Skillshare vs. MasterClass: Which Online Learning Platform Is Better In 2023?
Skillshare vs. MasterClass Overview
Skillshare or Masterclass, which online learning platform is better? Well, that's really an apples vs. oranges situation. Because of all the discounts, Skillshare is less expensive and offers a much larger selection of classes. MasterClass, on another hand, is better in terms of the quality of classes and the caliber of teachers. Skillshare is better for daily learning and for improving specific skills, while MasterClass broadens your perspective and gives you ideas. You can try both platforms risk-free - Skillshare offers a 30-day free trial, and MasterClass has a 30-day refund policy. All in all, both Skillshare and MasterClass have something unique to offer, and which one to choose depends on what you are looking for.
How To Choose Between Skillshare and MasterClass?
Are you looking at different learning platforms, trying to figure out which one is best for you? Been there, done that. And let me tell you one thing: there is no clear answer as to which platform is better; it ultimately comes down to personal preferences, goals, expectations, and your current skill level. So let's try and figure out if Skillshare or MasterClass will be a better match for you, because sometimes "best" isn't always better, if you know what I mean.
Both platforms have good but very different content so first, you need to decide what kind of learning experience you are looking for. Skillshare and MasterClass offer different approaches for different learners, and before making any decision, ask yourself these questions:
Do I need to learn practical skills to implement that will help me in my freelance work?
Do I prefer short or long lessons? Do 1-hour-long courses work better for me than 10-hour -long ones?
Do I need to widen my horizons or do I need skills that will help advance my career?
Am I planning to become a lifetime learner? Or learning a few new skills per year is enough?
Skillshare Review: Is It Worth It? Free Trial
Library: Skillshare vs. MasterClass
When it comes to choosing an online learning platform, the library of courses is the most important factor for me. Having a diverse range of courses to choose from is critical. After all, if a course that I'm looking for isn't available, there's no point in signing up. So, before you commit to any platform, consider what you want to learn. Do you want to learn a specific skill, or do you have free time and want to make the most of it by watching inspiring videos created by celebrity teachers?
Don't be discouraged by the fact that MasterClass has "only" 180 classes while Skillshare has more than 35,000. Both serve different purposes. Skillshare offers classes in a wider variety of topics and categories, allowing you to learn very specific skills - like certain SEO techniques or marketing strategies - in a short time, usually within a couple of hours (although there are plenty of longer classes available, as well). MasterClass focuses mostly on creative skills, such as photography, acting, writing, and the courses are usually 2-5 hours long.
Instructors: Skillshare vs. MasterClass
One of the things that draw people to Masterclass is that the courses are taught by celebrities such as Bill and Hillary Clinton, Gordon Ramsay, Bill Nye, Neil Degrasse Tyson, Mariah Carrey, Natalie Portman, and Timbaland. On Skillshare, anyone can become an instructor, which is both a good and a bad thing because sometimes that means that the classes lack quality (although that has improved a lot in the past couple of years). Skillshare has also brought in well-known leaders in their industry such as Aaron Draplin, Ali Abdaal, Peggy Dean, and Zaneena Nabeel to teach on the platform, and the company puts extra effort into highlighting higher-quality classes by marking them as "staff picks" so they can be easily found by users.
In my opinion, it's not a matter of quality vs. quantity, and as I've said, both platforms have something to offer. Skillshare has tons of high-quality classes, and even if it doesn't have the same world-famous instructors that MasterClass has, that doesn't mean the content won't be just as helpful.
Class Structure
Skillshare
Skillshare classes are shorter than those of MasterClass. They usually last around an hour and are broken down into 10-minute lessons, making them easier to digest. Every class has a preview, so you can get a better idea of what the course is about and who the instructor is. I find this really useful as it helps me choose the right classes for me.
Most of the Skillshare classes are project-oriented, which is great as it gives you an extra opportunity to practice new skills. While some classes may not be as deep as MasterClass courses, I think there is a huge advantage here: you can get information quickly and you can practice and identify where your weaknesses lie so that you can then improve on them.
Skillshare's online community is another bonus. The teachers are more engaged with their students, and every completed task can be reviewed by both the teacher and fellow students. This means that you not only get feedback on your own work, but you can also gain insights from seeing others' projects and adding comments of your own. In this way, Skillshare provides an engaging and fun way to learn that encourages both peers and mentors to work together.
MasterClass
MasterClass course structure is similar to Skillshare. The classes are usually 3 hours long, with some stretching up to 6-7 hours. Every class is divided into easy 10-15 minute sections, which makes it easier for me to comprehend the topics. During the class, you will be assigned a task and can share it for review within the community and help review others' work. Sometimes, teachers might even jump into projects, and members of the class will be notified about this via e-mail. Additionally, you will be given a PDF with a summary of the class and actionable steps so that you can easily track your progress after each session.
I found that the courses on both platforms are easy to follow, with the overall structure being straightforward. What is great about these two platforms is that you can take classes at any time, so if you are busy with work or other commitments you don't need to worry about missing a class. Skillshare and MasterClass allow you to watch classes offline, although this option isn't available on the lowest subscription level of MasterClass. I really enjoy being able to ask the teacher questions on Skillshare, and I love learning from the people that we all love and admire on MasterClass, even though the material isn't as specific to my needs so it can get a bit boring at times.
