I Used MasterClass for 1 Year – Here’s My Honest Review (2026)

Hey friend,

Want to try MasterClass in 2026, and looking for an honest review? How the classes are, and whether it’s actually worth it?

If yes, you’re in the right place.

A month ago, I completed my first full year of learning on MasterClass, and guess what? I renewed it again, this time with a flat 50% discount.

When I first subscribed, I didn’t expect much. I thought it would be just another learning platform. The only thing I knew was that the courses were taught by celebrities and famous people.

But things turned out very differently.

So far, I’ve taken 8 of the most popular MasterClass courses across different subjects. And honestly, I can feel the change – in my thinking, my writing, and most importantly, my mindset.

Keep reading. In this article, I’ll share my complete MasterClass experience – the good, the bad, and everything in between.

Short on time? Scroll down to my Final Verdict….

What Is MasterClass and What Does It Offer?

MasterClass is an online learning platform that offers courses across a wide range of subjects – from soft skills and professional development to hobbies and creative pursuits.

You’ll find classes on writing, business, leadership, storytelling, cooking, gardening, film, acting, music, health, sports, and much more.

Unlike most online learning platforms, MasterClass courses are taught by celebrities, CEOs, founders, and globally recognized experts. This means you’re learning directly from people who are leaders in their fields.

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Few important things to know about MasterClass:

• Pricing may vary depending on your location. For readers in India, I’ve already published a detailed article explaining the MasterClass cost in India.
• You can’t purchase individual courses (like Coursera and Udemy). Instead, MasterClass offers a membership plan that unlocks access to over 200 classes available on the platform.
• MasterClass membership pricing depends on how many devices you want to stream on:
  • 1 device: $120/year
  • 2 devices: $180/year
  • 6 devices: $240/year
• (Currently available at a 50% discount.)

• MasterClass also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
• You can also access a 14-day free trial using a Guest Pass if a friend or someone you know shares one with you.
• Classes can be watched on desktop, TV, or mobile, anytime and anywhere.

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How I Signed Up for MasterClass:

Now, let me share how I discovered MasterClass and why I decided to take classes on it.

If you’ve read my other articles, you already know that I love learning new skills through online courses. It’s affordable, flexible, and incredibly convenient.

Over time, I’ve made it a habit…almost a profession to learn new things, take courses, and share my experiences through my writing.

Before trying MasterClass, I had already taken several courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare, and others.

One day, a friend offered a Guest Pass with me so I could try MasterClass for free.

Now, I already knew that MasterClass courses taught by famous personalities. I had considered trying it earlier, but my schedule was always too busy.

However, when my friend reminded me that the 14-day Guest Pass was about to expire, I finally decided to give it a try.

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My MasterClass Experience — From Trial to 1 Year of Learning

The best thing about a MasterClass Guest Pass is that it unlocks all classes for 14 days.

After joining with a Guest Pass, I spent the first few days simply exploring different classes – ranging from writing to photography, business to gardening, cooking to discipline, and much more.

Eventually, I decided to enroll in one specific course: “Small Habits That Make a Big Impact on Your Life” by James Clear, the author of the best-selling book Atomic Habits.

The course is broken down into 10 recorded lectures, each around 10 minutes long. At that time, I was genuinely struggling with discipline, building new habits, and staying consistent…so the course felt like exactly what I needed.

I managed to watch a few lectures over several days, but then my Guest Pass expired. Luckily for me, MasterClass was running a sale at the time, offering a flat 50% discount.

Without a second thought, I purchased the MasterClass membership at half the price and continued James Clear’s class right where I had left off.

Honestly, the class was exactly what I needed at that point in my life. It taught me things that many of us never really learn in college or university.

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Here are a few lessons I learned from the class:

1. Turn goals into systems – Goals are the outcomes you want, while systems are the daily habits that help you get there.
2. Quantity over perfection – James shares a story of a professor who proved that repetition builds mastery faster than chasing perfection.
3. Visual signals are powerful – James talks about a salesman who kept two jars – one full of paper clips and one empty. Every time he made a sales call, he moved one clip to the empty jar. This simple visual system dramatically improved his performance.
4. Your 5–9 habits affect your 9–5 success – What you do outside of work has a direct impact on how well you perform at work.

Believe me, the entire class was absolutely worth watching. I highly recommend it to anyone who struggles with building new habits or staying focused on their work.

And, the best part? I didn’t spend hours every day. Just 20 minutes before going to bed, and I completed the course.

Today, I feel more focused, more disciplined, and I now chase my goals by following systems – not by just sticking motivational quotes on my wall.

Once I finished the course, I made a promise to myself: I would spend 20–30 minutes every night learning something new online.

Guess what? It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made for my personal growth. I have completed 7-8 classes on MasterClass and a few courses on Coursera and others.

