Why MasterClass Does Not Use Link by Stripe
MasterClass runs a fully custom, proprietary checkout system. When you buy a MasterClass subscription, you interact with their own payment form, not Stripe's hosted checkout.
The MasterClass checkout accepts:
- Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Zip (buy-now-pay-later installments)
Link by Stripe only appears on checkouts built with Stripe's payment components (Stripe Checkout, the Payment Element, or a custom integration that explicitly enables Link). Since MasterClass uses its own custom-built payment form, Link by Stripe does not appear there.
MasterClass is a venture-backed company with an engineering team dedicated to payments infrastructure. They handle their own fraud detection, payment routing, and checkout optimization. This is not something most independent creators need (or want) to replicate.
Who Actually Uses Link by Stripe?
Link by Stripe powers one-click checkout for hundreds of thousands of businesses. Some notable names:
- OpenAI (ChatGPT Plus subscriptions) - their customers pay 40% faster with Link
- MemberPress - Link became their most-used payment method within months, with 30% of customers choosing it
- Zoom - uses Link for their business checkout
- Urban Outfitters - enables Link for online purchases
- BigCommerce merchants - BigCommerce recently launched their enhanced Stripe integration including Link
- Jotform - offers Link through their payment integrations
The pattern is clear: any business that processes payments through Stripe can offer Link. And the conversion data shows it works. MemberPress reported a 5% platform-wide growth in conversions within four months of enabling Link.
Link by Stripe vs. Stripe Payment Links (They're Different)
This is the biggest source of confusion. Stripe has two products with similar names that do completely different things.
| Feature | Link by Stripe | Stripe Payment Links |
|---|
| What it is | Digital wallet (one-click checkout) | Shareable payment URLs |
| Purpose | Speed up returning customer checkout | Accept payments without a website |
| How customers use it | Autofills saved card info | Click a link, see a payment page |
| Setup required | Automatic on Stripe checkouts | Create a link in Stripe Dashboard |
| Best for | Reducing cart abandonment | Selling without building a site |
Link by Stripe is invisible infrastructure that makes checkout faster for returning customers across the entire Stripe network.
Stripe Payment Links are standalone URLs you can share via email, social media, or text. Someone clicks the link and sees a hosted payment page where they can buy.
Both are useful tools for creators. But when people search "does MasterClass use Link by Stripe," they're asking about the one-click wallet feature.
Why Link by Stripe Matters for Your Masterclass Business
If you're selling paid masterclasses, workshops, or coaching sessions, checkout friction directly impacts your revenue. Every additional field a student has to fill out is a chance for them to abandon the purchase.
The numbers are compelling:
- 3x faster checkout for Link users vs. manual card entry
- 14% higher conversion among returning customers when Link is available
- Zero additional cost (no fees beyond standard Stripe processing)
Let's say you run monthly masterclasses at $150/ticket and 40% of your students are repeats. Without Link by Stripe, you lose some of those returning customers to checkout friction. With Link, they complete payment in under 10 seconds.
On 50 returning customers per month:
- Without Link: ~35 complete checkout ($5,250)
- With Link (14% lift): ~40 complete checkout ($6,000)
That's $750/month in recovered revenue from a feature that costs nothing.
How to Get Link by Stripe for Your Own Masterclass
You have two paths depending on your technical situation.
Option 1: Use a Stripe-Powered Platform (Recommended)
The fastest way to get Link by Stripe on your masterclass checkout is to use a platform that already integrates with Stripe.
Talkspresso handles scheduling, payments, live video, and recordings in one place. Because Talkspresso processes payments through Stripe, every checkout automatically supports Link by Stripe, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.
Your students see the option to save their payment info on their first purchase. On their next booking (whether it's your masterclass or any other Stripe-powered site), their details autofill.
No configuration needed. No code. No monthly fees. You create your masterclass listing, set a price, share the booking link, and Stripe handles the rest.
Option 2: Build a Custom Stripe Integration
If you're technical and want full control, you can integrate Stripe directly:
- Create a Stripe account
- Go to Settings > Payment Methods
- Enable Link
- Use Stripe Checkout or the Payment Element in your integration
- Link appears automatically for customers who have saved their info
This path gives you maximum flexibility but requires ongoing development and maintenance. You'll need to handle webhooks, refund logic, payout timing, and payment disputes yourself.
For most creators, the platform path saves weeks of development time and lets you focus on content, not code.
What MasterClass Checkout Actually Looks Like
Since MasterClass doesn't use Link by Stripe, here's the experience when buying a MasterClass membership:
- Choose your plan (Individual at $10/month, Duo at $15/month, or Family at $20/month)
- Create an account (email and password)
- Enter your card number, expiration date, and CVC
- Optionally switch to PayPal, Apple Pay, or Zip
- Complete purchase
There is no "one-click" option for returning customers outside of Apple Pay. If you previously subscribed and want to resubscribe, you're entering your full card details again.
Compare this to a Link by Stripe checkout:
- Click "Book" on a masterclass listing
- Enter your email
- Get a verification code via SMS
- Your saved card autofills
- Click "Pay $150"
Total time: under 15 seconds. On mobile, this difference is the gap between a completed purchase and an abandoned cart.
The Bottom Line for Creators
MasterClass doesn't use Link by Stripe because they built custom payment infrastructure. You don't need to do that.
If you're running paid masterclasses, workshops, or consulting sessions, you want the smoothest possible checkout for your students. Link by Stripe delivers that with zero cost and zero configuration on a Stripe-powered platform.
The winning combination for independent creators:
- Stripe for payment processing (Link, Apple Pay, Google Pay built in)
- A platform that handles scheduling, video, and payments together
- Your expertise packaged as live sessions people will pay for
Talkspresso brings all three together. Go live, get paid, and let your students check out in one click with Link by Stripe.
Start your free Talkspresso account and get Link by Stripe at checkout →
Related reading:
