Simply Piano vs flowkey: which is better in 2026?
Short answer: choose Simply Piano if you are starting from zero and want a guided path, courses from reading notes to both hands, short personal workouts and an on-screen keyboard when no piano is near. Choose flowkey if you want to learn the songs you love, with pieces arranged by professional pianists, a video of each song, practice by hand, loops and a wait mode that pauses for the right note. Both listen to a real piano or keyboard and give instant feedback.
How we compare: what each developer says the app does in its own App Store description, how it teaches, how it listens to your playing and what is available without a subscription. Then the current standing of both on the Censuus ranking.
| Simply Piano | flowkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | a guided start from zero | learning songs you love |
| How it teaches | step by step courses, personal 5 minute workouts | courses plus a song library in four difficulty levels |
| How it listens | recognises what you play on an acoustic or MIDI piano | microphone or Bluetooth and MIDI, wait mode for the right note |
| Practice tools | slow songs down | loop sections, one hand at a time, video of a pianist, Just Play |
| No piano nearby | Touch Courses with an on-screen keyboard | needs an instrument |
| Without a subscription | two free courses | a limited set of beginner lessons and classical songs |
| Ukrainian | not listed | not listed |
How each one teaches
Simply Piano takes you step by step, from reading sheet music to playing with both hands, through courses for different tastes and levels, and keeps you going with personalised five minute workouts. flowkey pairs beginner courses on reading notes and finding your way around the keyboard with a large library of pieces arranged by professional pianists in four difficulty levels, and has tutorials on scales, chords and improvisation for experienced players.
Practising a song
flowkey gives you the most tools on one piece: loop a section, practise the right and left hand separately, watch a video of a pianist with the next notes highlighted, let wait mode pause until you hit the right notes, or play straight through with Just Play. On a tablet in portrait mode you can read the full sheet music. Simply Piano lets you slow library songs down to your own pace.
Listening and equipment
Both work with acoustic pianos, digital pianos and keyboards and hear what you play. flowkey listens through the microphone or connects to digital pianos by Bluetooth or MIDI. Simply Piano has Touch Courses that turn your iPhone or iPad screen into a keyboard when there is no piano nearby.
Before you subscribe
Both run on subscriptions. Simply Piano lets you play two courses free. flowkey keeps a limited selection of beginner lessons and classical songs free. Neither lists Ukrainian in its store listing, so both are in English.
The verdict
Pick Simply Piano for a guided start from zero and short daily practice, even without a piano at hand. Pick flowkey to learn specific songs with video, loops and wait mode. More options, including Skoove and Yousician: piano lesson apps.
Frequently asked questions
Is Simply Piano or flowkey better for beginners?
Simply Piano is better for a guided start from zero with step by step courses; flowkey suits beginners who want to learn particular songs with video and wait mode.
Can I use them without a piano?
Simply Piano has Touch Courses with an on-screen keyboard. flowkey needs an acoustic piano, digital piano or keyboard.
What can I play for free?
Simply Piano offers two free courses, and flowkey keeps a limited set of beginner lessons and classical songs free.