Masterclass Review (2023): How Does It Stack Up? Is It Worth It?

Masterclass has become one of the most recognizable online course providers, and in this in-depth Masterclass review, we’ll examine whether all this hype is truly justified.

If you had the chance to learn from some of the world’s biggest celebrities and industry leaders without leaving your home, would you do it?

That’s what Masterclass offers — a selection of 180+ online classes taught by A-list talent, like Samuel L Jackson, Gordon Ramsay, Mariah Carey, Bill Clinton, George W Bush, and others.

Most online courses are purely academic, which often makes them bland. But Masterclass is quite the opposite of conventional learning platforms because it focuses on learning directly through personal encounters with successful individuals.

Gordon Ramsay won’t just recite a step-by-step recipe for a dish on Masterclass. Instead, he’ll take you through the entire process in a cohesive, engaging way, showing you even the things that are often overlooked in other demonstrations — all while sharing what he went through to become the amazing chef he is.

So, is Masterclass really one of the best online learning platforms? And how does it compare to some of the other sites out there that offer their own classes?

What are some of the pros and cons of the Masterclass online education platform?

And most importantly, is Masterclass worth it?

After using Masterclass for over a year and taking many of the platform’s most popular courses, I’m ready to answer all of these questions and more.

In the 2023 Masterclass review below, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the platform, including its benefits and drawbacks, the cost, how to use it, and a whole lot more.

Don’t want to read this whole article? Watch our review video below:

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost for you, we might get a commission if you click the link and purchase.

 

What is Masterclass?

Masterclass is an online learning platform offering courses across a range of categories from A-list celebrities and renowned industry leaders.

There are more than 180 MasterClass classes currently available as of May 2023, with topics that range from photography to business to singing to cooking to acting to personal development and a whole lot more. In addition, the platform has started to roll out other great content like original series, Masterclass Sessions (structured, cohort-style 30-day classes available at various times), and more.

Classes are usually around 2-5 hours in length and are typically comprised of around 20 bite-sized video lessons each, allowing you to learn new skills in as little as 10 minutes.

 

Who Teaches Masterclass Courses?

The main thing that really sets Masterclass apart from its competitors is its celebrity instructors.

Every class is led by any celebrity or highly-recognized industry leader who has expertise in the field and shares practical tips, unique insights, and even some advanced techniques and concepts.

There’s a true allure to learning from an A-lister who has revolutionized his or her industry and become a true icon recognized by people around the world.

You probably know most of the names of the popular Masterclass instructors, such as:

• Gordon Ramsay
• Hillary Clinton
• Mariah Carey
• Sara Blakely
• Neil deGrasse Tyson
• Marc Jacobs
• Cornel West
• Malcolm Gladwell
• Christina Aguilera
• Serena Williams
• Coach K
• Naomi Campbell

 

What Can You Learn on Masterclass?

Masterclass has courses you can take at your own pace across a wide range of categories, including Arts & Entertainment, Business, Music, Creative Writing, Cooking, Design, Style, Gaming, Sports, and Wellness.

Some of the best Masterclass courses include:

• Chris Voss Teaches the Art of Negotiation
• Mariah Carey Teaches the Voice as an Instrument
• Bill Clinton Teaches Inclusive Leadership
• Neil deGrasse Tyson Teaches Scientific Thinking and Communication
• Dr. Jane Goodall Teaches Conservation
• Chris Hadfield Teaches Space Exploration
• Brandon McMillan Teaches Dog Training
• Stephen Curry Teaches Shooting, Ball-Handling, and Scoring
• Carlos Santana Teaches the Art and Soul of Guitar
• Bob Iger Teaches Business Strategy and Leadership
• Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking

Masterclass brings all these famous people on one platform, which allows you to choose any field or subject according to your likes and interests. You can take up a lecture on professional development or learn how to play the guitar or just pick up some new practical skills, because how often do you get the chance to learn the tips and tricks of Carlos Santana himself?

 

How Much Does Masterclass Cost?

You’d be surprised to know that Masterclass pricing is pretty affordable when compared to other online learning platforms, and it’s only become more affordable as they recently lowered their prices heading into summer 2023.

It will only cost you as little as $10 per month (billed annually), which includes unlimited access to a wide range of instructors and classes.

They do offer other plans that are slightly more expensive but that allow you to share your account with others and enjoy simultaneous streaming, but in most cases, the basic $10/month plan is all you need.

Compare the MasterClass annual membership plans in this chart below:

	Individual	Duo	Family
Monthly Cost (Billed Annually)	$10	$15	$20
# of devices you can watch at same time	1	2	6
Offline viewing (download lessons)	No	Yes	Yes
Access all 100+ classes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Access to Sessions by MasterClass	Yes	Yes	Yes
Watch MasterClass on all devices (TV, phone, tablet, computer)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Extra workbooks & content	Yes	Yes	Yes
Members-only discussion	Yes	Yes	Yes

In a world full of courses charging an arm and a leg, a whole online learning platform at this price sounds quite unusual, especially because it has such famous personalities as teachers.

The only drawbacks are that you have to pay the total amount ($120) annually for your Masterclass account subscription, which can make a noticeable dent in your pocket with the one-time payment, and free trials aren’t available at this time.

 

How Does Masterclass Pricing Compare to Other Platforms?

Before making a decision, let’s see how Masterclass’ price compares to other online learning sites.

The online course marketplace is pretty varied when it comes to cost.

Some sites sell courses on an individual, a la carte basis while others do a subscription model like Masterclass.

