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Education · head to head

MasterClass vs Showtime

MasterClass logo

MasterClass

Education

Learn from the world's best

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Showtime logo

Showtime

Entertainment

Signature entertainment and sports

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: MasterClass annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses; Showtime showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile)
  • They diverge on capability: MasterClass covers High-quality video, Showtime covers Streaming.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which MasterClass and Showtime actually diverge.

Attributes where MasterClass and Showtime differ
AttributeMasterClassShowtime
Starting priceOn request$10.99/month
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb, Ios, Android, Smart-tv
CategoryEducationEntertainment
Founded20151983

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Showtime

  • Streaming
  • Original series
  • Movies
  • Sports
  • Live events
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Android support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

MasterClass

  • Learning from expertsnot Showtime
  • Inspirationnot Showtime
  • Skill developmentnot Showtime
  • Entertainmentnot Showtime

Showtime

  • Premium streamingnot MasterClass
  • Sports watchingnot 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

Showtime

  • Showtime is now offered only as part of Paramount+'s Premium plan, per the App Store listing (Paramount+ by CBS Mobile)
  • Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current subscription period rather than immediately, with continued access through the paid period, per the App Store listing

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

Showtime

$10.99/month
  • Showtime Standalone$10.99/month
    • Original content
    • Ad-free

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 Showtime if

  • You need streaming.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
  • You also want original series.
Showtime review

Questions people ask

Is MasterClass or Showtime better?
Neither clearly leads. MasterClass starts at On request and Showtime at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, MasterClass or Showtime?
MasterClass starts at On request and Showtime at $10.99/month.
Does MasterClass or Showtime run on more platforms?
MasterClass runs on Web, iOS, Android. Showtime runs on Web, Ios, Android, Smart-tv.
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 Showtime is typically brought in for.
What can MasterClass do that Showtime cannot?
MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Mobile apps. Showtime covers Streaming, Original series, Movies, Sports. Both handle Web 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.

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
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
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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