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MasterClass was launched in 2015 with a simple idea: Everyone should have access to genius. Its 190+ MasterClasses are taught by globally acclaimed icons in their fields of expertise.
With MasterClass you can step into Gordon Ramsay’s kitchen, go behind the scenes with James Cameron or take to the mat with Simone Biles.
But if you’re here, you might be wondering: Is MasterClass too good to be true? What is MasterClass anyway? How does MasterClass work? And above all, is MasterClass worth it?
I’ve fully completed and reviewed over 90 MasterClasses and know the platform well. Both its pros and cons.
So, whatever your MasterClass question, this balanced MasterClass review based on extensive experience of the platform should give you everything you need to decide it’s right for you.
But first, here’s an overview of the key points:
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Quick summary
Features
- 190+ MasterClasses
- 11 Categories from Arts and Entertainment to Food and Filmmaking
- Teachers who are celebrated and revered for their global success
- Cinematic production values
- Available on mobile, tablet and TV apps
- 3 subscription options
Pros
- Learn from the best with passionate and revered teachers
- Wide range of choice from a large library of classes
- Affordable and with multi user options
- Access to sessions you join with a cohort of fellow students
- Gives you freedom as a learner
- High production values and immersive content
- Downloadable materials to cement and support learning
Cons
- Some variation in quality between classes
- No certification
Best for: Anyone who is open minded and intellectually curious or admires the teachers on the platform.
Cost: Check latest price for MasterClass
Overall: MasterClass offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn from globally acclaimed masters of their trades. The platform does a great job of curating the wisdom and experiences of its teachers into well structured courses that provide actionable insights that you can apply directly to your professional and personal life.
In this MasterClass review I will be covering:
- What is MasterClass and who are their instructors?
- How does MasterClass work and how much does it cost?
- Does MasterClass have a free trial?
- What is a MasterClass lesson like?
- Best MasterClass courses and offerings
- How I reviewed MasterClass
- What I liked and thought could be improved
- Who MasterClass is for and whether you can buy it as a gift
- How to find the best courses on MasterClass
- Alternatives to MasterClass
- What others have said about MasterClass
- Is MasterClass worth it?
- FAQs
So, let’s make a start.
What is MasterClass?
MasterClass is an online learning platform allowing people to learn from the world’s most influential practitioners of a range of skills and disciplines.
What sets MasterClass apart from other learning platforms is the:
- Calibre and track records of its instructors
- Cinematic production values
- The way it uses storytelling to create an intimate connection between the instructor and you, the audience
- And the option to share membership costs with friends and family
And judging by the stats, it’s a formula that seems to work.
For example, MasterClass has received almost half a billion dollars worth of investor funding since its launch in 2015. And it’s predicted to go public in 2025.
Who are the MasterClass instructors?
MasterClass instructors are a star studded list of Nobel Prize winners, Emmy and Academy Award holders, musical virtuosos, multiple Michelin star chefs, holders of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – and more.
So MasterClass really does provide an opportunity to learn from the world’s best.
As a taster, some of its teachers include:
- Gordon Ramsay – holder of 16 Michelin stars
- James Cameron – 6x Academy Award winner
- Ringo Starr – Grammy, Academy and Bafta winner
- St Vincent – Grammy Award winner and guitar icon
- Tom Morello – 2x Grammy Award winner and “The greatest guitarist of all time” (Rolling Stone)
- Chris Hadfield – former commander of the International Space Station, engineer, advocate for science and one time singer
- Margaret Atwood – endowed with over 100 awards and honorary degrees
- Paul Krugman – Nobel Prize winning economist
- Disney’s Bog Iger – One of the world’s most successful CEOs
- Yo-Yo Ma – Renowned cellist and holder of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
How does MasterClass work?
MasterClass is a subscription platform with three plans:
- Standard/Individual (single user)
- Duo/Plus (two users simultaneously access the platform on separate devices)
- Premium/Family (six users can access the platform on separate devices at once)
The Table below shows you what you can expect for each kind of subscription:
| Individual | Duo | Family | |
| Users who can access MasterClass at the same time | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| Access to every MasterClass | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Access to MasterClass sessions | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Watch on computer, TV, phone or tablet | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Download for offline viewing | No | ✔ | ✔ |
Once you’re signed up you have 30 days to explore everything MasterClass has to offer. If you change your mind within that period there’s a no quibble money back guarantee.
And there’s lots to explore.
There are 190+ MasterClasses available across 11 topics. Each comes with a downloadable instructor’s guide. These contain assignments, supporting and additional information, suggested readings, links to relevant resources, etc.
The topics available are:
- Food
- Design and Style
- Arts and Entertainment
- Music
- Business
- Sports and Gaming
- Writing
- Home and Lifestyle
- Science and Technology
- Community and Government
- Wellness
MasterClasses are pre recorded and self paced. You can dip in and out whenever and wherever you like. They are usually broken into around 20 separate lessons lasting (on average) around 10 minutes each.
MasterClass Sessions
Your subscription also gives you full access to MasterClass Sessions. These are time bound classes that you take with a cohort of fellow students. The format is more hands-on and project based and you get to engage with your peers and receive feedback from teaching assistants.
The following MasterClass Sessions are available (with more in the pipeline):
- Craft a Stunning Performance with Christina Aguilera
- Perfect 12 Negotiation tactics with Chris Voss
- Design 5 Epic Floral Arrangements with Maurice Harris
- Create 8 Award Winning Bakes with Joanne Chang
- Build Your Streaming Channel with Ninja
- Create videos that go viral with Marques Brownlee
You can read our full MasterClass Sessions review here.
MasterClass cost, gifts and refunds
How much does MasterClass Cost?
Costs for each of the MasterClass subscription are (per month):
- Individual $10
- Duo $15
- Family $20
All are billed annually, which may seem pricey.
However, you can considerably reduce your costs by joining with friends or family. And of course by taking as many courses as possible.
With nearly 200 courses on the platform you’re likely to find quite a few to interest you. Even if you buy an individual membership and find only 10% of the courses of interest this still works out to only $6 a course:
$120 (annual individual membership fee) / 20 courses = $6.
And if you join with friends or family then the price of each course is drastically reduced. This table shows you how:
| Number of courses per member per year | Cost per course single user (Individual) | Cost per course 2 users (Duo/Plus) | Cost per course 6 users (Family/Premium) |
| 4 | $30 | $15 | $10 |
| 8 | $15 | $11 | $5 |
| 12 | $10 | $7.5 | $3 |
Considering the quality of what’s on offer, you can get incredible value out of this platform.
