Education & E-Learning · head to head
MasterClass vs Codecademy
Codecademy
Education & E-Learning
Learn to code interactively for free
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Codecademy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: MasterClass annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses; Codecademy free plan has limited access to quizzes and projects
- They diverge on capability: MasterClass covers High-quality video, Codecademy covers Interactive coding.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MasterClass and Codecademy actually diverge.
| Attribute | MasterClass | Codecademy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web |
| Founded | 2015 | 2011 |
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 MasterClass
- High-quality video
- Workbooks
- Community
- Offline viewing
- Smart TV apps
- Session stories
- Smart TV platforms
- Apple TV support
Only in Codecademy
- Interactive coding
- Instant feedback
- Projects
- Quizzes
- Career paths
- Mobile app
- Offline practice
- Community forums
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 Codecademy
- Inspirationnot Codecademy
- Skill developmentnot Codecademy
- Entertainmentnot Codecademy
Codecademy
- Learn to codenot MasterClass
- Career transitionnot MasterClass
- Skill buildingnot MasterClass
- Portfolio projectsnot 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
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
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
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
Which should you pick?
Choose MasterClass if
- You need high-quality video.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want workbooks.
Choose Codecademy if
- You need interactive coding.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want instant feedback.
Questions people ask
- Is MasterClass or Codecademy better?
- Neither clearly leads. MasterClass starts at On request and Codecademy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MasterClass or Codecademy?
- Codecademy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for MasterClass and Free for Codecademy.
- Does MasterClass or Codecademy run on more platforms?
- MasterClass runs on Web, iOS, Android. Codecademy runs on Web.
- 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 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 Codecademy is typically brought in for.
- What can MasterClass do that Codecademy cannot?
- MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Offline viewing. Codecademy covers Interactive coding, Instant feedback, Projects, Quizzes. 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.
SourceCodecademy: 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.
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.
SourceCodecademy: What is Codecademy Pro pricing?
Codecademy Pro costs $15.99/month when billed annually. Student pricing is available at a discount.
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