MasterClass Alternatives 2024 (Free & Paid): Top Competitors

MasterClass is well-known for its celebrity-led courses and unique learning experiences, but it may not always suit everyone’s needs. With its cinematic classes and celebrity instructor list, it has it all.

All of these now become more affordable through various MasterClass coupons & deals, including a flat 50% OFF on all annual plans.

However, if you are looking for more depth into topics and academic subjects, there are several other platforms similar to MasterClass that offer high-quality learning experiences with different features.

Here are the top 9 MasterClass alternatives that I have personally tested, along with pricing, key features, and pros and cons.

• Udemy
• Skillshare
• Coursera
• LinkedIn Learning
• Teachable
• edX
• Mindvalley
• BBC Maestro
• DataCamp

MasterClass Competitors: At A Glance

Here is a comparison table summarizing the information about the online learning platforms:

Platform	Best Features	Pricing	Best For
Udemy	It has an extensive catalog of 210,000+ courses Unlimited access to purchased courses for the duration of the planEarn Certificates of completion	Personal Plan: $20/month Teams Plan: $30/month	Best if you are looking for affordable courses in various fields
Skillshare	Project-based learning Focus on creative fields Has community interaction features	Monthly Plan: $29Annual Plan: $99 (40% off)	Best for creative professionals and hobbyists
Coursera	University-level courses Professional certificates and degrees Free course auditing	Courses: $49+Plus: $59/month or $399/year	For those who want professional/academic certifications
LinkedIn Learning	Career-focused content Integration with Linked-In Offline learning	Monthly Plan: $39.99Annual Plan: $239.88 ($19.99/month)	For those who want to develop career-focused skills.
Teachable	Has course creation tools Customizable platform Built-in payment processing	Free plan available Basic Plan: $39/month Pro Plan: $119/month Business Plan: $299/month	For instructors wanting to create and sell online courses
edX	Has university partnerships MicroMasters programs available Free course auditing	Free audit Certificates: $50-$300 MicroMasters: $600-$1,500	Students interested in academic learning and courses
Mindvalley	Focus on personal growth Renowned instructors High-quality production	Monthly Plan: $49Annual Plan: $399	Personal development enthusiasts and those who want to focus on mental well-being.
BBC Maestro	Expert celebrity instructors High production quality Diverse range of topics	Per course: $10-$50Annual Plan: $10/month	Learners seeking affordable courses taught by world-class experts
DataCamp	Data-focused learning Interactive coding environments Career tracks available	Basic Plan: Free Premium Plan: $14/month Teams Plan: $14/month/user	Students and professionals in data science and analytics

Now, you can get Masterclass annual plans for almost half the price they usually cost; during Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, you can claim up to 50% off.

9 Best MasterClass Alternatives in 2024 (Free & Paid)

Here is a list of websites similar to MasterClass, which you can consider once to match your learning goals.

1. Udemy

Udemy is one of the largest online learning platforms today. It offers the most courses featured in this list across numerous fields, including business, technology, personal development, and the arts.

Key Features:

1. Extensive Course Catalog: Offers over 210,000 courses in various subjects.
2. Unlimited Access: Once purchased, courses similar to MasterClass have unlimited access for your membership period, allowing self-paced learning.
3. Diverse Instructors: Courses are created by various instructors, from industry experts to educators.
4. Certificates of Completion: Unlike MasterClass, this platform provides a certificate when you complete a course, which you can share on LinkedIn.

Pros

• Affordable with regular discounts.
• Various topics are available, catering to a larger audience than MasterClass.
• Unlimited access to purchased courses with one membership.
• Certificate of completion available.
• Offers 600 free courses on their platform

Cons

• Course quality can be inconsistent.
• Lack of structured learning paths.
• Accredited certificates are only available in some courses.

Pricing

• Personal Plan: At $20/month
• Teams Plan: At $30/month

Ideal for: Learners looking for affordable courses in various fields with unlimited access.

2. Skillshare

Skillshare is a website like MasterClass that offers a subscription-based online learning platform emphasizing creativity. It offers courses on design, photography, writing, and business skills.

Skillshare is known for its community-driven approach, allowing students to share projects and collaborate with their peers.

