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Skillshare Vs MasterClass: Which is Best for You?
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MasterClass or Skillshare?
Wisdom or curiosity?
Do you need the guidance of mentors who know what it takes to succeed in this competitive world? Or, do you prefer learning from lesser-known, nevertheless, talented experts and finding your own way?
Choosing when there is no wrong choice can be challenging. But, that’s why I am here. I have tried classes on both MasterClass and Skillshare. In this Skillshare vs MasterClass comparison guide, I will help you pick a platform based on your needs.
Quick Overview: Skillshare Vs MasterClass
Criteria | Skillshare | MasterClass |
Course Quality | 4.3 | 4.5 |
Instructors | 4.2 | 4.7 |
Support | 2.9 | 3.0 |
Value for Money | 4.0 | 4.0 |
Ease of Use | 4.1 | 4.3 |
Overall Rating | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Check for Discount ↗️ | Check for Discount ↗️ |
Briefly put, Skillshare has fantastic project-based courses and a stellar community. But falls hard when it comes to providing customer support. On the other hand, MasterClass has fabulous instructors, classes, and UI, resulting in a victory by a small but considerable margin.
Comparing Skillshare Vs MasterClass
My friend once said Skillshare is like a charming, cozy bookshop where you find unexpected treasures and MasterClass is a magnificent, ornate theater of education. I was surprised to hear him say that, but then I realized the comparison oddly fits.
Skillshare has over 35,000 courses; you have to hunt through them to find one that best fits your requirements. MasterClass has 200+ courses, all taught by larger-than-life celebrities. Let’s analyze the various elements of both platforms to see which site rises to the challenge and meets your expectations.
Variety of Courses
Skillshare has a greater variety of courses than MasterClass.
Not a surprising result considering the sheer amount of difference in the number of courses available on both platforms.
Moreover, Skillshare has useful learning paths you can pick if you don’t know where to start.

MasterClass may have a lesser variety, but it still has a commendable collection.
Both platforms upload new classes regularly.
So, you never have to worry about running out of courses to explore.

✅ Winner – Skillshare
Free Resources
MasterClass provides free sample classes and trailers to help you determine what a class would be like. However, it doesn’t offer free courses. The MasterClass articles let you get an idea of what the classes could be like. Skillshare, too, doesn’t provide any free classes. The articles are free to peruse though, and they are somewhat helpful.
✅ Winner – MasterClass
Content Quality
Content quality tends to vary on Skillshare. The highly-rated courses are mostly designed by top instructors; which is why I recommend taking the time to scroll through the reviews. If you don’t, you may find yourself stuck with a course that has only basic information. The chances of that happening are small, but still better to be safe than sorry. The short video format helps fit the lessons even into busy schedules.
MasterClass has consistent quality content, and the instructors’ storytelling approach is widely appreciated. However, some feel the classes need more depth. All classes are well-structured and the downloadable materials are helpful. Overall, you can’t quite find fault with the site’s content quality. Just because the classes are not similar to what other platforms offer doesn’t mean they are not as useful.
✅ Winner – MasterClass (because of overall consistency)
Course Instructors
MasterClass’s instructors are experts/masters with notable success. You may not have heard about some, but all have carved a reputation for themselves in their respective fields. As such, they understand the inner workings of the industries and help overcome the struggles you are likely to face as you progress.
Instructors on Skillshare are a mixed bunch, but all of them are passionate. Some are recognized professionals, some are unrecognized but talented, and others are not so great. That’s why you should check out the class ratings to see whether they met or exceeded learner expectations before enrolling.
✅ Winner – MasterClass
Learning Methods
MasterClass uses pre-recorded video lessons to help you grasp the concepts; this holds true for Sessions, too. You also get access to downloadable class guides/workbooks with assignments and practice exercises. They are also great for a quick refresher.
Skillshare courses consist of pre-recorded videos. However, the site offers live and one-on-one sessions in addition to them. The Live sessions are provided through Eventbrite. You must pay the ticket price (some are free though). One-on-one sessions are fantastic for getting valuable feedback from instructors and building your portfolio. The price depends on the instructor you choose. Neither live nor one-on-one sessions need a subscription.
✅ Winner – Skillshare
Practical Focus
This is a round in which Skillshare clearly has an upper hand in the MasterClass vs Skillshare clash. Skillshare is well-known for the practice projects learners need to work on at the end of each lesson. Some of the works shared in the community are mind-blowing. The community is fantastic at providing constructive feedback. Needless to say, live and one-on-one sessions are even better for gaining practical knowledge.

