Simply Piano Review (2025): The Truth About Learning Piano With an App

Let’s cut the crap: learning piano is hard. Like, really hard. It’s one of those things that looks easy until you sit down at the keys and realize your fingers are all thumbs and your rhythm is straight-up tragic.

So when an app comes along promising to make it “fun and easy” to play piano from your couch, you’ve got to ask… really?

I’ve been playing for years, and teaching too. So I downloaded Simply Piano with an open mind, but also a raised eyebrow.

Let’s talk about what actually works… and what kind of nonsense this app tries to pull.

What is Simply Piano?

Simply Piano is made by JoyTunes, who also makes a few other music learning apps. The whole pitch is: forget boring lessons, just open this app and you’ll be playing your favorite songs in no time.

The app runs on your phone or tablet. You play on a real keyboard (or piano), and it “listens” to what you play through your mic and tells you how you’re doing.

In theory, it's like having a teacher in your pocket.

In reality… well, more on that in a minute.

Is It Actually Good?

Okay, I’ll give credit where it’s due: for total beginners, especially children, Simply Piano is pretty damn polished. The interface is clean. It holds your hand through note reading, chords, scales, and basic songs. You don’t need to know anything going in.

And yes, it’s kind of addictive. It gamifies the process(like Duolingo). Finish a lesson? You get points. Nail a song? You feel like a legend. It works, psychologically.

It’s also great for people who are terrified of sheet music. The app slowly introduces notation without throwing you into the deep end. Smart move.

But Here’s the Catch…

Simply Piano is good at one thing: making you feel like you're progressing.

But are you actually learning piano? Ehh… that’s a bit murkier.

The app can’t see your hands. It doesn’t know if you’re slouching, twisting your wrists, or using the wrong fingers. That might not sound like a big deal… until you realize bad technique becomes a pain (literally) down the line.

Worse, the feedback is basic. You hit the right note at the right time? Great. You missed it by a hair? Try again. But there's zero nuance. No “hey, maybe use your thumb here instead.” No musical expression. Just red or green.

This is where a real teacher still wins every single time.

What About the Songs?

This is where Simply Piano absolutely kills it. The song library is stacked.

We’re talking everything from Billie Eilish to Beethoven. You can learn movie themes, classic rock ballads, and random TikTok hits. If you’re driven by the “I want to play that song” urge, this app delivers.

But keep your expectations in check. You’re not playing the full arrangements. Think simplified versions. Sometimes painfully simplified. Like, chop-the-legs-off simplified.

Still, if it gets you excited to practice, that’s a win in my book.

The Price (And Is It Worth It?)

Here’s the part most people gloss over:

• $19.99/month
• $59.99 for 3 months
• $119.99 per year

That’s not pocket change, especially if you’re not sure you’ll stick with it.

They do offer free trials and Black Friday deals, but once you’re in, you’re paying real money for something that won’t teach you real technique.

So, is it worth it?

If you’re a total beginner with zero musical background and you just want to dip your toes in, maybe. But if you’re serious about learning piano… I’d say this shouldn’t be your only tool.

Who Is This App For?

Let me be brutally honest.

✅ It’s great if:

• You’re a kid (or an adult up to 40) with no clue where to start.
• You want to learn casually and don’t care about perfect technique.
• You love playing pop songs and don’t want to dive into theory just yet.
• You don’t have time for weekly lessons.

❌ But skip it if:

• You want to become a proper pianist.
• You’re aiming to read real sheet music fluently.
• You care about form, posture, and advanced stuff.
• You get frustrated with apps that glitch (yep, some users report bugs).

Can You Actually Learn Piano With It?

Short answer? Yes, but only up to a point.

Long answer? You’ll probably outgrow it if you stick with piano seriously. It’s like learning to cook with a microwave. Sure, you can make food, but you’re not exactly becoming a chef.

It’s a great starting point. But if you stay here forever, you’ll hit a plateau.

If you want to learn properly, you’ll eventually need to mix in real instruction, either from a human teacher or a more advanced and structured online course.

A Better Alternative?

I’ve tried a bunch of piano apps. If I had to recommend a better one for actually learning how to play, if you're not a kid, it’s Pianoforall.

That app flips the script. It teaches you chords first, so you’re playing real songs immediately, and then works theory and reading into the mix later. Less robotic. More musical.

It’s cheaper too. One-time payment. No subscriptions. And it works offline.

But it’s not as flashy. No pretty animations. Just solid teaching.

Final Thoughts

Simply Piano isn’t a scam. It’s useful. But it’s not magic either.

It’s a sugar-coated way to get started. Fun, motivating, and helpful at first, but not enough on its own if you actually want to play well.

If you're curious and don’t want to commit to weekly lessons, give it a go. Just understand what you're getting: a shiny appetizer, not the main course.

TL;DR

• Is it fun? Yes.
• Does it work? Kind of.
• Is it enough? Nope.

If you’re dead serious about piano, start here if you must, but upgrade fast. If you just want to play “Let It Go” for your kids and bounce, then it might be perfect.

Whatever you do, don’t fall for the illusion that an app alone can make you a musician. It can’t.

Music takes time, effort, and some actual discomfort. And no subscription fee can shortcut that.