MasterClass Review (2022) – Is MasterClass Worth The Money?

Looking for the ultimate and in-depth MasterClass review? Then you’ve landed on the right page as we provide you with all the information you’ll need about the platform!

Have you been trying to learn a new skill, but your hectic schedule doesn’t make it feasible?

Let’s face it, we all have bills, commitments, and relationships to manage, all of which take our time. Thus, attending a physical class to upgrade your skill set or gain a new one might not be possible.

But, what if you could learn from the comfort of your home and at your own pace?

That is what MasterClass offers; convenience.

You can take art & design classes, writing classes, business classes, entertainment classes from the comfort of your home.

In this MasterClass review, we are going to cover everything concerning the platform, Including;

1. What is MasterClass?
2. Who is it for?
3. What does it cost?
4. What kind of courses are available?
5. What makes it different from the other e-learning platforms?

So, let’s not waste any time and just get to the review of MasterClass since that’s what you are here for!

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What Is MasterClass?

MasterClass is an online education platform that offers online classes created for students of all skill levels. They make it possible for anyone to watch or listen to hundreds of video lessons taught by some of the world’s finest!

On MasterClass, there is a lesson for everyone, no matter their interests; whether in photography, cooking, writing, acting, sports, or even science & tech.

MasterClass offers a world-class learning experience. No other online learning platform can boast of the number of world-class instructors that MasterClass has.

They have Daniel Pink teaching Sales & Persuasion, Gordon Ramsay teaching Cooking, Annie Leibovitz teaching Photography, Malcolm Gladwell teaching Writing, Bob Iger teaching Business Strategy, Tan France teaching Styles for Everyone, and many other famous experts as instructors.

And it’s not just the instructors that are top-notch, the quality of video production is also pretty terrific. Each course contains several videos, ranging from 5 to 20 minutes in duration, and the production quality is just through the roof.

Who Is MasterClass For?

Any MasterClass review wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t mention is the platform was built for everyone or now, and MasterClass is actually built to cater to everyone, irrespective of their skill level.

Both novices and professionals will find the classes useful. New classes are also launched regularly, so you are never short of new interests to explore. The platform is like a pandora’s box full of knowledge – once you get in, you keep learning something new every day.

You can get more information on the courses available by checking their catalog.

If you’re worried about your MasterClasses clashing with other things like work or college, then don’t! You can always catch up with your classes at your pace and convenience; that’s the essence of the platform. You can take your classes while on the train going to work, during your office breaks, or on a bus home. You take your MasterClass with you wherever you go.

What Can I Study In MasterClass?

You can study almost anything in MasterClass – photography, arts, entertainment, food, music, writing, sports; the possibilities are enormous.

MasterClass offers a class for everyone. No matter how rare or obscure you think your interests are, there is probably a course for you in MasterClass.

In this part of MasterClass review, I will tell you about the various available categories on the platform.

Fashion & Design

If you want to get great fashion tips and lessons from some of the industry’s finest, then MasterClass is the place to go.

Fashion isn’t just about wearing beautiful clothes, but I’m guessing you already know that. 11-time CFDA award winner and former Louis Vuitton creative director – Marc Jacobs will show you what you need to build a career in one of the most competitive industries in the world.

Business

As a business owner, you have to be on your toes all the time. You need to learn new strategies, adapt to market changes, and keep searching for ways to render better services to your customers. Who better to coach you on doing these things than renowned businessmen and women with vast experience in the market!

MasterClass helps you learn from Sara Blakely – the Spanx CEO who became the youngest self-made billionaire in 2012.

Apart from her, you can also learn all kinds of business tactics from other successful people like Daniel Pink, Chris Voss, Howard Shultz, and many other top-class business magnates.

Cooking

If you are genuinely interested in learning how to cook, MasterClass gives you access to some of the biggest master chefs in the world who will show you the ropes and train you to become a culinary legend.

You get instructors like Gordon Ramsay – a seven-star Michelin who trained with culinary legends; Guy Savoy and Joel Robuchon in France.

