Here’s my honest comparison of Skillshare vs Masterclass after trying both of them. While they might seem similar at first glance, they cater to different learning styles and goals.
In this comparison, we’ll look at what sets them apart and help you decide which one is right for you.
Skillshare vs Masterclass: Which One Is Right For You?
Skillshare is ideal for:
- Hands-on learners who want to develop practical skills
- Those interested in creative and digital fields
- Budget-conscious users looking for a wide variety of shorter courses
- People who enjoy project-based learning and community interaction
MasterClass is perfect for:
- Aspiring professionals seeking inspiration from industry leaders
- Those who appreciate high-production value content
- Learners interested in behind-the-scenes insights from celebrities
- People who prefer structured, lecture-style classes with polished presentations
Skillshare vs Masterclass Complete Reviews: In A Nutshell
| Skillshare | Masterclass | |
| Count of Users | 12 Million+ | 1.5 Million+ |
| Number of Courses | 40000+ across 3 various categories | 150 for 11 various categories |
| Instructors | Anyone curate and teach a course | Top tutors from the world’s best like celebrities |
| Details of Pricing Starts with | $14/month | $15 /month |
| Availability of free content | Short samples of few courses | Short samples of all available courses |
| Major Specialization | Animation, business analytics, film & video, music, photography, UI/UX design, and fine arts. | Classes in cuisine, leadership, photography, writing, and more |
| Best Suited to | Learn WordPress step-by-step with WordPress School. TikTok Marketing 101: Expand your brand and company. | Ramsay teaches cooking classes. Home and lifestyle niche. |
| Reviews out of 5 | 4.5 | 4.7 |
Overview of SkillShare
Are you interested in learning new skills or enhancing your existing ones? If so, Skillshare might be the platform for you! Skillshare is an online learning community with over 30,000 classes in various subjects.
Skillshare offers courses in various subjects, including design, business, cooking, technology, photography, film, writing, and more.
With thousands of classes, you’re sure to find something that interests you. Each course is designed to be bite-sized and easy to follow so that you can learn at your own pace. To learn more about this platform, read our detailed Skillshare Review.
Overview of Masterclass
David Rogier, a Stanford undergraduate, founded MasterClass in 2014 (initially under the name Yanka Industries, Inc.), and it debuted its website the following May with just three instructors. Throughout time, MasterClass has expanded considerably to provide a range of courses in the following categories:
- Performing and visual arts
- Housing and way of life
- Music
- Writing
- Designing and styling business meals
- Games and exercise
- Science technology, as well as community and government wellness
Who Wins Skillshare or Masterclass: Skillshare wins if you have a limited budget and want to learn related to hobby courses of short-term
Key Differences in Skillshare vs Masterclass
- More than 40,000 courses are available on Skillshare, which is broken down into three main categories: Create, Build, and Thrive. MasterClass only provides 150+ courses across 11 categories, which is less than Skillshare.
- MasterClass is more well-known because of its celebrity professors and the opportunity for students to benefit from their real-world experiences. Even though Skillshare is little known, it still has more students than MasterClass.
- Anyone may become an instructor on Skillshare. However, you must be a well-known figure in your profession to teach for MasterClass; everyone can’t do it.
- While Skillshare ensures that you are prepared to put what you have learned from its courses into practice, MasterClass simply concentrates on teaching its courses.
- Skillshare courses can range in quality from awful to excellent. Whole Masterclass courses are built with very good quality, maintaining consistency.
- In Skillshare, it is not possible to buy a single course of your choice, while in Masterclass, you can buy any desired course with a lifetime membership.
- The team learning option is not available in Skillshare, while in Masterclass, both the formats of team learning and tailored classes are available.
Skillshare vs. Masterclass: Features
Now, let us have a quick look at some of the key features of Skillshare and Masterclass.
Major Features of SkillShare
- Experience Learning Together.
- Class publishing.
- Creating classes and encouraging classes
- Paid time off for teachers.
- Constructing channels.
- Use the Referral method & provide a list of the premium classes.
Major Features of Masterclass
- Excellent instructors who are reputable figures in their respective fields.
- High-quality video Lessons from expert team
- MasterClass provides interactive assignments to reinforce the lectures.
- Access to a learner community to connect with learners and teachers
- Multiple device accessibility
- Access to the course materials is unrestricted after enrolling in a MasterClass course.
- MasterClass offers a subscription-based pricing structure with reasonable prices.
