MasterClass Price: Is it Worth the Cost?

Masterclass enjoys its prestige as the only online learning platform that allows you to learn directly from the most recognized professionals in the world. As the Netflix of online learning, is it actually worth your time and money?

Masterclass enjoys its prestige as the only online learning platform that allows you to learn directly from the most recognized professionals in the world. As the Netflix of online learning, is it actually worth your time and money?

masterclass home page
MasterClass logo
MasterClass Logo

MasterClass (masterclass.com) is an online learning platform that offers 180 video lessons and sessions with celebrity instructors, such as Gordon Ramsay, Natalie Portman, Serena Williams, Malcolm Gladwell, Neil deGrasse Tyson, and more! I

It has gained popularity over the years due to its high-quality courses that offer in-depth, hands-on learning experiences. Each course consists of video lessons in playlist format, a workbook, and optional assignments that you can submit for feedback.

But how much does MasterClass cost? And, is it worth the price?

In this article, we’ll look in-depth at MasterClass pricing, its features, and whether it’s worth the cost.


MasterClass Pricing 💵

MasterClass memberships consist of 3 subscription plans: the Individual plan, the Duo plan, and Family Plan.

Individual Plan 👤

  • The individual plan is an annual subscription that costs $180 ($15 dollars per month), which gives you unlimited access to all courses for one user.

Duo Plan 👥

  • The duo plan costs $240 per year ($20 dollars a month, saving $120 if the other person was also using Masterclass ), which gives access to watch simultaneously on two devices, ideally to share with a friend or family member.

One key difference between the Duo and Individual plan is that the Individual Membership does not include downloading for offline viewing.

This means that users with an Individual Masterclass subscription can only access the courses through streaming on the Masterclass website or app while connected to the internet.

Please note that Masterclass at the moment only offers annual subscriptions.

For Families or Small Teams 🏠

  • MasterClass offers a Family Plan for $276 per year ($24 per month), which allows up to 6 family members to have access to the entire library of courses.

With the Family Plan, each family member can create their own account and access the courses independently, which means everyone can progress at their own pace.

This is a great option for families who want to learn together and save money at the same time.

The Family Plan includes all the features of the Individual Plan, including unlimited access to all courses, the ability to stream on multiple devices, and access to the offline viewing feature.

MasterClass offers occasional discounts and promotions, especially for new subscribers. You can check their website for current offers and deals.

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Examples of cooking courses in Masterclass
Examples of cooking courses in Masterclass

For Teams and Enterprises 🏢

  • MasterClass has a team subscription plan that offers discounted rates to companies or enterprises, you must get in touch directly with their team here.

Grants for Accredited Organizations 🏦

MasterClass is committed to advancing education and learning by offering grants to accredited organizations.

Accredited organizations can apply for the grant and use it to provide access to MasterClass courses to their students, faculty, and staff. Through this program, MasterClass aims to offer professional development opportunities, and increase the skills and knowledge of students and employees. With the grant program, MasterClass is taking a step forward in supporting education and making learning accessible to everyone.

Image showing the website were masterclass talks about grants
Sourced from Masterclass.com

If you’d like to apply for a grant, you can do it here

Masterclass Refund Policy 💲

According to Masterclass, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on their annual membership. If a customer is not satisfied with their membership within the first 30 days of their purchase, they can contact Masterclass customer support to request a refund.

However, it’s important to note that Masterclass reserves the right to deny a refund if they suspect abuse of their refund policy or if the customer has violated their terms of service.


Topics Covered in Masterclass 💡

MasterClass offers a wide range of online classes on various topics. Some of the topics covered by MasterClass online classes include:

  1. Arts & Entertainment: Acting, Filmmaking, Music, Comedy, Writing, etc.
  2. Culinary Arts: Cooking techniques, recipes, food science, etc.
  3. Business & Politics: Leadership, negotiation, economics, politics, etc.
  4. Sports & Games: Chess, basketball, poker, tennis, football, etc.
  5. Design & Style: Interior design, fashion design, architecture, etc.
  6. Science & Technology: Space exploration, computer science, conservation, etc.
  7. Lifestyle: Wellness, creativity, gardening, etc.
  8. Photography: Techniques, composition, lighting, post-processing, etc.
  9. Writing: Fiction writing, non-fiction writing, poetry, screenwriting, etc.
  10. Music: Vocal technique, music theory, songwriting, music production, etc


MasterClass Features 💡

MasterClass offers a lot of features that make it stand out from other online learning platforms. Here are some of the features you can expect:

🎥 Streaming: stream on popular devices such as Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV allowing for a seamless viewing experience with high-quality video and audio.

🌏 World-class instructors: MasterClass courses are taught by celebrity instructors who are experts in their fields. You can learn cooking from Gordon Ramsay, writing from Neil Gaiman, tennis from Serena Williams, and more.

📖 Workbook: Each course comes with a downloadable workbook that contains summaries of the lessons, assignments, and additional resources.

