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Software · head to head

edX vs MasterClass

edX logo

edX

Software

Online courses from the world's top universities

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MasterClass logo

MasterClass

Software

Learn from the world's best

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: edX individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view; MasterClass annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses
  • They diverge on capability: edX covers Video lectures, MasterClass covers High-quality video.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which edX and MasterClass actually diverge.

Attributes where edX and MasterClass differ
AttributeedXMasterClass
Founded20122015

Identical on both: starting price (On request), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

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 edX

  • Video lectures
  • Interactive exercises
  • Discussion forums
  • Certificates
  • MicroMasters
  • Professional certificates
  • Degrees
  • Mobile learning

Only in MasterClass

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

Both cover

  • Web support
  • IOS support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

edX

  • Learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (MIT, Harvard, Cambridge)not MasterClass
  • Career changers pursuing MicroMasters or professional certificatesnot MasterClass
  • Individuals in regions with limited access to higher educationnot MasterClass

MasterClass

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

Where each one falls short

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

edX

  • Individual course costs not displayed; pricing requires enrollment to view

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

edX

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the edX review.

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 edX if

  • You need video lectures.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want interactive exercises.
edX 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 edX or MasterClass better?
Neither clearly leads. edX starts at On request and MasterClass at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, edX or MasterClass?
edX starts at On request and MasterClass at On request.
Does edX or MasterClass run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, iOS, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
What is edX best used for?
edX is most often used for learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (mit, harvard, cambridge), career changers pursuing micromasters or professional certificates, individuals in regions with limited access to higher education. Of those, learners seeking university-level credentials from elite institutions (mit, harvard, cambridge) and career changers pursuing micromasters or professional certificates are not what MasterClass is typically brought in for.
What can edX do that MasterClass cannot?
edX covers Video lectures, Interactive exercises, Discussion forums, Certificates. MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Mobile apps. Both handle Web support, IOS support, Android support.

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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