MasterClass Review: Is It Worth It?

MasterClass Summary

MasterClass is a renowned online platform that is best known for its world-class celebrity and VIP instructors. MasterClass believes everyone should ‘learn from the best to become the best’. Its extended library of 200+ classes, covers 11 categories, that include Food, Design & Style, Music, Business, Music, Wellness and more, all of which are delivered in bite-sized video lessons. The classes are designed for learners of all levels, its high-quality and cinematic video production will have you hooked. Each class typically consists of around 20 lessons, each lasting approximately 10 minutes.

Additionally, MasterClass offers a new set of classes named ‘Sessions’ which provide a more structured and hands-on learning experience. New classes are added monthly, so users will always have further opportunities to learn and even discover new interests. MasterClass offers three subscription plans, all billed annually, starting at a cost of $120 per year (working out at $10 a month). A 30-day money-back guarantee is in place if you decide to discontinue your MasterClass subscription. In summary, MasterClass is a perfect fit for learners who desire an informal learning approach with engaging, highly produced video classes, aiming to acquire new skills or draw inspiration from their favorite celebrity instructors.

Pros & Cons

How Much Does MasterClass Cost?

MasterClass membership plans begin at $120 a year ($10 per month), the Duo plan costs $180 a year ($15 per month) and finally the Family plan costs $240 a year ($20 per month). Be mindful that all of MasterClass membership plans are billed annually.

• Standard: $120 billed annually (working out at $10/month)
• Plus: $180 billed annually (working out at $15/month)
• Premium: $240 billed annually (working out at $20/month)

All 3 subscription plans give you full access to its 2,500+ video lessons covering 11 categories. When you arrive at MasterClass you can either click on ‘SIGN UP’ in the top-right corner (see image above), which will then take you to choose your preferred annual MasterClass membership.

Each of these plans are billed annually, the price difference between each one isn’t much. The main difference is the Duo and the Family plans allow you to download for offline viewing and numerous users or devices to use the MasterClass platform at the same time.

Upgrading and downgrading your plan

If you purchase your membership plan directly through MasterClass, then you’ll have the flexibility to upgrade and downgrade your plan at anytime, all by following these easy steps:

1. Go to account settings ad navigate to the membership section
2. Click on ‘Change Plan’
3. Then choose the new plan you’d like to switch to
4. Once you’ve selected the desired plan, click ‘Continue’ at the bottom of the plan description
5. Finally, you’ll see your new plan detailed, click on ‘Confirm new plan’

MasterClass Free Sneak Peek

When you land on the MasterClass homepage and scroll down you will see ‘Get a free Sneak Peek’ (see image below). Keep your eyes peeled as you may miss it. From there you can watch various video lessons from instructors like Anna Wintour and Chris Voss to give you a teaser of their MasterClass and what to expect.

If you don’t want to continue with MasterClass, you can cancel your membership renewal through your account page. All you need to do is follow the prompts on the Settings page and your membership will not renew for the following year. If you are interested in checking out another platform offering a similar priced subscription plan, check out our comparison article on Skillshare Vs MasterClass.

Guest Pass

When you subscribe to a MasterClass membership, you will be entitled to Guest Passes which you can share with friends or loved ones. In my case, I felt pretty lucky and was given 3 to share. Each Guest Pass comes with a 14-day free trial to the platform. Your friend or loved one will need to add their debit/credit card details to activate the pass and if they decide not to continue they will have to cancel before the 14-day free access ends, so they won’t be charged.

Gift a Membership

MasterClass offers the option of gifting an annual membership to a colleague, friend or loved one. If you have someone in your life that enjoys online learning and would enjoy exploring the classes taught by VIP instructors, then why not gift them something memorable.

You can add an optional gift message which will be sent via email either immediately or on a chosen date. Just like a regular membership a 30-day money-back is guaranteed. If the recipient has not yet redeemed the gift membership, then you can reach out to the member support team and your gift will be refunded.

MasterClass Grants

MasterClass offers a Grants Program that is designed to help give back to communities in need. MasterClass provides annual memberships to accredited charitable organizations serving communities in need.

Its communities focus on low-income families, BIPOC youth, and current or formerly incarcerated individuals. If you believe your organization supports one or more of these communities, you can submit an application and the team will evaluate it and notify you via email if you have been selected for a grant.

Lewis Hamilton, has become the first MasterClass Community Ambassador to work with underserved UK communities, focusing on organizations serving black youth and STEAM programming. Through this partnership, MasterClass has distributed 200,000 free annual memberships.

If you have any questions about the MasterClass scholarship and looking to get them answered before applying, you can email grants@masterclass.com.

Who Is MasterClass For?

It is hard to pinpoint: Who exactly MasterClass is right for?

The MasterClass platform appeals to anyone who is an enthusiast in a particular topic, like photography or learning to cook restaurant-inspired dishes at home. Its classes are designed for learners with little to no experience, as well as learners who have experience in the chosen category. What really gives MasterClass an edge are its famous faces teaching its classes. You can have Anna Wintour teaching creativity and leadership and Brandon McMillan teaching dog training, this makes MasterClass a pretty unique online learning platform.

If you are anything like me and learn best from engaging and bite sized video lessons (no longer than 10 minutes each) then its video lessons will have you hooked. Its classes are really well produced and a pleasure to watch. You can read later in detail about My Experience of a MasterClass to give you a better idea of what to expect.

Does MasterClass Offer a Free Trial?

The simple answer is no. Sadly, MasterClass doesn’t offer any free trials, but there are a couple of ways you can view  some of the platform classes for free. When you land on the MasterClass homepage and scroll around halfway down, you’ll see an option to enter your address for ‘Try some of our classes’ (see image below).

