# MasterClass vs MSA Forward

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MSA Forward at none against MasterClass's 6. MasterClass's advantage is ratings volume (123K vs 1) and chart position (#34 vs unranked). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. MasterClass sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $119.99 per year. MSA Forward asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for MasterClass against 5.0 for MSA Forward. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MasterClass has 123K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

MasterClass ships an update every 3 weeks, MSA Forward monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MasterClass | MSA Forward |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.9 (123K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/masterclass-online-classes/id1273867416/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/msa-forward/id1615630710/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **123K** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 28.8% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | **#34** | — |
| Size | 128 MB | 55 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **17.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 12+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [MasterClass](https://appshunter.io/developer/1273867415) | [Museum Store Association](https://appshunter.io/developer/1615630712) |

## What reviewers say

### MasterClass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/masterclass-online-classes/id1273867416)

**Currently charting:** #34 Top Grossing · Education (US App Store)

Learn new skills from world-renowned experts across a vast range of subjects. Access thousands of bite-sized lessons on professional development, creative arts, wellness, and more. Watch on any device, with offline options available.

**Highlights:** Learn from world-renowned experts, Vast range of premium courses, Thousands of bite-sized lessons, Accessible on multiple devices, Offline learning options, New content added regularly

**Features:** SharePlay

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| MasterClass Individual | $119.99 | per year |
| Duo (Free Upgrade) | $179.99 | per year |
| All-Access Pass upgrade | $179.99 | per year |
| MasterClass Duo | $179.99 | per year |
| Family (Free Upgrade) | $239.99 | per year |
| MasterClass Family | $239.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great content from experts
- 🤩 Inspiring and educational
- 👍 High-quality production
- 💡 Diverse range of topics

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and glitchy app
- 🤔 Confusing navigation and UI
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔌 Unreliable offline support

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes and freezes
- Downloaded content disappears
- Playback issues and random pauses
- Inconsistent behavior across devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to download more content offline
- Progress tracking and resume functionality
- Filtering and sorting options
- Transcript search and note-taking


### MSA Forward

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/msa-forward/id1615630710)

This event app connects museum store professionals. Members can access the event agenda, session details, speaker and exhibitor information, and attendee lists. Stay informed with the latest news and announcements during the event.

**Highlights:** Event agenda access, Session and speaker details, Exhibitor information, Attendee networking, Event news and announcements

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MasterClass free?

MasterClass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is MSA Forward free?

MSA Forward is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MasterClass or MSA Forward?

MSA Forward is rated higher. MasterClass averages 4.9 out of 5 from 123K ratings, while MSA Forward averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do MasterClass or MSA Forward have ads?

Neither MasterClass nor MSA Forward shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, MasterClass or MSA Forward?

MasterClass ships an update every 3 weeks, and MSA Forward monthly. Most recently, MasterClass was updated on October 28, 2026 and MSA Forward on October 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*