClass library.
Discounts
If you’re looking for a way to save money on e-learning, MasterClass provides such an opportunity. The company gives discounts randomly and in the form of limited-time offers.
Recently, there was a Mother’s Day discount offer of 25% off the Duo plan and 35% off the Family plan.
If you’re a company looking to help your employees earn more skills, contact sales to get a group discount.
Free Courses
Unfortunately, I could not find any free courses on MasterClass. The only free trial available was the 14-day Guest Pass, which I discussed earlier.
Refund Policy
MasterClass has a 30-day refund policy. That means if you buy a membership and, in less than a month, you feel dissatisfied, you can request your money back.
Of course, the company will look into your claim, and if it is found valid, you will get a full refund on your membership fee.
Is MasterClass for You?
It’s decision time in this review of MasterClass. I’ll help you decide the kinds of situations that are ideal for a MasterClass membership.
MasterClass is for you if you:
- Have an interest in a wide variety of topics and want to expand your knowledge
- Are unsure about what career to pursue and want to explore all options
- Want to combine both entertainment and learning in your free time
- Prefer to learn from the experience of other creative minds
MasterClass is NOT for you if you…
- Prioritize professional certifications
- Need a single course program or monthly subscription
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the disadvantage of MasterClass?
The major disadvantage of the MasterClass platform is that there are no monthly subscription plans. This means that you have to pay a lump sum for a year’s worth of access each time you make a payment.
The 30-day money-back guarantee serves as the only way to test the platform without committing to it for a year. However, you would still need to pay the full amount and ask for a refund within 30 days of your initial subscription.
Can MasterClass actually teach you anything?
Yes, MasterClass can teach you something, especially if you are creative. There is not much you can learn in terms of science and technology, but for arts like music, creative writing, interior decor, photography, cooking, acting, and the like, there’s a lot to gain.
Is MasterClass better than Udemy?
I have used both MasterClass and Udemy in the last year. From my experience, both are different platforms that meet distinct needs. MasterClass offers more artistic classes, while Udemy offers courses in almost any category you can imagine.
Despite their differences, I think MasterClass is better because of the immense quality of the lesson production. Unlike Udemy videos, which are creator-sponsored, the MasterClass company sponsors their videos. This means that Udemy has a lower chance of consistently producing high-quality content.
Why is MasterClass popular?
MasterClass is one of the most popular e-learning platforms because of how famous the instructors are. Many of them are A-list celebrities who will command the attention of the average person.
From famous actors to presidents, the list of popular people who have partnered with MasterClass is long. These celebrities also have massive social media followings, and they share their new classes on these platforms, further increasing MasterClass’s popularity.
So, is MasterClass Worth It?
Personally, I believe MasterClass is worth it because a single subscription will give you access to a wide range of informative classes for a full year.
Much like with anything, if you’re committed to learning a new skill and you can be consistent with your application then you’ll surely get value from Masterclass and it will be worth it for you.
The onus is on you, rather than the teacher to show up.
The pricing is affordable, and there I definitely got the feeling of value for money once I’d completed a couple of courses.
The user experience on Masterclass is smooth and intuitive – it feels like a premium platform. I also liked the flexibility in learning, with options to watch on various devices and download lessons for offline viewing.
Of course, the platform can always be better. I would love to see more flexible pricing options in the future and more hands-on programs.
Overall, MasterClass is an extremely good and successful platform with a lot to offer the right person.
My answer to “is Masterclass worth it?” is a resounding “Yes!”.
