In this article, I’m going to review and compare three of the best music learning apps for beginners and intermediate piano students on both Android and iOS devices.
Learning to play the piano at home has never been easier, and with so many apps out there, it can be tough to figure out which one is right for you and that’s exactly what I’m h ere to help with! I spent an entire month testing these apps to give you an honest, unbiased review of the most popular piano learning apps — Simply Piano, Flowkey and Skoove.
With my 3 decades experience as a piano teacher, I’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each app, compare their features, and share my personal thoughts on which one gives you the best bang for your buck.
And here’s the best part, you can try out all three of these apps for free. No strings attached, no obligations. So if you’ve been thinking about learning the piano, there’s no better time to start!
Simply Piano
Let’s start with Simply Piano. This app is designed specifically for beginners — perfect if you’ve never touched a piano before or have very little experience.
One of its biggest strengths? Tons of content. With hundreds of lessons, you’ll learn everything from basic scales and chords to more advanced pieces like jazz and pop songs. The app itself is bright, colorful, and easy to use, making it great for both younger students and adult learners who prefer a more approachable game-like interface.
Simply Piano is structured into three main sections:
Section 1 - Courses – A step-by-step learning path where you start with the basics before unlocking more advanced lessons. Simply Piano also lets you choose between two learning paths: traditional solo piano such as classical music or a chord-based approach with emphasis on pop, jazz, and blues.
Section 2 - Songs – A massive library of music where you can apply what you’ve learnt. You need to have successfully conquered various stages before you get to unlock songs with different levels of difficulty.
Section 3 - Play Mode – For those who just want to jump right into playing songs arranged in 3 levels of difficulty without completing the structured lessons.
One cool feature is that you can slow down backing tracks if you’re not ready to play at full tempo. However, there’s no built-in metronome with the backing tracks and no way to lower the volume of the backing track — something other apps offer. Since my last review in 2022, Simply Piano has added a “Wait Mode”, where the app will wait for you to play a note before moving to the next.
Simply Piano also has a massive library of contemporary pop & rock repertoire from artists such as Post Malone, Ariana Grande & Billie Eilish in addition to TV, Flim & Game music such as Game of Thrones, Studio Ghibli & the sitcom Friends. Christian & Gospel songs from familiar names such as Hillsong United, Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin can also be found. For kids, there is a huge library of Disney tunes. Your favorite tunes can be saved into a music library for quick access.
Songs in the Play Mode are also broken down into intro, verse, chorus and ending so you can learn in bite-sized chunks before piecing together the entire song.
The app works with both an acoustic piano and a digital keyboard, but it really shines when paired with a keyboard via Bluetooth or USB MIDI. If you’re looking for a beginner-friendly digital piano or keyboard, I’ve linked my recommended digital pianos and keyboards,
Depending on your plan, pricing for Simply Piano starts from under $14 a month, but before you spend anything, try it for free using the link here.
Flowkey
Next up, let’s talk about Flowkey.
Flowkey has two main sections: a course with structured lessons and a song library. Unlike Simply Piano, Flowkey lets you jump to any lesson you want, which can be great for learners with some prior experience. But if you’re a complete beginner, you might find the lack of structure a little overwhelming.
The lesson videos are less interactive compared to Simply Piano, making them better suited for adults rather than young students. In my previous 2022 review, Flowkey had a better song library compared to Simply Piano. However, fast forward 2 years and the tide has changed. Simply Piano & Skoove have a bigger and more contemporary repertoire. One major advantage for fans of Chinese songs is that Flowkey has a comprehensive Chinese song library which Simply Piano does not have at all.
The app offers up to 4 difficulty levels for each song — beginner, intermediate, advanced, and pro — so you can gradually improve your skills. A standout feature is you can select & loop specific bars of a song to practice, something Simply Piano doesn’t allow. The lack of fingering guidance at the intermediate & advanced levels in the songs section in Flowkey may be a dealbreaker unlike Simply Piano & Skoove that offers detailed fingering at all levels.
Like Simply Piano, Flowkey also has a “Wait Mode” where the music only advances when you play the correct note, plus speed adjustment options. However, Flowkey lacks a metronome, which some players might miss.
Just like Simply Piano, Flowkey works with both acoustic pianos and MIDI keyboards, but it performs best when connected via Bluetooth or USB.
At the point of my review, a Flowkey subscription starts at under $17 a month, but again, you can try it for free with the link here.
Skoove
Finally, let’s talk about Skoove. In my 2022 review, Skoove was the most lacklustre. However, Skoove has made leaps and bounds in improving and in my opinion has overtaken Flowkey when it comes to song library and features.
Skoove’s interface is a mix of Simply Piano's fun visuals and Flowkey’s more serious tone. It offers structured lessons, but you’re free to skip around if you prefer even if you have not completed certain stages of a lesson.
One thing that sets Skoove apart is it has a dedicated course for sight-reading, which is great if you want to improve your ability to read sheet music. It also has genre-specific lessons, so if you love pop, classical, blues, or even movie soundtracks, you’ll find something for you.
I love the teacher’s video commentary during each lesson which simulates an actual in-person lesson. Skoove is also the only app in this list with a built-in metronome, and it lets you slow down songs in 10% increments from 30% to 100%, unlike the fixed speed options in the other apps.
Skoove’s song library used to be its Achilles’ heel, but no more. It now has an impressive library covering contemporary artists such as Harry Styles, Bruno Mars & the Chainsmokers to Bob Dylan, ABBA & Elton John. There are also K-Pop & Chinese hits which are lacking in Simply Piano. However, most songs on Skoove are only available at a specific level of difficulty unlike Simply Piano which offers the same song in varying levels of difficulty. I especially appreciate that all the songs and lessons, especially those at the advanced level, come with detailed fingering guidance - which Flowkey sorely lacks.
The biggest advantage of Skoove is real piano teacher support. If you need extra help, you can reach out to a real instructor via Skoove Duo – albeit at additional cost – something the other apps do not offer. Believe me, having a real teacher guide you online once a month even when you’re trying to learn with an app is great for pointing out any bad habits or techniques you may have developed.
Skoove’s pricing starts at $12.49 per month, which is the most affordable on my list. But again, you can try it for free with the link here.
Which One Should You Choose?
So, which app is the best? Well, it really depends on your learning style.
Simply Piano is the most fun and game-like and is most suited for younger students.
Flowkey has flexible practice features but is in need of an update.
Skoove, after its latest revamp, has the best structured lessons and real teacher support which is best if you are serious about learning to play the piano.
Here’s my advice. Try all three apps for free using the links here. At the end of your trial, keep the one that works best for you & your budget! Cancel the rest — no risk, no commitment.
Now, will these apps turn you into a concert pianist? No. But they will teach you how to read music, play chords, and use both hands to play tons of great songs in a fun, interactive way. And for less than $20 a month, learning with an app is way more affordable than the hundreds you need to pay every month for piano lessons with a teacher charging $85 an hour.
Of course, if you can find a great teacher in your area that matches your personality and learning style, go for it! But if you’re looking for a flexible and cost-effective way to learn, these apps are a fantastic option. With the no obligation free trial linked in this article, you have nothing to lose.
So go ahead, try out Simply Piano, Flowkey, and Skoove for free.
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