The 5 Best Online Dance Classes of 2021

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Photo composite of a woman dancing with headphones in. — Byrdie / Design by Amelia Manley

Whether you’re the next coming of Beyoncé or just trying to fine-tune your coordination skills, dancing is an incredible way to get your heart rate up, learn a new skill, and just have fun. If you’re someone who finds yourself hiding in the back of a dance studio, online dance classes might be the perfect option for you. (You’ll probably be surprised by how much you love dancing around your apartment while no one is watching!)

When it comes to online dance classes, it’s important to have an ample amount of floor space that’s free of clutter, since you will be moving around a lot. Make use of a floor mat, and don’t forget to have a water bottle and towel on-hand and ready—you’re gonna get pretty sweaty! Here, we rounded up the best online dance classes.

The 5 Best Online Dance Classes of 2021

Best Overall: STEEZY
Best for Beginners: Obé Fitness
Best for Release: The Class by Taryn Toomey
Best for a Confidence-Boost: 305 Fitness at Home
Best for Classical Dance: CLI Studios

Best Overall: STEEZY

Why We Chose It: If you want to really advance your dance skills and learn some serious moves, STEEZY is the platform for you. We chose STEEZY because it allows you to learn each dance step from every angle, and the routines are what you’d see on stage at a Justin Bieber concert.

What We Like

Intuitive video controls to learn all the moves from every angle
Unique dance style tutorials
Thorough instruction for every level

What We Don't Like

No live dance classes

Been dying to learn a TikTok dance? Look no further than STEEZY. This online platform offers everything from trending TikTok moves and hip-hop sequences, to jazz-funk, break dancing, and even dancing in heels.

Whether you’re a beginner just trying to get some online video views or an advanced dancer hoping to improve your skills, STEEZY offers more than 900 classes taught by big names, including Boogie Frantick, Jojo Diggs, Jade Soul, Kiira Harper, and many more.

STEEZY does not offer live classes, but because all of them are pre-recorded, the tutorials allow you to switch views (so you can see the dance moves from behind), watch specific sections, control speed, loop moves, and more—all big advantages when it comes to trying to learn difficult sequences.

STEEZY offers a free 7-day trial, and then charges around $20 per month or roughly $99 per year.

Best for Beginners: Obé Fitness

Offer: 50% Off Your First Month of the Monthly Membership with code BYRDIE50

Why We Chose It: We love this online fitness platform for the variety it offers for its members. Whether you're craving dance cardio, yoga, or boxing, Obé Fitness has it all and then some.

What We Like

Variety of classes, from dancing to HIIT, to strength training and yoga
Engaging, entertaining, and inspiring instructors
The interactive element of instructors calling out your name in class

What We Don't Like

No option to take specific types of dance classes
Not challenging enough for an experienced dancer
Dance classes are on the shorter end

With a plethora of instructors to choose from, Obé dance classes are fun, engaging, and are more about getting a great workout in than anything else. If you’re a beginner looking to have fun and dance around, rather than follow a bunch of dance steps that are difficult to remember, this platform is for you.

Obé Fitness offers live sessions daily (most of them being 30 minutes long), where you can “reserve” a spot in class, for however many you choose. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear the instructor call out your name during one of them—a great way to keep you on your toes while dancing around in your living room.

If you aren’t able to attend a live session, Obé Fitness offers an extensive library of on-demand options you can take whenever you desire, ranging from five to 60 minutes. But most classes are in the 30- to 45-minute range.

Obé Fitness offers a one-month free trial and charges around $27 per month, about $65 per quarter, or roughly $199 per year. You can take the class using your computer or phone, and you can even connect the brand's app to your TV to use a bigger screen.

Best for Release: The Class by Taryn Toomey

Why We Chose It: We picked The Class by Taryn Toomey for those who don’t want or need rigid dance movements or instructions but still crave a powerful, heart-pumping workout.

What We Like

Multiple aspects of movement incorporated into a class
Instructors are inspiring, uplifting, and calming
Periods of lots of movement and then stillness throughout each session

What We Don't Like

Focused more on freestyling than step-by-step instructions
Centers on more than just dance as movement
On-demand library is limited

Attempting to explain The Class by Taryn Toomey to anyone is difficult. While it began in her basement in 2011, Toomey has since garnered a cult following for her workouts, which incorporate freestyle dance, Pilates, yoga, and releasing movements.

