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Coursera Plus - Get Unlimited Access to 7,000+ Online Courses
My MasterClass Review After Completing 20+ Classes
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We would be lying if we said we never wanted mentors like Master Yoda, Mr. Miyagi, Master Shifu, Gandalf, or Professor Keating.
Of course, getting mentored by them is impossible, as they are fictional.
Fortunately, some real-life celebrities are willing to impart their wisdom to the millions of hopefuls who want to succeed just like them.
MasterClass makes it possible for everyone to learn the secrets behind the success of masters in various fields.
But, how effective are these classes? Will they help fulfill your dreams? Let’s see.
Quick Overview: MasterClass Review
| Criteria | MasterClass |
| Course Quality | 4.5 |
| Instructors | 4.7 |
| Support | 3.0 |
| Value for Money | 4.0 |
| Ease of Use | 4.3 |
| Overall Rating | 4.1/5 |
To sum up, MasterClass has incredible instructors teaching fantastic content and the site is satisfyingly user-friendly. However, it needs to work on providing better support to users and the price is a tad high (still, worth it, in my opinion).
In this MasterClass review, I’ll cover:
My Personal Experience with MasterClass
I have taken 23 MasterClass classes and only two or three have not lived up to my expectations. The instructors’ genuine wish to help us find the right path and ease our way to success shines through in most of the classes. Each celebrity has a unique teaching style. Some click with us right away while some rub us the wrong way.
If you don’t like a particular style, switch to another course. That’s the beauty of MasterClass. You have abundant choices. And, at the end of each class, you are guaranteed to walk away with something useful. I sure did.
Is MasterClass Legit?
Yes. MasterClass is a legitimate platform with brilliant celebrities as instructors wanting to make their knowledge accessible to everyone. With 2 million+ subscribers and around 11,40,000 active users, MasterClass has proven itself to be a popular platform. Furthermore, I have encountered no trouble using this site so far. So, trust MasterClass and start your journey.
Pros and Cons
The most common MasterClass complaints we usually come across are that it lacks classes with in-depth content and the seemingly isolated learning experience. Despite these cons and more, the site remains a favorite because the pros of using it outweigh the cons. You will understand once you glance at the table below.
Variety of Courses
MasterClass has courses in 13 categories ranging from acting & performing arts and business & entrepreneurship to science & technology and writing.
Each category has great classes which you can pick from based on your goals.
For example, if you choose Film & TV, the site will recommend lessons based on whether you want to improve your film editing skills, compose film scores, make documentaries, develop an iconic character, pitch a story, or direct a movie.
In short, MasterClass has a noteworthy variety of classes.
Free Resources
MasterClass doesn’t provide access to any class for free. However, you can watch the sample classes and trailers and read the articles to gauge the worth of a class you are eyeing.
You must subscribe to access the full content. The site provides a 30-day window of time to request a refund if you find it doesn’t suit your requirements. That’s pretty great considering you have a whole month to test out the platform and determine whether it lives up to the hype.
Content Quality
MasterClass has fabulous content and the quality of production is such that it seems like the instructors are a mere few feet away from you. And before you sass me saying that’s what the internet is for, I meant that these videos are realistic and unpretentious. Even though the learning is asynchronous and flexible, you feel like the instructors are speaking to you. I love that about these classes.
Now, let’s see what some of the best courses on MasterClass are:
Best Writing Class On MasterClass
James Patterson’s Masterclass is my favorite among the MasterClass writing courses. Neil Gaiman’s Art of Storytelling and R.L. Stine’s Writing for Young Audiences are my next picks. However, the site has several other great writing classes. David Baldacci, Dan Brown, Michael Lewis, etc. have designed wonderful lessons to help aspiring writers.
Best Screenwriting MasterClass
It’s a toss between Shonda Rhimes and Aaron Sorkin’s class. Rhimes has excellent practical advice for TV writing, whereas Sorkin focuses more on character development. The Duffer Brothers also have an interesting class if you want to break away and learn from someone else.
Best MasterClass Courses In Other Categories
Gordan Ramsay teaches Cooking, Annie Leibovitz teaches Photography, Chris Voss’ Art of Negotiation, John Legend teaches Songwriting, and Will Wright’s Game Design and Theory are fantastic classes worth exploring. Of course, a hundred other classes you may find even more interesting are available on the platform. Just browse through the catalog until you find one that ‘speaks’ to you.
