Coursera vs MasterClass: Which is Better for You? 

Gone are the days when we needed to dit through boring classes in traditional classrooms trying our best not to yawn. Today, we can opt to learn from any of the numerous online learning platforms that allow us to study and learn at the pace we set. Two names stand out among the giants in this field: Coursera and MasterClass. Each has a unique take on providing knowledge and education. 

Coursera is well-known for its blend of theory and practice on various topics. In contrast, MasterClass is known for the master celebrities who teach the class and its impeccable high-quality videos. Is learning from professors and industry professionals better than learning the trade from masters who not only succeeded but shot to fame in their field? That is the burning question we will answer in this question.

Quick Review: Coursera Vs MasterClass

Criteria	Coursera	MasterClass
Course Quality	4.7/5	4.5/5
Instructors	4.6/5	4.6/5
Support	3.5/5	3.8/5
Value for Money	4.0/5	3.6/5
Ease of Use	4.3/5	4.4/5
Overall Rating	4.2/5	4.1/5
	Check for Discount ↗️	Check for Discount ↗️

Comparing Coursera Vs MasterClass

To know whether Coursera or MasterClass aligns best with your learning aspirations, you need to understand the strengths and weaknesses of both platforms. We will assist in your quest to decide which site is better at fulfilling your requirements by providing all the information you need. All you need to do is keep scrolling and read.

Variety of Courses

MasterClass has 13 categories under which its 200+ classes fall (new ones are added every month). However, most of them fall under creative skills.

Coursera has 11 broad categories with numerous sub-categories. The 10,000+ courses range from data science to arts and humanities. And, new courses are added frequently.

Therefore, Coursera has more course variety, but MasterClass has more varied courses on creative skills. 

MasterClass	Coursera
Acting & Performing Arts	Data Science
Business & Entrepreneurship	Business
Community & Government	Computer Science
Food & Drink	Information Technology
Art & Design	Language Learning
Games & Digital Media	Health
Film & TV	Personal Development
Health & Wellness	Physical Science and Engineering
Music	Social Sciences
Outdoor Adventures & Events	Arts and Humanities
Science & Technology	Math & Logic
Sports & Athletics
Writing

Moreover, Coursera provides specializations, professional certificates, and guided projects in addition to the usual courses. MasterClass offers only a few Sessions besides its classes. Overall, Coursera has better course variety and content type.

Free Resources

The MasterClass YouTube channel has some useful shorts to explore. I especially like watching the shorts with Gordon Ramsay. Not because I learn something from it (but it is the purpose of those shorts), but because I find it funny when he rushes around his kitchen. Unfortunately, MasterClass provides no other free resources. However, once you download the class guides/workbooks of whatever class you enroll in, they are yours to keep.

Coursera offers several free courses. The catch? You don’t get a certificate unless you pay. Moreover, you can audit most of the paid courses on Coursera, but you can’t access the quizzes, assignments, and projects unless you upgrade. Again, no certificate if you don’t purchase the course or subscribe. The free guided projects on this site are quite useful, too.

Content Quality

Coursera courses are rigorous, have a comprehensive curriculum, and are well-known for their in-depth content. The high-quality content is one of the greatest strengths of Coursera and is responsible for the successful career development of learners. Coursera is a popular choice because of its seamless blending of theory and practice.

MasterClass courses have quality content, but it’s more suitable for beginners. That is the reason behind people complaining that the classes don’t have depth. In reality, the lessons are informative, inspiring, and fun to watch. The valuable insights you gain are worth the price you pay. I think when teaching creativity, a few choice words are better than a whole course in some cases. 

Course Instructors

Coursera’s instructors are professors from reputed universities or successful professionals in the industry. Therefore, their teaching approach is professional and fine-tuned to help you develop industry-relevant skills. The lack of personal touch may be disconcerting for some, but most people are happy with the instructors.

MasterClass instructors require no introductions, as they are all well-known celebrities. These masters share the unique experiences that shaped them to be who they are now and the techniques you could use to become an expert in the craft. Since the focus is on inspiring you to use what you learned to find your approach, the content lacks depth in most cases. Nevertheless, the instructors are engaging, fun, and knowledgeable.  

Learning Methods

Whether you choose MasterClass or Coursera, the primary means of learning are pre-recorded lesson videos. Coursera incorporates several assignments, quizzes, and projects in its courses. You need to pass those to get certified. In contrast, while MasterClass instructors provide assignments, you aren’t obligated to complete them.

However, if you enroll in the MasterClass Sessions, you get a more hands-on learning approach. You can submit projects and get feedback from fellow learners. Still, they aren’t as rigorous as Coursera’s project. These projects are for fun and experimenting.

Practical Focus

Everybody knows that Coursera has excellent capstone projects. If you need more practical focus, you can always opt for guided projects that help develop relevant skills in a short time. Alternatively, you can pursue professional certificates with projects, assignments, and practical assignments meant to help you develop job-relevant skills.

So, what about MasterClass? Some users bemoan the lack of practical focus. However, I find that the site’s courses have wonderful practical demonstrations. You will know how creative the assignments are if you read the class guides/workbooks. They are thoughtfully crafted to help build your creativity. 

The downside (though not to me)? You are left on your own to work on those assignments. As they say, the ball is in your court now. However, as I mentioned before, MasterClass Sessions require you to complete projects. You aren’t graded on them, though. 

Certification Value

MasterClass doesn’t provide a certificate of completion. The focus is on developing your skills and enriching your knowledge, not providing a piece of paper that shows you watched all the videos. However, you do get an email congratulating you on completing a course with tips to continue your learning journey.