Skillshare Learning Path vs. MasterClass Sessions
I wanted to compare MasterClass Sessions to Skillshare Workshops (which were later replaced with Skillshare Paths). I feel like MasterClass Sessions are more action-focused, and I really like their approach to building up the platform. It is very similar to Skillshare: specific skill-focused lessons, and more community engagement, where teachers might interact with a group in the "community" tab. MasterClass Sessions are not live but pre-recorded, which can be a downside.
What I like about Skillshare Paths is that they connect different classes. This way, you avoid watching videos that contain the same information when trying to learn a skill or become a professional in the field. Your Path is built for you by Skillshare administrators. It is a nice feature, but, honestly, for me it doesn't make a big difference.
https://www.masterclass.com/sessions
https://www.skillshare.com/en/paths
Skillshare vs. MasterClass Pricing
Okay, now let's talk about pricing. MasterClass prices start at $15 per month which is $180 per (billed annually). lasses cannot be downloaded for offline viewing, and there is a restriction of only one active device at the same time. For an additional $20 per month (or $240 per year), up to two devices can use the online platform concurrently. Unfortunately, Masterclass does not usually offer discounts throughout the year, but during Black Friday last year, there was a 2-for-1 deal!
Skillshare does not want to show its price upfront, and there is a good reason for that. As far as I can tell, the prices vary by country. So for those in the USA, Skillshare costs $32 a month or $168 a year, but almost always offers discounts on annual subscriptions. These discounts can range from 30 to 50%, so make sure you get the best deal. The main reason that Skillshare prefers not to show their prices is that the company wants to be fair and give an equal opportunity to learn to every person on the planet, no matter what their income level may be. That's why they offer different pricing around the globe, depending on the cost of living and salaries. Skillshare also does not limit the number of accounts you can use simultaneously, although users might experience slight technical difficulties.
Skillshare vs. MasterClass Free Trial
Skillshare is definitely a cheaper option. If you use a discount and a yearly subscription, it would cost you only $10; it's the cheapest way to access an extensive range of courses. And for those outside of the US, Skillshare is a no-brainer. Besides the low cost, another advantage of Skillshare is its flexible payment options - you can pay for your membership on a monthly basis. There's also a free trial period so you can try out some classes before committing. MasterClass doesn't have a free trial option, but it does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Skillshare Trial vs. MasterClass Refund
Skillshare offers a 30-day free trial but requires you to provide credit card information upon signup, which can be a bit of a hassle if you forget to cancel after the trial period. Thankfully, they offer refunds if you subscribe yearly (not monthly)- all you need to do is contact customer support within the 14-day window.
MasterClass takes things one step further with its 30-day money-back guarantee, however, you might not be eligible for it. If, for example, you complete a single class and ask for a refund, your chances of getting your money back become slim.
Skillshare vs. MasterClass Free Classes
Skillshare is the place to go if you want to learn something for free. With over 2,000 free classes available, you can create an account and begin learning for free. MasterClass, on the other hand, has no free content, but it does have some articles that can be informative at times, though most of the time they are fairly superficial and only serve as a sales page for its courses. There are some YouTube videos as well, but that's about it in terms of free content. So, if money is an issue, Skillshare is your best bet for access to a variety of free courses.
Skillshare vs. MasterClass Languages
The language barrier might be a key factor for many learners. MasterClass only has classes in English with English subtitles. Skillshare has some classes in other languages, but most of its classes are still in English. Subtitles are available in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Danish, and English.
Skillshare vs. MasterClass App
Both Skillshare and MasterClass are ranked high on the App Store and PlayStore, with Skillshare earning a rating of 4.8 on Apple Store, and MasterClass receiving a rating of 4.9. And 4.3 for both platforms in the Google Play store. People happen to have some complaints about MasterClass's App, but overall it is very user-friendly. The app is available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Comcast, and Android TV. There are several cool features like easy navigation and the ability to come back to where you left off easily.
Skillshare's app is more complex since it requires you to browse through a bigger library of courses, follow topics and teachers as well as participate in discussion forums in order to find relevant new classes for your interests. Despite its complexity, the Skillshare app does a great job of allowing users to do all this with relative ease. All in all, both apps offer great experiences that make learning enjoyable and convenient!
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Verdict: Skillshare Or MasterClass? Which One Should You Choose?
Honestly, both platforms are great with their own unique approach to education. To choose one, you need to consider several factors. If you are on a budget and looking to learn a particular skill to get better at your work, or want to become a freelancer and start a new business, then Skillshare would be the best option for you. Also, due to the sheer amount of classes available on every possible topic, Skillshare is great for lifelong learners who just enjoy learning new things.
I would recommend Masterclass to an experienced professional who is stuck (at a certain point in their career) and lacking motivation and vision for the future. It's worth every penny of its $180 price tag - the quality and content are top-notch, so much so that sometimes my wife and I watch it instead of regular television, Netflix, or Youtube. We have found it to be a great way to stay entertained while also giving us something to talk about.
Thank you for being with us, and let us know which platform you end up choosing!
We are Anna and Vitaliy, a couple that has been through many experiences together. We have two sons and lots of stories to tell. Over the years, we have tried a lot of different things - some worked out great and some didn't, but they all led us on an incredible adventure. We've traveled around the world and visited more than 50 countries - when we were younger and full of naive enthusiasm, we sold all of our belongings and hit the road for seven years. During that time, I was responsible for bringing food to the table while Anna planned all the trips. As if that wasn't enough, we also started our Make Money Online journey which required us to do lots of research and implementation in order to get the best results.