Why Is MasterClass So Expensive? Honest Review

Many people have looked at the wide range of courses available on MasterClass but may have been prevented from subscribing due to its price.

With a range of courses available online, you may have wondered why MasterClass has such a steep price. It’s a good question, and many people have questioned how it costs as much as it does.

In this article, we’ll be taking a look at why MasterClass is so expensive and whether it’s worth the price.

To do that, we’ll be looking at the features of MasterClass and how it stands out compared to other online learning platforms.

Why Is MasterClass So expensive?

MasterClass is expensive as you’re paying for courses that A-list professionals teach. All of the video lessons are taught by those at the top of their fields. It’s essentially been described as the Netflix of online courses.

All of the video lectures are filmed by a professional crew and are of high quality. None of the courses vary in quality, and all the lessons contain several hours of videos.

These will even include added material and case studies that have been carefully curated for students of MasterClass.

One reason that MasterClass is so expensive is that there are no monthly fees. It’s designed to have an annual cost, which can vary in price from $180 to $276 each year.

If you don’t use the courses regularly, you won’t get the value of the course.

While you can get a two-week free trial if you want to try a specific course, you’re essentially paying for everything available on the platform. If you struggle to commit to learning, you may find that the price isn’t worth it.

Even if you can get a refund, that doesn’t mean it can’t be frustrating for anyone who is only after one specific course.

What Is MasterClass?

MasterClass was founded in 2014 by David Rogier, a student from Stanford. It launched in the following May when only three instructors were working for the company.

Over the years, MasterClass has improved the number of courses available and had over 50 courses by 2018.

What sets MasterClass apart from other online courses is that you know everyone who’s teaching the courses. These are A-list professionals, so you’ll inevitably recognize them.

There are lessons in creative writing from Margaret Atwood and filmmaking courses from David Lynch. Compared to other companies, MasterClass offers a much more refined plan.

You’ll find that each course comes with a workbook that will complement your learning alongside the HD video lessons.

There are case studies incorporated into the work, and as of 2021, MasterClass has only increased the range of hands-on learning included.

As of 2021, MasterClass introduced Sessions by MasterClass, where students learn from a structured curriculum alongside one another within 30 days.

Students can get feedback and assistance from experienced Teaching Assistants to assist with their work.

Along with this, you’ll find that MasterClass and its instructors will host live streams. In these streams, instructors will discuss their work and interact with their students directly.

Considering the experience of the instructors, there’s no doubt that MasterClass offers an experience that you can’t emulate with other courses.

How Much Does MasterClass Cost?

MasterClass has several different plans available. These include plans for individuals, duos, and family plans. Your average individual plan should cost $15 a month.

However, you need to pay for it on an annual basis, which is how it costs so much. That’s roughly $180 per year, which is a steep price plan for one strict purchase.

The Duo plan costs $20 each month, with a cost of $240 each year. However, two devices can use the plan at one time.

That makes it ideal for anyone who wants to share the cost of MasterClass with a partner, a friend, or a family member.

You’ll find that the MasterClass Family plan will cost $276 per year, with an average monthly cost of $23 per month.

This makes it perfect for anyone who plans on sharing MasterClass with up to six devices. However, this will only work if everyone uses it.

MasterClass Features

To better understand whether MasterClass is worth it, we’ll be taking a closer look at the features of this online learning platform.

Leading experts currently lead over 150 courses in various fields. But you may worry whether you’ll get lost in your search for available courses in your field.

The good news is that when you join MasterClass, you can fill out a questionnaire about your interests. That will help you narrow down your search for courses with ease.

But if you don’t find anything of interest there, you’ll be able to search the Library, where you can search through eleven different categories. Once you’ve found a course you enjoy, you’ll find that you can binge them.

Earlier, I described MasterClass as the Netflix of online courses, and this is why. All of these courses are made with high-quality film equipment. None of these courses are simple Zoom recordings or filmed on a webcam.

Each instructor has their own set where they film from. These could include filming in a kitchen if you’re Gordon Ramsay, or maybe in the comfort of their own homes.

These can help set the mood for learning, so you’ll actually feel as though you’re in the same room as them.

Not only will you be getting professionally filmed lectures, but you’ll also have access to a specialized workbook that’s been curated by your instructor. You can download these workbooks to get the information you need.

These can include diagrams and examples of their work. It’s easy to get a visual example of what your instructor wants to explain and can make it simpler for students to follow along.

Nowadays, you can find MasterClass Playlists too, which are carefully curated playlists that will give you access to a variety of courses on a subject you’re interested in.

These can be on anything, from eggs to fashion. It’s a great method to curate content to fit your interests.

Not only can you access MasterClass on the web, but through their specialized app too. These are more specialized in audio, so it feels as though you’re listening to a podcast from your instructor.

If you don’t want to listen to a podcast or watch it on your laptop, you can cast it on your smart TV if you have one. However, this is much better for passive learners than for anyone who wants to actively take notes.

Is MasterClass worth It?

Whether MasterClass is worth it depends on how you learn. Some students aren’t visual learners, so they might not get the same level of success as if they were learning from books.

Then, there’s the consideration of how much experience you already have. Some MasterClass lectures aren’t designed for beginners, and you can’t expect all of them to be beginner friendly (see also ‘Is Masterclass Good For Beginners?‘) (see also ‘Is Masterclass Good For Beginners?‘).

In some cases, you’ll need to have a technical understanding of your chosen subject, so it’s not all about learning from scratch.

You also need to consider whether you have the time to successfully invest in this course successfully. If you can’t commit to several hours a month for a lesson, you may find that the price isn’t worth it.

No one wants to pay for a course they may not have the time or resources to invest in.

Considering you will need to pay a large amount, you need to ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth.

If you’re only interested in a few courses, with little interest in other fields, you might find that the number of courses you want to access is limited.

However, the good news is that you can cancel MasterClass without too much hassle. You just need to contact them via email and request they cancel your subscription.

Then, you can receive your refund. Overall, if you have the time to invest, MasterClass is certainly a great option for you to learn from. While it may not be as beginner-friendly as other online courses, more experienced learners could benefit from investing in these courses.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, MasterClass has a wide range of features that could benefit a wide range of learners. However, it is better suited for those who actively want to learn.

If you’re curious about a subject but not exceptionally passionate, the price may be too high for you to ignore.

Unfortunately, as there are no monthly options, you may find that paying for an annual subscription may be too high a risk for passing interest.

Overall, MasterClass is more expensive due to the range of instructors providing these lessons. You’re paying for the quality of courses instead of the quantity of them.

Due to that, a higher price can be forgiven for the range and proficiency of the instructors. It puts it a step ahead of other online learning platforms, for this reason, so you should consider this when you’re thinking of what to learn next.