Each day, both young and adult learners are faced with the challenge of developing new skills, upskilling, and reskilling. Two of the top websites for doing this are Masterclass and Skillshare. But, which one is better for you? Let’s dive into in this article.
Masterclass vs. Skillshare: Quick Overview and Comparison
MasterClass.com and Skillshare.com are two online learning platforms that provide access to a wide range of courses in various fields.
MasterClass.com primarily focuses on providing courses taught by high-profile experts, including celebrities, industry leaders, and successful professionals. On the other hand, Skillshare.com offers courses taught by a diverse community of instructors who are passionate about sharing their learnings, skills, and knowledge.
While MasterClass.com offers a smaller selection of courses, each course is carefully crafted to provide an immersive learning experience with high-quality video lessons and interactive assignments.
Skillshare.com offers a vast range of courses across multiple disciplines, with a focus on practical and hands-on learning. You will find an experience that is similar to YouTube but with access to learning materials and a certificate of completion.
Both platforms offer a variety of pricing plans, with MasterClass.com offering individual course purchases or an all-access pass subscription, while Skillshare.com offers a monthly or annual subscription model.
Ultimately, the choice between MasterClass.com and Skillshare.com depends on your needs and preferences. MasterClass.com may be more suitable for learners looking for a premium learning experience with renowned experts, while Skillshare.com may be more suitable for learners looking for a more affordable and diverse range of courses.
| Masterclass | Skillshare | |
| Trustpilot rating | 2.7 / 5 (source) | 1.6 / 5 (source) |
| Types of courses | General (Multi-disciplinary) | General (Multi-disciplinary) |
| Annual Plan: Cost per month | $16 (source) | $13.99 (source) |
| Free trial/Audit Option | No | Free trial for 30 days and not audit option |
| Certificates | No | Yes (not accredited) |
| Refund | Yes (30 days eligible refund) | Yes (30-day refund policy). |
Masterclass Overview
MasterClass is an online learning platform with video-based lessons and courses taught by experts. The platform was created in 2014 and has since grown to offer courses in disciplines, like business, STEM, wellness, and more.
The brand is well-known with the term, Masterclass being a popular way of saying that someone is showing their deep expertise. Their notoriety has increased further with plenty of celebrity instructors, such as Michael Pollan, Naomi Campbell, and Stephen Curry, teaching courses.
Each course features high-quality video lessons, exercises, and downloadable materials to help students learn new skills. MasterClass also has a mobile app for learning while traveling, as well as an annual subscription with access to all courses (source).
Masterclass Features
Here are a few of the key Masterclass Premium features (source):
- Courses taught by renowned experts and celebrities
- High-quality Video Lessons
- Interactive Assignments
- Community Interaction through discussion forums and community groups.
- Lifetime Access to revisit the content and continue to develop their skills over time.
- Mobile App for iOS and Android devices
- Offline Access
- Additional Resources such as workbooks, lesson recaps, and supplementary materials
Masterclass Prices
MasterClass offers a subscription fee of $16 per month for 1 account on a single device. (source).
Masterclass Pros and Cons
Pros:
- World-class instructors: MasterClass courses are taught by renowned experts and celebrities who are at the top of their fields.
- High-quality production value: MasterClass has high production values for their video lessons, with cinematic quality filming and engaging visual presentations.
- Interactive assignments: Courses include interactive assignments, which provide learners with the opportunity to apply what they have learned and receive feedback from their instructors.
- Lifetime access: Once you purchase a course or subscribe to the service, you have lifetime access to the content.
- Mobile app and offline viewing: The mobile app allows you to access courses on the go, and you can even download lessons for offline viewing.
Cons:
- Limited course selection: While MasterClass offers courses in various fields, the selection is not as extensive as some other online learning platforms.
- Expensive subscription: The annual subscription fee of $180 is higher than many other online learning platforms.
- Not suitable for beginners: Some courses assume a certain level of knowledge, which may make them less suitable for beginners.
