Best Skill Learning Apps for iOS - November 2025
These apps stand out for their high user ratings, diverse course offerings, and innovative features that make skill acquisition engaging and effective on iOS devices. They cater to a wide range of learning needs, from career advancement to personal enrichment.
Our Top Pick
The best skill learning app for iOS
MasterClass: Online Classes
MasterClass
Why It's #1
- Celebrity-led classes
- Cinematic production values
- Personalized learning paths
Screenshots
About MasterClass: Online Classes
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
Overview
These apps stand out for their high user ratings, diverse course offerings, and innovative features that make skill acquisition engaging and effective on iOS devices. They cater to a wide range of learning needs, from career advancement to personal enrichment.
Ideal for students, professionals, and lifelong learners seeking to build new skills or advance their careers conveniently from their mobile devices, these apps address the growing demand for flexible, on-the-go education.
We evaluated apps based on course variety, user ratings, pricing models, unique features, and real user feedback to ensure a comprehensive assessment.
Why MasterClass: Online Classes is Our #1 Pick
Key Reasons:
Highest overall user rating
Access to world-renowned experts
High-production video quality
Standout Features:
Celebrity-led courses
Offline viewing capability
Interactive workbooks
"Users consistently praise the life-changing lessons and expert presenters, though some report syncing issues across devices."
- What users love most
Our Recommendations
Best Overall
MasterClass: Online Classes
Combines high-quality, expert-led content with engaging production values, suitable for a wide audience.
💚 Best Free
Khan Academy
Completely free with comprehensive educational resources, ideal for budget-conscious learners.
💎 Best Premium
Coursera: Grow your career
Offers accredited certificates and degrees from top institutions, providing strong career value.
Easiest to Use
Duolingo - Language Lessons
Intuitive, gamified interface makes it simple for beginners to start learning languages immediately.
Most Innovative
ELSA Speak - English Learning
Uses AI for real-time speech feedback, pushing the boundaries of language learning technology.
The 11 Best skill learning Apps
MasterClass: Online Classes
Pros:
- Expert instructors
- High-quality video production
- Offline access
Cons:
- Device syncing problems
- Subscription required for full content
Learn from top experts in various fields with cinematic-quality video lessons that inspire and educate.
Coursera: Grow your career
Pros:
- Partnerships with top universities
- Hands-on projects
- Certificate and degree programs
Cons:
- Some courses require payment
- Can be time-consuming
Advance your career with university-backed courses and professional certificates that are highly respected in the job market.
Skillshare: Creativity Classes
Pros:
- Wide range of creative topics
- Project-based learning
- Community interaction
Cons:
- Subscription needed for unlimited access
- Variable instructor quality
Unleash your creativity with thousands of project-based classes taught by artists and designers.
LinkedIn Learning
Pros:
- LinkedIn integration
- Career-focused courses
- Personalized recommendations
Cons:
- Requires LinkedIn account
- Some content behind paywall
Leverage real-time career insights to build skills that align with industry demands and job opportunities.
Skillsoft Percipio
Pros:
- Extensive course library
- Leaderboard features
- Mobile-friendly design
Cons:
- Corporate-focused, may not suit all
- Subscription model
Access a vast library of courses from industry disruptors to build skills for future career stages.
Elevate - Brain Training Games
Pros:
- Personalized training
- Engaging games
- Progress tracking
Cons:
- Subscription for advanced features
- Can feel repetitive over time
Sharpen your cognitive skills with personalized games that improve focus, memory, and math abilities in a fun way.
ELSA Speak - English Learning
Pros:
- AI speech coaching
- Real-time feedback
- Personalized lessons
Cons:
- Focused only on English
- Premium features require payment
Improve your English pronunciation with AI-powered feedback that helps you speak confidently in real-time.
Duolingo - Language Lessons
Pros:
- Fun, interactive lessons
- Wide language selection
- Completely free core features
Cons:
- Hint limits in some games
- Repetitive exercises
Master new languages through bite-sized, gamified lessons that make learning fun and addictive.
Udemy Online Video Courses
Pros:
- Huge course variety
- Lifetime access to purchases
- AI-powered platform
Cons:
- Course quality varies
- Individual course payments
Build practical skills with a vast selection of video courses taught by industry professionals on diverse topics.
Khan Academy
Pros:
- Completely free
- Wide subject range
- Self-paced courses
Cons:
- Less interactive than others
- No certification
Access free, comprehensive educational content across subjects like math and science, perfect for self-paced learning.
SkillDisplay: Learn Skills
Pros:
- Certification focus
- Skill tracking
- Cross-platform support
Cons:
- Low user rating
- Limited course variety
Track and develop skills for certifications with a focused, goal-oriented approach to learning.
Comparison Insights
Key Differences
Coursera and LinkedIn Learning focus on career and academic skills, while Skillshare and MasterClass emphasize creativity and inspiration; Duolingo and ELSA Speak target language learning with different approaches.
How to Choose
Consider your learning goals, budget, preferred learning style, and need for certifications or community features.
Common Limitations
Many apps require subscriptions for full access, have limited offline capabilities, or may not offer accredited credentials.
Emerging Trends
Increased use of AI for personalized learning paths, more gamification, and integration with professional networks like LinkedIn.
Key Insights
- •
Most apps use freemium models with subscriptions for premium features
- •
AI and personalization are common in top-rated apps
- •
User ratings are generally high, indicating overall satisfaction
- •
Apps specialize in niches like creativity, languages, or career skills
- •
Mobile optimization is key for on-the-go learning
Buying Guide
Essential Features
- •Course variety and quality
- •User ratings and reviews
- •Offline access capabilities
Nice to Have
- •Community features for interaction
- •Certification or completion badges
⚠️ Red Flags
- •Consistently poor user feedback
- •Hidden costs or aggressive ads
Pricing Expectations
Most apps are free with optional subscriptions ranging from $10 to $30 per month for advanced features, ad-free experiences, or full content access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best app for learning a new language?
Duolingo is top for its fun, free lessons in over 40 languages, while ELSA Speak excels in pronunciation with AI feedback.
How to choose between free and paid versions of these apps?
Start with free versions to test usability and content; upgrade to paid if you need advanced features, certifications, or ad-free learning.
What's the learning curve like for these skill learning apps?
Most are designed for easy onboarding with gradual progression, but apps like Coursera may have more structured, in-depth courses requiring longer commitment.
Conclusion
These iOS apps offer diverse and effective ways to learn skills, with high user satisfaction across various domains like languages, creativity, and career development.
After careful comparison, the key differentiators in this category are: Coursera and LinkedIn Learning focus on career and academic skills, while Skillshare and MasterClass emphasize creativity and inspiration; Duolingo and ELSA Speak target language learning with different approaches.
Our Final Recommendation
Select based on your specific needs: MasterClass for inspiration, Coursera for career advancement, or Duolingo for language fun, ensuring the app aligns with your goals and budget.
What We're Hoping to See in the Future
Expect continued innovation with AI-driven personalization, more immersive experiences, and tighter integration with professional networks to enhance skill acquisition.
Current Trends: Increased use of AI for personalized learning paths, more gamification, and integration with professional networks like LinkedIn.