How much does MasterClass cost?

MasterClass costs $180 for its annual subscription ($15 a month), which gives you unlimited access to all its classes until you cancel.

Right now through November 28, 2022, you can get a second membership for free when you sign up for an annual subscription.

How does MasterClass work?

MasterClass classes are about 2-5 hours on average, with individual lessons ranging from 2-5 minutes. Classes include pre-recorded video lessons by your instructor, a class workbook, interactive assignments, and sometimes community activities. MasterClass may have opportunities for students to submit work to instructors for feedback, but that's not the norm.

Is MasterClass worth it?

If you will use MasterClass more than a few times, yes, the yearly pass may be worth it. If you don't think you will or need something more intensive or traditionally academic, consider other online learning sites like Coursera or edX.

Some of the best MasterClass courses:

Learn the power of empathy with Pharrell Williams, Robin Arzón, Roxane Gay, Walter Mosley, Robert Reffkin, Gloria Steinem, and Cornel West

In MasterClass's first multi-course, multi-instructor series, The Power of Empathy features a mix of famous entertainers, authors, entrepreneurs, and activists who all share different stories and perspectives on what it means to lead an empathic life.

Learn creativity and leadership skills with Anna Wintour

Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour has inspired movies and biographies, but what actually makes the iconic fashion leader so influential? In this MasterClass, Wintour shares her tips for making tough decisions, leading with your gut, and managing a team of people you trust. Read a review of the course here.

Learn the art of negotiation with Chris Voss

During his time as an FBI hostage negotiator, Chris Voss mastered all of the facets of communication and compromise. While your everyday negotiations may not be as high-stake, Voss's strategies can help you get the outcomes you want — whether it's a promotion at your job or a big decision in your relationship. Read a review of the course here.

Learn how to act with Samuel L. Jackson

It's hard to believe now that Samuel L. Jackson had a stutter growing up, one that actually stopped him from talking for a year. You can learn about how he overcame this obstacle to become an Oscar nominee in this course on acting, which particularly focuses on how to develop a character.

Learn cooking techniques with Thomas Keller

Chef Thomas Keller's restaurants, like The French Laundry, have been awarded quite a few Michelin stars and have people eagerly waiting months at a time for reservations. In his MasterClass, he breaks down the basics of some of the most essential cooking techniques, like braising meats and making stocks. Read a review of the course (and other MasterClass cooking courses) here.

Learn gardening with Ron Finley

Ron Finley has launched a movement around an unusual form of protest: gardening. In 2011, Finley was issued an arrest warrant for planting fruits and vegetables on the curbside strip outside his home in South Central LA — a food desert. Two years later, his story helped change LA laws and, a decade later, he's helped plant dozens of community gardens. In his MasterClass, Finley teaches you how to grow your own food, avoid killing your plants, and the beauty and community you can find in healthy food. Read a review of the course here.

Learn the power of resilience with Hillary Rodham Clinton

For the first time ever, Hillary reads her would-be 2016 victory speech — and shares her advice from her decades-long political career as a former first lady, US senator, Secretary of State, and first female US presidential nominee. Read more about the course here, and about MasterClass's White House series here.

Learn how to play tennis with Serena Williams

If you want to be a pro, you have to practice like one. Get the chance to experience the same drills Serena runs every day, as well as some insight into the importance of mental strength in the game.

Learn music curation and DJing with Questlove

Questlove — iconic DJ, Grammy winner, and The Roots drummer — teaches collecting and mixing music. You'll learn how to transition from genre to genre to curate the perfect playlist, whether just for yourself or to wow your friends.

Learn the art of creative writing with Margaret Atwood

Writer's block is a major challenge, but hopefully, some inspiration from Margaret Atwood can bring you out of your funk. The Man Booker Prize-winner's lessons delve into character development, point of view, structuring a novel, and more. Read a review of the course here.

Learn photography with Annie Leibovitz

Annie Leibovitz claims the title of first-ever female chief photographer at "Rolling Stone," along with plenty of other accomplishments. Here, she sheds light on her photography philosophy and shows how a great photo comes to life.

