Simply Piano Alternative: What Comes After Simply Piano?
Simply Piano gets you started. But once you can play basic songs, the gamified approach stops pushing you forward. Here's how MasterPiano picks up where Simply Piano leaves off.
The Core Difference
Simply Piano (by JoyTunes) is a gamified learning app designed for absolute beginners. It introduces notes one at a time, uses points and streaks, and focuses on getting you to play recognizable melodies quickly.
MasterPiano is built for pianists who already know the basics and want to get better. Real sheet music, 8 difficulty grades, adaptive practice, and 8,000+ pieces across classical and contemporary repertoire.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | MasterPiano | Simply Piano |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free / $19.99/mo | $149.99/year |
| Best For | Intermediate + advancing | Complete beginners |
| Primary Display | Real sheet music | Guided notation + gamification |
| Piece Library | 8,000+ graded pieces | ~500 songs |
| MIDI Feedback | Real-time on notation | Microphone or MIDI |
| Difficulty Levels | 8 grades (ABRSM-aligned) | Course-based progression |
| Sight Reading | Core feature | Available (limited) |
| Gamification | Minimal (level system) | Points, streaks, badges |
| Classical Repertoire | Extensive | Limited |
| Platform | Web + iOS | iOS + Android |
The Simply Piano Ceiling
Gamification Stops Working
Points and streaks motivate you through the first few weeks. But learning piano is a long-term pursuit. Once the novelty wears off, you need intrinsic motivation from the music itself. MasterPiano provides that by giving you access to real repertoire you actually want to play, at a difficulty that challenges you without overwhelming you.
Limited Repertoire Depth
Simply Piano has around 500 songs, mostly pop arrangements simplified for beginners. Once you've worked through the courses, there isn't much left. MasterPiano's 8,000+ pieces span classical, contemporary, jazz, and educational works, graded so you can always find something at your level.
Notation Fluency Requires Notation Practice
Simply Piano does show sheet music, but the guided, step-by-step approach doesn't develop the rapid pattern recognition that real sight reading requires. Research in music cognition shows that sight reading improves through exposure to progressively harder notation in context. MasterPiano's adaptive system does exactly this.
When Simply Piano Is the Right Choice
If you've never touched a piano before, Simply Piano's structured courses and gamification can help you learn where the notes are and build basic coordination. It's designed to get you from zero to playing simple melodies.
The question is what happens after that. Simply Piano doesn't have a strong answer for intermediate players. MasterPiano does.
Who Should Switch
Move to MasterPiano if you:
- • Have finished Simply Piano's courses or feel stuck
- • Can play basic pieces and want harder repertoire
- • Want to develop real sight-reading fluency
- • Are preparing for exams (ABRSM, RCM, or similar)
- • Want classical and educational repertoire, not just pop
Stay with Simply Piano if you:
- • Are a complete beginner still learning note names
- • Need gamification to stay motivated
- • Primarily want to play pop song arrangements
- • Need an Android app
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good alternative to Simply Piano?
MasterPiano is the best Simply Piano alternative for pianists who've outgrown the beginner stage. It offers 8,000+ graded pieces with real-time MIDI feedback on actual notation, plus adaptive difficulty that adjusts to your level.
Is Simply Piano good for intermediate players?
Simply Piano's content is heavily weighted toward beginners. While it has some intermediate courses, the gamified approach and limited repertoire depth make it less effective once you can read basic notation. Intermediate players benefit more from MasterPiano's graded system.
Is Simply Piano worth the money in 2026?
At $149.99/year, Simply Piano is reasonable for complete beginners who want a gamified introduction. But many users hit a ceiling within months. MasterPiano at $149.99/year offers more depth for continued growth, especially in reading and sight reading.
Does Simply Piano teach you to read sheet music?
Simply Piano has a sheet music mode and introduces notation gradually. But the app is primarily designed around its guided, gamified approach, which doesn't build deep reading fluency. MasterPiano makes notation the core experience, which develops stronger sight-reading skills over time.
Ready for the Next Level?
8,000+ pieces graded by difficulty. Real-time MIDI feedback on real notation. Built for pianists who want to keep improving.
Start Free — No Credit Card RequiredAlso considering other apps? Compare MasterPiano vs Flowkey or MasterPiano vs Piano Marvel. Or see our full comparison of 7 sight reading apps.