Open edX vs MasterClass
A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading education & e-learning solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.
Quick Verdict
Choose Open edX if you need Course authoring and prefer a free starting option. Choose MasterClass if you prioritize High-quality video and want plans starting at Contact for pricing. MasterClass has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3).
Open edX vs MasterClass: At a Glance
| Criteria | Open edX | MasterClass |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| Pricing | Free | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | free | subscription |
| Free Plan | ||
| Platforms | Web, IOS, Android | Web, IOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire |
| Category | Education & E-Learning | Education & E-Learning |
| Founded | 2012 | 2015 |
Feature Comparison: Open edX vs MasterClass
| Feature | Open edX | MasterClass |
|---|---|---|
| Course authoring | ||
| Interactive videos | ||
| Assessments | ||
| Discussions | ||
| Certificates | ||
| Analytics | ||
| Mobile apps | ||
| xBlocks | ||
| LTI tools | ||
| SSO | ||
| Third-party apps | ||
| Analytics platforms | ||
| Web support | ||
| IOS support | ||
| Android support | ||
| High-quality video | ||
| Workbooks | ||
| Community | ||
| Offline viewing | ||
| Smart TV apps | ||
| Session stories | ||
| Smart TV platforms | ||
| Apple TV support | ||
| Roku support | ||
| Amazon Fire support |
Open edX vs MasterClass: Pricing Breakdown
Open edX Pricing
Model: free
- Full platform
- Community support
- All features
- Hosted solution
- Support
- Maintenance
MasterClass Pricing
Model: subscription
- All classes
- One device
- Mobile access
- All classes
- Two devices
- Offline viewing
- All classes
- Six devices
- All features
Pros and Cons
Open edX
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.3/5)
- Free plan available to get started
- Available on 3 platforms (Web, IOS, Android)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong Course authoring functionality
- Strong Interactive videos functionality
Cons
- May require time to learn advanced features
MasterClass
Pros
- Highly rated by users (4.4/5)
- Available on 6 platforms (Web, IOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire)
- Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
- Strong High-quality video functionality
- Strong Workbooks functionality
Cons
- No free plan available
- May require time to learn advanced features
Who Should Use Open edX vs MasterClass?
Choose Open edX if you:
- Need Course authoring
- Want to start for free
- Work primarily on Web and IOS
- Value Interactive videos
Choose MasterClass if you:
- Need High-quality video
- Have a budget of Contact for pricing+
- Work primarily on Web and IOS
- Value Workbooks
Frequently Asked Questions: Open edX vs MasterClass
Is Open edX better than MasterClass?
It depends on your needs. Open edX has a 4.3/5 user rating while MasterClass has 4.4/5. Open edX excels in Course authoring and Interactive videos, while MasterClass stands out with High-quality video and Workbooks. Consider your budget (Free vs Contact for pricing), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.
Which is cheaper, Open edX or MasterClass?
Open edX offers a free plan and starts at Free. MasterClass starts at Contact for pricing. Open edX has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.
Can I use Open edX and MasterClass together?
While both are education & e-learning tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core education & e-learning needs.
What are the main differences between Open edX and MasterClass?
The key differences include: pricing model (free vs subscription), platform support (Web, IOS, Android vs Web, IOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire), and feature focus. Open edX emphasizes Course authoring, Interactive videos, Assessments while MasterClass focuses on High-quality video, Workbooks, Community. User ratings differ slightly: 4.3 vs 4.4 out of 5.
Ready to choose?
Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Open edX and MasterClass.