MasterClass vs edX
Both MasterClass and edX promise to help you learn new skills, but they take different approaches to education. After completing multiple courses on each, I've identified where each platform excels. edX leads with 8.9/10 overall.
Some products are sponsored. Rankings reflect our honest assessment. See our affiliate disclosure
Quick Answer
edX beats MasterClass for most users. It scores 8.9/10 vs 8.3/10 and courses from harvard, mit, and top universities. Choose MasterClass if you need world-class instructors.
MasterClass
Learn from world-famous experts and celebrities
Starting from
$10/mo
edX
WinnerUniversity courses from Harvard, MIT, and top institutions
Starting from
$25/mo
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 8.3/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Starting Price | $10/mo | $25/mo |
| User Reviews | ||
| Content | ||
| Courses | 180+ | 3500+ |
| Certificates | ||
| Degrees | ||
| Free Content | ||
| Features | ||
| Projects | ||
| Subtitles | ||
| Offline Access | ||
| Mobile App | ||
| Business | ||
| Enterprise | ||
| Financial Aid | ||
Pros & Cons Breakdown
MasterClass
- World-class instructors
- High production value
- Inspiring content
- Wide variety of topics
- Downloadable workbooks
- Offline viewing
- More inspirational than practical
- No direct instructor interaction
- Not for technical skills
edX
- Courses from Harvard, MIT, and top universities
- Free audit option for most courses
- MicroMasters and MicroBachelors programs
- Accredited online degrees available
- Financial assistance available
- Mobile app with offline access
- Verified certificates can be expensive ($50-$300)
- Customer support issues reported
- Less courses than some competitors (3,500+ vs 7,000+)
Key Difference
The most significant difference is value positioning. edX offers excellent quality at a lower price point ($0.00/mo), while MasterClass ($10.00/mo) targets users who want premium features and are willing to pay for them.
Which Should You Choose?
MasterClass
Choose MasterClass if you prioritize world-class instructors, or value high production value.
edX
Choose edX if you prioritize courses from harvard, mit, and top universities, want to start with a free tier, or value free audit option for most courses.
Our Verdict
After thorough testing, edX is our winner with a rating of 8.9/10 compared to MasterClass's 8.3/10. edX stands out for its courses from harvard, mit, and top universities and free audit option for most courses. edX also offers better value at its price point. However, MasterClass remains an excellent choice if world-class instructors is your priority. There's no universally "wrong" choice here - both are quality options that serve their target audiences well.
Thinking of Switching?
Consider the migration effort before switching. Most services offer data export, but rebuilding workflows and configurations takes time. Evaluate whether the benefits outweigh the switching costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is MasterClass better than edX?
edX scores higher in our testing (8.9/10 vs 8.3/10). edX excels at courses from harvard, mit, and top universities, while MasterClass is better for world-class instructors.
Which is cheaper, MasterClass or edX?
edX is more affordable at $0.00/mo vs $10.00/mo. edX offers 100% savings.
MasterClass vs edX: which should I choose?
Choose MasterClass if you prioritize world-class instructors. Choose edX if you need courses from harvard, mit, and top universities. Both are solid online learning options.
What's the main difference between MasterClass and edX?
The main difference is MasterClass offers learn from world-famous experts and celebrities, while edX focuses on university courses from harvard, mit, and top institutions.