You’ll be sent some sample classes for free, that are around 10 minutes long. This resource is ideal for those uncertain about upgrading to a paid MasterClass subscription. You’ll get a taster from celebrity instructors like Annie Leibovitz, Gordon Ramsay, Aaron Sorkin and more.

What Are MasterClasses Categories?

MasterClass offers a diverse selection of 13 main categories that cater to a wide range of interests and skills. These categories include Acting & Performing Arts, Business & Entrepreneurship, Community & Government, Culinary Skills, Design & Creative Arts, Digital Content & Gaming, Film & Television Production, Health & Wellness, Music, Outdoor Adventures & Events, Science & Technology, Sports & Athletics, and Writing. Within these main areas, you’ll find dozens of subcategories to help you pinpoint exactly the type of class you’re looking for. With a library of over 200+ classes taught by well-known and respected instructors, MasterClass provides valuable insights and skills you can download and enjoy offline, making it easy to learn on your own schedule.

Some categories and video classes are more popular than others. For example, Design & Style with classes from Anna Wintour and Annie Leibovitz are at the top of the list. Then you have some popular Food classes from Gordon Ramsay and Thomas Keller. Home & Lifestyle is another popular category with classes from Brandon McMillian and Ron Finley. But in general, there is something for everyone and the fact that’s its video classes are bite-sized makes it engaging and an easy watch.

MasterClass Categories

MasterClass offers a helpful selector where you can choose a particular category like Food, Writing, Business and more. This helps you view the classes on a particular topic and remove ones that you aren’t interested in.

Masterclass classes are made up of 10 to 20 video lessons, and each lesson is approximately 10 minutes long. Every month new classes are added as well as categories.

MasterClass Subcategories

When you select one of MasterClasses main categories, you’ll be presented with a list of subcategories to choose from. Once you’ve chosen a subcategory, you’ll be able to access all the classes linked to it. This helps learners to refine their search and find the specific class they are looking for.

Original Series

One of MasterClasses newest additions are its original series which focuses on a particular topic, and each class is released weekly, like your favorite HBO show. In this newest addition, it’s the ‘Mastering the Markets’, a four – part series.

In each class you will hear from investors like Ray Dalio, Meredith Whitney, Joel Greenblatt and Seth Klarman.

Trending classes

MasterClass regularly updates its trending classes that include classes and sessions. This may help you as a new user to MasterClass to see what classes or sessions others are enjoying. If anything it’s a good place to start.

New classes

MasterClass does a pretty good job of keeping its content current and fresh, with new classes being added every month. They like to give you a sneak peek of upcoming classes and the instructors teaching them, which is exciting.

G.O.A.T Series

The GOAT: The Greatest of All Time is an original series where you learn from the world’s greatest teachers on a diverse range of topics. It’s a series that includes 8 different episodes on the following topics: Coffee, Pizza, Grilled Cheese, Ice Cream, Sand Sculptures, Knife Skills, Pickleball and Innovation. If you are looking to learn tricks, tips and techniques on any of the episode topics, the G.O.A.T series will have you hooked.

MasterClass Filters

The MasterClass filter allows you to narrow down your search results. The filter allows you to choose Format, My Content and Duration, all of which have subfilters. The Format filter has subfilters: Classes, Original Series, Playlists and Sessions. My Content filter has subfilters: In Progress, Completed and On My List. Finally, Duration subfilters include: Under 5 Minutes, 15 – 45 minutes, 45 minutes – 2 Hours, 2- 4 Hours and Over 4 Hours. All these filters come in really handy to hone in on what it is you want to watch and learn about.

Which classes are right for me?

If you are a little lost on where to start, I would suggest clicking on My Categories and then selecting one or more of the options of What brings you to MasterClass today? You will then have the option to pick the categories you are most interested in and can click submit my picks. Finally, your custom result will show all the recommended classes based on your category selection. This should help to point you in the right direction for getting started with MasterClass.

MasterClass At Work

Like most other online learning platforms, MasterClass doesn’t only offer its classes for individual learners, it has plans for teams and businesses or more commonly known as MasterClass At Work. You can invest in your team or business by contacting sales to choose the plan for your business.

You will fill in your company information, choosing the number of annual memberships (between 5-1000 seats), name of your company or organization, location and email address (see image below). The group rates discount (5-35%) when you purchase of 5+ annual memberships.

MasterClass claims to do the following for your organization and employees, like driving business outcomes (see image below). All I want to add here is it’s important to consider the type of organization you are part of and if you really feel it would benefit from the MasterClass catalogue. It may even be worth asking for a free demo to try it out.

In short, organizations choose MasterClass At Work;

MasterClass Refunds

If you decide you don’t want to continue with your MasterClass membership, then you can cancel your membership renewal through your account page, just by following the prompts. If you make that decision within the first 30 days after signing up for a MasterClass membership, then you will be given a full refund. You’ll need to make sure you submit a request for a refund within that 30-day window though.

After submitting your request by adding your email address, subject, description ad reason for contacting MasterClass you can expect to wait a few days for a response and then your refund will take around 5 business days to be processed. In my case, it took less than 5 days to get a full refund.

In case you aren’t sure if MasterClass is the platform for you, then consider the first month as a free trial which has the option of being refunded if it isn’t right for you.

How To Open A MasterClass Account?

MasterClass makes it very easy to open an account with them. I thought it would still be helpful for you to follow a step by step.

Register with MasterClass

1. Visit MasterClass.com and enter your email address and click GET STARTED (see image above)
2. Then you will choose a membership plan
3. Next you will then be directed to add your card information (see image below)
4. Finally, Click PLACE SECURE ORDER

That’s it, it’s that easy. You will now be up and running and ready to start browsing the classes at MasterClass and start enjoying this exciting and engaging platform.

How to Cancel a MasterClass Membership?

