From Theme to LMS: MasterStudy’s Journey and an Exclusive Offer

Hello to our amazing MasterStudy community! If you’ve been with us since the early days of the MasterStudy Theme, first of all, thank you. You’ve helped shape what MasterStudy has become today. 

Now, we want to share the full story with you. Why we moved from a theme to a plugin, what’s changed (and what hasn’t), and most importantly, what this means for you as a theme user.

We’ve also prepared a special offer for our MasterStudy theme users:
🎁 3 months of MasterStudy Pro Plus completely free — and 50% off your first year if you decide to upgrade. No credit card needed. It’s our thank-you to our longtime users.

Let’s go back to the beginning and explore how MasterStudy LMS has evolved.

The Evolution of MasterStudy: A Timeline

To understand where we are now, let’s briefly look at how MasterStudy has grown over the years.

2016 – The First MasterStudy Theme

Back in 2016, we launched the MasterStudy Education WordPress Theme. It was designed for e-learning websites — teachers, schools, and course creators. The theme came with a strong design and basic features. At this point, there was no LMS plugin built in. It was just a good-looking, flexible theme for online course websites.

2019 – The LMS Plugin Joins the Theme

As online learning started growing fast, we added the MasterStudy LMS Plugin to the theme. This was a big step. Now, anyone who bought the theme also gets access to LMS features like course creation, quizzes, certificates, and more at no extra cost. This version was called MasterStudy Pro (included with the theme).

Even back then, it was strong enough to compete with big LMS platforms like LearnDash but simpler to use.

2022 – The Shift to the Subscription Model 

By 2022, the world of online education had changed. People wanted more features, more speed, more flexibility, and continuous support. 

To keep building and improving the LMS and delivering premium support, we needed a new model. So, we introduced MasterStudy Pro Plus, a subscription-based plugin.

Why Switch to the Subscription Model?

When we first launched MasterStudy, it was sold as a one-time product. You bought the theme, and that was it, simple. And for a long time, that worked.

But as our users grew, so did the demands. Our theme users wanted more than a set of ready course pages. You wanted monetization tools, media lessons, analytics, AI assistants, WooCommerce bundles, and full student dashboards — and you wanted it all to stay fast, secure, and up-to-date with the latest WordPress and plugin changes.

That’s where Pro Plus comes in.

It’s a subscription version of the LMS plugin that’s designed to keep up with what online education looks like today and where it’s going tomorrow.

Here’s why we made the move:

✅ Continuous Development

With Pro Plus, we can release new features, fixes, and updates regularly. You don’t have to wait for big theme updates or major releases. You get improvements faster.

✅ Modern Infrastructure

A subscription model allows us to support a growing cloud-based system. It means things like AI Lab, advanced analytics, licensing tools, integrations with platforms like Udemy or Google Meet, and more.

These aren’t one-time features. They evolve, and so do the costs to maintain them.

✅ Dedicated Support

A subscription model gives you access to priority help, faster response times, and a support team that’s entirely focused on LMS functionality, not just general WordPress troubleshooting.

✅ Compatibility + Stability

Pro Plus ensures you’re always compatible with:

• The latest WordPress updates
• WooCommerce versions
• Third-party services (like Presto Player, Google Meet, or Paid Memberships Pro)
• The broader plugin ecosystem

This is critical if you run an e-learning business.

We know subscriptions aren’t everyone’s favorite word. We get it, but here’s the key point:

Without the subscription model, MasterStudy LMS would’ve stayed a nice plugin in a theme. With it, it’s become a full-featured education platform.

The good news? If you’re a theme user, you’ve already been part of the journey. You helped fund and shape the original plugin. Now, we want to give you the easiest possible way to experience everything we’ve built since.

Click here to get Pro Plus for free!

MasterStudy Theme (Pro) vs. MasterStudy Pro Plus: What’s the Difference?

You can be confused because of the difference between the MasterStudy Theme with its included MasterStudy Pro plugin and the standalone MasterStudy LMS Pro Plus plugin. Let’s break it down clearly:

MasterStudy Theme + Built-in LMS (One-Time Purchase)

If you bought the MasterStudy Theme (about $59 on ThemeForest), it came with the Pro version of the LMS plugin. That meant a full set of LMS tools, no extra cost.

It was marketed as an all-in-one solution, and for many users, it delivered just that — a good LMS with lifetime access and regular updates.

MasterStudy LMS Pro Plus (Subscription)

This is now our main product. It’s a separate plugin, sold at $99/year for one site. It includes everything from the free and Pro version, plus 27 advanced add-ons and ongoing updates.

You can use it with any WordPress theme, not just MasterStudy. You also get access to premium support and powerful features. Depending on your license (check pricing plans here), you can even use it on multiple sites. 

What Does Pro Plus Actually Add?

In short, a ton of powerful features and add-ons. MasterStudy Pro Plus comes with 27 premium add-ons that the Pro version doesn’t include. Here are some of them:

• Additional Lesson Types

Pro Plus unlocks new ways to deliver content. For example, Audio Lessons and Google Meet live lessons are exclusive to Pro Plus users. While the basic plugin lets you create text, video, and Zoom lessons, Pro Plus exceeds it with audio lessons that also have progress tracking and Google Meet integration. 

• AI Course Builder

One of the best features is creating full courses using AI. Just enter a prompt, and it builds your outline, quizzes, assignments, and images.

In other words, Pro Plus can be your AI teaching assistant. It helps you develop content 70% faster which is a huge time-saver for instructors who have the knowledge but not the hours to craft courses from scratch.

