MasterClass vs Udemy: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for MasterClass and Udemy side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
MasterClass
Learn from the world's best in arts, business, sports, and more.
Best for you if:
- • You want exceptional production quality
Udemy
Affordable online courses on virtually any topic
Best for you if:
- • You want huge course library
| At a Glance | MasterClass | Udemy |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan | Free plan, paid from $30/user/mo, billed monthly Team plan |
Category | Online Course Platforms Education & Learning | Education & Learning Online Course Platforms |
Rating | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 15 reviews | 3.3/5 Trustpilot 1.7 · G2 4.5 · SourceForge 4.3 2,610 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Instructor revenue share can drop to 37% without promotion. |
Choose MasterClass or Udemy?
Choose MasterClass if
- You want exceptional production quality
- You want inspirational and engaging content
- You work in online course platforms, not education & learning
Choose Udemy if
- You want huge course library
- You want affordable sales
- You work in education & learning, not online course platforms
In-Depth Analysis
MasterClass
Learn from the world's best in arts, business, sports, and more.
Strengths
- Pro: Exceptional production quality
- Pro: Inspirational and engaging content
- Pro: Unique access to expert knowledge
- Pro: Diverse range of subjects and instructors
- Pro: Flexible learning schedule
Weaknesses
- Con: Relatively high subscription cost
- Con: Not accredited for formal education
- Con: Depth of content can vary by class
Key features
Udemy
Affordable online courses on virtually any topic
Udemy's pricing for instructors is generous, offering a free tier with a 37% revenue share, which is competitive for a marketplace.
Watch out
Instructor revenue share can drop to 37% without promotion.
Strengths
- Pro: Huge course library
- Pro: Affordable sales
- Pro: Lifetime access
- Pro: Mobile app
- Pro: Many topics
Weaknesses
- Con: Quality varies greatly
- Con: No curation
- Con: Constant sales tactics
- Con: No subscription model
- Con: Certificate value low
Key features
Plans and prices: MasterClass vs Udemy
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| MasterClass | No plan prices on file | masterclass.com |
| Udemy |
| udemy.com |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on MasterClass pricing and Udemy pricing.
Key Takeaways
MasterClass
- Choose if you want learn from the world's best in arts, business, sports, and more
Udemy
- Choose if you want affordable online courses on virtually any topic
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.3/5 from 15 reviews for MasterClass, 3.3/5 from 2,610 reviews for Udemy; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Udemy starts at $30/user/mo, billed monthly; MasterClass has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do MasterClass and Udemy compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.3/5 from 15 reviews for MasterClass, 3.3/5 from 2,610 reviews for Udemy; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Udemy starts at $30/user/mo, billed monthly; MasterClass has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are MasterClass and Udemy used for?
MasterClass: Learn from the world's best in arts, business, sports, and more. Udemy: Affordable online courses on virtually any topic.
What does MasterClass cost vs Udemy?
MasterClass has no public paid-plan price on file. Udemy's cheapest paid plan is Team at $30/user/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan.
What's the main difference between MasterClass and Udemy?
MasterClass's main strength: exceptional production quality. Udemy's main strength: huge course library.