If you decide that you don’t want to continue your MasterClass membership you can cancel your auto-renewal at any time. If you decide to cancel your subscription before the end of the current subscription period, MasterClass will not refund any subscription fees that have already been paid.

To cancel your membership, follow these 3 easy steps;

1. Log into your account through www.masterclass.com
2. Once logged in, click on your Profile Menu in the top-right corner and click on settings.
3. Scroll down on account settings and click the Cancel Membership button under the membership section of the page.

You will then be guided through the steps to cancel your automatic renewal membership. Once you have successfully completed these steps your account will not renew at the end of your current subscription period.

Visit MasterClass

MasterClass Customer Reviews

To provide a comprehensive review of MasterClass, I explored two of the largest customer review platforms. This approach allows us to understand the opinions and experiences of a broad range of customers regarding the platform.

Of the 857 Trustpilot users, you can see in the table below the breakdown of the ratings between 1 and 5 star. With more than 50% giving the platform a 5-star rating. Surprisingly, 30% of those 857 users gave the platform only a 1-star rating. Over at Amazon, its users give MasterClass a 4.3 out of 5 stars taken from 7,849 customer reviews, which is a much bigger pool of customers. From close to 8,000 customer reviews, MasterClass has 71% of users giving it a 5-star rating and 8% a 1-star rating. You can see the full breakdown in the table below.

When I delved a bit deeper, I found many of those 1-star ratings complain about being billed annually for the subscription plan, when they believed it was on a monthly basis. “The plans say per month payment, and they take a whole year’s payment from your account” a one-star reviewer said. Other’s complained about the difficulty they had in cancelling their membership.

On the upside, many of the 5-star ratings praise the great selection of classes and customer experience. “I have been impressed by the range and quality of the classes and sessions available” a five-star reviewer said.

MasterClass Most Common Positive Customer Reviews

After delving further into customer reviews, I decided to make a study of my own, taking 200+ MasterClass online customer reviews to find out what exactly users were praising about the platform.

It’s clear to see that ‘Content Quality’ is what most users talk about, with 65% of the positive reviews mentioning it. Many discuss how ‘bingeworthy’ and engaging the video content is, alongside how engaging the instructors are. This is followed by ‘User Experience’ taking 25% of the positive reviews, followed by ‘Value for Money’ with 4% of the feedback. Many users comment of how easy and intuitive it is to navigate the MasterClass platform, whilst others express the variety of classes and categories available.

Other positive feedback includes ‘Course Variety’, ‘Customer Service’, Gift Experience, and ‘Learning Experience’.

MasterClass Most Common Negative Customer Reviews

With that same 200+ MasterClass customer reviews, I was curious to find out what were some of the top issues that users were complaining about.

It’s clear from the graph above that the most prominent issue is related to ‘Billing and Subscription’, with 45% of the complaints. When I read some of these negative reviews in more detail, I found many expressed frustration around the auto-renewal of the annual subscription plan, whilst others complained about the difficulty of cancelling the subscription.

‘Technical Issues’ are another significant area of complaint, consisting of 23% of the total. Customers have reported various technical issues, particularly when using the app and some platform functions. This was followed by ‘Course Quality’ with 18% of negative reviews, many complained about the educational value and the purpose of taking a class.

Additional complaints include course content, ‘Course Content’, ‘Account Security’ and ‘Customer Service Issues’.

My MasterClass Experience

The time has come for me to share with you my experience of taking a MasterClass myself. When it came to deciding on which class to take, I found it super helpful to use the filter system, watch the trailers and introductions of classes to get a feel of what the class would be like, before commiting.

I instantly gravitated towards the ‘Food’ category, as I am a bit of a novice in the kitchen, and I am always looking for new recipes and inspiration. I thought the MasterClass by Yotam Ottolenghi: Teaches Modern Middle Eastern Cooking would be a great place to start.

I liked instantly the layout of the MasterClass interface and how intuitive it felt to navigate around the class and its features. The experience is very user-friendly, not only on the desktop, but on the app too. After each video lesson, it instantly moves to the next class, with an option to skip a class if preferred. I found it helpful that I could rewatch video lessons as many times as I wanted, so not to miss anything.

Video Lessons

Its video lessons are listed on the right side, making it straightforward to follow and easy to find (see image below). You are free to pick and choose which video classes you watch in whatever order, but obviously the lessons do have a natural flow in the order given. For example, in this case, you have the Mezze Spread: Muhamara as video lesson 2 and Thoughts on Hosting as video lesson 15.

The video lessons are highly engaging and well produced, that it feels more like a Netflix cooking show. I enjoyed watching every lesson and left feeling very inspired. Something that is important to consider is that most of the celebrities and VIP instructors are very used to being in front of the camera and have had years of experience captivating and motivating their audience. When you leave a MasterClass you feel pretty pumped and ready for more.

My Notes

As you move through the video lessons, you can write notes on points you want to remember or words of wisdom that you don’t want to forget from the VIP instructors (in this case Yotam Ottonlenghi is full of them, but maybe I biased as I love his cooking). The note’s section is broken up into each lesson, so you can make notes about each specific lessons. It’s a nice feature to have and acts like a modern-day notebook. I’m not sure how much you would honestly use it, but having it doesn’t hurt.

Workbook

The downloadable workbook that comes with every MasterClass is available in a PDF format. In this case, it is a cookbook with all the recipes and ingredients shared throughout the MasterClass. I must add it is stunningly designed and put together and a wonderful takeaway resource to refresh your memory of the MasterClass.

