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Education · head to head

Simply Piano vs Stellarium

Simply Piano logo

Simply Piano

Education

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Stellarium logo

Stellarium

Education

Free open source desktop planetarium software, distinct from the paid Stellarium Mobile Plus app

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • 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.; Stellarium it is desktop-only software, so it has no native touch-optimised phone interface; the similarly named mobile app is a different paid product from a different company.
  • They diverge on capability: Simply Piano covers Microphone-based listening, Stellarium covers Photorealistic sky rendering.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Simply Piano and Stellarium differ
AttributeSimply PianoStellarium
Pricing modelPer user per year or monthOpen source, no licence fee
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWindows, macOS, Linux

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Stellarium

  • Photorealistic sky rendering
  • Large object catalogue
  • Telescope control
  • Scripting engine
  • Free and open source
  • Plugin ecosystem

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 Stellarium
  • A parent choosing a self-guided piano app for a child who does not yet take private lessonsnot Stellarium
  • Someone who wants heavily song-driven practice using popular music rather than only classical exercisesnot Stellarium
  • A household deciding between this and Flowkey based on trial experience and song catalogue fitnot Stellarium

Stellarium

  • A student or educator wanting a serious, scriptable planetarium tool without a budget line itemnot Simply Piano
  • An amateur astronomer wanting telescope control from desktop software they can inspect and modifynot Simply Piano
  • Someone running a planetarium display or public astronomy event on a scripted shownot Simply Piano
  • A hobbyist who wants a large object catalogue without paying a subscription, and does not need a phone appnot 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.

Stellarium

  • It is desktop-only software, so it has no native touch-optimised phone interface; the similarly named mobile app is a different paid product from a different company.
  • As a volunteer-maintained open source project, support is community-based rather than a guaranteed commercial help desk.
  • The interface, while capable, is less immediately intuitive for a first-time user than a polished commercial phone app.
  • Telescope control and some advanced plugins require additional setup that a non-technical user may find fiddly.
  • Because it shares a name with the unrelated paid Stellarium Mobile Plus app, buyers researching pricing online can easily conflate the two products.

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

Stellarium

Free
  • Stellarium DesktopFree
    • Full software, GPL licensed
    • No account, ads or subscription
    • Community-developed plugins

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 Stellarium if

  • You need photorealistic sky rendering.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want large object catalogue.
Stellarium review

Questions people ask

Is Simply Piano or Stellarium better?
Neither clearly leads. Simply Piano starts at Free and Stellarium at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Simply Piano or Stellarium?
Simply Piano starts at Free and Stellarium at Free.
Does Simply Piano or Stellarium run on more platforms?
Simply Piano runs on iOS, Android, Web. Stellarium runs on Windows, macOS, Linux.
Can I use Simply Piano for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
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 Stellarium is typically brought in for.
What can Simply Piano do that Stellarium cannot?
Simply Piano covers Microphone-based listening, Structured curriculum, Popular song arrangements, Kids mode. Stellarium covers Photorealistic sky rendering, Large object catalogue, Telescope control, Scripting engine.

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.

Stellarium: Is Stellarium really free?

The desktop software is free and open source under the GPL licence. The separate mobile app, Stellarium Mobile Plus, is a different paid product.

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.

Stellarium: Is the mobile app made by the same team?

No. Stellarium Mobile Plus is built by Noctua Software, a different company, and is sold on subscription.

Simply Piano: Is there a kids version?

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

Stellarium: What platforms does the free version run on?

Windows, macOS and Linux desktop.

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