MasterClass Review 2024: Pros & Cons, pricing, and features

When it comes to online learning, MasterClass is one of the leading choices among users worldwide.

But what is the hype all about?

Here is my detailed MasterClass Review as someone who has had the MasterClass subscription for almost two years!

I will discuss why MasterClass is famous, the pros and cons of the platform, the current pricing, and a few things you should consider before signing up.

My Quick And Honest Review On MasterClass

Overall, when it comes to the quality of the courses and the credibility of instructors, MasterClass is unbeaten.

They have courses made with utmost production value, and their instructor list comprises the crème of the industry—the celebrities of their respective fields. This has contributed to my personal growth.

However, the only hiccup I found in the platform was that online learning is common and mostly preferred today.

MasterClass has around 200 courses, mainly for the creative skill set, but in today’s world, a large population also wants to take technical courses to boost their skills.

I rate MasterClass a 4/5.

MasterClass Review: Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Celebrity Instructors: Learn from the best in their fields.	Lack of Interactive Features: No live classes or direct interaction with instructors.
High-Quality Production: Engaging and visually appealing content.	Lack of Technical Courses: Missing subjects like coding, computing, etc.
Wide Range of Topics: Covers cooking, writing, music, sports, and more.	Lack of Accredited Certificates: No official certification.
Flexible Learning: Self-paced with the ability to revisit lessons and download content.
Community Engagement: Opportunities to interact with peers and discuss content.
Downloadable Resources: Workbooks and materials for offline use.
Mobile App: Learn on the go with a convenient mobile app.

Pricing Plans – How Much Does Master Class Cost?

Are you curious to know how much the masterclass costs?

When choosing a MasterClass subscription, you have 4 different plans, each designed for different customer needs.

1. Standard Plan: The MasterClass Standard Plan is priced at $10/month and billed at $120 per year. This Plan includes access to all 200+ courses in MasterClass in over 13 categories and access to courses on one device, but no downloading option is available.
2. Plus Plan: This Plan is priced at $15 per month and billed annually at $180/year. It includes everything in the Standard plan, including two-device access and a downloading option.
3. Premium Plan: The Plan costs $20/month and will cost you around $240. The features included in the Plan are everything in the Plus Plan for six-device access.
4. MasterClass for Work: If you are looking for a plan for more than 6 people for organizations and businesses.

You can also contact their sales team and negotiate a custom plan for yourself.

Suppose you want to choose from existing plans with discounts on their top-tier plans. Using MasterClass Coupons, you can get 50% off on their annual plans.

All plans on MasterClass also include a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can rest assured with your purchase and try out the platform risk-free for the first 30 days of your purchase.

MasterClass Ongoing Offers (November 2024)

Now is the best time to sign up for MasterClass in November 2024.

Exclusively until 30 November 2024, MasterClass is having a sale. You can get a 15% discount on their Plus plan and a 25% discount on their premium Plan.

Here are the details of the offer and how these MasterClass subscriptions will cost you.

Plan	Regular Price	Discount Price	Ongoing discount
Standard Plan	$10/month	$120/year ($10 per person per month)	–
Plus Plan	$15/month	$7/person/month	15% OFF
Premium Plan	$10/month	$3.33/ person/month	25% OFF

What Is MasterClass?

MasterClass is an online education platform that stands out from the others. Its celebrity instructors and Documentary-style production make learning both informative and entertaining.

MasterClass was founded by David Rogier, originally under the name Yanka Industries. Aaron Rasmussen later joined as co-founder and chief technology officer.

The learning experience on MasterClass is designed to be immersive and almost cinematic.

Each course is divided into video lessons, typically 10 to 20 minutes each, with accompanying downloadable workbooks. The content is accessible on-demand, allowing users to learn at their own pace and in the comfort of their own houses.

Class Categories on MasterClass

MasterClass offers courses across 13 categories, each taught by world-renowned experts. Here are some of the most popular courses in these categories:

1. Arts & Entertainment

Thus, this is MasterClass’ biggest category, with courses on photography, acting, singing, filmmaking, film scoring, animation, screenplay, and more.

Some famous classes from this category are:

• Jodie Foster teaches filmmaking
• David Finch teaches Creativity and Film
• Helen Mirren teaching Acting
• Christina Aguilera teaches Singing
• Misty Copeland teaches Ballet
• David Mamet teaches creative writing.
• Kevin Hart (Using humor to make your mark)
• Neil Gaiman Teaches The Art Of Storytelling

2. Home & Lifestyle

The Home & Lifestyle section teaches interior design, cooking, wellness, and gardening. A total of 26 classes are available in this category. For example:

• Donna Farhi teaches Yoga
• Lweis Hamilton teaches a Winning Mindset
• Joe Holder Teaches Fitness and Wellness Foundations

3. Music

This is another famous category on MasterClass. These courses are taught by famous singers, songwriters, and scores. Some of the most popular classes are:

• Mariah Carey teaches Voice as an Instrument
• Alicia Keys teaches Songwriting and Producing
• Tom Morello Teaches Electric Guitar
• Usher Teaches the Art of Performance
• Metallica Teaches Being a Band