Even if you haven’t picked up a whisk in your life, there is a class for you, and you’ll be performing ‘magic’ in the kitchen in no time.

And it’s not just Gordon Ramsay, but other world-class chefs offer their MasterClasses and use all their knowledge and years of experience to help you become a great chef yourself!

Writing

Many people feel that writing is some supernatural talent embedded in people from birth. But that’s not necessarily true. I am living proof that anybody can write, and you can too if you put in the work and effort. If I had a tool like MasterClass, I would have learned how to write faster.

When classes from writing legends like James Patterson, Malcolm Gladwell, Salman Rushdie, Judy Blume, and R.L. Stine are available, you get first-class information on engaging readers from the very start and have them read your works till the end!

And More…

These are only some categories that I can mention in this MasterClass review because there are several of them on the platform, and the above-mentioned ones are the most popular! Once you are in, you will get access to 100s of MasterClasses offered by world-class instructors in fields like sports & gaming, cooking, design & style, music, wellness, and more!

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MasterClass Review – What’s In the Member’s Area?

There are several e-learning platforms on the Internet; most of them are like MasterClass, while some are different.

But MasterClass happens to be a lot easier to understand and use than most other e-learning platforms. Its highly responsive website makes it a joy to use. It’s fast, efficient, and straightforward. Within five minutes, I was able to register and start using the website.

In this part of the MasterClass review, I will take you behind the scenes and show you what makes this platform one of the best online learning platforms right now!

Here are some features of MasterClass that stood out for me:

• User-friendly: MasterClass website is exceptionally user-friendly. You can see it once you land on the front page itself. The fonts are bold, links are correctly arranged, and a search button sits at the top of the page for easy, even better navigation.
• Expert teachers: When it comes to expert teachers, MasterClass has no competition. They have the best of the best leading the classes on their platform and sharing their knowledge with the world.
• Fantastic video quality:  Whenever taking online courses, I pay attention to video quality. It is very discouraging when you learn from a source with poor video quality. MasterClass probably understands this, and that is why the videos on their platform are made with the highest production standards.
• Mobile application: The mobile application of the platform is one of the most efficient e-learning platform applications out there in the market.
• Eye-catching website: I have mentioned that MasterClass website is one of the most interactive I have used, but I have to reiterate. The website is worth emulating by many consumer and conversion-targeted websites.

My only issue with MasterClass is that it reminds me of Netflix. The number of exciting courses on the platform is so much that it is easy to become indecisive.

Like Netflix will shove its best films at your face, MasterClass is also quite aggressive at showing its best courses once you select your interests. But they also let you continue your courses smoothly because you can continue watching the videos from the point that you left off. So, that’s a plus!

Lest I forget, there aren’t any of those annoying ads on MasterClass. You are paying a subscription fee for the service, so there shouldn’t be any advertisements, but I thought it was worth mentioning in this MasterClass review.

MasterClass claims that they have the best teachers teaching their classes, but how true is that?

They have Stephen Curry teaching basketball, Samuel L. Jackson teaching acting, Gordon Ramsay teaching you how to cook, Martin Scorcese teaching filmmaking, amongst many others.

These are big names in their respective industries, and it would be beneficial if you could get tips on how to succeed from them, don’t you think?

One of the things that piqued my interest in MasterClass is the writing teachers they have. MasterClass has R.L Stine, Malcolm Gladwell, Judy Blume, David Mamet, Dan Brown, Neil Gaiman, Salman Rushdie, and many more as writing instructors.

These are literary legends – R.L. Stine holds the author’s record with the bestselling children’s series of all time. Judy Blume is best known for bestselling children’s books and young-adult novels, including “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” and “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”

On a typical day, you probably can’t get in touch with these writers to request writing tips or advice. At best, you’ll get a response from them months after sending a request. MasterClass connects you to them and makes it easier to obtain first-hand tips from them.

My second favorite thing about MasterClass is that they add more classes and world-class instructors all the time. They recently added one about wine tasting and appreciation, and the instructor is James Suckling, a wine critic with over three decades of experience.

In conclusion of this section of MasterClass review, I think it’s safe to say that the platform has the best teaching classes conducted by the best instructors.

