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Is Simply Piano Worth It in 2026? Cost vs. Value

Short answer: for an absolute beginner who practices consistently, yes — it has the most refined beginner curriculum in the category (MetaScore 8.6 MetaScore ). Long answer: it is the priciest course app at about $150/year, and you can do better once you pass the beginner stage. Here is the full cost-vs-value math.

Simply Piano

by Simply (formerly JoyTunes)

8.6 MetaScore 6 sources How the MetaScore works
Price
$150/yr · $20/mo
Free trial
7-day free trial (card required)
Hears you via
Microphone
Platforms
iOS, Android
Try Simply Piano — 7-day free trial Read our Simply Piano review

What Simply Piano costs in 2026

  • List price: $20/month or about $150/year — the most expensive of the mainstream course apps.
  • Family plans: available, which softens the per-person cost if more than one of you is learning.
  • Trial: 7-day free trial, card required.
  • Context: $150/year is $12.50/month — roughly one-twelfth the cost of a single monthly private piano lesson. Against Flowkey ($120/yr) you pay $30 more for a more structured course but a lower-rated app.

What you get for it

  • The most polished beginner curriculum anywhere: a clear, gamified path from first notes to two-handed playing, battle-tested on the largest user base in the category.
  • Zero-setup mic input — put your phone on the music stand and play, no cables or configuration.
  • Genuinely good kids profiles, which most competitors do not offer.

What you do not get

  • MIDI support — detection is mic-only, and it struggles in noisy rooms.
  • Depth past the beginner stage. Intermediates hit a ceiling quickly; Pianote is the honest upgrade path.
  • A bargain. At ~$150/yr with aggressive upsell screens, you are paying a premium — Flowkey is rated higher and costs $30 less.
The worth-it test: Simply Piano is worth it if you are a total beginner (or buying for a kid) and will practice 3+ times a week — the structured course genuinely converts practice into progress, and the mic setup removes every excuse. It is not worth it if you already play a little, practice in a noisy house, or want the best-rated app per dollar — Flowkey wins that comparison for most adults.
Try Simply Piano free for 7 days

Still deciding? Read our full Simply Piano review, see the alternatives, or compare it head-to-head with Flowkey.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Simply Piano cost per month?

$20/month at list price, or about $150/year on the annual plan — the priciest of the mainstream course apps. Family plans are available.

Is there a free version of Simply Piano?

There is a 7-day free trial (card required), but no permanent free tier. For a genuinely free starting point, look at Piano Tree’s free tier.

Is Simply Piano better than Flowkey?

They serve different learners. Simply Piano wins on curriculum structure and kids profiles; Flowkey wins on ratings (MetaScore 8.9 vs 8.6), song library, and price ($120 vs $150/yr). We compare them in depth on our head-to-head page.

Prices and ratings verified September 27, 2026. How we rate apps.