Best
Overall Piano Accessory
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Overall: Includes A Metronome Function With Tap Tempo And Pendulum Step Functions
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Best Feature: Boasts A Large Backlit Display Screen. Comes With A High-Precision Tuner Function
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best
Looking Piano
Bench
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Overall: Perfectly matches your Roland Rosewood piano
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Best Feature: Boasting a solid wood construction with a premium Rosewood finish
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Keyboard Stand for Younger Students
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Overall: Folds flat for easy storage and transportation
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Best Feature: Boasts a high-grade steel construction
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TedScore™: 10/10
When I came across the “Flowkey vs Simply Piano” comparison, I was excited! It felt like being a kid in a candy store, not sure which delicious treat to try first.
These apps are a gateway to a fun and engaging piano learning journey for beginners. Flowkey offers a comprehensive experience, blending music theory and songs, while Simply Piano transforms learning into an interactive game. I’m here to guide you through their features, empowering you to make the choice that aligns best with your learning style and goals.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of playing music for an audience or mastering a simple tune, let’s explore what makes each app unique and figure out which one is right for you!
Flowkey vs Simply Piano Comparison
Interface
Flowkey and Simply Piano both have interfaces that are a breeze to navigate. Flowkey offers both web and mobile apps, while Simply Piano is exclusively a mobile app. Flowkey’s interface is straightforward, with a minimalist design and intuitive menu options.
On the other hand, Simply Piano’s interface is more visually captivating, with charming animated graphics and a lively design. If you want more details, read our review of this kid-friendly learning app here.
Features
These two piano learning apps offer various features to enhance your piano learning experience. Flowkey has a feature that allows you to slow down songs to help you learn at your own pace.
While Simply Piano can listen to you play and provides feedback on your accuracy. Both apps also offer progress tracking and personalized lesson plans.
Content
Flowkey and Simply Piano offer a range of content for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players.
Flowkey has over 1,000 songs in its library, sorted by genre and ability level. On the other hand, Simply Piano has fewer songs available but offers a mix of classical and pop songs. Both apps offer lessons on music theory, technique, and sight-reading.
Song Libraries
Flowkey’s song library is larger than Simply Piano’s, with songs from over 20 categories.
Simply Piano’s library is more focused on classical and pop songs. Both apps offer a variety of genres, including rock, jazz, and blues.
Learning Experience
Flowkey and Simply Piano offer different learning experiences. Flowkey is less linear, allowing you to jump around and make your own path. Simply Piano’s lessons are more structured, guiding you through content in a linear manner.
Flowkey is better suited for those who want more freedom in their learning, while Simply Piano is better for beginners or those without prior experience.
Did you know?
Learning with Flowkey
Let’s take a closer look at what Flowkey has to offer.
Basics and Beginner Lessons
Flowkey offers several comprehensive online piano lessons and a great selection of beginner lessons covering the basics of piano playing. The lessons are easy to follow and include video tutorials and sheet music. You’ll learn to read sheet music, play basic chords, and develop finger dexterity.
Intermediate and Advanced Lessons
Once you’ve mastered the basics, Flowkey has a wide range of intermediate and advanced lessons to help you improve your skills. These lessons cover various topics, from playing different genres of music to developing your improvisation skills. The app also offers a range of exercises to help you improve your finger strength and dexterity.
Music Theory
Music theory is an essential part of learning to play the piano, and Flowkey has plenty of resources to help you develop your understanding of this subject. The app includes lessons on scales, chords, and key signatures. You’ll also learn how to read and interpret sheet music, an essential skill for any pianist.
Technique
Developing good technique is crucial if you want to become a proficient pianist. Flowkey includes a range of exercises designed to help you develop your finger dexterity and strength. You’ll also learn to play with the correct posture, which is essential for avoiding injury and developing good playing habits.
Feedback
One of the great things about Flowkey is that it provides instant feedback on your playing. The app uses your microphone to listen to your playing and provides feedback on your timing, accuracy, and speed. This is a great way to identify areas to improve and track your progress.
Learning with Simply Piano
Basics and Beginner Lessons
Simply Paino’s beginner lessons are designed to take you from a complete novice to playing simple songs in no time. The app uses a combination of video tutorials, interactive exercises, and gamification to make learning fun and engaging.
The basics section covers hand positioning, posture, and how to read sheet music. The beginner lessons then build on these foundations, teaching you to play simple melodies and chords.