Key Features

• Project-Based Learning: Courses are centered around hands-on projects.
• Creative Focus: Great for graphic design, illustration, and video production.
• Community Interaction: Students can share their projects for feedback from peers.
• Unlimited Access: Subscription grants unlimited access to all courses.

Pros

• Encourages creativity and practical learning.
• Unlimited access to all classes with a subscription.
• Active community for project sharing and collaboration.

Cons

• Limited topics outside of creative fields.

Pricing

• Monthly Subscription: $29 per month.
• Annual Subscription: $99 per year (40% discount)

Ideal For: Creative professionals and hobbyists who enjoy project-based learning and a fun, collaborative online learning environment.

Sometimes, it may confuse users who have just learned about these platforms and wonder which to choose. Thus, I covered it in my in-depth MasterClass vs Skillshare. You will find all the aspects that you may want to compare.

3. Coursera

Coursera is a MasterClass-like website that partners with top universities and companies worldwide to deliver accredited courses, certificates, and even degree programs.

It is best for learners looking to pursue professional and academic development and want credible certificates to display on their resumes.

Key Features

• University-Level Courses: Unlike companies like MasterClass, this website offers courses from institutions like Stanford, Yale, and Google.
• Specializations and Degrees: Includes multi-course Specializations, Professional Certificates, and complete degree programs.
• Free Course Auditing: You can access course content for free without receiving a certificate.
• Flexible Learning: Most courses are self-paced.

Pros

• High-quality courses from top institutions.
• Offers professional certificates and degree programs.
• Flexible schedule with self-paced options.
• Financial aid is available for students.

Cons

• Smaller course list than other alternatives of MasterClass like Udemy.
• Paid courses can be expensive.
• Limited interaction with instructors in some courses.

Pricing

• Individual courses start at $49.
• Coursera Plus: $59 per month or $399 per year for unlimited access to over 7,000 courses.
• Degree Programs: Prices vary depending on the institution.

Ideal For: This platform is best for individuals seeking university-level education and professional certifications.

4. LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning offers many professional courses to boost career skills, covering technology, business, and creative skills.

It integrates well with LinkedIn, making it easy for learners to display course completions on their profiles and enhancing their online chance of bagging a job.

Key Features

• Professional Focus: Courses aim at career development and skill enhancement for a job, not just learning a skill like MasterClass.
• Integration with LinkedIn: Completion certificates can be added directly to your LinkedIn profile.
• Personalized Recommendations: LinkedIn suggests courses based on your career interests and LinkedIn profile.
• Offline Learning: Courses can be downloaded and viewed offline.

Pros

• Wide range of courses for career growth.
• Integration with LinkedIn for easy course sharing.
• Personalized course recommendations.
• Some training and courses also end in internships.

Cons

• More expensive compared to some alternatives.
• Less interactive content compared to platforms like Skillshare.

Pricing

• Monthly Subscription: $39.99 per month.
• Annual Subscription: $239.88 per year (equivalent to $19.99 monthly).

Ideal For: Professionals aiming to develop career-focused skills and enhance their resume online.

5. Teachable

Teachable is a platform that allows instructors to create and sell their own online courses.

It offers tools for creating, marketing, and delivering courses, making it ideal for educators, businesses, and individual course creators.

The website also hosts some excellent courses that you can sign up for.

Key Features

• Course Creation Tools: Provides instructor resources to build courses with videos, quizzes, and assignments.
• Customizable Platform: Allows for branding and customizing course pages.
• Built-in payment Processing is used to secure payment collection from students.
• Has integrated analytics into student progress and course performance.

Pros

• Allows for customized course creation, unlike MasterClass.
• Great for instructors who want to sell courses directly.
• Offers a range of pricing plans for different needs.

Cons

• Course quality can vary as they are created by individual instructors.
• Learning experience depends heavily on course creators.

Pricing

• Free Plan: Limited features.
• Basic Plan: $39 per month (billed annually).
• Pro Plan: $119 per month (billed annually).
• Business Plan: $299 per month (billed annually).

Ideal For: This platform is best for instructors who want to create and sell courses.

6. edX

edX is a nonprofit platform offering courses from prestigious universities like Harvard, MIT, and Berkeley.

It is known for its rigorous academic content and is an excellent choice for learners who want to experience university-level education.

