Web platformEducation & e-learningOriginal by MasterClass
MasterClass delivers a premium video learning experience in which well-known names in their fields teach their expertise through cinema-quality lessons. The appeal is inspiration more than information: the user feels like a guest in a famous chef's kitchen or a writer's study. Access to the entire library with an annual subscription, high production quality and careful design move the brand closer to a streaming platform.
Building something similar requires a subscription video streaming platform on the software side: a website, mobile and smart TV apps, encrypted video streaming, multi-device viewing sync, lesson workbooks, personal lists and a recommendation system. The admin panel holds the content release calendar, instructor pages, campaign and trial rules. The biggest investment in this model is production and instructor deals; the software must present that content flawlessly.
How MasterClass works: the core user flow
How many apps and dashboards do you need?
Website and subscription flow
A site that turns visitors into subscribers through promotion, trailers, pricing plans and checkout steps.
Viewing apps
Apps where subscribers watch lessons and build lists on mobile, tablet and smart TV.
Content and admin panel
A panel for managing the lesson release calendar, instructor pages, campaigns and subscription reports.
Critical features of a product like MasterClass
Encrypted adaptive streaming
Videos are delivered over DRM-protected HLS/DASH, adjusting quality to the connection speed.
Resume across devices
The watch position syncs across all devices, and lesson progress is saved automatically.
Lesson workbooks and assignments
Each lesson comes with a PDF workbook, exercises and reading lists.
Personal recommendations
New classes and short chapters are suggested based on watch history and interests.
Gift and family subscriptions
A subscription can be sold as a gift card, and the family plan allows multiple profiles.
Trailers and built-in marketing
Home page trailers, instructor landing pages and SEO-friendly lesson pages increase conversion.
What goes into the first version, what comes later
First version (MVP)
- Subscription plans and payments (Stripe / in-app)
- Encrypted video player and lesson pages
- Resume watching and a watchlist
- Lesson workbooks
- Content publishing panel
Later releases
- Smart TV apps
- Offline downloads
- Personal recommendation engine
- Gift and family subscriptions
Modules and how the budget is calculated
The budget is calculated with 360 SOFT’s pricing model from the modules below, about 26 screens and the project’s complexity: roughly 167 person-days for the full scope and 120 person-days for the first version. Every module you drop lowers the budget directly.
| Module | Phase |
|---|---|
| Sign-up, login, social login | First version |
| User profile and settings | First version |
| Subscriptions and recurring billing | First version |
| Online payments (Stripe / PSP) | First version |
| Video / voice calls | First version |
| Product / content catalogue | First version |
| Advanced search and filters | First version |
| Offline mode and sync | First version |
| Push notifications | First version |
| Content management / blog | First version |
| Reporting and analytics | Later release |
| Admin dashboard | First version |
| GDPR and security hardening | First version |
Hosting, SMS, map APIs, app store accounts and payment-provider fees are separate items. Maintenance and improvements (optional): €550 / month. We send a fixed written price within 24 hours after a free discovery call.
The hard parts
Video protection and quality
Premium content is exposed to piracy; high-quality streaming must be delivered together with DRM, device limits and session control.
Multi-platform release
Web, iOS, Android and TV platforms each bring different players and store rules.
Subscription retention
Reducing cancellations after the first month takes a strategy of regular new content, notifications and personalisation.
Business model
In this model revenue comes almost entirely from annual or monthly subscriptions; access to the whole library is sold rather than individual lessons. Price tiers can be split by number of devices and features such as offline viewing. Gift subscriptions, corporate team plans and sponsored lesson series with brands are additional revenue channels.
Get a free quote for your project
Let us scope it together and send a fixed written quote within 24 hours. NDA on request; you own the source code.
Choosing a company to build an app like MasterClass
Most people searching “website like masterclass” are really looking for a reliable app development company. When comparing quotes, check four things:
- Can you try similar products they have shipped, in the stores or live?
- Are the source code, design files, servers and store accounts transferred to you by contract?
- Do they show a working demo every two weeks, with written scope and acceptance criteria?
- Are maintenance, scaling and GDPR/security costs written into the quote?
Copyright and trademarks
A business model and features are generally not protected on their own, but the MasterClass name, logo, interface design, content and source code are. That is why we build a product with similar functionality but your own brand, design and code. This is not legal advice; we recommend a trademark search before launch.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build a website like MasterClass?
A first version with a website, subscription and a mobile viewing app can go live in a few months. Smart TV apps and the recommendation system are added in later phases.
Should we build the video infrastructure ourselves?
At the start, ready-made video services such as Mux, Vimeo OTT or AWS give you both speed and security. Your own infrastructure only brings a cost advantage at very large scale.
Are there copyright or trademark issues?
The subscription-based premium video learning model is free to use. The name, logo, design, videos and code cannot be copied, and image and content rights should be clearly set out in instructor contracts. This information is not legal advice.
What should I look for when choosing a video platform development company?
Ask about experience with DRM, adaptive streaming, multi-platform players and subscription integration. Being able to provide load testing and a CDN cost estimate matters.