Discuss with members

If you are looking to connect with other members of the MasterClass community, then this is the place to do so. At the bottom of each MasterClass video page is the option to JOIN THE DISCUSSION (see image above). The community is a place to ask questions, share thoughts and get feedback about the video lessons you have watched. A simple filter is in place where you can choose between the category, title of topic and what I consider the most useful filter LATEST and TOP (see image below) to follow all the discussion points. You can freely start your own New Topic.

On average, there are around 3-4 discussion topics a month with most classes. A member of the MasterClass Team seems to always be around to help or resolve users’ questions. In terms of members connecting with other members, there is some sense of community and conversation, but nothing extraordinary. There is some conversation about sharing recipes and asking where cooking equipment is from. But if you are expecting a reply from Yotam Ottolenghi himself, then that won’t be happening, instead you have to make do with the MasterClass team or your fellow members 🙂

To summarize

Before concluding all the reasons, you should take a MasterClass. It would only be fair to highlight areas that are lacking and expectations you may have from an online learning class or course. MasterClass won’t be able to offer you a certificate or any sort of formal accreditation, Coursera or edX are better suited for this. Neither are there any quizzes, coursework nor deadlines, Skillshare or Udacity would be your best fit in that case. Finally, if you’re looking for a wider variety of categories and topics, then Udemy and Datacamp are the go-to platforms for quantity.

You will love MasterClass for:

MasterClass in Detail

Most Popular MasterClass 2023 (Updated)

I took another look at the Top 10 Most Popular MasterClass Classes that MasterClass users are most enjoying. I thought this maybe useful for you, especially if you’re interested in what other MasterClass users are enjoying, it can also act as a good starting point on your MasterClass learning journey.

1. Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography

To kick things off, we have Annie Leibovitz MasterClass on photography as our most popular MasterClass among users. In this MasterClass Annie brings you into her studio and onto her shoots to teach you everything she knows about portraiture. The MasterClass begins with her reflecting on her career and the power of telling stories through photographs, it then goes on to discuss Portrait photography, creating concepts, studio vs location. One of the more interesting video lessons is when Annie sits down with students to critique their work and give advice. The MasterClass is 3 hours 4 minutes and comprises 15 video lessons.

2. Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking

Next in our line-up is Gordon Ramsay, he teaches you how to take your cooking to the next level. You’ll learn essential methods, ingredients and recipes. The MasterClass begins with an introduction to Gordon Ramsay’s kitchen and what he has planned for this MasterClass. Then each of the video lessons focuses on a different area (20 video lessons in total) from kitchen layout to mastering vegetables & herbs to fish & shellfish. The MasterClass is 3 hours 52 minutes and comprises of 20 video lessons.

3. Aaron Sorkin Teaches Screenwriting

Aaron Sorkin, an Academy Award-winning writer, shares his expertise in film and television screenwriting in this MasterClass, guiding you through the nuances of the craft. He teaches the rules of storytelling, dialogue, character development, and what makes a script actually sell. Each video lesson focuses on an area of screenwriting, from story ideas to developing characters and the audience. The MasterClass is made up of 35 video lessons, totaling 8 hours and 1 minute.

4. Neil Gaiman Teaches The Art of Storytelling

In this MasterClass by Neil Gaiman guides you through the Art of Storytelling, sharing how he creates fresh ideas, believable characters, and immersive fictional worlds. His introductory MasterClass explains his passion for teaching and his desire for you to tell stories that have significance. His following video lessons focus on Truth in Fiction, Sources of Inspiration, Finding Your Voice and much more. He concludes his MasterClass about the responsibility of creating art with an audience. The Masterclass is made up of 19 video lessons that are 4 hours 29 minutes long.

5. Werner Herzog Teaches Filmmaking

Halfway down our top 10 list is Werner Herzog a celebrated director with 70 films and recipient of 50 awards, teaches various aspects of filmmaking including storytelling, cinematography, location scouting, self-financing and more. Werner’s initial video lessons focus on storytelling and writing a script. The following video lessons focus on financing first films, negotiation skills, locations, leading the platoon and more. The MasterClass is 5 hours 50 minutes and comprises 26 video lessons.

6. Herbie Hancock Teaches Jazz

Herbie Hancock began his musical journey in the living room of his family home and has since risen to become one of the world’s most acclaimed jazz musicians. In this MasterClass, you’ll learn Herbie’s approach to improvisation, composition and harmony. Its video lessons focus on a different area of jazz music from improvisation, learning by listening, piano basics and more. The MasterClass is 4 hours 23 minutes and comprises of 25 video lessons.

7. James Patterson Teaches Writing

Next up, we have James Patterson, the author renowned for his 19 consecutive No.1 bestsellers on the New York Times list. In this MasterClass, he’ll teach you how to create characters, write dialogues, and keep readers turning the page. His video lessons focus on different areas of writing from passion and habit to raw ideas, plot, research and more. This is his first online writing class, and he guides you from the start to the finish of writing your book. The MasterClass is 3 hours 31 minutes and consists of 22 video lessons.

8. Hans Zimmer Teaches Film Scoring

Hans Zimmer, a self-taught Academy Award-winning composer, reveals his distinctive methos for creating music. He reveals how he crafts sounds from scratch, develops memorable character themes, and composes music for films before viewing them. His video lessons cover a variety of topics, including themes, story, directors, scoring under dialogue and more. The MasterClass is 5 hours 40 minutes and consisting of 31 video lessons.

9. deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production

deadmau5 also known as Joel Zimmerman is best known for sound innovation, creating a one-of-a-kind and recognizable style, inspiring many. In this MasterClass, Joel guides you through the process of crafting melodies, mixing, and mastering to create distinctive sounds. His video lessons explore a range of topics from theory, building your home studio, developing melodic structures, structuring songs, remixes and more. The MasterClass is 5 hours 24 minutes and consisting of 23 video lessons.

