Masterclass has taken the world by storm with its celebrity-led online classes covering a wide range of topics from cooking to writing. However, Masterclass may be popular, but it is not everyone’s favorite because of its hefty annual fee and almost no one-on-one classes.
For those looking to learn new skills and expand their knowledge through affordable and high-quality online courses, this article is for you.
In this article, you will explore some of the best Masterclass alternatives to upskill your knowledge.
Let’s get started.
Why Look for a Masterclass Alternative?
While Masterclass offers intriguing courses taught by big names like Gordon Ramsay, Serena Williams, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, there are some downsides to this learning platform:
- High membership cost: At $180 per year, a Masterclass subscription is quite expensive, especially if you’re only interested in a handful of courses. Many alternatives offer courses at more budget-friendly price points.
- Limited instructor interaction: Masterclass offers pre-recorded videos, which means no opportunity to engage directly with the instructors. Other platforms provide live classes and Q&A time with instructors.
- Lack of certificates: Masterclass does not provide certificates of completion, while some alternatives offer certificates for finishing courses.
- Mixed reviews: While some love Masterclass, others have complained about reused content, lack of detailed lessons/feedback, and an overwhelming catalog.
Top 10 Masterclass Alternatives Of 2024: In A Nutshell
Here is the list of the best masterclass alternatives that you can give a try:
| S.No. | Masterclass Alternative | Ratings |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mindvalley | 4.9 |
| 2. | Skillshare | 4.9 |
| 3. | Udemy | 4.7 |
| 4. | Coursera | 4.8 |
| 5. | LinkedIn Learning | 4.5 |
| 6. | CreativeLive | 4.6 |
| 7. | edX | 4.6 |
| 8. | The Great Courses | 4.8 |
| 9. | Khan Academy | 4.7 |
| 10. | Simplilearn | 4.6 |
The following are the best alternatives to Masterclass with their unique feature. Let’s dive into the detail.
1. Mindvalley
Mindvalley provides online courses on personal growth, mindfulness, productivity, and more. Top experts in their fields teach classes on topics like meditation, changing habits, building confidence, and unleashing creativity.
Annual Mindvalley membership costs $499, with options to pay monthly. Their subscription model gives you access to the full course catalog. Free masterclasses are also available to give you a preview before committing. If you are still skeptical about the platform, you will be happy to know that Mindvalley offers 7 day free trial where you can view all the course.
Key features:
- 70+ courses and growing
- New releases are added weekly
- Mobile app available
- 10-40+ hours per course
- Certificate of completion
Ideal for: Self-improvement, mindfulness, productivity, creativity skills
Know more about Mindvalley with our detailed Mindvalley Review.
2. Skillshare
With courses on topics like design, photography, writing, technology, and entrepreneurship, Skillshare is a top choice for creatives. Their instructors are working professionals sharing practical, real-world skills.
An annual Skillshare Premium membership is $168, or you can pay $32/month. This gives unlimited access to all 29,000+ classes. Many classes are also available for free without a subscription so that you can test them out. Interested to learn more about Skillshare read our detailed guide here.
Key features:
- 29,000+ online classes
- Taught by industry experts
- Classes are 20 minutes – 2 hours long
- Offline viewing available
- Annual membership
Ideal for: Design, marketing, technology, leadership, photography
3. Udemy
Boasting over 200K online courses, Udemy offers an exceptionally wide range of classes for career skills, hobbies, and more. Course quality varies, but reviews help point you toward the best ones.
Instead of a subscription, Udemy uses an a la carte pricing model. Courses range from free up to a few hundred dollars, with many under $20. Udemy also offers frequent discounts, so you can often snag courses for 90% off or more. Moreover, it also offers a 7 day free trial.
Key features:
- 200,000+ courses
- Taught by industry experts
- 24/7 access
- Course prices range from free to $200+
- Mobile and TV apps available
Ideal for: Programming, design, personal development, business software
Get more insights about Udemy with our comprehensive and honest review.
4. Coursera
Coursera partners with top universities and companies worldwide to offer online learning. Course topics include technology, business, and general education. Their content is more academically rigorous and leads to certifications.
Like Udemy, Coursera uses an a la carte pricing model. Their popular courses and specializations can cost up to a few hundred dollars but start around $29. Financial aid is available for learners in need.
Key features:
- 7,000+ courses
- Taught by university professors
- Online degrees and certifications
- Free and paid options from $39/month
- Mobile app available
Ideal for: College prep, technology, business, personal development
5. LinkedIn Learning
Geared toward professional and career development, LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda) offers courses taught by industry experts. Subjects range from design and marketing to leadership and software.
LinkedIn Learning costs $39.99 per month or $299.88 annually. Some companies offer it to employees for free, so check whether you already have access via work. LinkedIn also provides a free month-long trial.
Key features:
- 16,000+ expert-led courses
- Certificate upon course completion
- Exercise files to follow along
- Personalized course recommendations
- Mobile and TV apps available
Ideal for: Professional development, creative skills, business software
To know LinkedIn Learning better, read our detailed review.
