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Education & E-Learning · head to head

Codecademy vs MasterClass

Codecademy logo

Codecademy

Education & E-Learning

Learn to code interactively for free

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MasterClass logo

MasterClass

Education & E-Learning

Learn from the world's best

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Codecademy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Codecademy free plan has limited access to quizzes and projects; MasterClass annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses
  • They diverge on capability: Codecademy covers Interactive coding, MasterClass covers High-quality video.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Codecademy and MasterClass actually diverge.

Attributes where Codecademy and MasterClass differ
AttributeCodecademyMasterClass
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb, iOS, Android
Founded20112015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education & E-Learning).

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 Codecademy

  • Interactive coding
  • Instant feedback
  • Projects
  • Quizzes
  • Career paths
  • Mobile app
  • Offline practice
  • Community forums

Only in MasterClass

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

Both cover

  • Mobile apps
  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

Codecademy

  • Learn to codenot MasterClass
  • Career transitionnot MasterClass
  • Skill buildingnot MasterClass
  • Portfolio projectsnot MasterClass

MasterClass

  • Learning from expertsnot Codecademy
  • Inspirationnot Codecademy
  • Skill developmentnot Codecademy
  • Entertainmentnot Codecademy

Where each one falls short

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

Codecademy

  • Free plan has limited access to quizzes and projects
  • Pro pricing at $15.99/month is among the higher options for coding education platforms

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

Codecademy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic courses
    • Interactive lessons
    • Community
  • Plus$17.49/month
    • All courses
    • Projects
    • Quizzes
  • Pro$29.99/month
    • Everything in Plus
    • Interview prep
    • Real-world projects

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 Codecademy if

  • You need interactive coding.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want instant feedback.
Codecademy review

Choose MasterClass if

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

Questions people ask

Is Codecademy or MasterClass better?
Neither clearly leads. Codecademy starts at Free and MasterClass at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Codecademy or MasterClass?
Codecademy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Codecademy and On request for MasterClass.
Does Codecademy or MasterClass run on more platforms?
Codecademy runs on Web. MasterClass runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Codecademy for free?
Yes. Codecademy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MasterClass starts at On request.
What is Codecademy best used for?
Codecademy is most often used for learn to code, career transition, skill building, portfolio projects. Of those, learn to code and career transition are not what MasterClass is typically brought in for.
What can Codecademy do that MasterClass cannot?
Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Instant feedback, Projects, Quizzes. MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Offline viewing. Both handle Mobile apps, Web support, IOS support, Android support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Codecademy: Does Codecademy have a free plan?

Yes. Codecademy offers a permanent free plan with access to basic courses and introductory content. Advanced features like quizzes, projects, and career paths require Pro with a 7-day free trial.

Source
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
Codecademy: What is Codecademy Pro pricing?

Codecademy Pro costs $15.99/month when billed annually. Student pricing is available at a discount.

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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