Known for its incredible music playlist in every class, The Class will have you super sweaty and zenned out. Live workouts are offered throughout the day, with most of them lasting for about an hour each. If you aren’t able to attend one of the live courses, which span throughout the day, you can do one of Toomey's on-demand classes (but they're quite limited).

Each one begins with breathing techniques and stillness, then freestyle dance, Pilates moves, jumping jacks, and other exercises to get your heart rate up. There are multiple breaks so you can tune into your heartbeat and breath in-between various exercises. And each class finishes with a heart-opening practice.

The Class by Taryn Toomey offers a free, 14-day trial period, and then charges roughly $40 per month for a membership.

Best for a Confidence-Boost: 305 Fitness at Home

Why We Chose It: The '80s-inspired clothing and backdrop, the energetic dance instructors, the incredible playlist—what’s not to love about 305 Fitness at Home? We chose this online dance class for its confidence-boosting qualities—you’ll end every session convinced you’re the next Jenny From the Block.

What We Like

Colorful, '80s-inspired studio
Fun, engaging instructors
High-energy, cardio workouts
No equipment necessary

What We Don't Like

Annual membership fee is high
No live classes

With its platform 305 Fitness at Home, 305 Fitness offers its workouts online. Whether you’re a beginner dancer or advanced, the studio doesn’t discriminate and is ideal for all levels.

The studio offers multiple types of workouts including dance cardio, PWR, HIIT, and stretching content. And, with a new class available every day, there’s plenty to choose from.

The best part about 305 Fitness at Home is how fun, engaging, high-spirited, and energetic each dance instructor is, so you'll always be on your toes. Because many of the workouts are so cardio-focused, you’ll burn an average of more than 500 calories in 45 minutes.

305 Fitness at Home is offered online and through the brand's app, where you can stream many different workouts through your computer, mobile phone, or TV. The brand offers a free 7-day trial, and then charges about $29 per month (or approximately $230 per year).

Best for Classical Dance: CLI Studios

Why We Chose It: For the dancers out there who love the classics, CLI Studios is the best option. We picked this online dance platform for its fabulous array of options in that category.

What We Like

All types of dance available
Choreographers have worked with big-name stars

What We Don't Like

Few live workouts, mostly pre-recorded
Might not be ideal for dancers who want to freestyle

Co-founded by a group of all-star choreographers, including tWitch, Allison Holker, and Teddy Forance, CLI Studios is an online platform for dancers looking to up their dance game.

From beginner and intermediate to advanced, this platform offers access to its library of more than 800 online dance classes. You'll be able to choose from categories including hip-hop, contemporary, jazz, ballet, modern, tap, musical theatre, and more.

While most of the lessons are pre-recorded (new ones are added to the library every week), CLI Studios does offer live events throughout the year, which are included in your membership. Whether you want to dance solo, or maybe include your kiddo in a contemporary dance sequence, CLI Studios is designed for all age groups, including kids (ages 8 and up), teens, and adults.

CLI Studios offers a free 7-day trial and costs around $99 per year for a membership.

Bottom Line

You don’t have to be a pro dancer to enjoy online dance classes: Sometimes it's just nice to be able to turn on a fun dance class and bop around in your space. For newer dancers who just want to learn a few moves, we’d recommend trying out Obé Fitness or The Class by Taryn Toomey, while 305 Fitness at Home is the perfect solution if you're trying to up your skills and have fun. If you’re trying your hand at a dance you saw online, STEEZY and CLI Studios are the best options for you. It's pretty hard to go wrong when selecting a class, but at the end of the day, choose the one that suits your needs.

What Are the Best Online Dance Classes?

The best online dance classes are a solid mix of technique, movement, choreography, music, and high-energy, informative instructors. They also teach level-appropriate dance moves, whether that be for beginner, intermediate, or advanced dancers.

Who Should Take Online Dance Classes?

Unless you have a specific medical condition that might prevent you from enjoying lots of movement, online dance classes can be beneficial for all ages and levels. If you’re a newbie dancer, try courses specifically tailored for beginners, or ones that are less dependent on disciplined dance moves.

How Much Do Online Dance Classes Typically Cost?

The cost of online dance classes can vary greatly. A monthly membership for an online dance course can range from about $15 per month to roughly $90 per month. Rates for an online dance subscription service will decrease if you pay yearly, rather than monthly. Most online dance class subscription services offer a trial period before you commit to paying the monthly or yearly fee.

How We Chose the Best Online Dance Classes

We reviewed cost, instructors, technique, popularity, variety, and various skill levels to make our selections. We also considered different types of dancers, and how serious you might be about dancing or continuing to advance your skills.