The learning experience on eDX is different than MasterClass; it is more academic-oriented and has fewer creative things like MasterClass.

Key Features

• University Partnerships: eDX hosts courses from top universities and institutions.
• MicroMasters Programs: eDX has short, graduate-level courses that can be credited toward a master’s degree.
• Free Course Auditing: Learners can access course content for free.
• Certificates for Completion: Paid certificates are available for verified courses.

Pros

• High-quality academic content.
• Partners with top colleges and universities to provide academic courses.
• Offers courses in a wide range of disciplines.
• Option to audit classes for free.

Cons

• Certificates can be more expensive than MasterClass.
• Courses may be tough for casual learners.

7. Pricing

• Free Audit: Access to course materials without a certificate for a limited time.
• Verified Certificates: $50 to $300 per course.
• MicroMasters Programs: $600 to $1,500 per program.

Ideal For: This is best for students interested in academic subjects and those who have verified certificates from top universities.

8. Mindvalley

In terms of cinematic quality, Mindvalley is one of those companies like MasterClass that focuses on creative, high-quality content.

Mindvalley courses, however, focus on personal growth and wellness, offering courses on topics such as mindfulness, health, spirituality, and productivity.

It also has the most limited number of courses compared to other websites like MasterClass.

Key Features

• Personal Growth Content: Courses on mindfulness, wellness, and personal development.
• Renowned Instructors: Courses taught by well-known experts in their fields.
• Community and Events: Engages learners through challenges, events, and group learning.
• High-Quality Production: Professionally produced videos.

Pros

• Best for personal growth enthusiasts.
• Engaging community and group challenges.
• Courses led by renowned experts.
• It is one of the only platforms focusing on mental health and wellbeing.

Cons

• High subscription cost.
• Limited topics outside of personal development.

Pricing

• Monthly Subscription: $49 per month.
• Annual Subscription: $399 per year.

Ideal For: MindVally is best for personal development enthusiasts who want to practice mindfulness and wellness in the comforts of their homes.

9. BBC Maestro

If you are looking for companies similar to MasterClass that offer courses taught by industry experts and celebrities, BBC Maestro is the next best option.

BBC Maestro provides courses taught by renowned experts in various fields, including writing, cooking, and music.

Similar to MasterClass, it’s known for its high production quality and unique British perspective on its courses.

Key Features

• Expert Instructors: Courses taught by famous figures from different industries.
• High Production Quality: Professionally produced content.
• Diverse Range of Topics: Courses in arts, business, writing, cooking, and more.

Pros

• High-quality content production is similar to MasterClass.
• Courses taught by famous celebrities.
• Cheaper alternative to MasterClass

Cons

• Smaller course catalog compared to other platforms.

Pricing

• Per Course: Around $10-50 (varies by course).
• Annual Subscription at $10/month

Ideal For: The platform is best for those who want to learn skills from their favorite celebrities online and are looking for a cheaper alternative to MasterClass.

DataCamp

If you want to enhance skills like programming and coding, DataCamp is your best choice.

DataCamp focuses on data science and analytics courses, offering interactive learning experiences in programming, data manipulation, and machine learning.

Key Features

• Data-Focused Learning: Courses in Python, R, SQL, data visualization, and machine learning.
• Interactive Coding Exercises: Hands-on approach with in-browser coding.
• Career Tracks: Structured learning paths to help you achieve specific career goals.
• Skill Assessments: Tests to gauge your progress and knowledge.

Pros

• Interactive learning with coding exercises.
• Structured career tracks and skill assessments.
• Great for beginners in data science.
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• Limited course subjects outside data science.
• No creative courses like MasterClass.

Pricing

• Basic Plan: Free with limited courses.
• Premium Plan: $14 per month (50% discount)
• Teams Plan: $14/month /user (50% discount)

Ideal For: This platform is best for students looking for courses in Data Science and coding, not creative subjects.

Conclusion

While MasterClass is renowned for its celebrity-led and premium courses, several MasterClass alternatives offer courses and learning experiences in different subjects that are not available on MasterClass.

Whether you prefer a traditional academic approach, career-focused skills, or creative project-based learning, you can choose from the above MasterClass alternatives and sign up for what suits your needs.

I hope this helps. Happy Learning!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)