Who Wins Skillshare vs Masterclass: Masterclass Wins because of its quality features and highly valued video content
Usability and Suitability of Skillshare vs Masterclass
After a quick look at key features, it is time to assess the ease of use and suitability of the two amazing online learning platforms.
Skillshare: Usability and Best Suited to
If we talk about Skillshare, the website is simple to use and evaluate. This learning tool has a relatively straightforward user interface. To get things going, the portal also provides an interactive video. On the website, you can view every course offered.
This website succeeds with its plain appearance because it isn’t as dazzling as the others. When you register for a free on our platform, a video will be prepared. Also, it will outline the accessible online courses and how to sign up for them. You can pick up new abilities from it.
- Fundamentals of Graphic Design: Ellen Lupton’s course on the fundamentals of visual design for 161,000+ students
- Introduction to Procreate: iPad Illustration with Brooke Glaser as of 2025 (114,000+ students)
- Dale McManus teaches 161,000+ students how to use their iPhones to take professional-quality pictures.
- Creating a Unique System that Works with Thomas Frank in Mastering Productivity (137,000+ students)
Skillshare is suitable for students to succeed in the real world. Skillshare provides the ideal blend of specialized skill development and aspirational learning.
Masterclass: Usability and Best Suited to
When you first access the Masterclass home page, you are greeted by a dark color scheme. In the background, a video of your instructors in action is visible. You may see the trailer as well.
This page includes nine main categories, each with a list of online courses that fall into that category. As you continue to peruse the website, you will see some of the methods and teachers we have scheduled. You can also access FAQs, customer reviews, and information on new courses.
MasterClass offers a unique and simple user interface. You can choose from various programs taught by instructors you may have yet to encounter.
- Ramsay teaches cooking classes Home & Lifestyle is a niche.
- Photographer Annie Leibovitz teaches classes. The photography niche.
- Dancing music is led by Armin Van Buuren. The music niche.
- Serena Williams instructs tennis lessons. Sports niche.
- Storytelling Techniques Taught by Neil Gaiman. Entertainment is a niche.
Overall, MasterClass is best suited for learners who don’t mind taking a hands-off approach to learning and are dipping their toes into a new field. It’s especially beneficial for students who simply want to learn more about a certain subject for fun.
Who Wins Skillshare vs Masterclass: Masterclass because of its easy usability feature
Skillshare vs Masterclass Instructors
Instructors are the true essence of any learning platform. Both platforms have incredible instructors and coaches who are experts in their fields. Let us have a brief look at the instructors of both platforms.
Skillshare Instructors
Skillshare has a plethora of instructors. Unlike Masterclass, the teachers at Skillshare are not celebrities. It is an open source where anyone can become an instructor and teach. Hence, the quality of the courses varies throughout the platform. However, Skillshare ensures they have relevant knowledge and are well-qualified in the relevant field. You can always check the peer reviews if you are still confused about the course.
Masterclass Instructors
The instructors at Masterclass are well-renowned celebrities from various fields. It is the ultimate destination for those who want to learn from industry experts and do not want to compromise on the quality of education. Some of the famous personalities who teach at Masterclass are:
- Leaders must be inclusive, as Bill Clinton advised.
- Chris Voss teaches negotiation skills.
- Teaching mindfulness and meditation, Jon Kabat-Zinn.
- Hillary Clinton promotes the value of grit.
- Gordon Ramsay gives cooking lessons.
- Lewis Hamilton promotes having a winning attitude.
- The tennis instructor Serena Williams.
Who Wins Skillshare vs Masterclass: Masterclass, as the educators are industry experts who deliver high-quality content.
Best Courses: Skillshare vs Masterclass
Both platforms offer a variety of categories to learn from, from business analytics to music. These categories include various courses that are different on both platforms. Without any further delay, let’s dive into the popular courses of Skillshare and Masterclass.
Best Courses of Skillshare
- Quit scrolling and post your first TikTok to master TikTok: this course, taught by Taylor Loren, guides students through producing their first TikTok and becoming familiar with the TikTok platform. Perfect for people who want to investigate this new marketing environment.
- Create a Structure That Brings Out Your Best for Creative Productivity. Thomas Frank assists artists in creating a productivity system that keeps them productive, organized, and motivated.
- Mixing hand lettering and illustration: Transforming Plain Text into Breathtaking Art. In a brief, straightforward workshop, Gia Graham demonstrates to illustrators how to elevate their typography to the level of Art.