Simply Piano
FEATURES: Step-by-step interactive lessons with real-time feedback
OTHER INFO: Works with any keyboard or piano via microphone detection
- Engaging, gamified learning experience
- Wide range of songs and exercises
- Adaptive difficulty for personalized progress
- Limited advanced content
- Subscription required for full access
- Requires consistent internet connection
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Intermediate and Advanced Lessons
Once you’ve mastered the basics, Simply Piano offers a range of intermediate and advanced lessons that cover more complex techniques, such as playing with both hands, playing in different keys, and playing with expression. The app also includes a range of genres to explore, from jazz and blues to rock and classical.
Music Theory
Simply Piano also offers a range of music theory lessons to help you understand the fundamentals of music. These lessons cover scales, chords, and key signatures and are designed to help you read and understand sheet music more effectively. The app uses interactive exercises and quizzes to test your knowledge and help you reinforce what you’ve learned.
Technique
Simply Piano also includes lessons focused on finger positioning, hand independence, and playing with dynamics.
Feedback
One of the most valuable features of Simply Piano is its feedback system. The app uses your microphone to listen to your playing and provide real-time feedback on your performance. This feedback includes notes on your timing, accuracy, and dynamics, helping you identify areas for improvement and track your progress over time.
Pricing and Subscription
It’s important to understand the pricing and subscription options available to you. Flowkey and Simply Piano offer a range of plans to suit different budgets and learning needs, so read on to learn more.
Monthly Subscription
Flowkey offers a monthly subscription plan for $19.99 per month. This plan gives you full access to Flowkey’s features, including unlimited songs, lessons, and exercises.
Simply Piano cost varies depending on the subscription plan. Options for monthly, annual, or lifetime access provide flexibility to suit different learning preferences and budgets. The cost of Simply Piano is $14.99 for a montly subscription. This plan gives you access to all the app’s features but with some limitations on the number of songs you can learn.
Yearly Subscription
If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, both Flowkey and Simply Piano offer yearly subscription plans.
Flowkey’s yearly subscription costs $119.88, which is $9.99 monthly. This plan gives you the same access to all of Flowkey’s features as the monthly subscription.
Simply Piano’s yearly subscription costs $149.99, which is $12.49 monthly. This plan gives you the same access to all the app’s features as the monthly plan, but with a significant discount for paying upfront for the year.
Compatibility
Before choosing between Flowkey and Simply Piano, it’s important to consider which devices you plan to use for your piano lessons. Here’s a breakdown of the compatibility of each app:
iOS
Flowkey and Simply Piano are available on iOS devices, including iPhones and iPads. Make sure your device is running iOS 10.0 or later to use Flowkey and iOS 11.0 or later for Simply Piano.
Android
You can use Flowkey or Simply Piano on a smartphone or tablet if you have an Android device. Flowkey requires Android 5.0 or later, while Simply Piano needs Android 5.0.1 or later.
PC and Laptop
Flowkey can be used on a PC or laptop via a web browser, while Simply Piano is only available as a mobile app. Remember that Flowkey requires a stable internet connection to use on a computer.
Tablet
Both Flowkey and Simply Piano are optimized for tablet use. If you prefer a larger screen than your smartphone, consider using a tablet for your piano lessons.
Chromebook
You can use Flowkey in a web browser if you have a Chromebook. Simply Piano does not currently have a version available for Chromebook users.
Midi Keyboard
Both Flowkey and Simply Piano can be used with a MIDI keyboard. Connect your keyboard to your device via USB or Bluetooth and start playing. Remember that some features, such as real-time feedback, may not be available with all keyboards.
Acoustic Piano
You can still use Flowkey or Simply Piano with an acoustic piano. Simply use the microphone on your device to pick up the sound of your piano, and the app will provide feedback based on the notes you play.
Bonus: Best Accessories for Student Pianists
PERFECT FOR: home and on-stage practice and tuning
FEATURES: Boasts a large backlit display screen. Comes with a high-precision tuner function
OTHER INFO: includes a metronome function with tap tempo and pendulum step functions
Korg TM-60 Tuner & Metronome
- Can use tuning and metronome functions simultaneously
- The backlight has two levels (low and high)
- Flashes a big red button in case you cannot hear it
- None!
