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What is MasterClass?
Before we get into the review, let me explain exactly what MasterClass is.
MasterClass is an online learning platform where the world’s most successful people teach you the things that made them famous. All of these classes comprise video lessons and downloadable workbooks for you to easily follow along.
MasterClass is unique for two reasons:
- They have the world’s most well-known instructors. Really. Gordon Ramsay teaches cooking. Neil deGrasse Tyson teaches scientific thinking. Natalie Portman teaches acting. Timbaland teaches producing and beat making. Thomas Keller teaches cooking. Matthew Walker teaches the science of better sleep. They even have Serena Williams teaching tennis.
- They have the best video production quality of any online education platform out there.
When you enroll in MasterClass, you’ll instantly see why people have been raving about it. It’s addictive! There are hundreds of hours of educating content. The video lessons are inspiring and entertaining.
You can binge-watch just like you’d do with Netflix, but you’ll end up learning so much more than you ever could through simple TV binging. It’s entertainment and education.
Or to borrow a phrase, it’s edutainment.
That’s MasterClass: a deep education platform with hundreds of hours of video lessons from the brightest minds in their field.
For me, that’s reason enough to give MasterClass a shot.
But I also want to make sure you are properly informed if you’re thinking of joining MasterClass. In this review, I’ll share not only the good, but also the bad about MasterClass.
To summarize, here are the key points you need to know about MasterClass:
- MasterClass is a video-based online learning platform.
- They are a new online education start-up based out of San Francisco.
- They have already delivered their courses to more than one million students.
- Their video production is world-class. In fact, their aim is to bring the quality of Netflix to the $100 billion e-learning industry.
- They have the world’s best experts. More on this below.
- However, it’s a pretty standard approach to online learning. You get access to lessons in the form of videos and notes.
Who is MasterClass for?
To be completely honest with you, MasterClass isn’t for everyone. But, it is great for a lot of people.
It’s great for creative types such as writers, photographers, artists, musicians, and cooks. If you want to improve your writing or become a better homecook, you’ll probably love MasterClass.
But if you’re looking for office-oriented, practical skills that help you in a non-creative career, you probably won’t find it here.
Instead, MasterClass is more relevant for people looking to add a creative spark to their lives. If you want to learn the fundamentals of acting from Natalie Portman, MasterClass is the platform for you.
There’s another key point you should know.
MasterClass videos aren’t live. The lessons are all taped.
MasterClass isn’t ideal if you’re looking for hands-on contact with instructors. They do have a Q&A feature, but MasterClass has gotten so popular that it’s hard to have a one-on-one feel with instructors.
The lessons are extremely high-quality, and the great thing is that you can complete them at any time (no class schedule), but you can’t get live 1:1 instruction.
The price of MasterClass online classes
In 2021, MasterClass began testing alternative subscription models besides their original flat-rate $180 annual membership. Eventually, they settled on a new cost-friendly three-tier MasterClass pricing model for their annual subscription:
- Individual – $180 per year (average $15 per month)
- Duo – $240 per year (average $20 per month)
- Family – $276 per year (average $23 per month)
The Individual membership (formerly the “Standard Plan”) is perfect for single individuals who are most likely to consume online learning at home. The Duo (formerly the “Plus Plan”) and Family (formerly the “Premium Plan”) plans are better for couples as MasterClass allows multiple devices to watch at the same time. (Netflix has similar restrictions for their membership plans).
However, the ability to download video lessons for offline viewing is helpful for people who might want to watch MasterClass on their commute to work without eating up most of their data. The Plus and Premium plans offer their users the ability to do just that.
Personally, I go for the $180 per year option as I average about one MasterClass per month which means my cost per class is $15.
What’s it really like taking a MasterClass?
Taking a MasterClass is easy: you watch high-quality educational videos delivered by masters in their craft. You then complete additional homework in your PDF workbook.
Here’s a typical breakdown of how a class works:
- 10-20 video lessons that are anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour
- Accompanying workbook anywhere from 50-100 pages
- Homework assignments to complete on your own time
- An online community where students can post work and ask questions
You can tackle each course in your own time. Want to be diligent and work with Shonda Rhimes on your pilot for 2 months? Go for it. Want to binge all the chess basics with Garry Kasparov in a day? You can do that too.
The best way to think about MasterClass is as edutainment. It’s a streaming service, like Netflix, except it teaches you valuable skills.
MasterClass videos are quite short but highly engaging. They’re not too heavy and they’re easy to follow.
Watching MasterClass when I get home has now become a habit. It’s so easy to use and I’m really enjoying it.
If you’re looking for a formal education experience, it may not be the perfect fit. But if you have a curious mind and want to start consuming educational content but still be entertained in the process, I recommend checking out the annual membership.