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The MasterClass Courses I Have Taken

Before enrolling in any courses, I often read their reviews on community platforms like Reddit and Quora.

On the MasterClass subreddit, I asked a simple question “Which MasterClass courses would you recommend?“

The response was overwhelming. Many users suggested some excellent classes across different subjects.

I noted down the courses that were recommended most often and started my learning journey based on that list.

If, like me, you’re unsure about which MasterClass course to take first…or looking for the best MasterClass courses – I’d definitely recommend this list to you as well.

Note: I won’t go into deep detail for each course here, as that would make this article very long. If you’d like a detailed review of any specific course, feel free to let me know in the comments.

1. The Art of Negotiation — Chris Voss

If you want to learn negotiation, this is the first course I’d recommend.

As a former FBI hostage negotiator, Chris Voss brings real-world intensity to this class. His strategies are practical, easy to apply, and work just as well in everyday conversations as they do in high-stakes situations.

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2. Business Strategy — Bob Iger

This was one of my favorites.

Bob Iger, former CEO of Disney, offers a behind-the-scenes look at leadership, decision-making, and strategy at one of the world’s biggest companies. His lessons are inspiring, and I picked up valuable insights on leadership, long-term thinking, and handling challenges.

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3. Navigating Change — Jay Shetty

If you listen to podcasts, you’ve probably come across “The Jay Shetty Podcast”. I’ve been following his content on YouTube as well, which is why I decided to take his MasterClass.

In this class, Jay focuses on embracing change positively and navigating life’s transitions with clarity. His blend of personal wisdom and practical exercises makes the lessons both grounding and motivating.

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4. Communication — Robin Roberts

Want to improve your communication skills? This class is a great choice.

Robin Roberts is a natural communicator, and her warmth and authenticity really shine through in this MasterClass. She shares not only techniques but also personal stories that show how powerful honest and empathetic communication can be. It’s especially useful for anyone who wants to connect better with people.

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5. The Science of Better Sleep — Matthew Walker

I honestly wish I had found this course earlier.

About a year ago, I was obsessed with Netflix series, binge-watching late into the night, waking up tired, and regretting it the next day. It affected not just my sleep, but also my schedule and productivity.

Although I had already cut down on Netflix before taking this class, I enrolled to truly understand the science of sleep. Sleep expert Matthew Walker explains complex concepts in a simple, practical way. Small changes I learned from this course genuinely improved my sleep quality.

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6. Storytelling and Humor — David Sedaris (Currently Taking)

I’m still working through this one, but it’s already fascinating. David Sedaris offers a unique perspective on finding humor in everyday life and weaving it into storytelling. It feels less like a lecture and more like learning from a friend – who just happens to be a world-class storyteller.

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What I Like Most About MasterClass: The Good Part

Let me summarize what I genuinely liked about MasterClass after a full year of learning. If you start today, chances are you’ll notice these benefits too.

1. Classes Are Taught by World-Class Experts

This is the biggest reason I decided to try MasterClass…and it didn’t disappoint.

All MasterClass courses are taught by CEOs, founders, and globally recognized experts. Learning from them feels personal, almost like being mentored by someone you already know and trust.

This connection doesn’t just build credibility – it also keeps you more interested and focused. You’re naturally more attentive, more curious, and more motivated to learn and grow.

For example, when I took Jay Shetty’s “Navigating Change” MasterClass, it didn’t feel like learning from a random instructor – something I often feel with technical courses on platforms like Coursera, even when they’re taught by Google practitioners.

Here, I was far more engaged because I already watched Jay Shetty’s YouTube videos and listened to his podcast.

And it wasn’t just Jay Shetty. I felt the same level of engagement with James Clear’s habit-building class, Chris Voss’s negotiation course, and several others.

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2. High-Quality, Cinematic Presentation

Another thing I really like about MasterClass is how beautifully the classes are presented. Every course has a cinematic, Netflix-style feel.

From the introduction to the final wrap-up, the lessons feel thoughtfully produced. The mentors teach through storytelling – sharing their personal journeys, real-life experiences, and their mistakes…so you can learn without repeating them yourself.

I remember in my very first habits class, James Clear shared small but powerful stories – from his accident to building workout habits, learning from others, and even the famous “paper clip” story that explains the power of visual progress.

These stories made the lessons memorable and easy to understand. Most of the MasterClass courses I’ve taken were genuinely enjoyable to watch and kept me engaged throughout—with just a few exceptions.

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3. Organized Learning Content (Compared to YouTube)

A year ago, when I was researching MasterClass reviews, I came across many Reddit comments saying it wasn’t worth the money.

Some users argued that you could learn the same things for free on YouTube or by listening to podcasts…and honestly, that made me hesitant at first.

To some extent, they’re right.