MasterClass Review – Pros & Cons

I have mentioned that MasterClass has the best of the best teaching the classes on their platform, but what else makes MasterClass worth it? And since we are already talking about the pros of the platform, what are the cons that might make you think twice before purchasing a subscription.

In this section of MasterClass review, we will see the pros and cons of the platform.

Pros of MasterClass:

• MasterClass is affordable: This usually comes as a surprise to many people. Normally, you’d expect to pay thousands of dollars to get classes from Gordon Ramsay or R.L. Stine, but that is not the case here. For a small yearly subscription, you can get access to all the courses on the platform. More info on pricing below!
• Superior video quality: Video quality is something you should consider when choosing any e-learning platform. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about video quality when it comes to MasterClass. All the videos are 4K, and most of the videos feature subtitles too.

Cons of MasterClass:

• No live classes: The videos on MasterClass are not live. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your assimilation preference.
• Little live interaction with instructors: MasterClass is not ideal for you if you are looking for more hands-on contact with instructors. Instructors like R.L. Stine might not be able to take your questions, and that can be very frustrating. There is a Q&A feature, but MasterClass has gotten so popular that it’s hard to have that one-on-one feel with instructors.

How Much Does MasterClass Cost?

I have listed some fantastic platform features, but what about its price? You probably want to know exactly how much it would cost to get an instructor like Gordon Ramsay to teach you how to cook.

Not much!

MasterClass is well within your budget as you can get the complete MasterClass package for as low as $180 a year paid in full (which comes to $15 per month).

Earlier, MasterClass also offered you the option to buy only one course, but that option is no longer available.

Now, there’s only one subscription plan, which is the yearly plan, and you get access to all the courses on the platform by paying just $180 for the entire year.

I know it’s a strange pricing system, but the $180 plan doesn’t sound too bad if we are honest. I know that it’s a yearly price, and you’ll have to pay it again to renew it the following year, but I am sure that you won’t mind paying the subscription fee once you’ve taken a couple of courses on the platform.

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11 Best MasterClass Courses & Celebrity Instructors in 2022

Since MasterClass is a unique concept that teaches you skills by bringing in instructors who are the very best in the world, you shouldn’t be surprised to see what kind of course and people there are on the platform. These courses might seem unorthodox, but they impart pretty valuable skills.

In this part of the MasterClass review, I have created a list of some of the best courses on MasterClass that you can get instant access to. These courses cut across different niches, and they feature the best learning resources you’ll ever find anywhere else.

Gordon Ramsay Teaches Cooking

Gordon Ramsay needs no introduction if you are a ‘kitchen fan.’ If you know Gordon, you know he is a strict chef with a meticulous approach to his cooking.

Gordon has had multiple TV shows to his name, and in the first section of his class on MasterClass, he takes his time to properly explain what it means to be a good chef and what he has planned out for you for the rest of the course.

As you keep going through the videos in his course, you learn his approach to preparing a healthy and tasty meal, and you’ll get to see him in action as he explains each step.

Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass is so good that he has 2 of them on the platform – one teaching home cooking and the other teaching how to cook restaurant meals at home!

Chris Voss Teaches The Art Of Negotiation

Negotiation is something we engage in every single day. Whether you are bargaining with a client or trying to reach an agreement with your girlfriend, the art of negotiation is an important skill to possess.

Chris Voss is the instructor who’ll teach you how to become a good negotiator. He is a former FBI negotiator, and he has negotiated with the most difficult people you can ever think of. He teaches you how to reach common ground with anybody, including those you have written off as ‘impossible.’

Some might find this course impractical at first, but once you begin with the first video, you’ll understand just how important the art of negotiation really is!

Neil Gaiman Teaches The Art Of Storytelling

Everybody can tell a story, but not everybody can tell a good story.

So how do you tell a good story?

Award-winning fiction writer and one of the most prolific storytellers of our time, Neil Gaiman, is better positioned to answer that question. Neil Gaiman will show his formula for writing some of the most absorbing fiction stories in his exclusive MasterClass!

