Skillshare vs Domestika vs MasterClass in 2026: price, library and what you keep
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Skillshare, Domestika and MasterClass all sell creative learning by subscription, and in year one they cost almost the same: $120 to $168 a year. They differ in who teaches, how big the library is, and what you keep when you stop paying. Domestika's introductory price also doubles at renewal, which reorders the three in year two. Every price below was read on the platform's own page on 19 October 2026.
The short answer
- Cheapest per year: MasterClass Standard at $120 ($10 a month billed annually), then Domestika Plus at $164.50 in its first year and Skillshare at $167.88.
- Biggest library: Skillshare, with 30K+ classes, against Domestika's 1,000+ Plus courses and MasterClass's 200+ classes.
- Only one you keep: Domestika Plus adds 12 Plus credits a year, each exchanged for a course you keep forever.
- Year two: Domestika renews at $329, more than a year of Skillshare and MasterClass Standard combined ($287.88).
- Trials and guarantees: Skillshare gives 7 days free; MasterClass gives a 30-day satisfaction guarantee on every plan.
What does each cost per year and per month?
MasterClass sells three annual plans: Standard at $120, Plus at $180 and Premium at $240, shown on its plans page as "Monthly price (billed annually)" of $10, $15 and $20. Skillshare's pricing page lists "$13.99/month (paid annually)" and an "Annual payment of $167.88 USD". Domestika Plus shows a yearly payment of $164.50 ($13.79 a month) or $33.90 a month billed monthly, and states that "After one year renewal price will the full amount $329".
| Platform | Price per year | Per month | Library | Trial or guarantee | Model | Page read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skillshare | $167.88 | $13.99 paid annually | 30K+ classes | 7 days free | Subscription | skillshare.com, 19 October 2026 |
| Domestika Plus | $164.50 first year; $329 renewal | $13.79 yearly; $33.90 monthly | 1,000+ courses in the Plus catalogue | Cancel renewal any time | Subscription plus 12 course credits a year | domestika.org/en/plus, 19 October 2026 |
| MasterClass Standard | $120 | $10 billed annually | 200+ classes; 1 device, no offline | 30-day satisfaction guarantee | Subscription | masterclass.com/plans, 19 October 2026 |
| MasterClass Plus | $180 | $15 billed annually | 2 devices, offline mode | 30-day satisfaction guarantee | Subscription | masterclass.com/plans, 19 October 2026 |
| MasterClass Premium | $240 | $20 billed annually | 6 devices, offline mode | 30-day satisfaction guarantee | Subscription | masterclass.com/plans, 19 October 2026 |
| CreativeLive Creator Pass | $299 (was $499) | $24.92 | Over 2,100 on-demand classes plus 100+ live classes a year | Not stated | Subscription | creativelive.com/creator-pass, 19 October 2026 |
| LinkedIn Learning | Shown after sign-in | Shown after sign-in | 26,500 courses | Free month | Subscription | linkedin.com/learning, 19 October 2026 |
| Udemy | Personal Plan from $13.00 a month, or single courses | from $13.00 | 28,000+ courses in the Personal Plan | Not stated | Subscription or single purchase | udemy.com, last read 14 October 2026 |
A labelled slot for one creative learning platform sits here, beside the comparison table and outside it. The table and the verdicts below do not change with the slot.
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How big is each library?
Skillshare's library is the largest of the three at 30K+ classes (Skillshare), taught by a large pool of creator-teachers. Domestika's Plus catalogue lists 1,000+ courses, with "100+ new courses" added regularly according to its Plus page. MasterClass lists 200+ classes, each a longer, produced series led by one well-known practitioner. Among the alternatives, LinkedIn Learning lists 26,500 courses and CreativeLive "over 2,100" on-demand classes.
Skillshare is the library you browse; MasterClass is the one you watch; Domestika is the one you collect.
Subscription versus buying single courses
Domestika is the only one of the three that mixes the two. Its Plus subscription streams the Plus catalogue, and "You'll get one Plus credit each month with your monthly subscription or 12 Plus credits per year with the annual option"; each credit buys a course to keep, and "Credits accumulate". Skillshare and MasterClass are pure subscriptions. Udemy sits at the other end: a single course is bought once and stays in your account, which our Udemy vs Skillshare for beginners comparison weighs against Skillshare's library.
Who teaches: celebrities, working pros or anyone?
MasterClass is built around famous practitioners, one per class, which is why its library is the smallest and its production the most polished; our MasterClass review covers whether that suits learning a skill. Domestika's courses are taught by working creative professionals and focus on specific techniques, with a certificate per course according to its Plus page. Skillshare's classes come from a large pool of creator-teachers. CreativeLive pairs an on-demand library with "100+ live classes we run each year".
Domestika Plus domestika.org
$164.50 for the first year, then $329; $33.90 billed monthly. 1,000+ courses in the Plus catalogue.