• Advanced E-commerce Integration

Pro Plus fully integrates with WooCommerce. You can take advantage of over 75 payment gateways and WooCommerce’s store features to sell your courses. 

It lets you create actual course products, bundle courses together, run sales or coupons, and use all the powerful e-commerce tools WooCommerce offers right within your LMS. This is invaluable if you want a scalable way to monetize your e-learning site.

• Detailed Reports and Analytics

Pro Plus comes with an Advanced Reports & Analytics module for tracking your students’ progress, course performance, course revenue, and more. The older Pro has basic reporting with little detail, but the Pro Plus takes it to the next level with in-depth insights organized into several tabs for easier management. 

You can see which courses are performing best, track student engagement, and make data-driven improvements to your content.

• Email Template Manager & Branding

Communication with students is the key to effective learning. Pro Plus includes the Email Manager and Branding tool that lets you customize all the outgoing emails, like enrollment confirmations and course completion certificates, with your own templates and branding. 

Instead of plain system emails, you can ensure your emails look professional and on-brand, matching colors, logos, and content, something not available in the theme version.

• Certificate Builder

Both theme Pro and Pro Plus allow to create course completion certificates, but Pro Plus has a more advanced Certificate Builder with greater customization and extra options like QR code verification and linking. 

More Add-Ons

Other great tools in Pro Plus:

• Social login
• Points & rewards
• Course prerequisites
• SCORM support
• Multi-instructor system
• Gradebook with custom scores
• Udemy importer

In short: Pro Plus is the full LMS experience.

The bottom line is that MasterStudy Pro (theme) was a great one-time deal that gave you lifetime usage of a good LMS. MasterStudy Pro Plus is a continuously evolving platform that ensures you’re at the cutting edge of e-learning technology. 

If you’re serious about your online course business or e-learning website, Pro Plus offers you value that can help you deliver a better experience to your learners. 

3 Months Free + 50% Off: Our Special Offer to Theme Users

We know change takes time. And we know some theme users haven’t switched to the Pro Plus yet. Maybe you didn’t know it was a separate product, or maybe you weren’t sure it was worth it.

So we’re making it easy. No pressure. No payment info.

If you purchased the MasterStudy Theme anytime in the past, we are giving you 90 days of MasterStudy Pro Plus completely free. You’ll get full access to all Pro Plus features for 3 months with no commitment.

No credit card is required upfront for this trial – it’s truly free for the whole period. Install the Pro Plus plugin, activate the trial license we’ve provided, and take advantage of every premium feature during these three months. 

We’re confident that once you experience the difference first-hand, you’ll see the value it brings to your e-learning platform.

At the end of the 3-month trial, the power is in your hands: if you love it and we think you will, you can upgrade to a paid Pro Plus plan at 50% off for the first year. This discount is exclusively for our theme customers as a thank-you for your support. 

It brings the price down to roughly $49.50 for your first year. In other words, you’ll end up getting 15 months of Pro Plus access for $49.50 (3 months free trial + 12 months on discount). That averages out to just over $3/month for the first year and a quarter – an incredibly low cost for a top-tier LMS platform.

We decided to make the trial commitment-free because we believe that MasterStudy Pro Plus sells itself once you start using it. 

If, for any reason, you decide Pro Plus isn’t for you, there are no hard feelings and no cost. You can simply continue using the version you had with the theme.

Why Try Now?

• No Risk: You get to test everything with zero cost or commitment.
• Better Features: From AI and WooCommerce to analytics and quizzes, everything’s leveled up.
• More Tools = Better Results: Your students will get a smoother, more engaging learning experience.
• We’re Here for You: Our support and product roadmap are built around you — your success is our goal.

How to Get Started with Your Trial

1. Check Your Email or Account: All eligible theme users receive an email with an activation code for the 3-month trial. If you didn’t receive this email, please check your spam folder or contact our support.
2. Install the Pro Plus Plugin: You can install it on your WordPress site with the MasterStudy theme. (Don’t worry, it won’t delete your existing courses and settings.)
3. Activate the Trial License: Go to the MasterStudy LMS settings in your WordPress dashboard, find the “Activate Pro Plus” or license section, and enter the code you received. 
4. Explore and Enjoy: Try converting one of your courses into a drip schedule with the Sequential Drip Content to release lessons over time. Set up a WooCommerce-powered course checkout and see how the experience improves. Don’t forget to test the AI Lab by letting it draft a lesson or quiz for you – it’s quite magical to watch content appear from a single prompt.
5. Engage with Us: During your trial, you have full access to our support. If you notice any questions or issues, reach out. 
6. Lock in the Discount: As you get closer to the end of your 3-month trial, we’ll remind you about the 50% off deal with a link or coupon code to apply for the annual Pro Plus subscription. This deal applies to your first year only. 

Conclusion: Upgrade Your E-Learning Experience Today

We hope this guide has made the difference between the Pro version (included with the theme) and Pro Plus crystal clear.

Pro Plus is where we’re building the future of MasterStudy LMS:

• AI-powered course creation
• Advanced analytics
• Grading system
• Dozens of powerful add-ons

If you’re already using the theme, this is your chance to try Pro Plus for free and see what you’ve been missing.

Thousands of our users have already made the switch and are seeing better results in their e-learning businesses with more powerful tools.

Now it’s your turn. 

👉Get Pro Plus as a theme user for FREE 

✅ Activate your trial

✅ Explore the features

✅ Get 15 months of Pro Plus for $49.50 if you upgrade

Thank you for being with us since 2016. We’re excited about what’s next, and we hope you’ll join us for the next chapter of MasterStudy.

Happy teaching and learning!