10. Anna Wintour Teaches Creativity and Leadership

Rounding off our top 10 is Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, who gives unprecedented access to her world, teaching you how to lead with vision and creativity and without apology. Anna introduces her MasterClass by opening up about early experiences that shaped her leadership style today, and takes you to her offices at Vogue and gives advice to upcoming talent and designers on how to succeed. The MasterClass is 2 hours 36 minutes and comprises 12 video lessons.

Other MasterClasses To Consider

In case you aren’t convinced by any of Most Popular MasterClasses listed above, you may want to consider exploring one of the classes listed below which may pique your interest.

Food

Yotam Ottolenghi Teaches Modern Middle Eastern Cooking – Yotam Ottolenghi creates dishes that layer color and flavor for maximum impact. He teaches you simple steps for making and mixing Middle Eastern-inspired recipes like generous platters, mezze and brunch spreads to homemade condiments and delicious vegetables. This class is 5 hours 41 minutes in total and made up of 26 video lessons.

Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking II – Gordon Ramsay teaches you Restaurant Recipes at Home. You will learn how to cook restaurant-inspired dishes with tips for time-saving prep to show stopping presentation. The MasterClass begins with an introduction and how his newest restaurant inspired recipes that will help you wow your next dinner guest. Then each of the video lessons focuses on a different recipe (13 in total) from Cauliflower steak to Hoisin Chicken and Raspberry Souffle. The MasterClass is 4 hours 13 minutes and comprises 15 video lessons.

Massimo Bottura Teaches Modern Italian Cooking – Massimo Bottura is the chef of the three-Michelin-star Osterua Francescana, treats his world-renowed restaurant as a laboratory of ideas. He shares how he transforms classic, regional Italian recipes into exciting modern dishes. This class is 3 hours 46 minutes in total and made up of 14 video lessons.

Thomas Keller Teaches Cooking Techniques I – Thomas Keller teaches the techniques for cooking vegetables, eggs and making your own pasta from scratch. He is the award-winning chef and proprietor of The French Laundry. He begins his MasterClass with an overview of what he will be cooking and the techniques that will empower you to make great food in your own kitchen. His video lessons include; ‘Kitchen Setup:Cookware’, ‘Sourcing Ingredients’, ‘Pickling’ and much more. The Masterclass is made up of 36 video lessons that are 6 hours 53 minutes long.

Art

Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography – Jimmy Chin has built his career taking photos at the top of the world, he is taking you on location to teach you techniques for capturing breathtaking shots. This class is 4 hours 10 minutes in total and made up of 20 video lessons.

Bobbi Brown Teaches Makeup and Beauty – Bobbi Brown’s shares her expertise in step-by-step tutorials, using models with a range of skin tones. You’ll learn how to choose the right foundation, do a smoky eye and statement lip, and take your look from day to night. This class is 3 hours 48 minutes in total and made up of 19 video lessons.

David Lynch Teaches Creativity and Film – David Lynch introduced mainstream audiences to art-house films. You will learn how he catches ideas, translates them into a narrative and moves beyond formulaic storytelling. This class is 2 hours 52 minutes in total and made up of 13 video lessons.

Jeff Koons Teaches Art and Creativity – Jeff Koons invites you to a thought-provoking conversation and the history, purpose, and pleasures of art. You will learn how to color, scale, form, and texture can help you express ideas and communicate with others. This class is 2 hours 8 minutes in total and made up of 13 video lessons.

Music

Alicia Keys Teaches Songwriting and Producing – Alicia Keys is one of the world’s most beloved  singer-songwriter winning 15 Grammy Awards and more than 40 million albums sold. She invites you to her studio to share her process for creating music built from authentic emotion. This class is 3 hours 22 minutes in total and made up of 19 video lessons.

Timbaland Teaches Producing and Beatmaking – Grammy-winning music producer Timbaland takes you behind the boards to teach you his process for creating iconic tracks. You will learn how to collaborate with vocalists, layer new tracks, and create hooks that stick. This class is 3 hours 2 minutes in total and made up of 15 video lessons.

Business

Bob Iger Teaches Business Strategy and Leadership – Bob Iger is the former Disney CEO and has worked in the media industry for 45 years. He teaches you how to evolve your business and career, learn strategies for expanding a brand and leading with integrity. This class is 2 hours 11 minutes in total and made up of 13 video lessons.

Chris Voss Teaches the Art of Negotiation – Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator, who was able to persuade terrorists, bank robbers and kidnappers to see things his way. He is now teaching you these strategies in everyday negotiations, whether you want to strengthen your relationships or increase your salary. Chris can help you develop your communication skills and give you the insight into human nature that most of us are unaware of. The MasterClass is 3 hours 4 minutes and comprises 18 video lessons.

Diane von Furstenberg Teaches Building a Fashion Brand – Diane von Furstenberg built one of the world’s most iconic and enduring fashion brands. In her first online fashion design class, she teaches you how to build a brand. This class is 3 hours 7 minutes in total and made up of 17 video lessons.

Sports & Gaming

Stephen Curry Teaches Shooting, Ball-Handling, and Scoring – Stephen Curry teaches the shooting, ball-handling, and scoring techniques that have made him a two-time MVP. He is teaching everything he’s learned, from perfect shooting mechanics to on-court concepts and basketball drills. This class is 3 hours 41 minutes in total and made up of 17 video lessons.

Will Wright Teaches Game Design and Theory – Will Wright the mind behind SimCity and The Sims will teach you the art and science of game design. Will teaches you how to create games that empower players and unleash their imagination. You’ll develop a tool set for understanding player psychology, as well as learn Will’s approach to generating and pitching ideas. This class is 4 hours 16 minutes in total and made up of 21 video lessons.

