Software · head to head
MasterClass vs Babbel
The short version
- Each has a real cost: MasterClass annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses; Babbel the App Store listing for Babbel (seller of record: Babbel GmbH) states that subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, with payment charged to the buyer's Apple account; plans are sold in 1, 3, 6 and 12 month terms, and the listing itself discloses no price figure, so the actual monthly-equivalent cost is not visible without proceeding into a purchase flow.
- They diverge on capability: MasterClass covers High-quality video, Babbel covers Bite-sized lessons.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MasterClass and Babbel actually diverge.
| Attribute | MasterClass | Babbel |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2007 |
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 MasterClass
- High-quality video
- Workbooks
- Community
- Offline viewing
- Smart TV apps
- Session stories
- Smart TV platforms
- Apple TV support
Only in Babbel
- Bite-sized lessons
- Speech recognition
- Review sessions
- Podcasts
- Games
- Live classes
- Progress tracking
- Offline mode
Both cover
- Mobile apps
- Mobile apps
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
MasterClass
- Learning from expertsnot Babbel
- Inspirationnot Babbel
- Skill developmentnot Babbel
- Entertainmentnot Babbel
Babbel
- Language learningnot MasterClass
- Travel preparationnot MasterClass
- Career developmentnot MasterClass
- Hobbynot MasterClass
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Babbel
- The App Store listing for Babbel (seller of record: Babbel GmbH) states that subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, with payment charged to the buyer's Apple account; plans are sold in 1, 3, 6 and 12 month terms, and the listing itself discloses no price figure, so the actual monthly-equivalent cost is not visible without proceeding into a purchase flow.
Pricing, plan by plan
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
Babbel
On request- 3 Months$8.95/month
- 1 language
- All lessons
- Speech recognition
- 6 Months$7.45/month
- 1 language
- Review sessions
- Podcasts
- 12 Months$6.95/month
- 1 language
- Games
- All features
- Lifetime$249/month
- All 14 languages
- Lifetime access
Which should you pick?
Choose MasterClass if
- You need high-quality video.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want workbooks.
Choose Babbel if
- You need bite-sized lessons.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want speech recognition.
Questions people ask
- Is MasterClass or Babbel better?
- Neither clearly leads. MasterClass starts at On request and Babbel at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MasterClass or Babbel?
- MasterClass starts at On request and Babbel at On request.
- Does MasterClass or Babbel run on more platforms?
- MasterClass runs on Web, iOS, Android. Babbel runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- What is MasterClass best used for?
- MasterClass is most often used for learning from experts, inspiration, skill development, entertainment. Of those, learning from experts and inspiration are not what Babbel is typically brought in for.
- What can MasterClass do that Babbel cannot?
- MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Offline viewing. Babbel covers Bite-sized lessons, Speech recognition, Review sessions, Podcasts. Both handle Mobile apps, Mobile apps, Web support, IOS 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.
SourceMasterClass: 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.
SourceMasterClass: 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.
SourceMasterClass: 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