Wondrium vs MasterClass:
Which One Is Right for You?

MasterClass vs Wondrium: Courses and Instructors

MasterClass and Wondrium are similar in that they both offer edutainment content. Their classes are designed to both educate and entertain you. However, they take different approaches when it comes to course delivery and the types of courses they offer.

MasterClass courses revolve around creative skills, including cooking, writing, music, sports, and more. The platform uses the best of the best in those fields for course delivery, which is why MasterClass courses are typically taught by prominent figures and celebrities, such as Gordon Ramsay, Neil Gaiman, Hans Zimmer, Serena Williams, and more. The goal is to not only give you expert instruction but also ensure you benefit from the specific insights and mindsets that resulted in the success of those instructors.

Wondrium takes a different approach in its course offerings and instructor selection. While MasterClass focuses on individual mastery within creative fields, Wondrium’s courses often delve into academic topics and intellectual exploration covering diverse subjects such as science, history, philosophy, and lifestyle.

Unlike MasterClass, Wondrium’s instructors may not always be widely recognized celebrities, but they are experts in their respective fields, often professors from accredited universities, bringing a more scholarly approach to education. This also means that the quality of instruction on Wondrium is high.

Course Categories

MasterClass Categories

MasterClass offers over 180 classes across the following 11 categories:

• Arts and entertainment;
• Business:
• Community and government;
• Design and style;
• Home and lifestyle;
• Food;
• Music;
• Science and tech;
• Sports and gaming;
• Wellness
• Writing. 

MasterClass provides a unique blend of traditional education and entertainment, often referred to as “edutainment.” The platform offers high-quality, professionally produced video courses taught by industry experts and celebrities. The content is designed to be engaging and accessible, making it suitable for a wide audience. Each class aims to provide not only new skills and knowledge but also insights into the instructor’s personal experiences and expertise.

MasterClass boasts a wide variety of course categories, covering everything from cooking and singing to drawing to technology and lifestyle, allowing it to cater to learners with diverse interests.

While MasterClass covers an extensive array of topics, there is a notable emphasis on certain categories, such as writing, music, and cooking. The platform often features several courses in those categories, utilizing the expertise of celebrated individuals in those fields, such as Martin Scorsese teaching filmmaking or Gordon Ramsay teaching cooking.

MasterClass courses are designed to be easy to consume. Courses are between 2 and 5 hours long with each course consisting of around 20 video lessons. The length of each lesson varies as well, with an average duration of 10-15 minutes. This bite-sized approach allows you to consume in manageable chunks whenever you have a few minutes to spare.

Most courses include supplementary materials like downloadable workbooks, assignments, and reading lists to ensure maximum retention of the absorbed information.

The real gem lies in the specific insights shared by the master instructors. These are often nuggets of wisdom, drawn from a wealth of personal experience, that can be challenging to find elsewhere. The courses provide a backstage pass to the minds of these masters, allowing students to grasp the mindset, philosophy, and approach that has made them successful.

Wondrium Categories

• Art
• Business & Finance
• Food & Drink
• Health & Mindfulness
• History
• Hobby & Personal Pursuits
• Literature
• Music
• Professional Growth
• Science
• Travel & Culture

Like MasterClass, Wondrium also provides a diverse range of content that combines elements of traditional education with entertainment. Characterized by documentary-style videos, Wondrium’s courses cover a wide array of subjects, ensuring both educational enrichment and an enjoyable learning experience.

Wondrium has an extensive library of over 8,000 courses across several categories to suit the interests of a broader audience. Whether you’re fascinated by science, history, arts, or practical skills like cooking and photography, Wondrium has a course for you. This broad spectrum ensures that you can explore diverse fields and continuously expand your knowledge across different subjects.

Despite its extensive catalog, you’ll notice that Wondrium places a greater focus and specialization on certain categories, especially history, with courses ranging from Ancient History to Modern History. This makes sense since the bulk of Wondrium’s content is from The Great Courses, which primarily focused on history and philosophy.

Wondrium’s courses are structured in various formats, including documentaries and lectures. As such, the structure of each course can vary depending on the format it takes. That said, most courses typically consist of multiple lessons, each lasting between 15 and 30 minutes. In addition to video content, some Wondrium courses may include supplementary materials such as workbooks, assignments, and quizzes to reinforce learning.

Wondrium is known for the depth of its courses, providing users with a thorough exploration of the chosen subject matter.

Top Rated Classes

With nearly 10,000 courses between them, MasterClass and Wondrium offer you so much variety that you’ll be akin to a kid in a candy store, wondering what to start with. To make it easier for you, we have compiled a list of the top classes on both platforms that you can consider starting with.

MasterClass Top Classes

1. Steph Curry – Stephen Curry Teaches Shooting, Ball-Handling, and Scoring: Learn shooting mechanics, ball-handling skills, and scoring techniques from two-time MVP Stephen Curry.
   
2. Christina Aguilera – Elevate Your Singing And Stage Presence: In this class, five-time Grammy Award winner and singing powerhouse, Christina Aguilera, teaches vocal techniques, warm-up exercises, and breath control to make you a well-rounded singer.
   
