Simply Piano is one of the most downloaded piano learning apps of all time, and it earns that reputation in some areas while falling short in others. Here’s what you actually get — and whether it’s the right choice for you.
What Simply Piano Is
Simply Piano (by JoyTunes) is a mobile app that uses your phone’s microphone to listen to your playing and guide you through songs in real time. It’s gamified — you earn points, unlock songs, and progress through levels. The app covers beginner technique through intermediate repertoire, with content spanning classical, pop, and original exercises.
The User Experience
Simply Piano’s interface is polished and engaging. The gamification is well-executed — not patronizing, just present enough to make regular practice feel rewarding. The progression system is clear, the note tracking is accurate (with a good microphone and decent acoustics), and the lesson design for beginners is solid. First impressions are genuinely positive.
Where Simply Piano Excels
For children and teenagers. Simply Piano’s gamified format works particularly well with younger learners who respond to points, levels, and unlocking content. It’s one of the best options for parents wanting to engage children with piano.
Early engagement. The app does an excellent job of keeping beginners engaged through the early weeks, which is one of the hardest problems in piano learning.
Song selection. A good mix of recognizable songs at beginner level gives students early wins with music they actually know.
Where Simply Piano Has Limits
Ceiling effect. Beyond intermediate song playing, Simply Piano’s educational depth is limited. Students can work through the full app without developing the chord knowledge, music theory, or improvisation skills that constitute real musicianship.
Adult experience. Adults often find the gamification superficial rather than motivating. The format appeals strongly to younger learners; adult beginners looking for substantive musical education often find it frustrating.
Cost vs depth. At $120–$200/year, Simply Piano’s educational content doesn’t justify the price point when compared to what comprehensive curricula offer for less.
More Depth, Less Cost
If you’ve tried Simply Piano and want something that goes further — building real chord knowledge, music theory, and musical independence — Pianoforall does all of that for a one-time cost that’s less than most app subscriptions.
Verdict
Simply Piano is a genuinely good app for its target audience: children, teenagers, and adults who primarily need gamification to stay engaged in early learning. For adults who want comprehensive musicianship, the depth isn’t there. For that audience, a structured course produces better results at significantly lower cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Simply Piano good for adults?
It works for adults who respond well to gamification and whose primary goal is playing specific recognizable songs. Adults who want to understand music rather than just reproduce it often find it unsatisfying beyond the beginner stage.
Does Simply Piano teach music theory?
Minimally. Basic concepts are introduced as they come up in songs, but it’s not a systematic theory education.
What to read next
Simply Piano Pricing in 2026
Simply Piano uses a subscription model. The free tier gives you access to the first few lessons and one course — enough to test the interface but not enough to learn meaningfully. The paid plans as of 2026:
- Monthly: approximately $19.99/month
- Annual: approximately $119.99/year ($10/month effective)
- Lifetime: occasionally offered at $149.99-$199.99 during promotions
For comparison, Flowkey runs at similar pricing. Playground Sessions is slightly cheaper annually. Pianoforall is $49 one-time with no recurring fees — which makes it dramatically cheaper over 12+ months.
The annual plan is the realistic minimum commitment. Monthly pricing is expensive for what you get, and most learners need 6-12 months to see real progress. If budget matters, the one-time payment model of alternatives like Pianoforall changes the math substantially.
Simply Piano vs Flowkey: Key Differences
These two apps dominate the piano-learning app market, and they take meaningfully different approaches:
Simply Piano is gamified and structured. It walks you through a fixed curriculum with points, levels, and progression gates. The note detection is accurate with a real piano or keyboard. The lesson design prioritizes engagement and early wins.
Flowkey is less gamified and more library-oriented. It offers a large catalog of songs at various difficulty levels plus structured courses. The teaching style is more “watch and learn” with a more sophisticated visual presentation. It tends to appeal to adults who want to learn specific songs rather than follow a rigid curriculum.
For absolute beginners who need structure: Simply Piano has the edge. The gamification keeps you moving forward even on days you do not feel like practicing.
For adults who want depth and flexibility: Flowkey generally wins. The song library is larger, the visual quality is higher, and the approach treats you more like an adult learner.
