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Education · head to head

Flowkey vs MasterClass

Flowkey logo

Flowkey

Education

Piano learning app with microphone or MIDI listening and a large licensed song catalogue

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MasterClass logo

MasterClass

Education

Learn from the world's best

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Flowkey has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Flowkey microphone-only users, without a MIDI keyboard, still hit the same accuracy limits as Simply Piano on fast or dense passages.; MasterClass annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses
  • They diverge on capability: Flowkey covers Large licensed song library, MasterClass covers High-quality video.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Flowkey and MasterClass actually diverge.

Attributes where Flowkey and MasterClass differ
AttributeFlowkeyMasterClass
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelPer user per year or monthsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb, iOS, Android
FoundedUnknown2015

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Flowkey

  • Large licensed song library
  • MIDI keyboard support
  • Microphone listening
  • Slow-down and loop tools
  • Video lessons
  • Progress tracking

Only in MasterClass

  • High-quality video
  • Workbooks
  • Community
  • Mobile apps
  • Offline viewing
  • Smart TV apps
  • Session stories
  • Smart TV platforms

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Flowkey

  • An adult returning to piano who wants to work toward specific known songs at a graduated difficultynot MasterClass
  • Someone with a MIDI-capable digital keyboard wanting more accurate feedback than microphone listening alonenot MasterClass
  • A learner motivated by a large, varied song catalogue rather than a strict beginner curriculumnot MasterClass
  • A pianist wanting slow-down and loop tools to work through a specific difficult passage in a real piecenot MasterClass

MasterClass

  • Learning from expertsnot Flowkey
  • Inspirationnot Flowkey
  • Skill developmentnot Flowkey
  • Entertainmentnot Flowkey

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Flowkey

  • Microphone-only users, without a MIDI keyboard, still hit the same accuracy limits as Simply Piano on fast or dense passages.
  • Its curriculum is less structured around fundamentals than Simply Piano for a complete beginner with no prior reading ability.
  • It is piano only, so a household wanting to cover guitar or other instruments needs a separate subscription elsewhere.
  • The song licensing model means catalogue availability can shift over time as licences change, occasionally removing a previously available arrangement.
  • Full benefit of its more precise feedback mode requires owning a MIDI-capable keyboard, which is an additional cost beyond the subscription for anyone with only an acoustic piano.

MasterClass

  • Annual membership required with no option to purchase individual courses
  • No instructor interaction or personalized feedback on student work
  • No hands-on exercises, assignments, or peer discussion with other students
  • Limited interactivity with focus on entertainment value over practical skill development
  • Difficult to cancel subscription according to customer reviews

Pricing, plan by plan

Flowkey

Free
  • FlowkeyFree
    • Limited free songs and lessons
  • Premium$119.99/year
    • Full song library and difficulty arrangements
    • MIDI keyboard support
    • Progress tracking

MasterClass

On request
  • Individual$10/month
    • All classes
    • One device
    • Mobile access
  • Duo$15/month
    • All classes
    • Two devices
    • Offline viewing
  • Family$20/month
    • All classes
    • Six devices
    • All features

Which should you pick?

Choose Flowkey if

  • You need large licensed song library.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want midi keyboard support.
Flowkey review

Choose MasterClass if

  • You need high-quality video.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want workbooks.
MasterClass review

Questions people ask

Is Flowkey or MasterClass better?
Neither clearly leads. Flowkey starts at Free and MasterClass at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Flowkey or MasterClass?
Flowkey has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Flowkey and On request for MasterClass.
Does Flowkey or MasterClass run on more platforms?
Flowkey runs on iOS, Android, Web. MasterClass runs on Web, iOS, Android.
Can I use Flowkey for free?
Yes. Flowkey has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MasterClass starts at On request.
What is Flowkey best used for?
Flowkey is most often used for an adult returning to piano who wants to work toward specific known songs at a graduated difficulty, someone with a midi-capable digital keyboard wanting more accurate feedback than microphone listening alone, a learner motivated by a large, varied song catalogue rather than a strict beginner curriculum, a pianist wanting slow-down and loop tools to work through a specific difficult passage in a real piece. Of those, an adult returning to piano who wants to work toward specific known songs at a graduated difficulty and someone with a midi-capable digital keyboard wanting more accurate feedback than microphone listening alone are not what MasterClass is typically brought in for.
What can Flowkey do that MasterClass cannot?
Flowkey covers Large licensed song library, MIDI keyboard support, Microphone listening, Slow-down and loop tools. MasterClass covers High-quality video, Workbooks, Community, Mobile apps.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Flowkey: Does Flowkey support MIDI keyboards?

Yes, connecting a MIDI keyboard gives more precise note detection than microphone listening alone.

MasterClass: What is the pricing structure for MasterClass?

MasterClass requires an annual membership with no single-course purchase option. Standard plan costs $10/month, Plus is $15/month with offline access, and Premium is $20/month for up to 6 devices.

Source
Flowkey: How is it different from Simply Piano?

Flowkey emphasises a large licensed song catalogue with graduated arrangements, while Simply Piano leans more into a structured beginner curriculum.

MasterClass: How many courses are available on MasterClass?

MasterClass has over 200 video classes taught by celebrities and experts, with each course containing approximately 20 videos of about 10 minutes each plus detailed workbooks.

Source
Flowkey: Do I need a MIDI keyboard to use it?

No, microphone listening works with any piano, but MIDI support improves accuracy if you have compatible hardware.

MasterClass: Does MasterClass provide certificates or formal credentials?

No. MasterClass does not provide certificates upon completing a course, so it does not offer formal recognition for course completion.

Source
MasterClass: Do MasterClass courses include personalized feedback from instructors?

No. All MasterClass courses are pre-recorded videos, so there is no direct interaction with instructors or personalized feedback on student work.

Source
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