Software · head to head
MasterClass vs Khan Academy
The short version
- Only Khan Academy 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; Khan Academy the Internet Archive's capture of Khan Academy's homepage on 1 January 2021 stated it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and that its full library of practice and lessons 'is all free for learners and teachers', funded by donations rather than subscriptions.
- They diverge on capability: MasterClass covers High-quality video, Khan Academy covers Video lessons.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which MasterClass and Khan Academy actually diverge.
| Attribute | MasterClass | Khan Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Founded | 2015 | 2008 |
Identical on both: 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
- Mobile apps
- Offline viewing
- Smart TV apps
- Session stories
- Smart TV platforms
Only in Khan Academy
- Video lessons
- Practice exercises
- Mastery system
- Progress tracking
- Personalized learning
- Teacher tools
- Parent dashboard
- Test prep
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 Khan Academy
- Inspirationnot Khan Academy
- Skill developmentnot Khan Academy
- Entertainmentnot Khan Academy
Khan Academy
- Free self paced learning across maths, science and humanitiesnot MasterClass
- Assigning practice and tracking student progress in a classroomnot 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
Khan Academy
- The Internet Archive's capture of Khan Academy's homepage on 1 January 2021 stated it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and that its full library of practice and lessons 'is all free for learners and teachers', funded by donations rather than subscriptions.
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
Khan Academy
Free- FreeFree
- Video lessons
- Practice exercises
- Progress tracking
Which should you pick?
Choose MasterClass if
- You need high-quality video.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want workbooks.
Choose Khan Academy if
- You need video lessons.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want practice exercises.
Questions people ask
- Is MasterClass or Khan Academy better?
- Neither clearly leads. MasterClass starts at On request and Khan Academy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, MasterClass or Khan Academy?
- Khan Academy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for MasterClass and Free for Khan Academy.
- Does MasterClass or Khan Academy run on more platforms?
- MasterClass runs on Web, iOS, Android. Khan Academy runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- Can I use Khan Academy for free?
- Yes. Khan Academy 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 Khan Academy is typically brought in for.
- What can MasterClass do that Khan Academy cannot?
- MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Mobile apps. Khan Academy covers Video lessons, Practice exercises, Mastery system, Progress tracking. 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.
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