In the past, learning how to play the piano required a teacher and a piano — and both cost money. Consequently, people had to commit before they started learning the craft. However, thanks to modern technology, almost anyone can learn how to play the piano for little-to-no cost. Just by picking among the array of best piano apps in the market, you certainly can learn the basics even without hiring a coach.
Some apps won’t even require you to buy a piano! This makes learning less intimidating and more accessible. With a dedicated piano app, you can test the waters and learn alone at your own pace. The only problem now is finding a piano app worth downloading — and we’re here to help you with just that.
15 Best Piano App Downloads For 2020
There are numerous piano apps you can find on the app store. However, not every piano app is worth investing in, especially if it requires monetary investment. That’s why we’ve listed 15 of the best piano apps you can download in 2020. Here are our top picks:
1. Best Piano Lessons
The first on our list is Best Piano Lessons. This piano app has all you need: a full-sized keyboard to play all the songs you love. Users can shift to a higher or lower octave, depending on the song of choice. Of course, shifting mid-song can be difficult. Hence, the app’s ability to show up to 24 keys at once is a handy feature.
Furthermore, the app goes above and beyond your regular piano app by giving quick and easy lessons. It offers multiple songs you can learn as it shows you which keys to press at what time. Moreover, you don’t need a coach to help you because the app already rates how you’re doing.
Lastly, the app has a built-in recorder so you can save and load the songs you’ve created. That’s more than a traditional piano can give you! It’s also a free piano app, so you don’t need to shell out any money. However, the app is only available on Google Play for Android users.
2. Flowkey
Granted, Flowkey isn’t a piano app that gives you a digital piano. It’s more for people who already have a piano and want to learn but don’t know where to start. Flowkey tracks and measures your progress regardless if you’re using a regular piano or a MIDI keyboard.
With Flowkey, users can learn songs they love or start learning the basics of the piano. Whether it’s scales, exercises, music theory, or how to read sheet music — Flowkey has it all covered. Moreover, it’s a great learn piano app for pianists of all skill levels because it also offers skill-based lessons.
Flowkey is a great app and it has a good free version. However, if you want to unlock other songs and features, you can opt for a subscription for $19 monthly. You can also test out the premium version with a 30-day free trial.
3. Magic Piano By Smule
Another great piano app that can teach you all the basics of the piano is Magic Piano by Smule. It teaches beginners the basics: rhythm, motor skills, and how to read notes. Moreover, the app mixes things up by adding a social element to learning piano. It allows users to listen to other people’s pieces — all within the app. You can even arrange for a duet to refine your skills even further!
Furthermore, Magic Piano incentivizes your progress by awarding achievements and badges. However, it doesn’t feature traditional piano keys like other apps. Thus, people who find that to be instrumental to a piano app might want to reconsider. On the other hand, if you don’t mind that feature, then you can download it on iOS and Android. It’s free, but there is a paid version that unlocks access to more songs and features for $19.99 monthly.
4. Pano Tuner – Chromatic Tuner
Perhaps you’re not looking for a regular piano app, but a piano tuning app. It can be hard when your piano gets out of tune after some time because hiring a tuner is costly. With the Pano Tuner – Chromatic Tuner, you can tune your piano according to pitch. Moreover, it can also tune other instruments by listening to the pitch of what you play. Not only you can get your piano tuned but your guitar as well! Get your instruments back in tip-top shape without worries!
5. Perfect Piano
One of the most reputable piano apps in the market is the Perfect Piano. The name speaks for itself: it’s the perfect piano app for all your mobile piano needs. You can start as a beginner, learning piano through thousands of sheet music the app provides. Moreover, you can even use the app as a widget, instead of having to always open the app itself. Don’t think it’s only for beginners, either. Experienced pianists can also benefit from Perfect Piano by connecting it to a MIDI keyboard. It’s a great piano app for just about anyone.
Perfect Piano also offers more features than a regular piano app. With it, you can take up the weekly in-app challenges to go against other users. What better way to test your piano skills than assessing against your peers? If you’re more of the collaborative type, you can also make a guild with fellow Perfect Piano users. Call your pianist friends so you can share songs and support each other from a distance right within the app.
6. Piano Academy by Yokee Music
Professional pianists might not need this piano app. However, beginners and those who want to learn more about piano will benefit a lot from it. The Piano Academy is indeed among the most reliable digital piano apps today. It has videos to instruct you on almost every relevant piano-related topic. This includes training your ears, coordination, and helping you develop a sense of rhythm.
Moreover, this piano app also provides you with live feedback as it listens to you play. It’ll teach you how to improve in real-time, so it’s very involved in your learning process. Lastly, it’s a great app for all ages, even for your little kids who are just starting!
7. Piano Marvel
Another great piano app to learn the basics is Piano Marvel. It has in-app videos, thousands of piano exercises, and gamified curriculums and lessons. Moreover, Piano Marvel keeps you engaged by giving out grades and achievement trophies you can flaunt on social media. It also cuts up lessons into smaller chunks, so that users don’t get overwhelmed. For the best experience, users can connect a MIDI keyboard and learn like on a real piano.
Piano Marvel has a free option, but you’ll want the subscription for the full experience. For $15.99 monthly, you’ll have access to the full library of videos, lessons, and sight-reading evaluation. However, the app is only available on PC, macOS, and iOS.
