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Apple Music vs MasterClass

Apple Music logo

Apple Music

Software

All the ways you love music. All in one place.

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
MasterClass logo

MasterClass

Software

Learn from the world's best

From
On request
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Apple Music individual plan discount pricing (3 months for $1.99) applies only to new subscribers, then rises to $11.99 per month; MasterClass annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Music covers Music streaming, MasterClass covers High-quality video.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Music and MasterClass actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Music and MasterClass differ
AttributeApple MusicMasterClass
Starting price$10.99/monthOn request
PlatformsIos, Macos, Windows, Android, WebWeb, iOS, Android

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), founded (2015).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Music

  • Music streaming
  • Offline downloads
  • Spatial Audio
  • Lossless audio
  • Curated playlists
  • Radio stations
  • Music discovery
  • Cross-device sync

Only in MasterClass

  • High-quality video
  • Workbooks
  • Community
  • Mobile apps
  • Offline viewing
  • Smart TV apps
  • Session stories
  • Smart TV platforms

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Music

  • Music listeningnot MasterClass
  • Music discoverynot MasterClass
  • Playlist creationnot MasterClass
  • Offline listeningnot MasterClass
  • Family entertainmentnot MasterClass

MasterClass

  • Learning from expertsnot Apple Music
  • Inspirationnot Apple Music
  • Skill developmentnot Apple Music
  • Entertainmentnot Apple Music

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Music

  • Individual plan discount pricing (3 months for $1.99) applies only to new subscribers, then rises to $11.99 per month

MasterClass

  • Annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses
  • No instructor interaction or personalized feedback on student work
  • No hands-on exercises, assignments, or peer discussion with other students
  • Limited interactivity with focus on entertainment value over practical skill development
  • Difficult to cancel subscription according to customer reviews

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Music

$10.99/month
  • Individual$10.99/month
    • 100+ million songs
    • Ad-free listening
    • Offline downloads
  • Family$16.99/month
    • Up to 6 accounts
    • Individual profiles
    • Parental controls

MasterClass

On request
  • Individual$10/month
    • All classes
    • One device
    • Mobile access
  • Duo$15/month
    • All classes
    • Two devices
    • Offline viewing
  • Family$20/month
    • All classes
    • Six devices
    • All features

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Music if

  • You need music streaming.
  • You work on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web.
  • You also want offline downloads.

Choose MasterClass if

  • You need high-quality video.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want workbooks.

Questions people ask

Is Apple Music or MasterClass better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Music starts at $10.99/month and MasterClass at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Music or MasterClass?
Apple Music starts at $10.99/month and MasterClass at On request.
Does Apple Music or MasterClass run on more platforms?
Apple Music runs on Ios, Macos, Windows, Android, Web. MasterClass runs on Web, iOS, Android.
What is Apple Music best used for?
Apple Music is most often used for music listening, music discovery, playlist creation, offline listening. Of those, music listening and music discovery are not what MasterClass is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Music do that MasterClass cannot?
Apple Music covers Music streaming, Offline downloads, Spatial Audio, Lossless audio. MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Mobile apps.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

MasterClass: What is the pricing structure for MasterClass?

MasterClass requires an annual membership with no single-course purchase option. Standard plan costs $10/month, Plus is $15/month with offline access, and Premium is $20/month for up to 6 devices.

Source
MasterClass: How many courses are available on MasterClass?

MasterClass has over 200 video classes taught by celebrities and experts, with each course containing approximately 20 videos of about 10 minutes each plus detailed workbooks.

Source
MasterClass: Does MasterClass provide certificates or formal credentials?

No. MasterClass does not provide certificates upon completing a course, so it does not offer formal recognition for course completion.

Source
MasterClass: Do MasterClass courses include personalized feedback from instructors?

No. All MasterClass courses are pre-recorded videos, so there is no direct interaction with instructors or personalized feedback on student work.

Source

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