MasterClass doesn’t necessarily teach something completely new. Topics like discipline, communication, business, and leadership are already available on YouTube and podcasts.

But the real difference isn’t what is taught – it’s how it’s taught.

Here’s what I personally noticed when comparing MasterClass with YouTube:

• YouTube is an amazing learning platform, but it’s also highly distracting – especially with Shorts, autoplay, clickbait thumbnails, and endless recommendations.
• A 10-minute YouTube video often feels like a trailer – it introduces a topic but rarely goes deep.
• A MasterClass course, on the other hand, feels like watching a full movie. The same topic is broken down into structured lessons over 1–2 hours (or more), divided into short, focused videos that you can watch daily.

I noticed this difference clearly in my very first MasterClass on habit-building. A single 10-minute YouTube video simply couldn’t deliver the same depth or long-term impact.

Overall, I find MasterClass far more organized and distraction-free:

• No ads
• No Shorts clips
• Structured lessons with clear progression

One membership unlocks all courses, allowing you to learn whatever interests you. You can also take notes using built-in features and track your progress easily.

The best part? MasterClass has also started offering certification programs, which was missing earlier.

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What I Don’t Like About MasterClass: The Bad Part

While MasterClass offers high-quality content and a great learning experience, it’s not perfect. After using it for a year, here are a few things I didn’t like.

1. No Live Classes or Interaction with Mentors

Although MasterClass is affordable and valuable for self-paced learning, it does not offer live classes or any direct way to interact with mentors.

There’s no option for weekly live sessions, Q&A calls, or even a built-in community where learners can ask questions or share their struggles. Having the ability to interact with mentors, even occasionally would greatly enhance the learning experience.

If mentor interaction is important to you, this limitation is worth keeping in mind.

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2. Free Trial Is Only Available via Guest Pass

MasterClass does not offer a standard free trial or free sample classes.

The only ways to try MasterClass are:

• Use a Guest Pass (valid for 14 days), or
• Purchase a membership and rely on the 30-day money-back guarantee

I was lucky enough to get a Guest Pass from a friend. But not everyone has friends or family members who already use MasterClass.

In that case, I’d suggest joining the MasterClass subreddit on Reddit. If you ask politely, users who have extra Guest Passes often share them.

Also worth noting: once you purchase a MasterClass membership, you receive three Guest Passes, which you can share with friends or family – valid for 14 days.

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3. No Student Reviews for Individual Classes

This is another major drawback of MasterClass.

There are no featured student reviews or ratings for individual classes on the platform. Learners can’t share feedback or experiences directly under a specific course.

Because of this, you often have to enroll in a class and explore it yourself to decide whether it aligns with your learning goals or is worth your time.

A review section would make it much easier for learners to:

• Choose the right class
• Understand the pros and cons in advance
• Set realistic expectations before enrolling

For popular classes, you may find reviews on blogs or community platforms. However, for many lesser-known courses, finding genuine feedback is difficult.

Platforms like Udemy and Coursera features student reviews for each course. I really hope MasterClass adds a similar feature in the future.

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Final Verdict: Is MasterClass Worth It?

After spending one full year on MasterClass, and then renewing it again – I can confidently say this:

Yes, MasterClass is worth it. But, only for the right kind of learner.

If you’re expecting technical, job-ready certifications or hands-on assignments with mentor feedback, MasterClass may not be the best fit for you. Platforms like Coursera or Udemy are better suited for that purpose.

However, if your goal is to learn from world-class experts, improve your thinking, mindset, communication, creativity, and overall personal growth, then MasterClass offers tremendous value.

For me, MasterClass wasn’t just about watching videos…it changed how I think, how I work, and how I approach my goals.

Courses like James Clear on Habits, Chris Voss on Negotiation, Jay Shetty on Navigating Change, and Matthew Walker on Sleep had a real, lasting impact on my daily life.

Instead of random 10-minute videos like on YouTube, MasterClass feels like a complete learning journey. You sit with an idea, revisit it, and slowly apply it to your life.

My Honest Take

I don’t see MasterClass as a replacement for Coursera or Udemy…I see it as a complement.

• Coursera teaches you how to do a job.
• MasterClass teaches you how to think, communicate, and grow.

If you value learning that shapes your mindset and long-term habits, MasterClass is absolutely worth trying, especially if you can get it during a sale or with a Guest Pass.

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MasterClass Review – FAQs

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Now, I’d love to hear from you:

Do you have any thoughts or questions about MasterClass, its courses, or anything related to it? Feel free to share them in the comments.

Happy learning 🙂

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Suggested readings:

• How Much Is Skillshare (in 2026): Full Cost Breakdown & Honest Review
• Udacity Review (2026): Are Nanodegrees Worth the High-Cost?
• Is Coursera Plus Worth It? Honest Review & Cost Breakdown