MasterClass expects you to take initiative and apply what you learned. So, there aren’t many practice exercises or assignments. And, there is no way to get feedback on the ones you complete. Fortunately, Sessions offers a way to get feedback. You merely have to upload your project to get feedback from your peers. Sometimes, the instructors, too, provide some pointers.

✅ Winner – Skillshare
Certification
MasterClass offers no formal certification of completion. It sends you an email acknowledging you completed the course and suggesting how to use the classes further to help your learning journey. Skillshare provides certifications of completion, making it the defacto winner in this round.
✅ Winner – Skillshare
Pricing and Value for Money
The MasterClass subscription plans – Standard, Plus, and Premium – provide access to all the classes. The site doesn’t provide an option to subscribe to or buy a single course.
MasterClass pricing has garnered some ire because some feel the classes are not practical enough. And, paying $120, $180, or $240 per year can be frustrating when you feel that way. However, I think it’s worth paying for, as you not only learn from the masters but also get to peek into their minds.

Skillshare has two subscription plans: monthly ($32) and annual ($168). Compared to the MasterClass pricing plans, Skillshare Pricing is more flexible.
Moreover, you can use the 7-day free trial or get the 30-day free trial to determine whether Skillshare is worth it. You get charged for the year if you don’t cancel before the trial ends. I believe the cost is worth it, as you gain access to thousands of quality courses.
✅ Winner – Both
Refund Criteria
Skillshare offers a refund if you request it within 7 days of being charged after the end of the 7-day free trial. No refund is available if you are charged after the end of the 30-day free trial. The site doesn’t provide refunds for automatic subscription renewals. This refund policy can be irritating as most people forget or don’t read the fine print stating the 30-day free trial transitions into an annual subscription plan at the end of the trial.
MasterClass offers no free trial. Refunds on subscriptions are provided if you request them within 30 days of subscribing for the first time (30-day Moey-back guarantee). No refund is provided on subsequent subscription renewals. Some users have complained that they don’t receive reminders about the renewals. So, remember to cancel subscriptions if you don’t want the site to charge you. Better yet, set a reminder yourself.
✅ Winner – MasterClass
Customer Support
Both sites have been slammed for abysmal customer support. However, MasterClass seems to do slightly better than Skillshare. Users have complained about the difficulty in canceling subscriptions on both platforms. Skillshare subscribers have despaired of getting a refund from the site; some cases are genuine, but most cases could have been avoided if they read the policy before subscribing.
✅ Winner – MasterClass
Community
Whether you pick Skillshare or MasterClass depends on how much you value a supportive community. MasterClass classes don’t provide a way to interact with other users, but the Sessions allow you to share your projects, give and receive feedback, and connect with users. Skillshare has a friendly and encouraging community that fosters a collaborative environment. You can count on them to help you out of tight spots no matter what phase of the project you are stuck in.
✅ Winner – Skillshare
Accessibility And Device Compatibility
Skillshare is compatible with laptops, desktops, android, and iOS. You can cast the classes to your TV and watch comfortably. However, I prefer MasterClass to Skillshare because of its user-friendly and stunning interface. It is accessible using all devices and can be cast to or streamed on your TV.
✅ Winner – MasterClass
Learner Reviews: What Other Users Say
MasterClass learners like the quality of video lessons, the instructors’s styles, the insights gained, and the motivation they receive from the classes. They dislike the limited practical focus and lack of certificates.