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
PERFECT FOR: any prestigious pianist
FEATURES: Lets you find your perfect height with the height-adjustable knobs
OTHER INFO: Offers superior cushioning
Roland RPB-500RW Piano Bench
- Allows you to store your music and accessories in the storage compartment neatly
- Higher price range
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
PERFECT FOR: young students
FEATURES: Offers five easily adjustable height positions
OTHER INFO: Boasts a high-grade steel construction
Mini X-Frame Keyboard Stand by Gear4music
- Comes with protective rubber feet and ends
- Folds flat for easy storage and transportation
- Offers ultimate comfort while playing
- Not suitable for professional musicians
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Flowkey vs Simply Piano
Summary
Flowkey has a vast song library with over 1,000 tunes, a goldmine for anyone learning to play the piano. Meanwhile, Simply Piano offers an excellent 14-day trial, giving you twice the time to try it out compared to Flowkey.
I appreciate Flowkey’s structured approach; it feels like a sensible friend guiding you through the musical maze. Simply Piano is like that cheerful buddy who makes the basics fun, especially for kids or beginners.
Let’s discuss subscriptions, okay? With Simply Piano, you can subscribe for three months, six months, or a whole year. Flowkey also offers flexibility; its free version is excellent for trying it out without commitment.
So, what’s my conclusion? It depends on your preferences. If I prefer a more adult-oriented, feature-rich platform, I’d choose Flowkey. But if I want something simple with a kid-friendly interface, Simply Piano would be my go-to.
Here’s a neat breakdown for quick reference:
- Flowkey: Over 1,000 songs, structured learning, 7-day free trial
- Simply Piano: Friendly to kids, basics-focused, options for trial and subscription lengths
Always remember, picking the right app is like choosing a hat—it’s got to fit just right and feel splendid!
Wait, there’s more!!!
Before you start playing some sweet tunes, we’ll help you take your piano skills to even higher levels. Jump into this article for the Top 10 Tips – Best Way to Learn the Piano to maximise your precious practice time!
While I’m more of a vinyl guy, it’s fascinating to see how technology is shaping music learning. This comparison is a solid insight into modern educational tools. Though, I wonder how they stack up against traditional methods in terms of effectiveness. Any thoughts?
Here’s hoping one of these apps can finally teach me to play ‘Chopsticks’ with more finesse. In all seriousness, as someone teaching music, I’m always on the lookout for resources that can supplement my students’ learning. Your detailed comparison might have just added two new tools to my kit. Much appreciated, Robert.
My pleasure!
Absolutely, integrating apps into teaching practices is a game-changer. Thanks for guiding us through, Melodic_Maven!
Anyone know how the feedback feature differs between the two apps? I’m particularly keen on getting detailed feedback to improve. Would be great to know if one offers more in-depth analysis than the other.
Hmm, interesting comparison on the MIDI keyboard compatibility. From what I’ve researched, Flowkey seems to have a slightly smoother integration with MIDI devices, but Simply Piano isn’t far behind. It might come down to personal preference and the specific model of keyboard. Anyone got a Yamaha or Casio to test out these apps?
Ah, yes, another pair of apps promising to magically transform us into Mozarts overnight. Color me surprised. Though, I must admit, your comparison is thorough. Might give one of these a shot just for the kicks. If I turn into Beethoven, you’ll be the first to know, Robert.
I’m sure you will GrumpyCat!
Love this breakdown! It’s super clear and helped me decide. Picking Flowkey for the song variety. Thanks for the help!
Such a comprehensive guide, Robert, particularly appreciating the depth you went into with the song libraries. It’s pivotal for learners to have access to a broad range of songs. I found my passion reignited by playing songs I genuinely enjoy, which both these apps seem to offer. This will surely help many in making an informed choice. Well done.
i’m not sure i agree with the compatibility section. I think Simply Piano works better on Android based on what i’ve seen. my friends got androids and it seems to run smoother than on my iOS. anyone else noticed this?
Yeah, totally see that. Android tends to be more forgiving with app requirements. That iOS vs Android debate never ends, huh?
Really digging how you broke down the interface comparison. I’ve noticed a lot of apps kinda skip on readability for flashiness. Always appreciate an article that gives me the straight shot. Kudos.
Hey Robert Emery, I was reading through and got curious about something between Flowkey and Simply Piano. Which one do you reckon is better for someone who’s kinda caught in the middle – not a total beginner but not yet hitting those intermediate notes confidently? I’m trying to find something that’ll push me but not leave me feeling lost. Also, do they both accommodate different music genres or is one more diverse? Cheers for the insights!
I’m on the fence. They both have pros and cons – so I’d do a month with both, and see which takes your fancy.