Comparison

MasterClass vs The Book Academy

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

The Book Academy

This app guides aspiring and experienced writers through the entire book creation process, from initial ideas to marketing. It offers expert advice, training, and a supportive community to help users write, publish, and promote their books with confidence.

Highlights
  • Expert guidance from bestselling authors
  • Step-by-step book creation training
  • Marketing tactics for bestseller status
  • Community support and networking
  • Progress tracking and accountability
  • Actionable strategies and industry insights
Features
Read full description

Write Your Book. Share Your Genius. Transform Lives. The Book Academy is the ultimate platform for aspiring authors and seasoned writers alike, created by 4-time New York Times bestselling author, Luvvie Ajayi Jones. This is where bold ideas meet expert guidance to help you write, publish, and market the book you’ve been dreaming about; and do it with confidence. Whether you’re just starting to brainstorm or already holding a finished draft, The Book Academy provides the tools, expert coaching, and inspiration you need to get your book into the world. Packed with actionable strategies, industry insights, and a community of writers who GET IT, this app makes the often-overwhelming process of creating a book feel possible, and dare we say, exciting. Why You’ll Love It: + Exclusive Access: Behind-the-scenes advice, tips, and guidance straight from Luvvie and other publishing industry insiders. + Game-Changing Training: Workshops, templates, and resources that break down the book creation process step by step. + A Proven Path: The publishing industry can feel like a labyrinth. Whether you choose to self-publish or pursue a traditional book deal, this app exchanges the mystery for absolute clarity. + Magnetic Marketing: Most writing resources stop at The End. Our program keeps going with proven bestseller marketing tactics to ensure your book lands in the hands that need it most. + A Thriving Community: Meet other writers who’ll celebrate your wins, support your growth, and remind you why you started. + Consistent Accountability: Writing challenges, progress tracking, and motivational nudges to keep you moving forward. + Timely Notifications: Reminders and updates so you never miss a chance to grow or connect. The Book Academy is your writing coach, creative cheerleader, and accountability partner all in one. Download The Book Academy app and join a movement of authors who are ready to share their brilliance with the world. Because the story you have to tell isn’t just important—it’s necessary.

Screenshots

MasterClass4 screens
The Book Academy4 screens

Verdict

The call

MasterClass and The Book Academy both sit at 4.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of The Book Academy's written reviews are positive against 29% of MasterClass's. The Book Academy also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). MasterClass's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (123K vs 43). On price, rating, device support and iOS requirement 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. The Book Academy asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for MasterClass against 4.9 for The Book Academy. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MasterClass has 123K ratings behind it against 43, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 29% of MasterClass's written reviews are positive against 100% of The Book Academy's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MasterClass ships an update every 3 weeks, The Book Academy weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
MasterClass versus The Book Academy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMasterClassThe Book Academy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (123K ratings)4.9 (43 ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings123K — better43
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionAd-supported — better
Best chart rank#21 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size128 MB135 MB
Age rating12+9+
DeveloperMasterClassAwe Luv LLC

Customer experience

MasterClass

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

The Book Academy

All ratings41 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

The Book Academy

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

The Book Academy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MasterClass free?
MasterClass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Book Academy free?
The Book Academy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, MasterClass or The Book Academy?
The Book Academy is rated higher. MasterClass averages 4.9 out of 5 from 123K ratings, while The Book Academy averages 4.9 from 43 ratings.
Do MasterClass or The Book Academy have ads?
The Book Academy shows ads; MasterClass does not.
Which is updated more often, MasterClass or The Book Academy?
MasterClass ships an update every 3 weeks, and The Book Academy weekly. Most recently, MasterClass was updated on November 3, 2026 and The Book Academy on October 24, 2026.

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