Writing

Issa Rae Teaches Creating Outside the Lines – Issa Rae the Emmy-nominated star and creator of the award-winning HBO series insecure. Issa shows you here signature do-it-yourself ethos, humor, and voice to offer writers and creators of all types the motivation and tools they will need. This class is 2 hours 17 minutes in total and made up of 14 video lessons.

David Sedaris Teaches Storytelling and Humor – David Sedaris has essays in The New Yorker, bestselling books like Calypso, tours and reading on NPR. David teaches you the art of personal storytelling, you will learn how to craft attention grabbing openings, satisfying endings and meaning from the mundane. This class is 3 hours 23 minutes in total and made up of 14 video lessons.

Science & Tech

Matthew Walker Teaches the Science of Better Sleep – Matthew Walker is a professor of neuroscience and psychology at UC Berkeley and an expert on sleep. In his MasterClass, he will enlighten you on the science behind sleep, and teach you how to increase the quality and quantity of your sleep. Matthew will teach you on how to prevent sleep debt, navigate the effects of alcohol and caffeine and improve your health. His MasterClass is made up of 15 video lessons totaling 3 hours and 12 minutes.

Chris Hadfield Teaches Space Exploration – Chris Hadfield is a former commander of the International Space Station Chris Hadfield who teaches you the science of space exploration. In this MasterClass Chris teaches you about the science of space travel, life as an astronaut, and how flying in space will forever change the way you think about living on Earth. The MasterClass consists of 29 video lessons making up 7 hours and 47 minutes of content.

Neil deGrasse Tyson Teaches Scientific Thinking and Communication – Neil deGrasse Tyson is one of the most popular figures in modern science. His MasterClass opens your mind to scientific literacy, to distill data and navigate bias to discover objective truths. Tyson delivers this MasterClass is an engaging and inspiring way through 13 video lessons that total 2 hours 14 minutes.

Home & Lifestyle

Jon Kabat-Zinn is a pioneer of the Western mindfulness movement, he has spent more than 40 years studying, teaching and advocating the benefits of mindfulness. Jon shares his expert tips and guidance on mindfulness practices, ways to reduce stress and how to soothe your thoughts with meditation and movement. His MasterClas is made up of 20 video lessons totaling 6 hours and 30 minutes of content.

Brandon McMillan Teaches Dog Training – Brandon McMillian is an Emmy-winning host of ‘Lucky Dog’, he is an expert trainer dedicated to building relationships between humans and animals. Brandon shares his simple, effective training system to help you develop trust and control with your dog. From using commands and learning to improve your dog’s behavior along with a lifelong bond. His MasterClass is made up of 15 video lessons totaling 2 hours and 58 minutes.

Kelly Wearstler Teaches Interior Design – Kelly Wearstler is an award-winning designer and in this MasterClass she teaches you interior design techniques to make any space more beautiful, creative and inspiring. Like most MasterClasses, Kelly begins MasterClass with an introduction and talks about how a good design can help us to live and feel better. The following video lessons focus on different aspects of interior design from Sources of Inspiration, Working With Space, Discovering Texture and much more. The MasterClass is 2 hours 13 minutes and comprises 17 video lessons.

Ron Finley Teaches Gardening –  Ron Finlet is a self-taught gardener and shows you how to garden in any space, nurture your plants and grow your own food. He begins the MasterClass with why we should all have reverence for nature and reveals growing your own food gives you freedom. His video lessons include; ‘Creating Planters’, ‘Grow Your Own Food’ and ‘How to Not Kill Your Plants’. The Masterclass is made up of 10 video lessons that are 2 hours 7 minutes long.

Community & Government

Doris Kearns Goodwin Teaches U.S. Presidential History and Leadership –  Doris Kearns Goodwin has studied American presidents for more than 50 years. Doris will teach you leadership through the lens of U.S presidential history and shares practical wisdom and a template for honing leadership skills. This class is 2 hours 56 minutes in total and made up of 15 video lessons.

Dr Jane Goodall Teaches Conservation – Dr Jane Goodall teaches how you can conserve the environment, by letting nature win if we give her a chance. She also shares her research on the behavioral patterns of chimpanzees and what they taught her about conservation. This class is 5 hours 19 minutes in total and made up of 29 video lessons.

Wellness

RuPaul Teaches U.S. Self-Expression and Authenticity –  RuPaul has transformed drag subculture into a mainstream phenomenon. Now the Emmy-winning host and performer is sharing an intimate look at his personal journey to self-realization. This class is 2 hours 1 minute in total and made up of 16 video lessons.

Emily Morse Teaches Sex and Communication – Emily Morse is the host of the long-running podcast Sex With Emily where she has made it her mission to normalize the conversation. Emily helps you learn how to identify what you want, communicate your desires, and discover new sexual adventures. This class is 1 hour 53 minutes in total and made up of 7 video lessons.

MasterClass Sessions

MasterClass has introduced a whole new way of learning, Sessions is a new hands-on format by MasterClass, where you can learn alongside the world’s best by working on projects and activities as part of a structured curriculum in just 30 days. You will actively participate in the sessions, completing real-world projects, sharing them with an engaged community and receive feedback from trained teaching assistants.

One of the current sessions is ‘Elevate your singing and stage presence’ with Christina Aguilera. There are 6 sections available, and the hands-on curriculum will leave you with the ability to sing s stage-worth performance.

The session with Joanne Chang to ‘Create 8 award-worthy bakes’ will take your baking to the next level by learning 8 bakery-ready recipes. You will learn the foundations of making cakes, cookies, pies and brioche. Not only that, but you will learn alongside a community of learners and after 30 days you will have learned techniques to take your baking to the next level.

Sessions are designed for anyone at any skill level and the structured curriculum will help you to advance from one session to the next. The engaging community will help you to feel supported, where you can ask for feedback and connect with your peers. The best part about Sessions is that they are included within your MasterClass subscription.

