MasterClass Vs. Udemy: Which Is Worth Your Money?

Online learning can be a cost-effective way to learn new skills at your own pace. Whether you want to master a new language, learn how to code, manage your personal finances, or activate your inner faery, there are some fantastic courses and platforms out there. 

MasterClass and Udemy are both excellent places to broaden your knowledge. But which one is the better value? Read on to find out which one might be right for you.

MasterClass vs. Udemy

In some ways MasterClass and Udemy are on opposite ends of the spectrum. MasterClass is all about high production values with courses taught by people who are unquestionable leaders in their fields. In contrast, Udemy has a course for almost everything you could imagine (including said faery activation), taught by almost anybody you could imagine.

Udemy

With over 210,000 courses available, Udemy knocks MasterClass out of the water in terms of breadth. However, the quality can be patchy and, frankly, sometimes boring. The comprehensive 13-hour course on SEO only cost me $10, but since I only completed the first 30 minutes, it was money down the drain. 

That said, I've done some great Udemy courses. There are a couple of journalism courses that I go back to time and again. One of the things I love about Udemy is that once you've bought a course it is yours forever, so you can go back and rewatch whenever you want. Udemy has some other great features too, such as the ability to schedule regular learning sessions that pop up on your calendar. Learn more at Udemy.com.

How much does Udemy cost? 

Individual courses on Udemy cost anything from $20 to $200, but that's only part of the story. Udemy has so many regular sales that it rarely makes sense to pay the full amount. As I write this, the site was advertising a sale that ended in four hours with courses for as little as $12.99. You could get discounts of as much as 85%. Udemy is also currently piloting a subscription-based offer for some users.

Udemy money-saving tips: Always buy courses when they are on sale. But don't let the special offers and ticking clock tempt you to buy more than you can handle. Take your time and look at the previews to get a feel for the instructor so you don't waste money on courses you won't use.

MasterClass

MasterClass has over 180 courses available and is a very different beast from Udemy. Where I might use Udemy to help me with the nitty gritty of online marketing, I would turn to MasterClass to hear Daniel Pink speak about sales and persuasion. Or former FBI negotiator Chris Voss teaching negotiation. 

If you want to get certifiable skills that you can put on your CV, MasterClass is not for you. MasterClass is more about lifelong learning. For example, Dr. Jane Goodall's videos about conservation and her experiences with chimpanzees were mind blowing. It's also worth checking out the MasterClass sessions feature, which lets you get hands-on experience alongside other learners. It is project-based and helps users put what they have learned into practice. Learn more at MasterClass.com.

How much does MasterClass cost? 

One of the big downsides of MasterClass is that you can't sign up for individual courses. Not only that, but you can't pay monthly -- the plans are all billed annually. MasterClass does give a full refund if you cancel in your first 30 days.

• Individual: $120 a year (1 account, 1 device)
• Duo: $180 a year (1 account, 2 devices)
• Family: $240 a year (1 account, 6 devices)

Tips for saving money on MasterClass: Consider splitting your subscription with a couple of friends or family members. If you split the family membership between six people, it works out to $3.33 per person per month. Plus, if you're not sure about whether you'll make time to watch, that 30-day trial period could be useful. Just make sure you cancel in time, otherwise you'll be stuck paying for the whole year.

Key takeaways

Udemy is worth your money if you're looking to brush up on professional skills, whether that's data analysis, software testing, or marketing. I also recommend it if you're trying to get a grip on specific software such as Adobe Photoshop.

MasterClass is worth your money if you want to learn broader skills from extraordinary people you admire. Whether that's cooking with a celebrity chef like Gordon Ramsay, or singing with Christina Aguilera, it is always interesting and often inspirational.

That said, if you don't have enough money in your bank account to cover essential bills, now may not be the time to sign up for Udemy or MasterClass. You might instead look for free online courses that cover similar topics, or see what your local library has to offer. Similarly, if you already have a backlog of books you haven't read or courses you haven't completed, consider finishing those before you spend money on another one.