👁 Offline viewing: You can download the video lessons for offline viewing, so you can learn on the go*

🗺 Comprehensive plan options: sharing your subscription is not a problem by choosing the right plan for either yourself, a friend or your family.

🔉 Audio-only lessons: unique feature offered that allows users to listen to classes as audio-only content. Additionally, users can easily switch between watching the video and listening to the audio without losing their place in the class. This feature is included in all MasterClass memberships.

🖼 High-quality video lessons: The video lessons are professionally produced and shot in high-definition. The production value is on par with Netflix documentaries.

🙌 Hands-on learning: Some courses offer hands-on learning experiences, such as cooking, where you can follow along with the instructor’s recipes.

💳 All-access membership: With an annual membership, you can have unlimited access to all courses on MasterClass. There’s no limit to how many courses you can take.

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Masterclass features breakdown screenshot summary
Masterclass features breakdown screenshot summary

About the instructors — 🧑‍🏫

MasterClass has a diverse range of instructors from various fields, including entertainment, sports, music, writing, cooking, business, and more. Some of the notable instructors include Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Gordon Ramsay, Annie Leibovitz, Serena Williams, Neil Gaiman, Margaret Atwood, Hans Zimmer, Jane Goodall, Bob Iger, and many others.

Each instructor brings their unique expertise and experience to their respective MasterClass courses, offering learners a comprehensive and engaging learning experience.

Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman is a renowned author of novels, graphic novels, and comics. He is widely known for his works such as “American Gods,” “Coraline,” and “Sandman.” In his Masterclass, he shares his expertise on storytelling, world-building, character development, and the art of writing. Gaiman’s course is suitable for both aspiring and experienced writers who want to refine their craft and learn how to bring their stories to life.

Ron Finley

Ron Finley is an urban gardener and community activist who gained fame for his TED Talk titled “A Guerrilla Gardener in South Central LA.

In his Masterclass, Finley shares his knowledge on the benefits of gardening, how to grow and care for different types of plants, and how to use gardening as a tool for community building. Finley’s course is perfect for anyone interested in gardening, sustainability, and community empowerment.

Brandon McMillan

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Brandon McMillan is a professional animal trainer who has trained animals for films, TV shows, and commercials. In his Masterclass, McMillan teaches students how to train their dogs to be well-behaved, obedient, and happy companions. McMillan’s course covers various topics such as obedience training, behavior modification, and canine psychology. His course is suitable for both first-time dog owners and experienced trainers who want to learn new techniques.

Chris Hadfield

Chris Hadfield is a retired Canadian astronaut and former commander of the International Space Station. In his Masterclass, Hadfield shares his experiences and knowledge on space exploration, science, and life in space. His course covers various topics such as astronaut training, spacewalking, and the future of space exploration. Hadfield’s course is perfect for anyone interested in space, science, and the human experience of exploring the unknown.

Serena Williams

Serena Williams is a professional tennis player and one of the greatest athletes of all time. In her Masterclass, Williams shares her techniques and strategies for playing tennis, including how to serve, return, and move on the court.

Williams also shares her personal story, including her struggles and triumphs in her career. Her course is suitable for tennis players of all levels, from beginners to professionals, who want to improve their game and learn from one of the best in the world.

Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood is a prominent Canadian author, poet, and literary critic. She is best known for her novels, including “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Alias Grace,” and “The Blind Assassin,” among many others. Her literary work spans over five decades and includes more than 50 books of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.

Atwood’s MasterClass is not just for aspiring writers but also for anyone interested in literature and the creative process. The course provides a unique insight into the mind of one of the world’s most accomplished writers, with Atwood sharing her personal experiences and offering invaluable advice for anyone looking to improve their writing skills or broaden their literary horizons.

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Pros and Cons of Masterclass

Pros

  • High-quality, in-depth online courses on a wide range of topics taught by world-renowned experts.
  • Very easy to get into
  • Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • Ability to stream MasterClass on various devices such as Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV.
  • Individual memberships offer access to all courses for a reasonable yearly fee.
  • Duo memberships offer great value for couples or friends who want to learn together
  • Self-paced
  • 30 day money back guarantee.

Cons

  • The courses are not accredited, so they may not be recognized by employers or educational institutions.
  • Some courses may be too basic
  • Individual memberships do not include the ability to download courses for offline viewing.
  • No certificates of completion
  • Relatively few courses
  • Non-existent refund policy after 30 days of purchase.

MasterClass vs. Competitors

MasterClass is not the only online learning platform out there. There are other options, such a Udemy, Coursera, and more. Let’s compare MasterClass to some of its competitors.

Udemy Logo

Udemy

This online platform offers a pay-per-course model, with courses ranging from $10 to $200. It has a vast selection of courses, with over 155,000 courses to choose from. However, the quality of the courses can vary, as anyone can create and upload their own course.