Here are the prices of some of the other learning platforms:

• Skillshare pricing — $167.88 per year, which works out to $13.99/month averaged out.
• LinkedIn Learning pricing — $29.99 for month-to-month or $240 for an annual membership
• Coursera pricing — $59 a month or $399 a year for a Coursera Plus subscription
• Udemy pricing — Individual courses sell anywhere from $19.99 to $199 each

All in all, at $10/month ($120 billed annually), Masterclass is priced very competitively.

 

How Does Masterclass Work?

The layout is pretty similar to other online platforms — each class will have short videos which are supposed to be viewed in the order instructed to avoid confusion. In some cases, different resources and written material are also provided so that the knowledge is taught successfully. 

You can watch Masterclass videos on TV, phones, tablets, or computers, making it easy to access learning anywhere you want.

Below, we’ll go over the sign-up process, how to take classes, and more.

 

How to Sign Up for Masterclass

Signing up on Masterclass is super fast and easy:

1. Visit the Masterclass website.
2. Look on the left side of the screen where it asks you to put in your email. Fill in a valid email address, and click “Get Started”.
3. Complete the short questionnaire or skip it if you don’t want to.
4. Choose the plan you want to sign up for.
5. Enter your billing info to place your order.

You now have access to more than 180 classes available after just a few clicks!

 

How to Take Masterclass Courses

Once you’ve created your account and dealt with the subscription process, you are free to explore everything Masterclass offers (which is quite a lot!).

Take your time to identify your interests so that you don’t regret spending your time on a course that seems boring to you.

The Discover tab will be your friend in this adventure, and once you find a niche or subject that sounds exciting, click on it and start reading the overviews of different courses available. Choose the one that seems to be the most intriguing for you.

After you’ve decided which class you ought to take, click on its thumbnail, and you’d be transported to another page that has all the video lessons of that class. Sit back and start with the first lesson as a way of kick-starting your Masterclass journey!

If you are already sure about the subject or field you need to have a course in, you can make use of the search bar, and it’ll take you to a list of all the classes affiliated with that field.

Once you’re inside a course, you’ll have plenty of options, including:

• Choosing which video lessons you want to watch
• Downloading a class guide, workbooks, or any other materials
• Typing notes as you view the lessons
• Bookmarking lessons
• Rating lessons

 

Masterclass Features Explained

Let’s take a closer look at some of the cool Masterclass features worth pointing out:

• Complete access to all the courses, sessions, and original series with no hidden charges or any specific prerequisites
• Watch Masterclass courses from the convenience of any device, be it a smartphone, a laptop, a smart TV, etc. All you need is to log in to the app from the device you choose.
• Download video lessons for offline viewing (only on certain devices)
• Learn from a renowned celebrity instructor with high-quality pre-recorded video lessons

 

Masterclass FAQs

What is Masterclass?

Masterclass is a website and app that allows online learning from A-list celebrities and industry leaders in a wide range of fields. The Masterclass app is available on phones, tablets, computers, streaming TV devices, and smart TVs.

How can I register for the Masterclass?

Registering is pretty simple and involves all the necessary credentials that are usually asked while making an account on any other website. These include valid email addresses, contact details, billing information, etc.

Do I need to have any prior knowledge or expertise before enrolling in a class?

No, Masterclass accommodates everyone as long as you have a passion for learning. They have a diverse range of classes that are tailored to befit both the skilled and unskilled.

Do I need to pay anything other than the annual payment?

You only need to pay once every year, which starts at $120. You may have to pay a certain amount as taxes while making this payment, depending upon which region of the world you belong to, but other than that, there will be no charges throughout the year.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes, you can cancel your Masterclass subscription quickly and easily at any time. The cancellation process is pretty straightforward, but it does vary a little bit depending on how you originally subscribed. The MasterClass support team is always very helpful if you run into any issues.

How do Masterclass Sessions work?

Sessions are a new, more interactive Masterclass feature where you can learn a skill within 30 days. The syllabus has hands-on projects and resources that are easily accessible even after the session is over. You can also interact with your peers in the Masterclass community for various activities and discuss their projects. They don’t have any external charges and are included to be a part of your annual subscription.

How long does a typical Masterclass last?

While each class is different, most Masterclass courses consist of around 15-20 short video lessons and last for a total of 3-4 hours altogether.

 

Masterclass Pros & Cons

Now that we’re drawing toward the end of this review of Masterclass, let’s do a recap/overview of the things I like and don’t like:

Pros

• You can learn from some of the most successful, recognizable, and famous celebrities and industry experts in various fields
• Easy-to-use online education platform
• Affordable subscription price
• Stream Masterclass videos on just about any device (watch offline with some plans as well)
• The production quality of the video lessons is second to none
• The Masterclass course library is always growing with new celebrity instructors coming on board and classes added monthly
• The overall Masterclass experience just feels a bit more prestigious than many other online course apps

Cons

• Only around 180 courses are available at this time, which is far fewer than most competitors
• Some courses feel like they’re targeting a broad audience and don’t go as much into the details as some might expect
• No free trial, but there is a 30-day moneyback guarantee period

 

Is Masterclass worth it?

After more than a full year of exploring all that Masterclass offers, I can confidently say that a Masterclass membership is definitely a great choice for most online learners and is worth the money.

Not only is its content unique because of its A-list instructors, but the amount of perks it offers is also what sets it apart from other courses.

You might get intimidated by the idea of spending $120 in one go at first, but as soon as you see the quality of the online courses waiting for you, it definitely will seem like an excellent investment. And new classes are added every month with new celebrity instructors exploring exciting new topics, so your membership will never get old.

 

Get Started with Masterclass

Ready to give Masterclass a shot? Click here to get started with Masterclass today.

 

Have any questions about our Masterclass review? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.