For long-term musical education: neither app goes deep enough. Both plateau around the early intermediate level. Adults who want real chord knowledge, improvisation, and music theory should consider a comprehensive course like Pianoforall instead.
Read our full Flowkey vs Simply Piano comparison for a detailed side-by-side breakdown.
Simply Piano vs Pianoforall: Different Models Entirely
Simply Piano and Pianoforall solve different problems for different learners:
Simply Piano is an app — subscription-based, gamified, focused on note-reading and song progression. It works best for casual learners and younger users who respond to points and levels.
Pianoforall is a comprehensive course — 10 eBooks with embedded audio and video, one-time $49 payment, focused on building real musical understanding through chords, improvisation, and multiple genres. It works best for adult beginners who want genuine musical independence.
The practical difference: after 12 months with Simply Piano, most users can play songs from the app but struggle to play independently. After 12 months with Pianoforall, most users who complete the course can sit at any piano and play from chord charts, improvise simple pieces, and understand how music works structurally.
If you are reading this review because you are deciding where to invest your time and money as an adult beginner, our Pianoforall review explains why we recommend it as the better long-term investment for most adult learners.
Who Simply Piano Is Best For
- Children and teenagers who respond well to gamification and need external motivation to practice regularly
- Complete beginners who want a structured introduction without committing to a course or teacher
- Casual learners who want to play recognizable songs quickly and are not focused on deep musical understanding
- People testing whether they enjoy piano before investing in a more comprehensive learning path
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Adults who want comprehensive musicianship — chord knowledge, theory, improvisation, multiple genres. Pianoforall or a teacher is a better fit.
- Intermediate players looking to advance — Simply Piano tops out at early intermediate level
- Budget-conscious learners over a 12-month horizon — the subscription cost adds up compared to one-time alternatives
- Learners who dislike gamification — the points-and-levels system is embedded throughout and cannot be turned off
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Simply Piano free?
Simply Piano offers a limited free tier with access to the first few lessons. The full curriculum requires a paid subscription starting at approximately $10/month on an annual plan.
Is Simply Piano worth the money?
For children and casual adult beginners who want gamified learning, it provides good value at the annual price point. For adults seeking comprehensive musical education, alternatives like Pianoforall offer more depth at lower total cost.
Can Simply Piano teach you to read sheet music?
Simply Piano teaches basic note reading as part of its curriculum. However, it prioritizes recognition within the app over independent sight-reading ability. Many users report difficulty reading sheet music outside the app environment.
Does Simply Piano work with a keyboard?
Yes. Simply Piano works with acoustic pianos, digital pianos, and MIDI keyboards connected via USB or Bluetooth. It also works with the device microphone detecting notes from any piano, though MIDI connection is more reliable.
How long does it take to learn piano with Simply Piano?
Most users complete the beginner courses in 3-6 months with regular practice. The intermediate content takes another 3-6 months. Simply Piano is best seen as a 6-12 month learning tool rather than a lifelong solution.
Can adults learn piano with Simply Piano?
Yes, though adults often outgrow the gamified approach faster than younger learners. Adults who want more depth should consider transitioning to Pianoforall or Flowkey after completing the Simply Piano beginner courses.
Is Simply Piano better than a piano teacher?
A good piano teacher provides personalized feedback, corrects technique in real time, and adapts to your specific weaknesses. Simply Piano cannot do any of these things. The app is a useful supplement or starting point, not a replacement for human instruction.
Does Simply Piano teach music theory?
Minimally. Basic concepts are introduced as they come up in songs, but it is not a systematic theory education. Adults who want to understand how music works should look at Pianoforall or dedicated theory resources.
Can I cancel Simply Piano anytime?
Yes. Subscriptions can be cancelled through your App Store or Google Play account. Cancellation stops future charges but does not provide refunds for the current billing period.
What is the best alternative to Simply Piano?
For adults: Pianoforall offers the most comprehensive education at a one-time price. For app-based learning: Flowkey provides a similar experience with less gamification and more song variety. For structured courses: Playground Sessions offers a middle ground between app and course.
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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in.