Device Compatibility and User Interface
MasterClass user interface is fantastic. You will have no problem irrespective of which device (computer, mobile, or TV) you use to access the classes. In some ways, the app version is even better than the web version. You can easily pick what chapter (in each lesson video) you want to skip to on the mobile app. The web version allows you to do that, but the app version is much smoother.
Moreover, the app version lets you download the entire class or just the lessons you want. However, the AI-powered Class TA (Beta version) is available only on the web version. It helps you find relevant lessons, summarize key points, and even provides tips for applying what you learn. Using both versions will enhance the learning experience.
MasterClass Pricing and Value for Money
MasterClass membership plans are annually charged. The Standard plan has no offline mode and allows you to use only one device at a time. It costs $10/month. People who like learning with family or friends may opt for one of the other two plans.
The MasterClass Plus vs Premium plan doesn’t provide a dilemma so long as you know how many devices you want to use simultaneously. The Plus plan ($15/month) allows 2 devices to be used at the same time to access content whereas the Premium plan ($20/month) allows the use of 6 devices. Both plans provide offline access.
Unfortunately, no Masterclass free trial is available. Instead, the site offers a money-back guarantee.
You must pay for a MasterClass subscription plan once you choose it. You have a month to request a full refund.
The MasterClass gift membership costs the same as regular membership plans. But, the refund policy slightly differs for gift memberships.
Overall, the price is worth it considering the amazing classes and workbooks.
MasterClass Refund Criteria
You can get a MasterClass refund within 30 days of subscribing. After that, you can’t request a refund.
MasterClass doesn’t provide refunds for automatic subscription renewals. The site sends e-mails and notifications to inform you about the impending renewal.
However, some users have mentioned not receiving them. So, remember to cancel your subscription if you don’t want to be charged.
You can request a refund for gift membership plans within 30 days if it hasn’t been redeemed. If the gift was redeemed, you are ineligible for a refund.
Learning Community
You don’t have the option to interact with fellow learners or the instructors in the MasterClass courses.
However, MasterClass sessions have a great community where you can share your work, get feedback, and help your peers in return.
You will receive a notification if the MasterClass instructors decide to drop in and provide feedback or answer a question in the community feed.
Customer Support
During my experience with MasterClass, I didn’t have many opportunities to interact with customer support, as I didn’t face any significant issues. In the one or two interactions I did have, I received prompt responses, although the wait time was slightly longer than I expected.
The MasterClass customer service has got mixed reviews from other people. While some cases could have been avoided if the users remembered to cancel subscriptions, other cases are little frustrating for some subscribers. Facing a subscription payment issue and not getting a quick response doesn’t make the MasterClass support look good.
This lack of response is ridiculous considering the Masterclass contact number [1 (855) 981-8208], email (support@masterclass.com), and chatbot are all available to get in touch with the platform. However, there are some cases in which the support team pulled through. So, not all hope is lost!
MasterClass Reviews from Other Users
To create a comprehensive review of MasterClass, I connected with friends who have taken various classes on MasterClass and explored reviews from learners across the globe in other public platforms.
Here’s a summary of their collective experiences.
People love the high-quality content, master celebrities and their entrancing instruction styles, and the variety of classes. On the other hand, some feel the content should be geared to make them more productive rather than merely feel inspired.
The class trailers are usually pretty good at letting you know what to expect. So, I suggest you watch them before choosing to commit.
Final Verdict: Is MasterClass Worth It?
In a world where, oftentimes, it seems like we are chasing rainbows, we need help finding that spark that keeps us alive and creative. MasterClass is a terrific learning platform to provide that spark of inspiration. Where else can you learn from experts who have been through the struggles you are facing now? They found a way to see the light at the end of the tunnel and emerge victorious. And, they are bent on helping you achieve the same while being realistic.
Of course, that’s not to say the site is perfect. As people throughout the years have pointed out, the content needs to be more practical and applicable. Not everyone is wired to take the tools provided and embark on a journey of their own. Some need more guidance. Despite its shortcomings, MasterClass is worth it.
