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Education · head to head

MasterClass vs Open edX

MasterClass logo

MasterClass

Education

Learn from the world's best

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Open edX logo

Open edX

Education

Open-source platform powering online learning

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Open edX 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; Open edX no license fees for software but requires separate spending on hosting, infrastructure, and maintenance
  • They diverge on capability: MasterClass covers High-quality video, Open edX covers Course authoring.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MasterClass and Open edX actually diverge.

Attributes where MasterClass and Open edX differ
AttributeMasterClassOpen edX
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
Founded20152012

Identical on both: platforms (Web, iOS, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education).

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 Open edX

  • Course authoring
  • Interactive videos
  • Assessments
  • Discussions
  • Certificates
  • Analytics
  • xBlocks
  • LTI tools

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 Open edX
  • Inspirationnot Open edX
  • Skill developmentnot Open edX
  • Entertainmentnot Open edX

Open edX

  • MOOC creationnot MasterClass
  • Corporate trainingnot MasterClass
  • Blended learningnot MasterClass
  • Degree programsnot 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

Open edX

  • No license fees for software but requires separate spending on hosting, infrastructure, and maintenance
  • Customization and support from third-party providers requires additional investment

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

Open edX

Free
  • Self-HostedFree
    • Full platform
    • Community support
    • All features
  • Managed Hosting$undefined/month
    • Hosted solution
    • Support
    • Maintenance

Which should you pick?

Choose MasterClass if

  • You need high-quality video.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want workbooks.
MasterClass review

Choose Open edX if

  • You need course authoring.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want interactive videos.
Open edX review

Questions people ask

Is MasterClass or Open edX better?
Neither clearly leads. MasterClass starts at On request and Open edX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MasterClass or Open edX?
Open edX has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for MasterClass and Free for Open edX.
Does MasterClass or Open edX run on more platforms?
MasterClass runs on Web, iOS, Android. Open edX runs on Web, IOS, Android.
Can I use Open edX for free?
Yes. Open edX 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 Open edX is typically brought in for.
What can MasterClass do that Open edX cannot?
MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Offline viewing. Open edX covers Course authoring, Interactive videos, Assessments, Discussions. 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.

Source
Open edX: How much does Open edX cost?

Open edX software itself is completely free with no license fees. Organizations must cover their own hosting, infrastructure, maintenance, and customization costs.

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
Open edX: Are there hosting options for Open edX?

Open edX offers three deployment options: self-hosted (organizations deploy independently), managed providers (third-party companies offer cost-effective managed services), and a free sandbox for testing.

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
Open edX: What does free mean for Open edX?

There are no license fees to use the Open edX software. Organizations can download and deploy it independently or use managed hosting providers for a fee.

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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