What's The Best Way To Watch MasterClass?

MasterClass is a platform, you can watch and enjoy its classes from any of the following devices;

• Laptop & Desktop
• iPhone & Andriod
• Amazon Fire TV & Apple TV
• Tablet

There is no best way of watching MasterClass as its streaming and syncing on each device really is seamless. What I would say is that its best you enjoy its classes on the device which you are most enjoying.

Personally, when I took Yotam Ottolenghi’s Middle Eastern Cooking Class I used my laptop as I liked following the cooking classes on a good-sized screen whilst following along in my kitchen. It really does depend on which class you are taking, as some film or acting MasterClasses maybe best on a bigger screen.

And if you are on the go, then the MasterClass app works flawlessly on your phone or tablet, so you enjoy classes whilst on the move or even at home if that’s your preferred device.

So to sum up, there is no perfect way to watch a MasterClass. You have to consider which class you are taking and where you want to be watching it.

The MasterClass App

As I mentioned before, the MasterClass App is an excellent way to enjoy a MasterClass whilst on the go. It’s available for both iOS and Android users who enjoy learning on their commute with the function of audio only and offline viewing mirroring a podcast style experience.

The MasterClass App

When I took the MasterClasses myself I didn’t use the App for learning as I preferred to watch classes via my  laptop in a quiet space at home. But if you enjoy learning on the go or for a passive learning experience the App is ideal.

MasterClass App here

Will MasterClass Help My Career?

I doubt any employer will give you a raise or a new position because you’ve watched a MasterClass course.

Do you imagine reaching out to Warner Bros asking for the lead role on its next Batman or Superman movie on the grounds that you watch Samuel L. Jackson 5 hours acting course?

That won’t happen, will it?

But you may pick a couple of good tips from Samuel’s course that may give you a confidence boost, or listening to Samuel’s old stories may motivate you to pursue your acting career.

MasterClass Conclusion

My feelings towards MasterClass are mainly positive. Let me explain myself further:

I really appreciate the power of having top instructors (Celebrities & VIPs) to grab someone’s attention, in fact, some of their stories can be very motivational. Also, the class production (the video lessons) is top, it really is one of the best out there for online learning platforms. Some filmmakers may even like their movies to look as good. Plus, the MasterClass annual membership isn’t that expensive considering the number of great classes it offers.

So if you’re trying to decide whether MasterClass is worth it, I’d say it’s important to take the following into consideration, its membership plans are affordable, its high quality video production will keep you engaged, it regularly adds new classes to the platform, and it has 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind.

However, I want to mention what MasterClass is lacking, I know you’re probably hoping to get some 1-1 feedback from your favorite celebrities, but sadly this won’t be the case, the same goes for other MasterClass learners. Even though MasterClass classes are motivating and highly engaging, they won’t directly help you in a career change and won’t be recognized by a future employer, as you won’t receive a certificate. If you’re looking for any of this in your learning journey, it may be worth reading our article on other online learning platforms here.

If you do decide that an online learning platform offering top educational courses with a focus on career is more up your street, then platforms like, Coursera, edX or Udacity may be a better fit.

Please leave a comment below if you have any questions, and I’ll do my best to help you out.

MasterClass Alternatives

Mindvalley

Best for Personal Growth

4.6

Read review Visit Mindvalley

Coursera

Accredited Certificates

4.8

Read review Visit Coursera

Skillshare

Best For Creative Courses

4.5

Read review Visit Skillshare

Mindvalley

Mindvalley sets itself apart from other online learning platforms with its unique focus on personal development. It’s a platform that nurtures various facets of your life, encompassing the mind, body, soul, and beyond.

Mindvalley choice of two subscription options: a monthly plan at $49 USD or an annual membership priced at $399 USD. Opting for either plan grants you unrestricted access to the platform’s extensive curriculum of over 100+ courses, which come with a 15-day money-back guarantee.

Coursera

Coursera collaborates with 325+ top Universities and Companies offering top-tier courses, specializations, degrees, and more. Some of its partnerships are from renowned institutions such as Stanford, Duke, and Penn, alongside industry giants like Google and IBM.

Coursera allows you to sign up at no cost, providing an array of learning options that include individual courses, Guided Projects, Specializations, Professional Certificates, MasterTrack Certificates, and Degrees. Additionally, Coursera Plus, available through either a yearly or monthly subscription, unlocks access to over 7,000 courses.

Skillshare

Skillshare is a creative online learning community, offering over 34,000 classes that span a diverse array of creative categories from animation, illustration, music, photography and much more.

Skillshare offers a monthly and annual subscription plan, the monthly subscription is priced at $29 USD and the annual option available for $99 USD. After signing up, you can enjoy a free trial, which gives you full access to the platform and its classes. If you decide not to continue with a subscription plan, you must cancel within the first 14 days, so you aren’t charged.

FAQs

How much does MasterClass cost?

MasterClasses offers 3 annual memberships starting with the Individual plan for $180 a year ($15/month) then there is the Duo for $240 a year ($20/month) and finally the Family subscription for $276 a year ($23/month). All MasterClass memberships give you unlimited access to its catalog of 150+ classes from 11 categories which you can watch from your computer, TV, phone or tablet.

Can you get MasterClass for free?

Sadly no, MasterClass doesn’t offer a free trial, but it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you do decide within the first month that MasterClass isn’t for you, you can submit a refund request here.

Is MasterClass Legit?

Totally, MasterClass is a legit company and it does what it says. They won’t scam you. However, as I said during this MasterClass review, its approach is a bit different and far from MOOC (Massive open online course) institutions such as edX, Udemy or Coursera.