Learn how to sing with Christina Aguilera

Whether you want to fine-tune your vocal craft or have no musical experience beyond singing "happy birthday" to your friends and family, Christina Aguilera has the techniques to help you take it up a notch. The Grammy Award winner gives you practical tips on how to polish your sound as well as share some stories about her career trajectory.

Learn bread baking with Apollonia Poilâne

Apollonia Poilâne, the third-generation baker and CEO of the famous Parisian bakery Poilâne, teaches you how to use all of your senses when baking an ideal loaf from scratch. She outlines best practices for a variety of French breads — rustic wheat, rye, brioche, and her beloved sourdough loaves — with warmth and clarity. Read a review of the course (and other MasterClass cooking courses) here.

Learn how to think like a scientist with Neil deGrasse Tyson

Ivy League degrees, bestselling books, and a Grammy award are just some of Neil deGrasse Tyson's accolades. In this course, the renowned astrophysicist will help you see into the mind of a scientist, giving you plenty of skills to help you strengthen the way you think and communicate along the way.

Learn how to play the guitar with Carlos Santana

If you're looking for a classic, technical guitar lesson, this course probably isn't for you. If, however, you're looking to understand how one of the world's most popular guitarists approaches the instrument, draws inspiration for his music, and found his unique sound, you'll love this class with Carlos Santana.

Learn business strategies and leadership skills with Bob Iger

As the former CEO and current Executive Chairman of the Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger was responsible for some of the brand's most important acquisitions, including Pixar, Marvel, and Lucasfilm. His lesson dives into everything from business insights from the acquisition process to how to use your time effectively and productively.

Learn how to design your space with Kelly Wearstler

Ever wondered how to make your space look like it's plucked off an "Architectural Digest" page while still feeling like it's distinctly yours? It's a tall order, but Kelly Wearstler has designed enough celebrity homes and boutique hotels to give you all the tips and tricks you need to know to redefine your own space. You'll learn how to choose colors for any room, make a space feel larger, and even curate an art collection.

Learn French pastry fundamentals with Dominique Ansel

Dominque Ansel is revered for his creative takes on delicious pastries, like the Cronut, a croissant-donut hybrid that garners hours-long lines outside of his SoHo bakery in New York. In this course, you'll learn the precise technique Ansel uses to bake his famous treats. Fruit tarts, chocolate cakes, and mini madeleines are just some of the desserts you'll learn to bake.

Learn how to play poker with Daniel Negreanu

There's no one better to help you perfect your poker face than Daniel Negreanu — he's won the World Series of Poker six times. He'll help you learn even the most complex poker concepts so you can increase your win rate the next time you sit around the felt.

MasterClass is one of my favorite online learning platforms, and I've had personal experience with a fair share of them (Coursera, Skillshare, edX, Rosetta Stone, CreativeLive, and so on).

Compared to many competitors, MasterClass courses follow the format of a one-sided conversation more than an academic setting, which can make learning feel more engaging.

I love that I'm able to learn conventional and not-so-conventional tricks and tips from giants of any industry — some of whom are on my shortlist of favorite authors, actors, musicians, and chefs. Classes are pretty short (2-5 hours total), and the lessons are between 5-25 minutes each.

I also get access to notes, additional reading resources, and a community. And it's nice that I can download lessons or use Audio Mode in the car as a de facto audiobook on days when my attention span is low.

Plus, the diversity, quality, and flexibility of its online classes are hard to beat. If I'm going through a cooking phase, I can watch bite-sized clips that are interesting and useful. And if something isn't my number one passion, the allure of a "master" helps me remain interested in the lessons.

Personally, I enjoy having yearly access. If you're a lifelong learner, it gives you the ability to jump around different subjects with tools like "topic playlists" that queue up stuff you might like. For me, it's worth the $180 — it's informative without feeling overly stringent or overwhelming. But if you're interested in deep-diving into only one topic, I'd recommend auditing a class at Coursera or edX rather than dropping $180 just to access one MasterClass. — Mara Leighton, senior reporter