Garry Kasparov Teaches Chess

Garry Kasparov is the man leading this course. Kasparov is a direct, dynamic, and ambitious chess player who loves to go all in. He is not the laid-back type who likes to allow their opponents to strike first; Garry hits fast and hard.

This is the strategy that he will be showing you, eventually, if you decide to take his class. He mirrors his style of play for his students and teaches you the ‘venomous’ style of chess play.

Ron Finley Teaches Gardening

If gardening is something that you genuinely love, or want to know more about nurturing plants and taking care of them, then this is the course that you should spend some time on!

Ron Finley won’t just teach you how to grow plants on fertile soil but also explain how you can turn nutrient-poor soil into a fertile ground that will be able to nurture healthy plants.

He is really passionate about gardening, and if you share the same affection as Ron does, join his MasterClass and learn how to turn your ‘average’ garden into your own Eden.

Malcolm Gladwell Teaches Writing

This is Malcolm’s first online writing class, and he is excited to share his process with his students. Malcolm will show you how he researches topics, crafts characters, and bring them to life.

In the first part of this class, Malcolm talks about the idea of writing as acting as a ‘calling’ and shares a bit of his writing process. He also shares how his love for jigsaw puzzles helps him piece together great stories.

As an aspiring writer, you’ll learn lots of tips from Malcolm on drawing the reader into your world and immersing them in your story, something that he’s an expert at.

Deadmau5 Teaches Electronic Music Production

Electronic music is the new genre that has taken over the music industry. The upbeat tune associated with this style of music makes it a must-play in every show.

If you are interested in learning how to make music like this, then MasterClass will connect you with Deadmau5.

Deadmau5 is a Canadian electronic music producer known for hits like; I remember, Hi Friend, Ghosts “n” Stuff, and many others.

He will drill you on making a perfect electronic dance beat using any DAW of your choice. He also discusses his process; Beats, Synths, Melodies, Mixing, and Mastering. He is efficient, and I was hooked right out the gate. You get access to his work process and learn how his music takes shape in real-time, from an empty project to a finished song.

Daniel Negreanu Teaches Poker

I can’t deny the thrill that comes with gambling. Poker is a game of leisure that can sometimes become a battle for your integrity. And when it comes to integrity, nobody likes to lose. MasterClass connects you with Daniel Negreanu, who will show you how to win the whole pot and leave everyone stunned.

Who is Daniel Negreanu, and what does he know about poker?

Daniel Negreanu is a six-time World Series of Poker bracelet-winner popularly known as “Kid Poker.” So if there is someone worthy enough to teach you how to play the game, it’s got to be him!

Niki Nakayama Teaches Modern Japanese Cooking

Few people do it better than Niki Nakayama when it comes to Japanese cooking. She has lots of positive reviews, and after checking out her class on MasterClass, I can say that all the praise is well deserved.

Niki is a gentle teacher, and she loves to carry her students along. “If it’s worth doing, then it’s worth doing well,” she would say in-between instructions.

Niki and her sous chef, Carole, will show you how to prepare sashimi, tempura, perfect rice, etc. More importantly, Niki will show you how to prepare a meal with care and gratitude.

Kelly Wearstler Teaches Interior Design

Interior design is a valuable skill that everyone should possess. It is not a skill reserved for ‘interior designers’ alone. With this skill, you can design your home or office however you want because your interior design says a lot about your personality.

Such is the kind of advice you will get from interior design expert Kelly Wearstler!

Kelly Wearstler’s style helped redefine modern American design and influenced the rise of designer hotels. The award-winning designer takes you behind the scenes to demystify interior design and help you make the most of your space, no matter how small or big that is!

Alice Waters Teaches The Art Of Homecooking

Alice Waters started America’s farm-to-table revolution. She earned the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef due to the local based ingredients she used in her restaurant.

In her first-ever online cooking class, Alice opens the doors of her home kitchen to teach you how to pick seasonal ingredients, create healthy and beautiful meals, and change your life by changing the food you make at home.