- Limited interactivity: While courses do offer interactive assignments, there is limited interaction with the instructors.
- No certificate or accreditation: MasterClass courses do not offer any certification or accreditation upon completion, which may be a drawback for some learners.
Skillshare Overview
Skillshare is an online learning platform that provides access to over 30,000 courses taught by industry experts in a variety of fields. It was founded in 2010 and has since grown to become one of the most popular platforms for creative learning.
The courses on Skillshare are divided into several categories, including creative arts, design, business, technology, and lifestyle. Each course is broken down into short video lessons that are easy to follow and complete at your own pace. Additionally, many courses offer supplementary materials such as assignments, project files, and discussion forums to enhance the learning experience.
One of the key benefits of Skillshare is its affordability. The platform offers both a free and a premium membership option. The free membership provides access to thousands of classes, although some features may be limited. The premium membership unlocks unlimited access to all courses, as well as additional features such as offline viewing, project feedback, and access to exclusive content.
Skillshare’s community is also a unique aspect of the platform. Learners can connect with fellow students, share their work, and collaborate on projects. This creates a supportive environment for learners to grow and develop their skills, as well as network with like-minded individuals.
Skillshare’s courses are taught by industry experts and successful professionals, making it an excellent platform for learners looking to learn from the best in their respective fields. The instructors provide valuable insights and practical tips that can help learners take their skills to the next level. Furthermore, many courses
Skillshare Premium Plan Features
Here are a few of the key Skillshare Premium features (source):
- Access to an extensive course catalog and lessons from industry experts
- Hands-on learning: Class projects help strengthen your skills
- Feedback from teachers and fellow students
- A network of creators and students
- Learning paths gives students the chance to monitor their journey and consider the road moving forward
Skillshare Price
The cost for a yearly subscription is $168 and $13.99 for a monthly plan (source).
Skillshare Pros and Cons
Like most online platforms, you will find some benefits and disadvantages to Skillshare. Let’s take a look at them.
Skillshare Pros
- Many Courses and topics – a broad listing of both professional and personal courses are available. Some examples include, business analytics, marketing, productivity, and illustration.
- Trials and deals – Skillshare often offers deals or gives you a certain number of days free to start learning (This may be subject to change).
- Skillshare Certificate – Skillshare gives you a certificate for completed lessons and courses that you complete, allowing you to share with your wider network and potential employers.
- Skillshare finds instructors with practical experience.
- They find famous educators from YouTube, such as Thomas Frank, who have demonstrated their expertise time and time again.
- After your career begins and degrees matter less than your experience, you will still need to show your competence. This is where Skillshare can help you out without forcing you to spend a lot of money.
- Interface – The interface for Skillshare courses is easy to use. It is similar to any video website you’ve used in the past. There’s also a nice playlist feature that helps you easily navigate between lessons.
- Pricing – Skillshare costs $13.99 per month and $168 for annually (source).
Let’s take a look at the cons of Skillshare.
Skillshare Cons
- Limited focus on academic and technical subjects: Skillshare is primarily geared towards creative and entrepreneurial skills, so those looking for academic or technical subjects may not find many courses that meet their needs.
- Some courses may lack in-depth information or be outdated: While many courses on Skillshare are high-quality, some courses may be shorter or less comprehensive than others. Additionally, since the platform relies on instructors to create and update courses, some courses may be outdated.
- Limited interaction with instructors: Skillshare courses are pre-recorded, which means that learners may have limited interaction with instructors. This can be a drawback for learners who prefer more personalized feedback and guidance.
- Quality of courses may vary depending on the instructor: While Skillshare has many high-quality courses, the quality can vary depending on the instructor. Learners may need to do some research and read reviews before selecting a course to ensure they get the best quality.
- Limited options for non-English speakers: Although Skillshare does offer some courses in languages other than English, the majority of courses are in English. Non-English speakers may find their options limited.
- The free membership option only provides limited access to courses and features: While the free membership option does offer access to some courses, learners are limited in the number of courses they can take and may not have access to all features of the platform.
