Education & E-Learning · head to head
MasterClass vs Blackboard
Blackboard
Education & E-Learning
Comprehensive learning platform for educational institutions
- From
- $10/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: MasterClass annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses; Blackboard user interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks
- They diverge on capability: MasterClass covers High-quality video, Blackboard covers Course management.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MasterClass and Blackboard actually diverge.
| Attribute | MasterClass | Blackboard |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | $10/year |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Founded | 2015 | 1997 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), 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 MasterClass
- High-quality video
- Workbooks
- Community
- Mobile apps
- Offline viewing
- Smart TV apps
- Session stories
- Smart TV platforms
Only in Blackboard
- Course management
- Assessment tools
- Discussion boards
- Virtual classroom
- Gradebook
- Mobile app
- Analytics
- Accessibility
Both cover
- 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 Blackboard
- Inspirationnot Blackboard
- Skill developmentnot Blackboard
- Entertainmentnot Blackboard
Blackboard
- Course deliverynot MasterClass
- Student engagementnot MasterClass
- Assessmentnot MasterClass
- Virtual learningnot 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
Blackboard
- User interface is outdated, cluttered, and unintuitive with hidden menus and excessive clicks
- Slow response times and platform crashes when opening multiple tabs simultaneously
- Cannot track detailed student activity beyond most recent login information
- Limited ability to handle large file uploads for content and assignments
- Minimal customization options for page and template design
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
Blackboard
$10/yearNo published plan breakdown. See the Blackboard review.
Which should you pick?
Choose MasterClass if
- You need high-quality video.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want workbooks.
Questions people ask
- Is MasterClass or Blackboard better?
- Neither clearly leads. MasterClass starts at On request and Blackboard at $10/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MasterClass or Blackboard?
- MasterClass starts at On request and Blackboard at $10/year.
- Does MasterClass or Blackboard run on more platforms?
- MasterClass runs on Web, iOS, Android. Blackboard runs on Web.
- 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 Blackboard is typically brought in for.
- What can MasterClass do that Blackboard cannot?
- MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Mobile apps. Blackboard covers Course management, Assessment tools, Discussion boards, Virtual classroom. 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.
SourceBlackboard: What does Blackboard LMS offer?
Blackboard is a learning management system that includes course management, assignment and gradebook tools, discussion forums, and analytics for tracking learner progress in online, hybrid, and in-person courses.
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