And More…

These are just a few of the courses that are available on MasterClass. I can’t exactly list down every course on this page, but I have created a separate article on the best MasterClass courses of 2022 that you might want to check out!

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What Makes MasterClass Different Than Other Platforms?

MasterClass isn’t the only online platform where you can learn new skills. There are several other e-learning platforms out there in the market, and naturally, some are better than others in various aspects.

In this part of MasterClass review, we will take a look at what makes MasterClass stand out from the other online learning platforms!

MasterClass is excellent and one of the most unique places to learn from the experts, but it isn’t perfect. So, let’s see some of the things that make it different from the other e-learning platforms out there in the market.

• MasterClass is incredibly easy to use. I bet your grandmother will be able to navigate her way through this platform easily.
• It is the only platform with big names as instructors. They have instructors as popular as Stephen Curry and Usher on the platform.
• MasterClass has a good mobile application that allows you to access courses from anywhere with your mobile phone.
• MasterClass is affordable, and you can get a lifelong accessible course by paying as low as $180 per year.

Since other e-learning platforms apart from MasterClass exist, we should look at how they fair when you compare them side-by-side?

MasterClass vs. Udemy

Udemy is a top-rated e-learning platform with unique features. It’s arguably one of the most popular online learning platforms.

Udemy has a mobile application you can use to take a course online. It also has a fairly decent user interface and audio lectures. Audio lectures are something that MasterClass is yet to incorporate into its platform.

Both platforms have subtitles available, but only if the instructor adds them to the course.

Text lectures, as well as quizzes, are available on Udemy. Exercises or quizzes are not typical for every course on MasterClass, and it usually depends on the instructor. Many instructors only make videos, and some don’t address your most pressing needs.

Udemy is also quite affordable. Since its inception, Udemy has been known for promoting outrageous discounts on most of its courses. Sometimes discounts can be as high as 50%.

And you can purchase individual courses on Udemy, unlike MasterClass where there’s a single subscription for all the courses!

The significant advantage that MasterClass has over Udemy is the quality of instructors. Udemy courses are sometimes notorious for being low-quality. This is because the verification process isn’t as strict as MasterClass.

MasterClass vs. Skillshare

The major difference between Skillshare and MasterClass is the community support and classroom environment.

Skillshare has a better classroom environment than MasterClass. You can share your work and collaborate with other students on Skillshare.

MasterClass, on the other hand, doesn’t feel like a classroom. It lacks the feeling of belonging in a community. The Skillshare community learning environment is its greatest strength.

But the platform is a bit more complex to navigate when compared to MasterClass. Its community-centered environment makes team collaboration and the exchange of ideas possible.

The Admin panel isn’t the easiest to navigate. However, it is incredibly versatile once you understand how it works. You can add seats, invite users and manage your team.

Skillshare also has an app that you can use to attend classes. You can start as a free member of the class on Skillshare and take the classes for free for the first few months before deciding whether you want to join.

MasterClass, on the other hand, doesn’t offer any free trial or discounts.

Skillshare has more enterprise-targeted features like the usage and engagement report feature and the LMS Integrations and API capabilities.

Both MasterClass and Skillshare have experienced instructors. However, I have to admit in this MasterClass review that its instructors are usually more popular and famous than their Skillshare counterparts.

This might not be that big an issue, but there is an added sense of class and pride from being able to say you took a class on performance by Usher or a class in Thriller writing by Dan Brown.

MasterClass vs. The Great Courses

Like MasterClass, The Great Courses make lifelong learning and personal enrichment possible.

The Great Courses is a bit pricey compared to MasterClass. You can purchase individual courses on it, but sometimes their price is more than the entire yearly subscription to MasterClass. However, it has hundreds of courses on varying topics compared to what MasterClass has.

There’s also the subscription plan offered by The Great Courses, which, although pretty pricey, is a much better option than paying for individual courses.

The Great Courses also has some of the best leading the courses on their platform while still offering that classroom feel that MasterClass lacks. However, MasterClass has a more user-friendly platform comparatively.

A mobile app is available for The Great Courses subscribers, but it is not as user-friendly as MasterClass.