8. Piano – Music Games To Play & Learn Songs For Free
With this piano app, you can access many different piano sounds for free. It has 7 different types: grand piano, vintage, harp, electric, organ, harpsichord, and xylophone. You’ll never get bored with this piano app because it already provides you with a colorful array of sounds.
Moreover, the app also includes useful features that mimic a real piano. This piano app has a metronome, a dual keyboard, and a pedal to accentuate your piano playing experience. Furthermore, the app has a playbook with new songs every week so you can continuously learn new pieces. However, the app is only available on the Google Play Store, so it’s tough luck for iOS users.
9. Piano Lessons By OnlinePianist
If you’re a visual learner, then Piano Lessons by OnlinePianist is a great piano app to download. It has a friendly user interface and offers animated piano lessons. Moreover, there are customized lessons tailored to each individual so you can focus on what you need to improve on.
Furthermore, Piano Lessons lets you collate your favorite pieces so you can practice them over and over again. It’s a handy tool if you want to be able to play the most popular songs. However, it’s only made available on the iOS platform so Android users will have to miss out on this one.
10. Playground Sessions
Learning the piano isn’t easy and can sometimes be demotivating due to the discipline it entails. With the Playground Sessions piano app, you can motivate yourself better because it gamifies learning. As you level up, you can gain prizes and unlock additional content to motivate you even more. Moreover, if you’re serious about learning, you can also record your sessions to see which parts you can improve on. It’s also compatible with MIDI keyboards and even has a brand that’s ideal for the app.
Of course, properly learning the piano must always include a bit of theory, and this piano app has that, too. However, it doesn’t overwhelm you with theory to the point that you don’t get to apply it. It has a great balance of both to keep you growing in the most effective way possible. One downside though is that you have to purchase the app, but it offers different payment schemes so you can decide pretty flexibly. It’s $17.99 monthly, $119.88 yearly, or $289.99 if you want to pay a one-off fee.
11. Real Piano Teacher 2
Its first iteration was definitely a complete hit! Now, Real Piano Teacher is back with even more features, instruments, and lessons. In this app, you can learn how to play the piano like you’re progressing in a video game. You can also use the different instruments on the app if the regular piano app isn’t cutting it for you. Moreover, you can find multiple playing modes to adjust based on your current level. Whether you need more training wheels or want to go freestyle, this piano app has it all.
Best of all, you can play and compete against other users like family or friends with the in-game mode. Test your skills and find out who’s the best at the piano with Real Piano Teacher 2. It’s one of the best piano app downloads you can get right now in 2020. However, the app is available only on the Google Play Store.
12. Simply Piano By JoyTunes
Are you looking for a piano keyboard app that has all the right features? Then look no further than the Simply Piano app by JoyTunes. It was regarded as one of the top iPhone apps back in 2016 and belongs among the top piano apps in the market. Users of any skill level are all welcome to use Simply Piano.
With Simply Piano, you can use the piano you already have at home. The app will listen to your playing and provide you live feedback based on how you play. Furthermore, this piano app also has courses that are tailored to varying skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or want to continue learning as an expert, you’ll find something for you in Simply Piano. Moreover, there’s a wide library of songs to choose from in case you want to learn something specific. It’s the best app to get for simply being with your piano and learning as you go.
13. Skoove
Skoove is among the best piano apps for both beginners and intermediate-level piano students. It has great courses to teach you and enables you to grow in your piano playing journey. The app first allows you to listen to a song, learn it, and then frees you up to play. It also offers input on how to learn certain techniques and how to improvise. Once you’ve grown enough, you can later choose whether you want to go for pop or a classical style.
You can use the app with either a regular piano or a MIDI keyboard, whichever floats your boat. However, the app doesn’t come for free, as it costs $19.99 monthly. There is a free version, though, but with fewer features. Regardless, it’s available on PC, Mac, iOS, Chrome OS, and Windows tablets.
14. Yokee Piano – Play & Learn Free Songs
Are there songs you want to learn how to play? Then Yokee is one of the great piano apps that can help teach you. Yokee is user-friendly and offers quick lessons so you can learn to play all the best hits. It’s not overwhelming either, because it gives step-by-step instructions so you can slowly (but surely) learn to play the song. Once you’re more confident in your skills, you can even challenge yourself and compete with friends. Best of all, Yokee doesn’t run out of songs because they add to their library daily.
15. Yousician
Learning the piano is relentless and everyone has something to improve on, no matter how long they’ve been playing. With Yousician, you can find a nearly endless supply of learning options to help you. It even has a practice mode for beginners who need to learn the basics of coordination and tempo. Users can also learn songs in chunks so they can grasp them bit-by-bit. Once you get to a higher skill level, the lessons gradually get more difficult, but not overwhelmingly so. With this piano app, you’re sure to learn the piano and improve your skills.
Piano App: Conclusion
There are many different piano apps you can download on mobile. Whether it’s a digital piano keyboard or a piano learning app companion, you’re sure to find one that caters to your specific needs. However, learning the piano will take time and effort, and no app can provide those for you. Once you’ve settled on an app you like, commit to learning the craft. With that, you’re sure to learn the piano in due time.
