# TED Talks vs MasterClass

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TED Talks at none against MasterClass's 6. TED Talks also leads on review sentiment (44% vs 29%) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). MasterClass's advantage is rating (4.9 vs 4.6) and ratings volume (123K vs 10K). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

MasterClass holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MasterClass has 123K ratings behind it against 10K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of TED Talks's written reviews are positive against 29% of MasterClass's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

TED Talks ships an update fortnightly, MasterClass every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | TED Talks | MasterClass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (10K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ted-talks-watch-and-learn/id376183339/reviews) | **[4.9 (123K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/masterclass-online-classes/id1273867416/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 10K | **123K** |
| Positive reviews | **43.7% of reviews** | 28.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | — | **#30** |
| Size | 165 MB | 129 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV |
| Age rating | 12+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [TED Conferences LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/376183342) | [MasterClass](https://appshunter.io/developer/1273867415) |

## What reviewers say

### TED Talks

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ted-talks-watch-and-learn/id376183339)

Access thousands of inspiring and informative videos on a wide range of topics. Get personalized recommendations, watch with subtitles in over 100 languages, and download content for offline viewing. Stay curious and informed with this educational resource.

**Highlights:** Personalized recommendations, Subtitles in over 100 languages, Browse by topic or curator picks, Stream to Apple TV with AirPlay, Download videos for offline viewing, Watchlist for later, Surprise Me! feature

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great content
- 👍 Inspiring and thought-provoking
- 📚 Variety of topics
- 🎧 Convenient for listening on the go

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and unstable
- 🔍 Poor search functionality
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 🔇 Audio/video playback issues
- 📥 Download feature not working as expected

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes frequently
- Videos fail to load or play
- Saved talks disappear from user's list
- Syncing issues with user accounts
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions

**Requested features**

- Add ability to create and manage playlists
- Implement background audio playback
- Improve Chromecast support
- Add more customization options (e.g., video playback speed, dark mode)
- Enhance discoverability of new and relevant content


### MasterClass

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

**Currently charting:** #30 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TED Talks free?

TED Talks is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MasterClass free?

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

### Which has better reviews, TED Talks or MasterClass?

MasterClass is rated higher. TED Talks averages 4.6 out of 5 from 10K ratings, while MasterClass averages 4.9 from 123K ratings.

### Do TED Talks or MasterClass have ads?

Neither TED Talks nor MasterClass shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TED Talks or MasterClass?

TED Talks ships an update fortnightly, and MasterClass every 3 weeks. Most recently, TED Talks was updated on September 24, 2026 and MasterClass on September 24, 2026.

---

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