MasterClass vs. CreativeLive

MasterClass is cheaper than CreativeLive!

A whole one-year all-access plan of MasterClass costs about $180, while a one-month pass on Creativelive costs $39 for one month. However, if you take the subscription for a longer period, say one year at least, the price is almost similar to that of MasterClass.

MasterClass has fewer courses than CreativeLive but instead emphasizes the big names they have instructing the classes on their platform. CreativeLive has more than 20,000 courses available on its platform and also has some pretty iconic instructors that impart their experience and knowledge in their classes.

The CreativeLive app is only available for Apple IOS 13+ compatible devices. There is no CreativeLive mobile application for Android just yet. But, MasterClass is available on both Apple iOS and Android phones.

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MasterClass FAQs:

In this part of the MasterClass review, we will go through some of the frequently asked questions you might have before deciding to make the purchase. So, let’s answer these questions one by one!

Who owns MasterClass?

David Rogier is the founder and CEO of MasterClass. It was launched in 2015.

How much does MasterClass cost?

MasterClass offers their all-access plan for just $180 per year. This gives you access to all the currently available courses and any courses that will be launched in the future, provided you have an active subscription.

Is MasterClass worth the money?

Yes, it’s worth the money.

MasterClass has some of the best instructors on its platform. The platform is incredibly user-friendly, and the courses cut across different niches.

Does MasterClass have a free trial?

No, they don’t offer a free trial.

Are there any MasterClass discount offer or promo codes?

Short answer is NO! MasterClass doesn’t offer any promo codes or discounts at the moment, and any website that tells you otherwise is misleading you.

How many classes are there in MasterClass?

85 courses are currently available in MasterClass. Courses are added regularly, so this figure is subject to change.

Can I watch MasterClass offline?

You can download most of the class materials from the site. However, you cannot download the video lessons on your computer. You can use the mobile app to select and download video lessons on iOS (iPhone and iPad).

What devices can I watch MasterClass on?

MasterClass is available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Android TV.

How long is each MasterClass?

A MasterClass lecture typically takes between 5 to 30 minutes. The entire course contains close to 25 video lessons. Sometimes the instructor speaks straight into the camera. Other times they work with their students’ efforts in front of the camera.

Can you pay for MasterClass monthly?

MasterClass previously sold a monthly subscription, but that has been since discontinued. However, non-profit organizations can apply for a grant to use MasterClass for free.

How to cancel a MasterClass subscription?

You can unsubscribe by contacting “support@masterclass.com” or going to the “Settings” in your account. Select the Cancel option under the subscription box and follow the onscreen instructions to cancel your subscription.

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MasterClass Review – Is MasterClass Worth It?

The simple answer is yes, MasterClass is worth it. Three factors can make an e-learning platform worth it or not;

• Resource quality 
• Instructors
• Affordability

The video quality on MasterClass is crisp, and the audio is clear. As long as you have a good internet connection, you should have no problem streaming these pre-recorded course videos.

One major upper hand MasterClass has over its competitors are the instructors taking the classes on the platform. What you need at this stage of your career might just be some words of wisdom from someone who has previously been in your shoes.

It shouldn’t cost a fortune to acquire knowledge, and at a small price of $180 for the entire year, it becomes a no-brainer given the content you’ll get access to. Not only will you obtain quality tips on how to succeed in that field, but instructors like Samuel L. Jackson will also motivate you with their own success stories.

Another great feature of MasterClass is the mobile application that lets you access classes from your mobile phone. So, you can continue your lectures no matter where you are!

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Conclusion

You probably know that subscribing to a MasterClass course is a good decision if you have read up to this point. MasterClass is affordable, reliable, and, best of all, accessible. The experience level in its instructors’ bench makes it my personal favorite amongst other e-learning platforms.

If you consider getting yourself a subscription to MasterClass, you should go ahead with confidence. More classes are being added with more established instructors on the platform, so you don’t have to worry that the platform only has a limited number of courses.

I hope that my in-depth MasterClass review was able to help you make an informed decision. And if you did end up making the purchase, do let me know about your experience in the comments section below!