Comparison · vs
flowkey vs Simply Piano: which should you choose?
Both teach piano by playing songs; the difference is style. Simply Piano is more gamified with fast, motivating early wins and a step-by-step feel, great if you want quick momentum. flowkey feels a little more grown-up and musical, teaching with real video recordings and a larger, more varied song library, and it adds a web app alongside mobile. Neither publishes its price publicly, so try both free tiers and compare the in-app price before subscribing. Both are song-first, so pair either with reading/technique drills.
| flowkey | Simply Piano | |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Play along with real video recordings | Gamified, step-by-step lessons |
| Note detection | Microphone or MIDI | Microphone |
| Platforms | iOS · Android · Web | iOS · Android |
| Vibe | Musical, slightly more mature | Playful, fast wins |
| Free tier | Limited songs | Trial |
| Pricing | Subscription; price shown only at signup | Annual subscription; price shown in-app |
Neither flowkey.com nor hellosimply.com displays subscription prices on their public marketing pages (verified August 2026), so we describe the model instead of quoting a number that would go stale. Check the price in the signup flow or app store.
Pick flowkey if…
- You want a broad, varied song library and real-recording play-along.
- You use a MIDI keyboard and want accurate note detection.
- You want to practice on the web as well as mobile.
Pick Simply Piano if…
- You want the most motivating, gamified on-ramp.
- You're on mobile and want fast early wins to build the habit.
- You don't have a MIDI cable and want mic-based feedback.
The thing both leave out
Both are song-first, and both share the category's weakness: deliberate reading and technique practice. Whichever you choose, add a few minutes of daily fundamentals drilling (a tool like Clef, or lessons with a teacher) so slow note-reading doesn't become your ceiling. And keep it daily, the UCL 66-day habit study shows it is frequency, not session length, that makes practice stick. See the full app comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is flowkey or Simply Piano better for adult beginners?
Both work. flowkey has a broader, more mature song library, MIDI support and a web app; Simply Piano is more gamified with faster early wins. Try both free tiers. Neither alone fully covers reading/technique, so pair with drills or a teacher.
How much do flowkey and Simply Piano cost?
Neither publishes its subscription price on its public website, the price appears only in the signup flow or app store, and it changes with promotions. Check the current in-app price before subscribing.
Do flowkey and Simply Piano need a MIDI keyboard?
No. Both can listen through your device microphone. flowkey also supports MIDI for more accurate note detection if you have a cable.
Can I learn to read music with flowkey or Simply Piano?
Partly. Both build reading gradually through songs, but you can progress by following on-screen guides without truly reading. Add dedicated reading drills if sheet music is your goal.
Sources & primary references
- flowkey (official site), https://www.flowkey.com/en
- Simply Piano (official site), https://www.hellosimply.com/simply-piano
- Clef (clefdrills.com), product & pricing, https://clefdrills.com
- Lally et al., "How are habits formed: Modelling habit formation in the real world," European Journal of Social Psychology (2010), doi:10.1002/ejsp.674 (the UCL 66-day study), https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ejsp.674