3. Chris Voss – Win Workplace Negotiations: Tired of having to compromise all the time? Learn communication skills and strategies to help you negotiate effectively in various settings from former FBI lead hostage negotiator Chris Voss.
   
4. Kelly Warstler Teaches Interior Design: You don’t need to be a Peter Marino to spruce up your living space like a pro. Learn creative and inspiring interior design skills from no other than the award-winning designer, Kelly Wearstler.
   
5. John Douglas Teaches How to Think Like an FBI Profiler: People are remarkably predictable if you know what to look for. Learn how to predict motives and behavior to make more informed decisions from groundbreaking FBI special agent John Douglas.
   
6. Phil Ivey Teaches Poker Strategy: Just like John Douglas, ten-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, Phil Ivey, also teaches you how to read people to help you manage risk and develop a winning strategy.

Wondrium Top Classes

1. Macroeconomics Made Clear: This course covers topics such as GDP, inflation, unemployment, money creation, and economic growth. You will learn how these concepts relate to each other and how they impact the world around us. It is taught by Akila Weerapana, PhD, Professor at Wellesley College.
   
2. Masterpieces of the Ancient World: Art fans will enjoy this course by Diana K. McDonald, Ph.D., Professor at Boston College, as she explores the art of the ancient world. The course covers 30 masterpieces from various ancient cultures, including cave art from France, the Uruk Vase from Mesopotamia, and the Ishtar Gate from Babylon. You will learn about the historical and social context of each masterpiece and how it contributed to the development of art.
   
3. A History of the United States, 2nd Edition: Want to take a deep dive into the history of your country? This course by Gary W. Gallagher, Ph.D., Professor at the University of Virginia, Patrick N. Allitt, Ph.D., Professor at Emory University, and Allen C. Guelzo, Ph.D., Professor at Princeton University, provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the United States. It covers topics such as European settlement, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, industrialization, and world wars. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of the events and people that shaped the United States into what it is today.
   
4. Mastering the Chi: In a world where peace of mind is becoming increasingly elusive, it wouldn’t hurt to try out this course by David-Dorian Ross, an International Master Tai Chi Instructor. The course covers topics such as relaxation, balance, self-defense, and flow. You will learn how to perform various tai chi moves and how to create your own tai chi routine.
   
5. Mastering the Fundamentals of Mathematics: If you’re not mathematically inclined, like me, I recommend exploring this mathematics course by James A. Sellers, Ph.D., a Professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He addresses the basics of mathematics comprehensively, covering topics such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages. The course is designed to help you master these fundamental skills and understand how to apply them to more advanced areas of study.

Instructors Overview

One thing is apparent so far, both MasterClass and Wondrium go above and beyond when choosing the instructors for their platforms. But how do they compare when it comes to effectiveness? Let’s find out.

MasterClass Instructors

MasterClass features a diverse and impressive lineup of instructors who are experts and accomplished professionals in their respective fields. From Usher, Alicia Keys, and Mariah Carey to Martin Scorcese, Hans Zimmer, and Bob Iger, these instructors share insights, techniques, and personal experiences that students may not have access to elsewhere.

While MasterClass typically selects instructors based on their notable achievements, expertise, and the impact they have had in their respective fields, it does not necessarily verify their teaching abilities in a traditional sense. Instructors are chosen for their ability to articulate their knowledge and share their experiences effectively.

You will also find that teaching styles vary among MasterClass instructors, thanks to their individual personalities. Some may focus on hands-on demonstrations, while others may share personal anecdotes and philosophies. Regardless, MasterClass aims to capture the essence of each instructor’s unique teaching style and present it in a way that resonates with learners.

Wondrium Instructors

Wondrium’s instructors are typically professors and experts with advanced degrees in their respective fields. The platform prides itself on sourcing instructors who are proven professionals, often affiliated with reputable universities. This academic background ensures that the instructors have a deep understanding of their subject matter.

That said, Wondrium does have its fair share of famous instructors, including Sean Carroll, Robert Sapolsky, Bill Nye, and Bob Woodward.

Wondrium’s courses typically follow a more structured and formal teaching style, resembling university lectures. As such, the instructors often present content in a clear and organized manner, making use of visual aids and supplementary materials to enhance your understanding of the lecture.

User Experience and Interface

Both MasterClass and Wondrium have a clean and intuitive interface that allows users to easily navigate between courses, lessons, and other features. The layout of the homepage is well-organized, and users can quickly access the content they’re interested in.

Both platforms offer a smooth streaming experience with adjustable video quality to account for internet connectivity issues. We were particularly impressed by Wondrium’s video player which comes with loads of features including closed captioning, and various accessibility profiles, including seizure-safe, vision-impaired, cognitive disability, ADHD-friendly, and screen reading for blind users. Additionally, Wondrium has a program watch list feature for your favorite courses and even lessons.

You’ll be glad to know that both MasterClass and Wondrium allow users to download content for offline viewing. This feature can enhance user experience, especially for those with limited internet access. Moreover, they are both accessible across different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) to accommodate various user preferences.