Softwr

Education · head to head

Simply Piano vs SkySafari

Simply Piano logo

Simply Piano

Education

Piano-only learning app from JoyTunes using microphone listening, no MIDI keyboard required

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SkySafari logo

SkySafari

Education

Astronomy app sold in three tiered editions, from a cheap star chart to telescope control

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Simply Piano has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Simply Piano microphone-based note detection is less precise than MIDI input for fast or dense passages, so advanced players eventually outgrow its accuracy ceiling.; SkySafari the three tiers are separate purchases, so upgrading from Basic to Plus or Pro later means buying again rather than paying the price difference.
  • They diverge on capability: Simply Piano covers Microphone-based listening, SkySafari covers Tiered editions.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Simply Piano and SkySafari actually diverge.

Attributes where Simply Piano and SkySafari differ
AttributeSimply PianoSkySafari
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelPer user per year or monthOne-time purchase per tier
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebiOS, Android, macOS

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 Simply Piano

  • Microphone-based listening
  • Structured curriculum
  • Popular song arrangements
  • Kids mode
  • Practice feedback
  • Offline practice mode

Only in SkySafari

  • Tiered editions
  • Telescope control
  • Large object catalogue
  • Event finder
  • Observing log
  • Time control

What people use each for

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

Simply Piano

  • A complete beginner who owns an acoustic piano and wants structured lessons without a MIDI connectionnot SkySafari
  • A parent choosing a self-guided piano app for a child who does not yet take private lessonsnot SkySafari
  • Someone who wants heavily song-driven practice using popular music rather than only classical exercisesnot SkySafari
  • A household deciding between this and Flowkey based on trial experience and song catalogue fitnot SkySafari

SkySafari

  • An amateur astronomer with a motorised telescope mount who needs live control from a phone or tabletnot Simply Piano
  • A serious hobbyist who wants a deep-sky catalogue far larger than a casual sky map app providesnot Simply Piano
  • Someone planning an observing session who wants an event finder for conjunctions and eclipsesnot Simply Piano
  • A buyer choosing Basic first as a cheap star chart with no intention of telescope controlnot Simply Piano

Where each one falls short

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

Simply Piano

  • Microphone-based note detection is less precise than MIDI input for fast or dense passages, so advanced players eventually outgrow its accuracy ceiling.
  • Its curriculum is piano only, so anyone wanting to learn a second instrument needs a separate subscription to Yousician or another app.
  • The free trial is limited, and meaningful progress requires the paid annual subscription at around $120 a year.
  • Background noise and an out-of-tune acoustic piano can degrade the accuracy of the microphone-based scoring.
  • It does not go deep into music theory or advanced classical technique, so a serious student will eventually need a human teacher alongside or instead of it.

SkySafari

  • The three tiers are separate purchases, so upgrading from Basic to Plus or Pro later means buying again rather than paying the price difference.
  • Even the Basic tier costs more than a comparable free or freemium app like Star Walk 2 for a casual user.
  • Telescope control only works with compatible motorised mounts, so it is useless to someone with a manual telescope or no telescope at all.
  • Pricing fluctuates with frequent promotional sales, so the list price is not a reliable guide to what most buyers actually pay.
  • The interface, particularly on the Pro tier, has a steeper learning curve than a simple AR sky map app aimed at casual users.

Pricing, plan by plan

Simply Piano

Free
  • Simply PianoFree
    • Limited introductory lessons
  • Premium$119.99/year
    • Full lesson path and song library
    • Progress tracking
    • Family plan options available

SkySafari

On request
  • SkySafari Basic$4.99/one-time
    • Core star chart
    • Modest object catalogue
    • No telescope control
  • SkySafari Plus$14.99/one-time
    • About 2.5 million stars and 32,000 deep-sky objects
    • Telescope control
    • Event finder and observing log
  • SkySafari Pro$29.99/one-time
    • Largest catalogue tier
    • Telescope control
    • Advanced observation planning tools

Which should you pick?

Choose Simply Piano if

  • You need microphone-based listening.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want structured curriculum.
Simply Piano review

Choose SkySafari if

  • You need tiered editions.
  • You work on iOS, Android, macOS.
  • You also want telescope control.
SkySafari review

Questions people ask

Is Simply Piano or SkySafari better?
Neither clearly leads. Simply Piano starts at Free and SkySafari at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Simply Piano or SkySafari?
Simply Piano has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Simply Piano and On request for SkySafari.
Does Simply Piano or SkySafari run on more platforms?
Simply Piano runs on iOS, Android, Web. SkySafari runs on iOS, Android, macOS.
Can I use Simply Piano for free?
Yes. Simply Piano has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SkySafari starts at On request.
What is Simply Piano best used for?
Simply Piano is most often used for a complete beginner who owns an acoustic piano and wants structured lessons without a midi connection, a parent choosing a self-guided piano app for a child who does not yet take private lessons, someone who wants heavily song-driven practice using popular music rather than only classical exercises, a household deciding between this and flowkey based on trial experience and song catalogue fit. Of those, a complete beginner who owns an acoustic piano and wants structured lessons without a midi connection and a parent choosing a self-guided piano app for a child who does not yet take private lessons are not what SkySafari is typically brought in for.
What can Simply Piano do that SkySafari cannot?
Simply Piano covers Microphone-based listening, Structured curriculum, Popular song arrangements, Kids mode. SkySafari covers Tiered editions, Telescope control, Large object catalogue, Event finder.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Simply Piano: Do I need a MIDI keyboard for Simply Piano?

No, it listens through your device microphone and works with any acoustic or digital piano.

SkySafari: What is the difference between Basic, Plus and Pro?

Basic is a simple star chart, Plus adds a much larger catalogue and telescope control, and Pro adds an even larger catalogue and advanced planning tools.

Simply Piano: How is it different from Flowkey?

Both use the same microphone-based, piano-only approach; the difference is mainly curriculum style and song catalogue, worth comparing via free trials.

SkySafari: Can I upgrade from Basic to Plus later?

Not as a discounted upgrade; each tier is sold as a separate one-time purchase.

Simply Piano: Is there a kids version?

Yes, a simplified kids-focused mode and companion product exist for younger learners.

SkySafari: Does it work with any telescope?

Only telescopes with compatible motorised mounts and a supported connection method can be controlled from the app.

Share

Related pages

More on Simply Piano

More on SkySafari

Keep looking

Other head to heads