If you are a big fan of one of the instructors, and you would like to hear her or his stories, and get a couple of tips on how they perform their craft, you’ll be happy with MasterClass. I do want to be honest and real here, if you are expecting to take a MasterClass to be ready for a new career, you’re going to be disappointed.

Let’s take the MasterClass by Chris Hadfield, former commander of the International Space Station, as an example. Once completing his 8 hour MasterClass you won’t be qualified as an astronaut, but what you will have is some knowledge on space travel and an insight into first-hand experience as life as an astronaut.

What Is Best MasterClass Vs Skillshare?

One of the main differences of Skillshare to MasterClass is that its classes are focused on creatives topics like Animation, Photography, Crafts and more. It offers 34K classes which you will have full access to after purchasing a subscription plan. It only offers one subscription for individuals at $167.88 annually, which is a slightly lower price tag than MasterClass. Another major difference is that anyone can teach at Skillshare and create a class themselves, whereas MasterClass has VIP and celebrity instructors teaching its classes, plus they are produced to the highest standard. If you want to read a more detailed review, please check out our MasterClass Vs Skillshare article.

What Is Best MasterClass Vs Mindvalley?

MasterClass and Mindvalley are two popular online learning platforms. In some ways, they are very similar and in other ways, very different, l will explain in more detail. Mindvalley is a personal growth and development platform that offers a wide range of categories from topics like mind, body, soul, entrepreneurship, career and relationships. Like MasterClass its online courses, Quests, as they are known on Mindvalley are taught by bestselling authors and celebrities and its ‘All Access’ membership is subscription-based. Similarly to MasterClass, Mindvalley offers a generous refund policy. Both platforms have their strengths, and it really depends on what you are looking for. If you’re looking to learn from the world’s top experts, then MasterClass may be a good fit. Or if you are looking to develop personally and connect with a community, then Mindvalley would be your best option.

What Is Best MasterClass Vs Coursera?

MasterClass and Coursera are two renowned online learning platforms, they have some similarities and many differences, I will start explaining the differences. Coursera is a platform that partners with top Universities, and Organizations like Duke and Google and offers a wide selection of courses and learning programs, from individual courses, to professional certificates and degree programs. Whereas MasterClass creates its classes themselves and are around 20 video lessons, each one is no more than 10 minutes long. The focus on Courseras courses and programs is to gain a certified qualification which can help you on your career path. Whereas MasterClasses classes focus on the joy of learning a new skill through engaging and well produced video content. The similarities between MasterClass and Coursera are the instructors and well-known teachers teaching its courses and classes, so you can be rest assured that they are experienced and know their craft. Finally, Coursera’s courses and programs are paid for individually with an option of a subscription with Coursera Plus (this doesn’t include degree programs), MasterClass has the same pricing approach with its annual subscription.

How to Find Your MasterClass Course?

Browse the categories

MasterClass makes it easy for you to browse its collection of great courses, its 200+ classes are organized into 11 categories. You can find classes on the following categories Food, Design & Style, Arts & Entertainment, Music, Business, Sports & Gaming, Writing, Science & Tech, Home & Lifestyle, Community & Government and Wellness.

When you land on the homepage, you can pick any of the topics you are interested in, and MasterClass will show you all the classes in that category and will interest you. It’s a really nice filter and a quick way to find what you are looking for (see image below).

You will be able to watch a video preview for each MasterClass, that are around 2 minutes long. It will give you a taste of what to expect from the class and the instructor. I must say, its class preview are more like movie trailers than a course introduction and definitely will have you hooked.

Remember though that the purpose of the video preview is to get you hooked and wanting to by a MasterClass membership. So, really try to make a well-rounded decision if MasterClass is right for you.

MasterClass Live

This is the closet thing that MasterClass offers to free classes and trials, MasterClass Live. It’s a place where you watch MasterClasses instructors sharing their knowledge and giving you a feel of how they would be as an instructor. If you do miss the scheduled live recording, then you can always catch up in your own time on previous live recordings.

MasterClass Articles

MasterClass offers articles to read for free to all users. Its articles are written posts about MasterClasses related categories like Food, Design & Style, Business, Wellness and more. Some of the articles are written by MasterClasses VIP instructors like ‘How to Make Pureed & Mashed Potatoes With Thomas Keller’ and other articles are written by the Masterclasses staff like ‘Basketball 101: 8 Ways to Improve Your Basketball Skills’

All of the articles are related to one of the classes that MasterClass offers, which is a nice way to introduce a topic to a new user and  potential interest in joining a class.

Celebrity & VIP Instructors

MasterClass video lessons are taught by celebrities and VIPs. Many of its instructors are celebrities and world-renowned experts like Gordon Ramsey and Serena Williams.

If you want to learn from a well recognized expert, then MasterClass really has a highly attractive pool of instructors teaching its classes. If you are a big fan of one of its instructors, then it is definitely worth checking out a class or two.

New classes

Every month, MasterClass updates its catalogue of classes by adding new classes. This keeps its content fresh and new and means there is always something for its members to be excited about.

Read Reviews

One of the best ways of getting to know an online learning platform is by hearing from other learners. MasterClass offers some reviews on its homepage. I will add this isn’t the most extensive or class specific variety of reviews, but it does reassure new users to the platform that others have had a positive experience.

Refund your annual subscription

As it is hard to know before buying an annual MasterClass membership if it’s right for you. As there are no free class or trials or even many reviews from previous students. It’s hard to know whether it will be the online platform for you. So, thankfully there is a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. It means you can be rest assured that if it’s not the best option for you, you’ll always have 30-days to get a refund.

In my experience it was really easy and hassle-free, all I need to do was submit a request here, and I was contacted pretty instantly by support. Then I received the refund back in my account in 5 days. They do tell you that it can take between 5-10 Business days for the funds to be deposited back in your account.