Not convinced? Here’s a breakdown of one of my favorite MasterClasses: Gordon Ramsay teaches cooking.
The pros and cons of MasterClass
Like with anything, there are pros and cons to Masterclass. Since I’ve taken a lot of classes, I’ve been able to see both the good and the bad.
Here’s where I think MasterClass shines, and where I think it could use a little more help.
The pros of MasterClass
I’ve talked a lot about how MasterClass is good, and it is. So, I’ll sum up the pros in this quick list:
- The video quality is amazing
- The classes are affordable — $180 gets you 90+ courses for a year.
- All the classes are taught by world-class instructors
- The classes are substantive, with hours of video and many pages of PDF workbooks
- Many of the classes have sequels, letting you dive into the material more deeply
- The user interface is easy to work and you can watch the courses from virtually anywhere
- These classes cater to creatives, and they really help to build up those soft skills
- You get invaluable advice and teaching that you wouldn’t get anywhere else
- You really learn a lot!
The cons of MasterClass
Like with anything, there were some things I didn’t like.
MasterClass provides an inside glimpse into the world’s greatest minds.
But is their instruction practical?
Well, it depends upon what your goals are with MasterClass. Are you looking to be a writer? Are you looking to be a better cook?
Or are you looking to improve your photography hobby?
If you answered yes, you’ll like MasterClass. But if you’re looking to find an online class that gives you a direct boost to a traditional career, MasterClass is going to come up short.
Is MasterClass worth the money?
We’ve covered the great: the amazing teachers, the quality production, the sheer amount of content, and the multiple streaming avenues.
So, at the end, is it worth the money?
Yes. MasterClass is worth it. It is a truly unique learning experience and gives you remarkable insight into amazing celebrity thinkers. You’d never get to learn from these brilliant minds any other way.
Personally, I love it, and the more I take the classes, the more I’m finding myself recommending MasterClass to others. You can even give MasterClass as a gift, which is perfect for those who love personal development.
While I do see the flaws, I think it’s fairly affordable and worth every penny I’ve spent.
Should you pay for MasterClass?
After doing several of the MasterClass classes, here’s my conclusion about whether you should pay for MasterClass.
If you feel like you’re lacking inspiration in your life, it may be a good fit for you.
Perhaps you’re a writer struggling with writer’s block, and you want access to the world’s best writers to see how they approach this situation.
Or maybe you’re an up-and-coming movie director and you simply want to immerse yourself in the ways of living and thinking of a high-quality director.
But most likely, you may be someone who simply wants to introduce more educational content into what you watch in the evening.
Sometimes, we get inspiration from simply understanding exactly what it’s like to be successful on the world stage. But certainly, we’ve got a lot to learn from the world’s most successful people.
The great thing about these MasterClass classes is that you really do get an insider’s feel of what it’s like.
If any of this applies to you, it’s well worth the money.
MasterClass vs. Udemy
Another online learning platform is Udemy. Udemy is currently the largest online education platform, but they focus mainly on learned, hard skills.
Want to become better at marketing? Udemy.
Need to learn a new skill? Udemy.
Want to learn more about a hobby? MasterClass.
Udemy’s courses have a minimum length of 30 minutes. You also receive a certificate of completion, which allows you to share it with future employers.
You probably won’t be spending more than $20 or so on an Udemy course. While the price point is appealing, you won’t get the quality you get from MasterClass.
MasterClass vs. CreativeLive
Needing the best of hobbies and business? CreativeLive has DIY, photography, art, and design, while also offering, marketing and business classes.
The problem is they lack some focus. Because they put so much of their time into multiple offerings, everything comes off a bit blasé. And while they’re a good online education platform themselves, they lack personal development skills that MasterClass is good at.
Through all of these online education platforms, my gripe with MasterClass and other online education platforms still remain the community.
CreativeLive has over 10 million students, but there isn’t a community that is strong and thriving. MasterClass’s community is stronger than theirs.
That being said, while none of these education platforms are bad, if you’re looking for premium teachers, amazing video quality, and personal development courses, MasterClass hits home.
FAQ About MasterClass
Yes, MasterClass has apps for iOS, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku.
You have access to all classes for one year with the annual membership. There is no longer an option to purchase classes individually.
Each MasterClass course varies in how much film there is to watch, but there is usually between two and five hours for every course. These are split up into smaller increments, making it easy to take a break.
While I’ve heard that some students did get feedback from the instructors, I’m not holding my breath. Because of their celebrity status, it has to be pretty difficult for them to come back and give feedback. I wouldn’t plan on hearing from them.
You can watch the classes on your TV, phone, computer, tablet, or any other internet-enabled device.
You can start another one! Or, you can review the materials you haven’t gone over. There’s no harm in watching the course again, either. You don’t, unfortunately, get a certificate, but you do get to keep the knowledge!
