Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Simply Piano is one of the rare educational apps that actually delivers on its promise. It teaches legitimate piano skills through a well-designed, progression-based curriculum that real music educators created. The fact that it's ad-free, has no social features, and requires actual equipment (a piano or keyboard) means it's focused on real learning, not engagement metrics.

The subscription model is straightforward and honest—7 days free, then you pay. No dark patterns, no manipulative gems or coins, no pestering notifications. Just: do you want to learn piano or not?

That said, it's not perfect for everyone. Some younger kids (under 7) find the pacing too aggressive, and parents report needing to supplement with slower-paced apps or traditional lessons. It's also not a magic bullet—you still need discipline, practice, and ideally some guidance from someone who actually plays.

But for families serious about music education, this is a solid tool. It won't replace a good teacher, but it's a hell of a lot better than most screen time, and your kid might actually come out of it able to play 'Für Elise.' That's worth something.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7+ who can handle the pacing and have the fine motor skills for piano playing. Younger kids (4-6) might need a slower-paced alternative like Piano Maestro. Adults and teens can absolutely benefit—learning piano has no age ceiling.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Simply Piano offers a calm, encouraging learning environment focused on skill-building through music. The app is explicitly designed as 'kids safe - no ads or external links,' and provides positive reinforcement through progress tracking and achievable goals. The tone is supportive rather than competitive or chaotic, making it emotionally healthy for learners. The only minor deduction is that some parents report the pacing can be too fast for younger children (6 and under), which may create frustration rather than confidence.

Imaginative

72

While Simply Piano teaches a genuinely creative skill (playing music), it's fundamentally a structured tutorial app following predetermined lessons rather than an open-ended creative platform. Users learn to play existing songs and follow exercises, which builds technical ability but doesn't strongly invite original composition or experimentation. The app does offer variety through 5,000+ songs spanning classical to contemporary hits, and learners can express themselves through performance, but the format is more instructional than exploratory. It's solid for skill-building but not particularly imaginative in its approach.

Safe

91

Explicitly advertised as 'kids safe - no ads or external links,' which is backed up by user reports. The app requires a subscription after a 7-day trial, but this is transparent and parent-controlled rather than manipulative. No social features, chat, or user-generated content means zero exposure to online strangers. The subscription model is straightforward without aggressive dark patterns or loot-box mechanics. Only minor concern is the auto-renewal subscription structure, which requires active cancellation, but this is standard for educational apps and clearly disclosed.

Enriching

89

Learning to play piano is genuinely enriching—it builds fine motor skills, music literacy, discipline, pattern recognition, and provides a lifelong creative outlet. The app uses real-time feedback via microphone or MIDI to ensure proper technique, teaches sheet music reading, and progresses from basics to both-hands playing. With 5,000+ songs including classical masters (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart) and contemporary hits, it exposes learners to diverse musical styles. Multiple awards including Parents' Choice Award and recognition from NAMM validate its educational quality. The structured 5-minute daily practice format builds sustainable habits. This is legitimate skill-building with tangible, transferable outcomes.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Teaches actual piano skills: sheet music reading, proper technique, both-hands playing—this isn't a toy, it's real music education
Truly kid-safe: no ads, no external links, no chat features, no strangers—just pure learning
Massive song library (5,000+) spanning Bach to Sia means kids can learn songs they actually want to play
Real-time feedback via microphone or MIDI connection provides instant correction and encouragement
Multiple profiles (up to 5) let the whole family learn together under one subscription

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What to Watch For

You need an actual piano or keyboard—this isn't a standalone game, it's a teaching tool that requires real equipment
Pacing may be too fast for kids under 6 or 7; some parents report younger children get frustrated and need slower progression
Subscription required after 7-day trial; while transparent, it's an ongoing cost (though premium access to Simply Guitar is included)
Works best as a supplement to traditional lessons rather than a complete replacement for teacher instruction

Conversation Starters

"What song are you working on? Want to play it for me when you're ready?"
"How does the app know if you played the right note? (Great opportunity to talk about how microphones and technology work)"
"Do you like learning the classical pieces or the pop songs better? Why?"
"What's the hardest part about learning piano right now? How does the app help you practice that?"

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