4. Design & Style

If you are into fashion and beauty, including students and professionals, you will also find courses in this category, like

• Anna Wintour teaches Creativity and Leadership
• Naomi Campbell teaches Modelling
• Marc Jacobs teaches Fashion Designing
• Bobbi Brown teaches Beauty and Makeup

5. Business

If you want motivation to succeed in your career, MasterClass also has a collection of courses taught by leading entrepreneurs like

• Paul Krugman teaches Economics and Society
• Richard Branson teaches Disruptive Entrepreneurship
• Mark Cuban teaches Win Big in Business
• Kris Jenner teaches the Power of Personal Branding

6. Food

If you are someone like me and enjoy watching food shows, MasterClass is known for its food and teaching courses. These include:

• Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking
• Alice Walters teaches The Art of Home Cooking
• Roy Choi teaches Intuitive Cooking
• Thomas Kellar teaches Cooking techniques.

7. Sports & Gaming

For sports enthusiasts, MasterClass also has a course for all sports enthusiasts out there.

• Simone Biles teaches Gymnastic fundamentals
• Serena Williams Teaches Tennis
• Stephen Curry teaches BasketBall

8. Science & Tech

Finally, for all the Science geeks out there, here are some of the most popular MasterClass courses.

Chris Hadfield teaches Space Exploration

Neil deGrasse Tyson teaches Scientific Thinking

Terence Tao teaches Mathematical Thinking

Bill Nye teaches Scientific Thinking and Problem Solving.

As you can tell, the list includes some of the most famous names in the world, and MasterClass gives you the opportunity to learn from the best who you want.

You can click here to browse their categories and find a class that excites you.

If you don’t want to go through each category and browse on your own, here is the list of the Best MasterClass courses that are highly recommended by users. I have listed the most popular masterclasses within each category.

Key Features Of MasterClass Are:

1. Expert Instructors: One of the most unique aspects of MasterClass is its roster of instructors. These include well-known figures such as Gordon Ramsay for cooking, Neil Gaiman for writing, Serena Williams for tennis, and Hans Zimmer for film scoring, among many others. MasterClass currently has a team of 200+ instructors.
2. High-Quality Production: The courses are produced with a high level of professionalism, often resembling documentary-style videos. The production quality enhances the learning experience, making it visually engaging and enjoyable.
3. Comprehensive Course Content: Each MasterClass typically consists of 20-30 video lessons ranging from 10 to 30 minutes. The lessons are designed to be comprehensive, covering the instructor’s techniques, insights, and experiences in their field. With MasterClass, you can access 3,500+ video lessons across 13 different topics and learn from the best.
4. Downloadable Courses in the Dual and Group Plans.
5. Workbooks and Supplemental Materials: Alongside video lessons, MasterClass provides downloadable workbooks that include lesson recaps, assignments, and additional resources to help with learning.
6. Access Anywhere: MasterClass courses can be accessed on various devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers. This flexibility allows learners to watch and learn at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. However, MasterClass does not have a mobile app and needs internet connectivity for access.
7. Community Interaction: The platform offers community features where students can interact with each other, discuss lessons, share projects, and sometimes even participate in live Q&A sessions with instructors.
8. 30-Day Money Back Guarantee on all plans.

9 Things to Consider Before Signing Up For MasterClass

Now, I am going to the main part of this MasterClass review. As a platform user, here are 9 things you should consider before signing up for MasterClass.

1. Content Quality

MasterClass excels in producing high-quality content. The videos are shot in 4K, with professional editing and cinematography that enhance the learning experience.

This makes the platform not just educational but also visually appealing.

I found that I could enjoy the classes anytime, anywhere, and in a few months, I had already completed multiple courses because I loved the MasterClass experience.

2. Instructor Expertise On MasterClass’s Platform

The instructors are leaders in their fields, often household names. This removes a layer of complexity because I love accessibility and excitement in the courses.

The opportunity to learn directly from renowned figures like Serena Williams or Neil Gaiman is a unique offering of MasterClass.

3. MasterClass Covers Variety of Topics

MasterClass covers a broad spectrum of subjects, catering to diverse interests.

Whether you’re interested in improving your cooking skills or learning about negotiation tactics, there is likely a class that fits your needs.

Still, I think MasterClass can build up on courses that cover topics like coding, accounting, finances, and technical subjects because that is what many people sign up for online learning.

But if you are looking for creative courses, MasterClass has your back.

4. MasterClass Gives Learning Flexibility And Mobile App

The self-paced nature of MasterClass allows you to learn on your own schedule.

This flexibility is ideal for those with busy lives or unpredictable routines, as you can start, pause, and resume lessons at your convenience.

The courses are downloadable from the higher plans, perfect for when you don’t have an internet connection.

In fact, Masterclass takes it a step higher by offering a mobile app that allows you to download podcast-style audio of the recorded classes to listen to anywhere.

5. MasterClass Provides Supplementary Materials

Each course includes supplementary materials such as workbooks, recipes, and guides that complement the video lessons.

The whole experience feels like you are taking a formal class but without the excess pressure of performance instead, because you love it.

