Simply Piano is a piano-learning app developed by Simply (the same company behind Simply Guitar, Simply Sing, and Simply Draw). Over the years, it has gathered millions of users worldwide, earned the Apple Editor’s Choice Award, the Parents’ Choice Award, and was named Best App by Google Play. But is it really worth your time and money? Let’s find out together.
Getting Started
The first step is downloading the app — available on both iOS and Android, for phones and tablets. A tablet is the better choice here: the larger screen is much easier on your eyes during practice sessions.
Any piano works: acoustic, digital, or a standard keyboard. Simply Piano listens through your device’s microphone and recognizes the notes you play in real time. If you have a MIDI keyboard, connecting via USB gives you more accurate note detection. For the best experience, an 88-key weighted instrument is recommended — but it’s not a strict requirement.
During registration, the app asks about your skill level, age, and goals — for example, “I want to pick up a new hobby” or “I want to learn to read sheet music.” Based on your answers, it builds a personalized learning path. You can add up to five profiles per account, which makes it perfect for the whole family.
What’s Inside the App?
Courses
Simply Piano offers 27 structured courses split into two learning tracks: Solo and Chords. You can work through them in parallel or one at a time — whatever fits your schedule. The recommendation, though, is to combine both tracks, since they naturally complement each other.
Each course opens with an introductory video explaining what you’ll be learning. Then come the interactive lessons: a musical staff at the top of the screen, a keyboard below it with highlighted notes. Notes are color-coded based on accuracy — blue means correct, red means a mistake, yellow means a hint appeared because you hesitated too long. Play several red notes in a row, and the app switches you into practice mode with a slower tempo and a metronome. Strict? Yes. Effective? Absolutely.
The Solo track teaches you to read sheet music and play complete piano pieces — from basic hand positions to scales and syncopation. Optional modules introduce classical repertoire: Bach, Beethoven, the Romantic period — all taught in the context of real compositions.
The Chords track is designed for those who want to accompany songs and play pop, rock, and jazz hits. You start with C major and “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” and eventually work your way up to jazz 2-5-1 progressions and slash chords in “Hello” by Lionel Richie. The progression feels natural and satisfying.
Song Library — 5,000+ Tracks
This is arguably the app’s biggest selling point. The library contains over 5,000 songs covering every taste: Disney, pop, classical, jazz, rock, film and TV soundtracks, children’s songs, and holiday music. Every track is available at multiple difficulty levels — you start with a simplified version and unlock more advanced arrangements as you progress.
One thing worth knowing: almost all songs come with a backing track, including classical pieces. “Für Elise” with a drum accompaniment is… a specific creative choice — but it does teach you to hold a rhythm and play alongside other instruments. For some learners, that’s a genuine plus. For purists, less so.
After each song, the app shows your note accuracy, rhythm, and tempo scores, then gives you a rating on a three-star scale. It’s clear, motivating, and gives you something concrete to improve on.
5-Minute Workouts
No time for a full lesson? No problem. Simply Piano includes short training sessions tailored to your current level. They don’t introduce new material — but they reinforce what you’ve already learned and keep your skills sharp. Perfect for busy days when you still want to show up.
Printable Sheet Music
A nice bonus: the app lets you print out sheet music for practice outside the app. Working with physical notation — without scrolling lines and instant feedback — builds your sight-reading skills in conditions closer to real-world performance.
Pros of Simply Piano
Works with any instrument. Acoustic piano, digital keyboard, MIDI controller — connect whatever you have. No mandatory cables or special hardware required.
Sheet music reading from lesson one. Music notation is introduced immediately and stays present throughout the entire learning process. This is a significant advantage over apps that rely purely on color-coded key guides.
Progress is actively enforced. You can’t move forward until you play a section correctly. Many users see this as a limitation, but it’s exactly what builds real skills — just like working with a live piano teacher.
Multiple profiles on one account. Up to five users under the Family Plan — ideal for households where both kids and adults are learning. Plus, it includes access to all Simply apps: Guitar, Sing, and Draw.
Works offline. Download your lessons and practice without an internet connection. Great for travel or unstable Wi-Fi situations.
Built-in review system. Every course begins with a “reminder” section that reinforces previously learned concepts. This is especially valuable for sheet music reading, where repetition across different combinations is exactly what builds fluency.
Cons of Simply Piano
No skipping sections. Even if you already know the material, you have to work through it in full. For more experienced learners, this can feel repetitive and slow.
Limited customization. Compared to Piano Marvel or Skoove, the settings are fairly minimal. You can choose from a few preset tempos, but you can’t set your own. Isolating hands for separate practice is also largely unavailable.
Slow overall pacing. The full curriculum is officially designed to take two years. Key signatures and sixteenth notes don’t appear until late in the course — which is quite late for concepts that foundational.
Light on music theory. Simply Piano covers very little theory in depth. If you want to seriously study harmony, chord analysis, or music structure, you’ll need to supplement with additional resources.
Who Is Simply Piano Best For?
Simply Piano is an excellent fit for several different audiences.
Children ages 4–12 will find a bright, intuitive interface, beloved Disney tracks, and a gamified approach that turns practice into play. Parents won’t need to push — kids come back on their own.
Adult beginners and returning players will appreciate the step-by-step format with no pressure to rush: lessons can be repeated as many times as needed, progress happens at your own pace, and everything takes place in the comfort of your own home.
Learners 50 and older get something that’s genuinely rare: a learning tool with no competitive pressure, short manageable sessions, and visible progress from the very first weeks.
If you’re looking for an advanced course with deep music theory, complex classical repertoire, and highly flexible settings — you may want to consider other platforms or combine Simply Piano with private lessons.
How Much Does Simply Piano Cost?
Simply Piano offers a 14-day free trial — plenty of time to decide whether the format works for you.
After that, four subscription plans are available:
- Individual Yearly — $169.90/year (43% off vs. in-app price), includes a 14-day free trial
- Individual Monthly — $17.90/month
- Family Yearly — $209.90/year + 14-day free trial (5 profiles, all Simply apps)
- Family Monthly — $23.90/month
The Family Plan is the standout value: only slightly more expensive than an individual subscription, but it covers your entire household and unlocks Simply Guitar, Simply Sing, and Simply Draw.
Final Verdict
Simply Piano is more than just an app — it’s a complete learning system that gently takes you from your very first note to confident, expressive playing. Consistent feedback, a massive song library, real-time note detection, and an accessible format make it one of the strongest options on the market — especially for beginners and returning players.
Yes, it has limitations. But for the vast majority of learners, Simply Piano delivers everything needed to make progress real and practice genuinely enjoyable.
Try Simply Piano free for 14 days — no commitment required. Click the link, download the app, and play your first song today. Who knows — this might just be the beginning of your musical journey.