The only plan here that leaves you owning courses: twelve kept forever on a year's subscription.
MasterClass masterclass.com
Standard $120 (1 device), Plus $180 (2 devices, offline), Premium $240 (6 devices, offline). 200+ classes.
The lowest price of the three, a guarantee on every plan, and access to how top practitioners think about their craft.
CreativeLive creativelive.com
Creator Pass $299 a year, reduced from $499, with over 2,100 on-demand classes and a seat in its live classes.
The one alternative with live teaching you can join as it happens, alongside a deep photography and design library.
Trials and refunds
Skillshare offers "7 days free" before its annual charge. MasterClass states that "All membership plans come with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee." Domestika says "You can cancel your subscription renewal whenever you want." LinkedIn Learning offers a free month. Our free trials comparison lists the charge day for each.
Which suits illustration, film, writing or craft?
- If you illustrate, design or make crafts and want to keep what you learn, choose Domestika Plus, because its 12 yearly credits buy technique courses you keep, at $164.50 in the first year.
- If you want breadth across many creative skills, choose Skillshare, because 30K+ classes for $167.88 a year is the widest library here.
- If you write or make film and want how the best think, choose MasterClass Standard, because $120 a year buys 200+ classes from leading practitioners with a 30-day guarantee.
- If you shoot photography and want live teaching, choose CreativeLive Creator Pass, because $299 a year includes live classes and over 2,100 on-demand ones.
- If you need one specific skill and nothing else, buy a single course on Udemy, because it stays in your account with no renewal to manage.
1. Do you want to KEEP courses after you stop paying? yes -> Domestika (credits you keep) or single Udemy courses no -> go to 2 2. Do you want the widest choice of classes to browse? yes -> Skillshare ($167.88 a year, 30K+ classes) no -> go to 3 3. Do you want insight from one famous practitioner, film-style? yes -> MasterClass Standard ($120 a year, 30-day guarantee) no -> go to 4 4. Do you want live classes you can join as they happen? yes -> CreativeLive Creator Pass ($299 a year, 100+ live classes) Renewal check: Domestika year 2 is $329, not $164.50.
We read each platform's own pricing and plans pages on 19 October 2026 and recorded prices, library counts and terms exactly as published in US dollars. CreativeLive's page shows both "2,300+" and "over 2,100" classes; we print the lower, FAQ figure. Two-year totals are arithmetic on the published first-year and renewal prices. Udemy's pages refused our automated read on 19 October 2026, so its row carries the 14 October 2026 figures. We did not subscribe to these platforms for this page; nothing here is a completion claim.
Frequently asked
Is Skillshare or MasterClass cheaper?
MasterClass Standard is cheaper at $120 a year ($10 a month billed annually) against Skillshare's $167.88 a year ($13.99 a month). Skillshare's library is far larger, with 30K+ classes against MasterClass's 200+.
How much does Domestika Plus cost?
Domestika Plus listed a yearly payment of $164.50 (shown as $13.79 a month) or $33.90 billed monthly on 19 October 2026. After the first year, Domestika says the renewal price is the full amount, $329.
Do you keep Domestika courses after cancelling?
You keep the courses you redeem with Plus credits. Domestika gives one Plus credit a month on the monthly subscription or 12 a year on the annual option, and says you keep credited courses forever; the wider Plus catalogue is available while you subscribe.
Does MasterClass have a free trial?
MasterClass's plans page shows a 30-day satisfaction guarantee on all membership plans rather than a free trial. Plans are $120, $180 or $240 a year.
Which is best for illustration and design?
Domestika Plus is the strongest fit for illustration and design technique, with 1,000+ Plus courses and 12 credits a year for courses you keep. Skillshare covers more topics at a similar first-year price, $167.88.
What are the alternatives to Skillshare, Domestika and MasterClass?
CreativeLive Creator Pass ($299 a year, over 2,100 on-demand classes and 100+ live classes a year), LinkedIn Learning (26,500 courses, a free month first) and Udemy (single courses, or a Personal Plan from $13 a month).
Federal data behind this page
What a programme costs, what aid exists and how subscription billing is regulated are published by federal agencies rather than by any provider, and the primary sources are below so a reader can check them directly.
- Federal Student Aid states what federal aid exists and who qualifies; most subscription course platforms are not eligible for it, which is why their trial and refund terms matter.
- CFPB paying for college documents how education financing works and where its common traps are.
- College Scorecard publishes federal cost, completion and earnings data for accredited programmes, the comparison point for any certificate sold as a degree alternative.
- FTC Negative Option Rule is the federal rule on offers that turn into paid subscriptions unless you cancel, which is how most free trials work.
- National Center for Education Statistics is the federal statistical agency most published education figures trace back to.
This page compares published prices and terms. What a plan costs you depends on the offer shown at your checkout, your country and the date you sign up.