6. Is MasterClass Providing Certification?

When you complete a MasterClass course, you get a certification of acknowledgment for completing the course, but that is not a recognizable certification for upskilling your resources or jobs.

In fact, this might as well be the biggest flaw of MasterClass. They do not provide accredited certificates.

The MasterClass focuses on the learning process and experience rather than its result. They focus on letting you learn and apply the skill practically rather than updating your resume.

If certification is what you want, you may want to reconsider.

7. MasterClass Subscription Model

The MasterClass all-access pass provides unlimited access to all courses for a year.

This model is cost-effective if you plan to take multiple courses but may be expensive if you’re only interested in one or two topics.

I found it a great option because I completed around 5 courses in my first year. With unlimited access, I could browse through all options and choose whichever course I wanted whenever I wanted.

8. MasterClass Platform Usability

The platform is user-friendly, with intuitive navigation and well-organized content. Whether you’re accessing it via the web or the mobile app, the learning experience is smooth and enjoyable.

9. MasterClass 30-Day Money Back Guarantee

MasterClass offers a 30-day Free Trial and satisfaction guarantee. If you find the platform isn’t right, you can request a full refund within 30 days of your subscription.

This policy reduces the risk of subscribing and provides peace of mind.

My MasterClass Experience: What Are the Classes Like?

When I signed up for MasterClass, I did not think I would be giving almost all my closest friends and family a MasterClass access. MasterClass offers a unique and engaging learning experience.

Each MasterClass is taught by a renowned expert or celebrity in their field. People you watch on television and aspire to become.

The lessons are filmed in a cinematic style, making the viewing experience highly engaging, like watching a documentary or a movie. This makes learning enjoyable rather than scary.

All classes are pre-recorded and available on demand, allowing you to learn anytime, anywhere, from any device. You can also download the lessons and watch them offline.

What ties the experience together is that MasterClass not only focuses on content quality but has also kept the lesson plans and curriculum bite-sized and easy to understand.

They have a downloadable workbook that includes lesson summaries, additional resources, and assignments to reinforce learning.

Some classes also offer practical tasks or assignments, encouraging hands-on practice.

Overall, the MasterClass experience is visually appealing as well as informative.

However, there are many other platforms out there in the market that can challenge MasterClass

How Does MasterClass Compare to Other E-Learning Platforms?

MasterClass offers a distinct learning experience that differentiates it from other e-learning platforms.

Dive deep with my review on MasterClass vs SkillShare you will get to read how these platform different from each other what unique they have to offer its users and and at the end you will be able to decide which one you should choose.

While other platforms focus on course curriculum and certification, MasterClass focuses on the learning experience.

There are many online learning platforms, such as Udemy, Coursera, Skillshare, etc.

Here is what sets MasterClass apart from its competitors.

Content Focus

MasterClass focuses on courses in creative arts, business, cooking, personal development, and more. Other platforms, like Coursera or Skillshare, include technical topics like data science, programming AI, and more.

Instructors

MasterClass is one of the only platforms where celebrity and industry experts (e.g., Serena Williams and Gordon Ramsay) teach students firsthand.

Other platforms have qualified professionals and experts teaching the courses, but they may not always be celebrities.

Course Format and Pace

MasterClass does not host live classes. All of its courses are pre-recorded, while other platforms like eDX, Skillshare, and DataCamp may also hold live classes.

Certification

MasterClass does offer you certification of competition, but this is not a formal certification. Other platforms provide industry-recognized and accredited certification on some of their courses.

Community Engagement   

This is the only area where MasterClass could improve. They have limited community engagement features compared to other platforms that provide group assessments and projects, along with direct interaction with teachers.

How To Create A MasterClass Account?

MasterClass makes it very simple to create an account. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you out:

Step 1: Go To MasterClass.com. Choose a membership plan. Click Continue.

Step 2: Type in your email address, and click  Continue With Email.

Step 3: Proceed with your payment by entering your card details. And click Place Secure Order.

That’s all it takes! You’re now ready to explore the classes on MasterClass and enjoy this exciting platform.

Is MasterClass Worth It?

Taking everything into account, I believe MasterClass is well worth the cost.

However, you can cancel at any time. The $10 monthly fee is fantastic, given the excellent videos, practical advice, and knowledge each course provides.

Moreover, MasterClass’s platform is updated frequently, making subscription maintenance worthwhile.

MasterClass Alternatives

If you are looking for features that are not available in MasterClass, here are a few alternative platforms you can explore to see if you get what you want:

1. Skillshare
2. Coursera
3. Udemy
4. Udacity
5. edX
6. Khan Academy
7. Linux Foundation
8. LinkedIn learning.

However, there are certain features that MasterClass possesses that stand it from its competitors.

If you want, I have covered MasterClass Alternatives with features, pros and cons, and pricing. You will get a comprehensive comparison.

Final Thoughts

As you can tell, MasterClass is the best option for you if you want to enhance your creative skills and have an immersive, fun way to start learning online.

You can sign up for any plan on MasterClass with a 30-day money-back guarantee and try out the platform risk-free to try out the platform for yourself.

That being said, I hope this MasterClass review helps.

Happy Learning!

FAQs on MasterClass Review