- Four ways to live more intentionally: documenting your life. A self-care expert Nathaniel Drew teaches students how to write their lives to live more mindfully.
Best Courses of Masterclass
A well-known online learning platform called MasterClass may help you increase your knowledge and skills in various areas, including business, cooking, the arts, entertainment, writing, sports, science, and technology. You may be confident that your instructor will be skilled and competent in the subject matter you choose to study. There is no need to verify their credentials.
- Chris Voss instructs about negotiation techniques.
- Dr. Jane Goodall imparts conservation knowledge.
- Emily Morse recommends communication and sex.
- Alice Waters teaches the craft of home cooking.
- Ron Finley instructs gardeners.
- John Krebs introduces in wildland survival
- David Sedaris imparts humor and narrative
- James Suckling leads wine appreciation.
- Kelly Wearstler teaches interior design.
- Jimmy Chin instructs outdoor photography.
Who Wins Skillshare vs Masterclass: Masterclass wins because it produces high-quality video content from renowned instructors from around the world.
Pros and Cons of SkillShare vs Masterclass
Now that we have a detailed overview of both platforms, let us discuss some of the pros and cons of Skillshare and Masterclass.
Pros of Skillshare
- A sizable selection of courses in art, design, and other creative disciplines
- Courses taught by experts in their field
- Classes that are brief, practical, and packed with impact
- Affordability with a wide range of prices plus a 30-day free trial
- Provides strong Community support
Cons Of Skillshare
- There is no official documentation or certificates.
- Requires a significant annual subscription charge
Pros Of Masterclass
- All site content is accessible for a single annual fee.
- Courses taught by well-known experts
- Short, easily digestible videos are used to teach the material.
Cons Of Masterclass
- Access to the content requires yearly membership.
- No direction or criticism from teachers
| Who Wins; Skillshare vs MasterclassMasterclass wins because of its easy affordability and more positive aspects when compared with Skillshare |
Pricing Structure of Skillshare vs Masterclass
Many people consider the pricing structure before purchasing anything—including courses from e-learning platforms—and whether it fits perfectly with their desired budget. Although it should not be the only criterion, it is indeed an important one. So, let us look at the pricing structures of Skillshare and Masterclass.
Pricing Details of Skillshare
Recently, Skillshare has changed its pricing structure. Skillshare offers an annual subscription for $168 which averages to around $14/ month. Moreover, Skillshare offers a free trial for one month to try after signing up for Skillshare premium membership.
Pricing Structure of Masterclass
MasterClass has a comprehensive pricing structure. It has three different pricing plan types.
Individual: $15 per month ($180 if paid yearly)
Duo: $20 monthly (or $240 if paid yearly).
Family: $23 per month ($276/year if billed annually)
Who Wins Skillshare vs Masterclass: Masterclass because it offers 3 subscription plans with 30 days money back guarantee
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FinalThoughts: Skillshare & Masterclass Both Cater to Different Users
After using both platforms extensively, I’ve found that the choice between Skillshare and MasterClass really depends on your personal goals and learning preferences.
Choose Skillshare to pick up practical skills quickly, especially in creative or digital fields. Its project-based approach and community features make it great for those who learn by doing and want peer feedback. The platform’s affordability and vast course selection are perfect for curious learners who want to explore various topics without breaking the bank.
On the other hand, go for MasterClass if you’re seeking inspiration and insights from world-renowned experts. Its high-quality production and star-studded instructor lineup create an engaging and motivating learning experience.
It’s particularly valuable if you want to understand industry leaders’ thought processes and experiences rather than just learning specific techniques.
Ultimately, both platforms have their strengths. I’ve found Skillshare more useful for developing tangible skills, while MasterClass has been incredible for broadening my perspectives and igniting creativity.
Consider starting with the platform that aligns best with your current goals, but don’t be afraid to try both – they each offer u
FAQs
Skillshare concentrates on creative subjects and has a pool of 35,000+ programs, whereas MasterClass has thousands of classes taught by 150+ VIPs and celebrities.
Compared to other websites for online learning, Skillshare is unique. Anyone can teach from anywhere in the globe thanks to our open platform. Also, we are dedicated to making sure that both teachers and students enjoy a unique and authentic experience and a sense of belonging to this large, creative community.
Since MasterClass allows you to attend many courses taught by celebrities in various creative fields at once, it is a superior alternative to Skillshare.
Skillshare is more affordable as compared to Masterclass.