MasterClass Alternatives
Despite its popularity, many MasterClass alternatives give it a tough time. Let’s see who the top contenders are.
1. Udemy
The MasterClass vs Udemy clash is inevitable. MasterClass is known for its quality content taught by celebrities for a relatively high cost. Udemy is known for its vast collection of courses available at affordable prices. Lifetime access to the courses purchased is another reason for Udemy’s popularity. Nothing is more satisfying than finding a stellar course well worth twice the price it is listed at, right?
2. Coursera
The MasterClass vs Coursera debate often comes up because of Coursera’s comparative lack of focus on creative skills. Its academic approach is hardly appealing when trying to master a creative skill. Sites like Skillshare, Udemy, and MasterClass are much better for mastering skills related to creativity.
3. BBC Maestro
Since this site closely resembles MasterClass, it would not be prudent to miss diving into the BBC Maestro vs MasterClass discussion. BBC Maestro provides an option for subscribing to individual courses (something that MasterClass doesn’t). The instructors are awesome, too. However, it has fewer classes and lesser variety compared to Masterclass.
4. Skillshare
Skillshare can be said to be the best platform for creatives. The practical knowledge you gain through completing various practice projects and the fantastic community make it a special favorite of many learners. MasterClass would do well to learn from Skillshare and provide more projects and assignments.
5. Mindvalley
Mindvalley vs MasterClass isn’t the most scintillating conversation to have. But, Mindvalley is a great platform for personal development and MasterClass has a commendable collection of classes for health & wellness. Choosing between the two is dependent on what you want to learn, the style you prefer, and the sub-categories you are interested in. So, no harm in checking out both sides.
FAQs
1. Does MasterClass have a free trial?
No. You must pay the MasterClass subscription cost upfront. However, you can use the money-back guarantee to get a full refund within 30 days of subscribing.
2. How much is MasterClass?
You have to part with $120, $180, or $240 depending on the chosen MasterClass yearly subscription plan. They are available at a discounted rate during the holiday seasons and the Black Friday sale. You can subscribe at such times if you have a restricted budget which is fairly common.
3. Can I buy a single MasterClass?
No, purchasing one class alone isn’t possible. The MasterClass annual subscription plans provide access to all classes available on the site including the new ones added frequently.
4. How does MasterClass work?
You pay an annual fee to access the library of lessons taught by globally recognized celebrity experts. The pre-recorded classes cover a range of topics from writing and cooking to business, music, and outdoor adventures. Downloadable workbooks and videos make for a flexible and enjoyable learning experience.
5. Who is the CEO of MasterClass?
David Rogier, the MasterClass founder, is the CEO.
6. Who owns MasterClass?
Yanka Industries, Inc., founded by David Rogier, owns MasterClass.
7. Can I get MasterClass on my TV?
Yes, you can watch the lessons on TV regardless of which plan you choose. Most people put up with the Masterclass membership cost because of this. You can download the app and watch the classes on smart TVs or use streaming devices to access them. Alternatively, you can use Chromecast to cast from mobile or computer to TV.
8. Can I cancel my MasterClass subscription?
Yes, you can cancel it whenever you want. Once you cancel, you will have access till the end of the subscription period.
9. Can I download Masterclass videos?
If you have a Plus or Premium membership, you can download the videos of classes for which the option is available.
10. Can I get a refund on MasterClass?
MasterClass provides a full refund if you request it within 30 days of subscribing to any plan. Otherwise, you are ineligible for a refund.
11. Can I give MasterClass as a gift?
Yes, you can. You can gift the standard, plus, or premium plan as a gift. However, a refund is not available once the gift is redeemed.
12. Can I share MasterClass with family members?
Depending on the number of persons you want to share it with, choose the Plus (2) or the Premium (6) plan. The standard plan doesn’t allow the use of more than one device at the same time.
13. Does MasterClass give certificates?
No, MasterClass is all about helping you learn and master a skill. It doesn’t offer formal certificates of completion. However, you get a congratulatory email for completing a class and it provides tips for using the site for further learning.
14. Does MasterClass offer any discount?
MasterClass is offering all its plans at a 50% discount for the New Year. If you miss the deal, don’t worry. Use the promo code ROLLINGS or TCO to subscribe to the plans at a discounted rate.