Coursera certificates are incredibly valuable because they prove you completed the courses, gained the necessary knowledge, and worked on relevant projects. They are globally and industrially recognized and helpful for career advancement. Many users have expressed their delight at finally being able to get higher pay or pursue a job they wanted on a different track.

Pricing and Value for Money

The Coursera Plus subscription plan costs $59/month and $399/year. However, you have to part with much less during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. The annual plan costs only $239 at that time. You can also purchase courses or enroll in specific specializations and professional certificates at a monthly subscription rate. In my opinion, subscribing to Coursera Plus is much more cost-effective. 

MasterClass has three subscription plans: Standard, Plus, and Premium. They are billed annually. They cost $120, $180, and $240 per annum respectively. However, they are offered at a discounted rate (30 – 50% off) during promotional events like the Black Friday sale. The plans are almost the same. The difference? Offline viewing is not an option in the Standard plan. Also, Plus and Premium plans allow you to use 2 and 6 devices simultaneously.

Refund Criteria

Coursera offers a refund within 14 days of subscribing to Coursera Plus or purchasing provided that you haven’t earned a certificate in that time. However, you can’t get a refund for the automatic subscription at the end of the 7-day free trial for Coursera Plus. You must remember to cancel it if you don’t want to get charged. Moreover, no refunds are available for subscriptions (not Coursera Plus) for specializations or professional certificates.

MasterClass offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Therefore, you can test the platform without worries. As on any other learning platform, automatic subscriptions are not refundable on this site. 

Customer Support

Coursera’s customer support is generally responsive and helpful. However, the slow responses and trouble canceling subscriptions sometimes frustrate the users.

The MasterClass customer service is slightly better. At times though, users have trouble circumventing the chatbot and the help articles to reach the support agents.

Community

Coursera has a supportive and engaging community. The best thing? You have access to both community and discussion forums. The former is for learners from all classes to interact, whereas the latter is for the ones enrolled in the same class to interact. You never have to worry about getting stuck during your learning journey.

MasterClass doesn’t have a community or discussion forum for learners to share their journey. However, the Sessions allow you to submit your projects and get peer feedback. The MasterClass YouTube channel has a community section, but it’s mostly for the site to hype its upcoming classes. You can comment but not do much more.

Accessibility & Device Compatibility

You can access Coursera courses on computers, tablets, and smartphones. The web version has a responsive design and the app works seamlessly if you have an Android 8.0+ or iOS 16.0+. MasterClass, too, has a responsive web design. The app is fantastic, too. You can watch the courses on computers, smartphones, tablets, and streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV and Roku.

Learner Reviews: What Others Say

Coursera is beloved for its high-quality content, variety of courses, user-friendly interface, and resources for career development. However, some users feel the cost is too expensive. MasterClass is adored for the unique perspectives the celebrity instructors provide. However, the lack of depth in content is a thorn in people’s side.

Who Should Use MasterClass?

MasterClass suits you best if you are a passionate, creative individual who loves the idea of learning from famous personas and is focused on personal development. The benefits of using this platform are: 

• Valuable and unique insights.
• Glimpse into the inspiring journeys of the persons you admire.
• Fantastic workbooks.
• Engaging content.
• Learning to continue the journey on your own.

Who Should Use Coursera?

If you are someone looking for professional development and prefer formal education with a well-structured curriculum but hate traditional classrooms, Coursera is the right choice. The pros of using this site are:

• A broad range of courses and quality content.
• Credible certificates.
• Development of job-ready skills.
• In-depth knowledge.
• Practical experience.

Final Say: Coursera Vs MasterClass

As seen in this MasterClass vs Coursera comparison, both websites have unique strengths. Choose Coursera if you need structured courses for professional development. Pick MasterClass if you seek inspiration, creativity, and that ‘spark’ that lights your soul. 

Alternatives

Udemy

Udemy is the go-to alternative for obvious reasons. It has a course library with 250,000+ courses, affordable prices, and expert instructors. Yes, the course quality varies, but you can avoid purchasing the wrong course if you take the time to read the reviews. Alternatively, you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Skillshare

Skillshare is a favorite among creatives because of its project-based learning, lively community, and professional instructors. It is a fantastic platform for building your portfolio. It’s amazing how learners come up with different arts and works using the same instructions. I think you will have an interesting learning experience on this site.

edX

edX is a formidable competitor with its MicroMasters and Professional certificate programs in addition to courses similar to Coursera’s. It helps you develop job-relevant skills and provides industry-recognized certificates. What more could we want from an online learning platform?

FAQs

1. Is a Coursera certificate free?

No, Coursera certificates are not free. You have to either purchase the course or subscribe to get the certification of completion.

2. Can I mention a Coursera certificate in my resume?

Absolutely! Coursera certificates are credible and help significantly improve your job prospects.

3. Do Coursera certificates expire?

No, they don’t. Coursera certificates are valid indefinitely.

4. Is MasterClass really worth it?

The worth of MasterClass depends on what your goal is. MasterClass helps you hone your skills but doesn’t play a part in career advancement. Its focus is on inspiring creativity, not paving the path for higher pay or career transition.

5. Can I pay monthly for a MasterClass? 

No, MasterClass doesn’t have monthly subscription plans. All three (Standard, Plus, and Premium) plans are annually billed. When the site states that the plans cost $10, $15, and $20 per month, it is only meant to show you the breakdown of the annual costs: $120, $180, and $240.