Comparison

MasterClass vs Micro Learning

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MasterClass

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
Read full description

LEARN FROM THE BEST. BE YOUR BEST. Build crucial skills so you can thrive at work, at home, and beyond. Whether you want to negotiate a raise, write a book, dial in your health, or perfect your baking techniques, our instructors—world-renowned experts, industry leaders, and cultural icons—are here for you. Check out our online courses, and get ready to learn new skills and thrive. A VAST RANGE OF PREMIUM COURSES Choose from classes on professional development, business, wellness, creative skills, food, writing, home & lifestyle, sports & gaming, music, photography, and more—all featuring MasterClass’s cinematic storytelling. 200+ EXPERT INSTRUCTORS. THOUSANDS OF LESSONS. Each class is broken up into bite-size lessons. Quit doomscrolling and binge a whole class—or learn new skills in just 5 to 10 minutes. EDUCATION THAT’S ACCESSIBLE ANYWHERE Watch on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. For on-the-go learning, switch to audio mode or download select classes to build skills offline. BOOST YOUR CAREER WITH BUSINESS LEADERS Access business training courses taught by top leaders, including Martha Stewart, Mark Cuban, Bob Iger, Rich Paul, Sir Richard Branson, and Anna Wintour. IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH & WELLNESS Tap into expert-led educational videos on healing and boosting your gut, brain, and skin, plus courses on everything from menopause to meditation. COOK TO IMPRESS WITH WORLD-CLASS CHEFS Enjoy immersive cooking classes with culinary titans like Gordon Ramsay, Roy Choi, Dominique Crenn, Massimo Bottura, Wolfgang Puck, and Thomas Keller. FINISH YOUR BOOK WITH BESTSELLING WRITERS Break through blocks and get your work out in the world with writing courses from Malcolm Gladwell, Margaret Atwood, James Patterson, Amanda Gorman, David Sedaris, R.L. Stine, and more. LEARN TO BE LEGENDARY FROM ICONIC ARTISTS Hone your creative skills with the likes of Amy Poehler, John Legend, Mindy Kaling, Issa Rae, RuPaul, Steve Martin, Shonda Rhimes, and Helen Mirren. Music lessons and photography courses are also available. LEVEL UP YOUR GAME WITH ALL-STAR ATHLETES Find out how champions like Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams, Steph Curry, Wayne Gretzky, Tony Hawk, and Simone Biles (plus legendary coaches like Geno Auriemma and Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski) train and win. NEW CONTENT ADDED REGULARLY Extend your online learning journey with new classes, playlists, and even offers to meet with our instructors. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TERMS The annual membership is an auto-renewing subscription plan. By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and applicable notices below. Your Apple account will be charged the noted amount for the first year and will be charged annually thereafter at the then-current rate unless you cancel before the end of the current period. No refunds for partially unused periods. To cancel or update payment information, go to your App Store Subscriptions. See our Privacy Policy at https://www.masterclass.com/privacy See our Terms of Service at https://www.masterclass.com/terms CA Privacy Notice: https://www.masterclass.com/privacy/states#california For CA residents: Do Not Sell My Info: https://www.masterclass.com/privacy/states#do-not-sell

About

Micro Learning

This app offers daily micro-learning lessons in bite-sized 15-minute sessions. Learn practical skills, improve productivity, and invest in self-improvement through engaging content across various knowledge areas. Access lessons anytime, anywhere, whether reading or listening.

Highlights
  • Daily 15-minute micro-learning lessons
  • Read or listen to content
  • Skill development in personal growth, finance, knowledge, and science
  • Improve productivity and communication
  • Flexible learning anytime, anywhere
  • Structured lessons for practical application
Read full description