Additionally, its subscription service is only available to select regions and allows access to only 8,000 courses. Udemy subscription for the individual plan costs:

  • $29.99 per month, as a monthly membership.
  • $199 per year ($16.58/ month), as an annual membership (Save $160)

With all of that said, the decision to subscribe to MasterClass depends on personal preferences, goals within your budget. If someone wants to learn in an engaging and relaxed way, MasterClass is a great option. The platform provides unmatched access to some of the most prominent and respected experts in the world, and the experience of learning from them firsthand is invaluable.

Coursera

Coursera and MasterClass differ significantly in their pricing and course topics. The first one mentioned operates on a subscription model, where users can either pay for individual courses or purchase a monthly subscription that provides access to the entire catalog of courses. Prices range from around $30 to $100 per course, depending on the level and duration of the course.

coursera screenshot
Coursera Home page

In contrast, MasterClass offers a different pricing structure, charging users an annual subscription fee to access all courses. The subscription price is lower than Coursera’s plus subscription, which costs $399 annually or $59 monthly.

Additionally, the course topics on Coursera tend to be more traditional and academic, with a focus on STEM fields, business, and social sciences. MasterClass, on the other hand, emphasizes creative and lifestyle topics such as cooking, writing, and music, with courses taught by well-known figures in those fields.

Overall, Coursera and LinkedIn Learning might be a better choice than MasterClass if you’re looking to obtain specific qualifications for your career. Both platforms offer a wide range of courses and programs from accredited universities and industry experts, many of which can lead to certifications or degrees recognized by employers.

While MasterClass provides valuable insights and knowledge from accomplished professionals, its courses are not specifically designed for career advancement and do not provide the same level of academic recognition as Coursera or LinkedIn Learning.

Who is Masterclass for? Is the Cost Worth it?

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The annual membership fee may be a significant investment, but it is important to weigh that cost against the value of the information and insights that can be gained from the courses.

Additionally, with the 30-day money-back guarantee, you are able to give it a try without really committing, see if you really gain anything valuable from watching a course, and of course, the entertainment that you were expecting from it.

Ultimately, while MasterClass may be geared toward those who have established careers, aren’t looking for further qualifications, and have some disposable income, the platform can provide valuable knowledge and inspiration to anyone who is curious and eager to learn.

Masterclass ReviewIs it worth it?

If you’re someone who loves to learn online and is always looking for new ways to challenge yourself, then you might want to consider giving MasterClass a try. With its engaging video lessons, helpful workbooks, and hands-on activities, MasterClass provides a top-notch learning experience that can help you grow your skills and expand your knowledge.

Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that MasterClass isn’t for everyone. The cost may be a bit steep for some, and the lack of live sessions and interaction may not be ideal for those who prefer a more collaborative learning environment. Some people also feel that the lessons are more inspirational than practical and that they could benefit from more detailed instruction and feedback.

However, despite these potential drawbacks, MasterClass remains one of the most popular and respected online learning platforms around. With its world-renowned celebrity instructors, high-quality video lessons, and comprehensive courses, MasterClass is an excellent way to take your skills to the next level and learn from some of the best in the world. Whether you’re looking to enhance your career, pursue a new hobby, or simply broaden your horizons, MasterClass is definitely worth considering 🙂

Some reviews from Masterclass users ⭐️

“I have had Master Class for a year and have very much enjoyed all the new things I’ve learned! It’s interesting, fun, and easy to use. Having people with loads of experience sharing their tips with you can take you to the next level quickly. My contact with the Support dept was very positive as well. I would highly recommend Master Class.”

– KstepGo

“Very knowledgeable instructors.
A vast variety of topics. Short lessons so that you can fit it in your schedule.”

– Shayan J.

“ As a newcomer to Masterclass, I have been impressed by the range and quality of the classes and sessions available. I also greatly appreciate the app – this has given me the flexibility to listen to classes on the train and during work breaks. With very prompt and helpful service provided through Masterclass support as well, I can’t rate this experience highly enough. Thank you!”

– Jo T.

Most negative reviews were related to the auto-renewal of the yearly plan. It is an annual subscription and there’s no refund policy after you have passed 30 day refund window.

Masterclass FAQ ❓

Are all lessons available for offline viewing

Currently, not all video lessons can be downloaded.

How can I cancel MasterClass annual subscription renewal?
  • In order to cancel the annual subscription renewal, you must log into your account and masterclass.com.
    • 1) Click on your account/ profile in the top right corner.
    • 2) Click Settings
    • 3) Under the Membership section, click Cancel and follow the steps to cancel the automatic renewal.

You will have access to the content for the remaining period until your next billing date.

How often are new classes added to MasterClass?

Every month new classes are added to MasterClass.

Are there any free MasterClass classes?

Unfortunately, there aren’t any free courses or a free trial available. But, you can browse their website and preview some of their courses to see if they would interest you.

Does Masterclass offer certificates of completion?

Nope! MasterClass doesn’t give certificates of completion.

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