Bonus: We have done a detailed comparison between Coursera and LinkedIn Learning. It will provide you with all the detailed insights and comparisons.
6. CreativeLive
For photographers, artists, crafters, and makers, CreativeLive provides paid online classes plus free live streams. Workshops cover areas like photography, video, design, music, writing, crafts, food, and more. You can find over 2,000 intuitive online classes taught by world-class experts.
Most classes cost between $20-$100, with deals for package subscriptions. Anyone can watch free live streams and access some on-demand content at no cost. CreativeLive is a great option for hands-on creative learning.
Key features:
- Live and on-demand classes
- Daily free live streams
- Taught by industry leaders
- Accessible via phone, tablet, and TV
- Engaging instructors
Ideal for: Photography, video, design, entrepreneurship
7. edX
edX hosts free online courses from 140 prestigious institutions, including Harvard, MIT, and Berkeley. Many classes mirror actual university courses and lead to verified certificates (for a fee). If you are looking for a way to learn new skills or advance your career, edX is a great option.
There are a wide variety of courses available, and you can choose to audit them for free or earn a verified certificate of completion. You only pay if you want things like graded assignments, certificates, or credits. edX is ideal for low-cost, high-quality education from top schools. Check out edX review to get a sneak peek of my honest opinion about the platform and what it offers.
Key features:
- 3,500+ courses
- Free audit option
- Verified Certificates available
- Taught by leading universities
- Course schedules
Ideal for: College prep, engineering, programming, sciences
Bonus: Curious to know which platform to choose: edX or Coursera? Check out our detailed comparison on edX and Coursera and know it for yourself.
8. The Great Courses
The Great Courses offers engaging college-level lectures from professors at top universities. With over 1300 courses, you can learn just about any subject—history, science, photography, cooking, math, and more.
Courses are available individually or by subscription. Individual courses cost around $70 on sale. The Great Courses Plus subscription is $180/year or $20/month and includes the full library. Free previews give a sample before you buy.
Key features:
- 1300+ fascinating courses
- Taught by Ivy League professors
- Engagingly produced lectures
- Monthly/annual membership plans
- Mobile and TV apps
Ideal for: Self-improvement, history, science, hobbies
9. Khan Academy
Khan Academy provides thousands of free video lessons, articles, and practice exercises. Subjects cover math, science, history, grammar, programming, and more. The material is geared toward students but useful for lifelong learners too.
As a free resource, Khan Academy is a top choice for supplementing student learning or brushing up on academic subjects yourself. Donations help support its nonprofit mission of providing free education worldwide.
Key features:
- 10,000+ free video lessons
- Practice exercises with instant feedback
- Personalized learning dashboard
- Available in over 70 languages
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Ideal for: Math, science, computing, SAT prep, early education
10. Simplilearn
Simplilearn offers online boot camps and courses focused on digital economy skills like programming, data science, digital marketing, and more. Their classes help working professionals pivot careers or upskill in high-demand fields.
Pricing options include single courses ($299-$349) and larger boot camp packages ($999-$2,999). Their programs provide training, assignments, exams, certificates, and Alumni networks. Simplilearn is great for intensive tech training and career transitions.
Interested to know more about Simplilearn check out our view about the platform here.
Key features:
- 1,500 live classes every month
- Job assistance and networking
- Industry-recognized certifications
- Project work and live classes
- Coaching and tutorials
Ideal for: Digital skills like programming, data science, and cyber security
Which is the best MasterClass Alternative?
While Masterclass produces engaging, high-quality courses, the subscription may be out of reach for many lifelong learners. Luckily, platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and CreativeLive provide flexible and affordable options for exploring hobbies and skills. EdX, Coursera, and Simplilearn offer rigorous academic learning and career training.
With so many choices today, you can find a learning platform that fits your interests, schedule, and budget. So skip the FOMO from that latest Masterclass trailer and dive into the online education option that works for you. Keep learning, growing, and rising to your full potential wherever you are in life.
FAQs
Some of the best free Masterclass alternatives include Khan Academy for academic subjects, LinkedIn Learning if you have access through work, Skillshare’s free classes, Udemy’s discounted courses, and edX’s free self-paced content.
With over 200,000 online courses, Udemy offers the largest catalog covering topics like design, marketing, programming, music, and more. Skillshare and CreativeLive also have robust course libraries with 29,000+ and 2,000+ classes, respectively.
Skillshare provides more affordable access to online learning, with membership starting at $168/year versus Masterclass at $180/year. Skillshare has more niche creative courses, while Masterclass features big-name celebrity instructors. Both offer high-quality production and engaging learning.
Khan Academy is one of the least expensive Masterclass alternatives, offering over 10,000 free video lessons and exercises across many academic subjects. Udemy also has thousands of courses discounted to $10 or less.
LinkedIn Learning and Simplilearn are two of the best Masterclass alternatives for career development, professional skills, and tech training. Their courses help you gain in-demand expertise for today’s job market.
