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Education · head to head

Simply Piano vs Udemy

Simply Piano logo

Simply Piano

Education

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Udemy logo

Udemy

Education

World's largest marketplace for online learning

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.; Udemy course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
  • They diverge on capability: Simply Piano covers Microphone-based listening, Udemy covers Video courses.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Simply Piano and Udemy differ
AttributeSimply PianoUdemy
Pricing modelPer user per year or monthUnknown
PlatformsiOS, Android, WebWeb, iOS, Android
FoundedUnknown2010

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 Udemy

  • Video courses
  • Quizzes
  • Assignments
  • Certificates
  • Mobile learning
  • Offline viewing
  • Q&A
  • Reviews

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

Udemy

  • Skill buildingnot Simply Piano
  • Career transitionnot Simply Piano
  • Professional developmentnot Simply Piano
  • Team trainingnot 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.

Udemy

  • Course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
  • No formal credentials or degrees offered, unlike Coursera and edX which offer institution-branded certificates
  • Courses are self-paced with no instructor interaction or support, making structured learning difficult for some students

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

Udemy

Free
  • Personal$19/month
    • 11,000+ courses access
  • Team$360/year
    • For 5-20 people

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 Udemy if

  • You need video courses.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want quizzes.
Udemy review

Questions people ask

Is Simply Piano or Udemy better?
Neither clearly leads. Simply Piano starts at Free and Udemy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Simply Piano or Udemy?
Simply Piano starts at Free and Udemy at Free.
Does Simply Piano or Udemy run on more platforms?
Simply Piano runs on iOS, Android, Web. Udemy runs on Web, iOS, Android.
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 Udemy is typically brought in for.
What can Simply Piano do that Udemy cannot?
Simply Piano covers Microphone-based listening, Structured curriculum, Popular song arrangements, Kids mode. Udemy covers Video courses, Quizzes, Assignments, Certificates.

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.

Udemy: Does Udemy offer team/business pricing?

Yes, Udemy's Team plan costs $360 per user annually for groups of 5 to 20 people, in addition to individual Personal plan at $19/month.

Source
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.

Simply Piano: Is there a kids version?

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

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