Piano learning apps compared
We make Keystair, so keep that in mind as you read. We aimed to be fair: all the information about the other apps comes from each company’s own site or App Store listing, checked on the date shown. If anything has changed, let us know and we’ll update it.
Checked October 7, 2026.
| Keystair | Simply Piano | flowkey | Playground Sessions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Runs on | A web browser on a computer, phone, or tablet | iPhone, iPad, Android, and Chromebooks; no Windows or Mac version | A web browser on a computer, plus apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android | Apps for Windows, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android |
| Hears you through | A USB keyboard, the microphone, or the computer or on-screen keys | The microphone or a MIDI keyboard, plus on-screen keys in its touch course | The microphone or a MIDI keyboard; microphone only in Safari and Firefox | A MIDI or USB keyboard is recommended; the microphone for acoustic pianos |
| Free without paying | All of Stage 1: 23 lessons with their songs and workouts, for good | Two courses | A few songs and course lessons | A free trial |
| Free trial | 7 days on the yearly plan | 7 days on the yearly plan | 7 days on the yearly plan | Yes |
| Price in the US | $12.99 a month, $79 a year, or $199 once | Varies by country and app store; shown in the app | From $16.49 a month or $99.99 a year; no lifetime plan | $24.99 a month, $149.99 a year, or $349.99 for life (with 2 years of its licensed songs) |
| How it teaches | A graded path of short lessons in standard notation; each waits until you’ve got it | Step-by-step lessons, from reading sheet music to both hands | Video of a pianist’s hands over the sheet music, and courses on reading, chords, and scales | Video lessons from teachers, and songs arranged at three levels |
| Songs | 59 public-domain pieces: folk songs, Bach, Beethoven, Joplin, and more | Pop hits, Disney songs, and classical pieces | Thousands of arrangements in every genre | Over 2,000 songs, from Disney and Adele to Bach |
| Languages | English and Spanish | English and 13 more, Spanish among them | 11, Spanish among them | English |
Which one fits you
Simply Piano is ideal if you’re learning on a phone or tablet and want popular songs. It doesn’t offer a version for Windows or Mac.
flowkey works well for people who learn by watching. Each song has a video of a pianist’s hands above the sheet music, and the collection includes pop and film music.
Playground Sessions offers over 2,000 songs arranged at three levels, along with video lessons from teachers. There are apps for computers and mobile devices, and it works best with a keyboard connected by cable.
Keystair is a graded course in the browser that uses real sheet music from the first reading lesson. Stage 1 is free with no time limit, and the paid plan is cheaper than the others. It has no pop songs and no video lessons, though: its music is folk tunes and classical pieces.
Looking at one app in particular?
Simply Piano, flowkey, and Playground Sessions are trademarks of their owners. Keystair isn’t connected with any of them.