- No certificate of completion for courses: Unlike some other online learning platforms, Skillshare does not offer certificates of completion for courses. This may be a drawback for learners who want to demonstrate their learning to others or to potential employers.
- Some courses require additional materials or software, which can be expensive: Some courses on Skillshare may require additional materials or software, which can be expensive. Learners should factor in these costs when selecting courses.
- Limited options for hands-on or practical learning: Since most courses on Skillshare are video-based, learners may have limited opportunities for hands-on or practical learning.
- Limited access to customer support for free members
photo by Fauxels
Masterclass and Skillshare: Are there any alternatives?
Let’s take a look at some additional options where you can access online courses.
Domestika
Domestika is an online learning platform that offers creative courses in a variety of fields, including design, illustration, photography, and marketing. The platform features courses taught by top professionals from around the world, with a focus on practical, hands-on learning.
One of the unique features of Domestika is its focus on the creative industry. The courses offered are tailored specifically for individuals who want to pursue a career in the creative field or enhance their existing skills. Domestika also offers a wide range of courses in Spanish, making it an ideal platform for Spanish-speaking learners.
Domestika also offers flexible pricing options, with individual course purchases or a monthly or annual subscription that provides access to all courses. Learners can also download course materials and watch lessons offline with the Domestika app for iOS and Android devices.
The platform offers a unique learning experience with practical, hands-on courses taught by top professionals from around the world.
Udemy
Udemy gives courses at a fair price and markets them individually, which means that each course has a different instructor. You can get a feel for the course by watching the introductory video.
A helpful tool on Udemy is the course ratings feature. The ratings will help you understand how the students liked the course and also how many people have taken it. In general, many good ratings is a positive sign. This feature will give you an idea of how popular the course is and help you avoid any potentially bad courses.
Course content spans a wide array of options from marketing, business, programming to crystal healing (if you are so inclined).
Udacity
Udacity is a learning platform with courses and nanodegrees in many disciplines. Stanford University professors launched the platform in 2011, and it has expanded to courses and programs with industry partners, such as Google and Amazon.
Udacity’s courses consist of video lessons, applied projects, and access to individualized feedback from both coaches and mentors.
The nanodegrees provide a more in-depth learning experience that includes applied projects and career services.
Wondrium
Wondrium is an online learning platform that offers a vast array of courses on a wide range of subjects. The platform, formerly known as The Great Courses Plus, has been providing quality educational content for over 25 years, with courses taught by some of the most renowned professors, experts, and industry professionals.
Wondrium’s courses cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, literature, music, cooking, and more. The courses are delivered in video format and feature high-quality production value, making the content engaging and immersive.
Masterclass vs. Skillshare FAQ
Does Skillshare have free classes?
Yes, Skillshare offers free classes on its platform. These classes can be accessed without a premium membership; however, the free classes may have some limitations, such as fewer video lessons or limited access to resources.
Does Masterclass have free classes?
Masterclass does not offer free classes on its platform.
Is Masterclass on Roku
Yes, Masterclass can be accessed on Roku devices through the Roku Channel Store.
Is Skillshare on Roku?
Yes, Skillshare can be accessed on Roku devices through the Roku Channel Store.
How can I download Skillshare videos? Is it possible?
Skillshare offers an offline viewing feature that allows users to download videos and watch them later without an internet connection. This feature is available only for Skillshare Premium members.
Who are the instructors on Skillshare?
Skillshare offers courses taught by a wide range of instructors who are experts in their respective fields. The platform has over 26,000 instructors from all over the world, including professionals, artists, entrepreneurs, and educators.
Some notable instructors on Skillshare include Aaron Draplin, Simon Sinek and Gary Vaynerchuk.
Who are the instructors on Masterclass?
Masterclass features a diverse group of instructors who are experts in their respective fields, including celebrities, award-winning directors, writers, chefs, musicians, and more.
Some notable instructors on Masterclass include: Gordon Ramsay, Martin Scorsese, Serena Williams and Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Learn more:
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