Skillshare users like the variety of classes and the relatively affordable price. Moreover, they love community interactions and project-based learning. However, they dislike the unimpressive customer support and the varying content quality.
✅ Winner – Both (it’s a matter of insight vs practice)
Who Should Use MasterClass?
You should use MasterClass if you need a wise mentor to ignite and hone that passion in you. The instructors are celebrities for a reason. They have ‘been there and done that’. So, they know precisely what and how to teach to ensure success. The benefits of choosing MasterClass are:
- Flexible Learning.
- Valuable Insights.
- Inspiring and motivating content.
- Downloadable class guides.
- Glimpses into the instructors’ processes.
Who Should Use Skillshare?
Skillshare is a suitable option regardless of whether you are pursuing the mastery of creative skills as a hobby or to become a professional. Moreover, Skillshare classes are great for helping develop and explore new ideas. The benefits of choosing this site are:
- Project-intensive courses.
- Fantastic community.
- Variety of classes.
- One-on-one sessions.
- A Chance to collaborate with like-minded people.
Final Verdict: Skillshare Vs MasterClass
Skillshare is one of the best online learning platforms for developing creative skills. Furthermore, the awesome projects are one of its greatest strengths. The community is active, too. However, no platform is perfect and Skillshare fails to provide the necessary support. Also, the variance in quality (however small) makes it lose some brownie points.
MasterClass is stunning; no one disagrees with that. After all, it takes a few minutes to pick your jaw off the floor when you watch the persons you admire the most chatting away as if you met them at a café. Also, the insights the classes provide are wonderful. However, the site would transform from extraordinary to astounding if it focused more on practical knowledge. I firmly believe both platforms are excellent. So, the choice depends on what skill you want to learn or hone.
Alternatives
Udemy
MasterClass vs Skillshare vs Udemy is a common debate, as all three are excellent options for creatives. MasterClass is known for its celebrity instructors, Skillshare is renowned for its projects and community, and Udemy is well-recognized for its affordability. The reason most people root for Udemy is the lifetime access to high-quality courses for a fraction of their worth.
Coursera
Coursera is an excellent alternative for those seeking accredited certifications. Coursera’s content on art, design, cooking, writing, etc. is just as fantastic as the courses for technical skills. However, the variety of classes for creative skills is limited, as the site focuses more on technical and business skills.
CreativeLive
CreativeLlive is a great Skillshare alternative with over 2,000 courses and 700+ expert instructors. CreativeLive’s about-an-hour-long Fast Classes are a collection of highlight reels comprising actionable techniques and profound insights. It’s more affordable than Skillshare and new classes are added every month.
BBC Maestro
BBC Maestro is the go-to MasterClass alternative for those wanting the option to subscribe to a single course. You get a learning experience similar to what MasterClass provides. However, BBC Maestro has a limited course collection compared to its rival.
FAQs
1. Is Skillshare or MasterClass better?
Asking this question is like asking ‘Which letter is silent in Scent – S or C?’. Both sites are wonderful learning platforms for creative-minded people. The choice depends on whether you want to be inspired (MasterClass) or walk away with a well-curated portfolio (Skillshare).
2. How much does MasterClass really cost?
The Standard plan costs $120/year, the Plus plan $180/year, and the Premium $240/year. However, MasterClass discounts are often available. The plans are offered at a 30 – 50% discounted rate at such times.
3. Is Skillshare free or paid?
Skillshare is a paid online learning platform. If you think $32/month or $168/year is too much to pay, use the Skillshare coupon the site provides during promos. Alternatively, you can avail of the 7-day or 30-day free trial to gauge the site’s worth and suitability. Don’t forget to cancel before the trial ends if you want to avoid being charged for an annual subscription.