SmartyMe is a daily microlearning app built for modern education and self improvement. With short 15-minute lessons you can read or listen to anytime, this learning app helps you build practical skills, boost productivity, and grow through real personal growth every single day. Unlike traditional education apps, SmartyMe fits naturally into your routine. Whether you're commuting, exercising, or on a short break, this micro learning app lets you keep learning wherever you are: no classroom, no pressure, just daily progress. This learning app helps you build valuable knowledge through structured lessons and interactive games across multiple study areas, offering a rich learning experience for adult learning, self improvement, and lifelong education. Practice Communication Skills & Small Talk Through Interactive Stories Step into branching interactive novels built to help you practice communication skills and small talk in real situations: at work, on a first date, in a tough conversation with a friend. You choose what to say, then get personalized analytics on your responses with recommendations on what to improve. It's an engaging way to practice communication skills, work on small talk, and grow your confidence in how you interact with people every day. Choice-based communication scenarios Personalized feedback & analytics after every conversation Real-life situations: work, relationships, everyday life Build social skills and public speaking practice Physics, Engineering & Science Games Explore how the world works through addictive, hands-on games. Physics Games: real physics concepts made fun Engineering Games: build, break, and problem-solve Electricity: see how circuits and power work Plumbing & Canalization: see how water systems work Construction: understand how buildings come together Auto Mechanics: learn how engines and vehicles work These science games turn engineering, electricity, plumbing, construction, and auto mechanics into short, addictive challenges that make physics and engineering concepts click. Money & Career Skills Build knowledge that supports long-term growth in your career. Personal Finance & Finance Learning Finance Games: explore financial literacy by playing Investing basics Business Thinking SmartyMe makes financial and career concepts easier to understand through short microlearning lessons and engaging finance games designed for real life. Knowledge & Culture Expand your understanding of the world with structured daily learning and study content. History Literature Philosophy Art Each topic is designed to make learning engaging, practical, and accessible for adults who want real knowledge, not just facts. Science & Life Skills Strengthen logical thinking with daily brain training and everyday knowledge. Logic & Math Biology Wellness Parenting With this learning app, you can explore science and build practical vocabulary and knowledge step by step. Why choose SmartyMe? Daily microlearning lessons that take just 15 minutes Interactive novels to practice communication skills & small talk with personalized analytics Physics games, engineering games, and finance games built right in Learn about electricity, plumbing, construction, and auto mechanics through play A flexible education app you can read or listen to anytime Grow your productivity, psychology know-how, and everyday knowledge A rich learning experience designed for adult learning If you're looking for a learning app that combines microlearning, physics, finance, engineering, communication skills, and real self improvement, SmartyMe makes personal growth simple, practical, and fun. Start your daily learning journey and practice the skills that matter with SmartyMe today. Terms of Use: https://smartymeapp.com/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://smartymeapp.com/privacy-policy

Screenshots

MasterClass4 screens
Micro Learning4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Micro Learning at free with in-app purchases against MasterClass's subscription. Micro Learning also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks) and review sentiment (45% vs 29%). MasterClass's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.9 vs 4.5). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and chart position there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. MasterClass sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $119.99 per year and Micro Learning sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MasterClass holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 123K and 61K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 29% of MasterClass's written reviews are positive against 45% of Micro Learning's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MasterClass ships an update every 3 weeks, Micro Learning weekly. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
MasterClass versus Micro Learning: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMasterClassMicro Learning
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (123K ratings) — better4.5 (61K ratings)
Positive reviews28.7% of reviews45.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings123K — better61K
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#28 — better#49
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TViPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.616 — better
Further details — not scored
Size128 MB71 MB
Age rating12+17+
DeveloperMasterClassApexTech Ltd

Customer experience

MasterClass

All ratings122,875 ratings
Positive97.9%
Neutral0.8%
Negative1.3%
Written reviews781 reviews
Positive28.7%
Neutral16.3%
Negative55.1%

Micro Learning

All ratings60,410 ratings
Positive88.2%
Neutral5.8%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews4,717 reviews
Positive45.0%
Neutral6.2%
Negative48.8%

User reviews

MasterClass

From 123K App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Micro Learning

From 61K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Bite-sized lessons
  • 👍 Helpful and easy to understand
  • 🚀 Excellent information

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Subscription and login issues
  • 🔍 Lacking interactive features
  • 📚 Surface-level content
  • 💰 Misleading pricing and hidden charges

Bugs and requests

MasterClass

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

Micro Learning

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Inability to log in or access content after purchase
  • Recurring charges and difficulty cancelling subscription
  • App freezes and crashes during use

Requested features

3 requests
  • More in-depth and interactive lessons
  • Improved user experience and navigation
  • Better customer support and refund policy

In-app purchases

6 purchases

MasterClass

Subscriptions6
  • MasterClass Individual$119.991 Year
  • Duo (Free Upgrade)$179.991 Year
  • All-Access Pass upgrade1 Year trial$179.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • MasterClass Duo$179.991 Year
  • Family (Free Upgrade)$239.991 Year
  • MasterClass Family$239.991 Year
14 purchases

Micro Learning

Subscriptions13
  • Weekly Subscription$6.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Weekly Subscription3 Days trial$7.997 Days
Show 10 more
  • Monthly Subscription$9.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription2 variants$14.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription$19.991 Month
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription Promo Offer3 Months trial$29.991 Year
  • Yearly subscription7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription$59.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription$65.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription3 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Annual Subscription7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Infographics bundle$19.99

Questions

Is MasterClass free?
MasterClass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Micro Learning free?
Micro Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MasterClass or Micro Learning?
MasterClass is rated higher. MasterClass averages 4.9 out of 5 from 123K ratings, while Micro Learning averages 4.5 from 61K ratings.
Do MasterClass or Micro Learning have ads?
Micro Learning shows ads; MasterClass does not.
Which is updated more often, MasterClass or Micro Learning?
MasterClass ships an update every 3 weeks, and Micro Learning weekly. Most recently, MasterClass was updated on November 3, 2026 and Micro Learning on November 3, 2026.
Which is more popular, MasterClass or Micro Learning?
MasterClass currently peaks at #28 in the App Store charts, and Micro Learning at #49. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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