Short version: kind of, but not fully. Let me explain like a friend would, with no spin.
Simply Piano is free to download. You can start playing without paying. But the full app sits behind a subscription. So "free" needs an asterisk. A big one.
I used it both ways. Free first. Then paid. So I've seen both sides of the wall. Here's what you really get for nothing, and exactly where the paywall shows up.
This post answers the real question behind your search. Can you learn piano with Simply Piano without paying? Let's find out.
👉 Try the full Simply Piano free for a week →
Is Simply Piano free? The direct answer
Let me answer first, then explain.
The app is free to install. The first lessons are free. And there's a free trial of the full app. So yes, you can use Simply Piano for free, at least for a while.
But to keep all the courses and songs long-term, you need a subscription. So Simply Piano is "free to start," not "free forever."
That's normal for learning apps. The free part is real, though. You can learn the basics without paying a cent. Don't let anyone tell you it's a pure paywall. It's not.
What "free" actually means here
There are three layers to the word "free" with this app. Let me untangle them.
Free download. The app itself costs nothing to install. No charge to put it on your phone.
Free lessons. A handful of intro lessons are open to everyone. No payment needed.
Essai gratuit. This is the big one. You get the full premium app for a set window, usually 7 days, at no cost. I cover the details in my Guide d'essai gratuit de Simply Piano.
So when people ask "is it free," the honest answer is: partly free, plus a full free trial. The forever-free part is small.
What you get for free vs paid
Let me show the split clearly. Here's a quick picture of how access breaks down.
And here it is in a table.
| What you can do | Gratuit | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Download the app | ✅ | ✅ |
| First intro lessons | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cours complet pour débutants | ❌ | ✅ |
| Hundreds of songs | ❌ | ✅ |
| Both-hands training | ❌ | ✅ |
| New content over time | ❌ | ✅ |
So free gets you a taste. Premium gets you the full meal. The trial lets you taste the full meal before you pay. That's the smart middle path.
The free songs and first lessons
The free lessons are real lessons. Not fake demos. You learn where notes live. You play simple tunes. The app still listens and grades you in real time.
That first hit of "I played a song!" can happen even on the free path. It's a nice taste. It shows you the app's whole vibe.
But the song list is short for free users. The fun, famous songs are mostly locked. You'll see them. You just can't play them without premium or the trial.
👉 Unlock all the songs with a free trial →
Limits of the free experience
Here's where it stops. The free version runs out of road fast. I want you to know this going in.
You hit locked lessons. The fun songs are mostly behind the paywall. You can't move through the full course. So free is great for a peek, not a full journey.
That's the honest catch. Free shows you the door. Premium hands you the keys. The trial lets you borrow the keys for a week.
If your goal is to actually learn, the free-only path will frustrate you. You'll bump into walls. That's by design. The app needs to pay for itself somehow.
Free alternatives if you refuse to pay
Maybe you never want to pay. That's fair. There are free-leaning options. They give less, but they cost nothing.
YouTube has endless free piano tutorials. The downside? No feedback. No structure. You're on your own to figure out if you're right.
Some other apps have free tiers too. They're usually basic. Fewer songs. Weaker feedback.
I compare these honestly in my guide on getting Simply Piano free and how to use Simply Piano for free. If forever-free is your goal, start there.
When paying actually makes sense
If you just want to test the idea, free is fine. Poke around. See if you like the style.
But if you want to truly learn, the subscription pays off. Daily lessons. Real songs. Steady progress. For less than a single in-person lesson per month. That math is hard to beat.
Watch this quick demo before you choose.
My move was simple. I used the free trial to test the full app. Then I decided with real info, not guesses. If you want the cheapest long-term price after that, my Guide de réduction Simply Piano breaks it down.
Foire aux questions
Is Simply Piano free forever?
The app is free to download and includes some free lessons. But the full courses and song library need a paid subscription. There's a free trial so you can test the full app first, then decide.
Are there free songs on Simply Piano?
Yes, a small number of songs and intro lessons are available without paying. The large song library unlocks with premium or during the free trial.
Do I need a credit card to try it free?
The basic free lessons don't always need one. The free trial of the full app usually asks for a payment method, but you're not charged until the trial ends. Cancel before then to pay nothing.
Is the free version enough to learn piano?
It's enough to test the waters and learn a few basics. To actually progress through a full course, you'll want premium or the free trial. The free-only path hits walls quickly.
What's the catch with the free trial?
No real catch. You get the full app free for the trial window. If you don't cancel before it ends, it bills you. So set a reminder and cancel if you don't want to continue.
Réflexions finales
So, is Simply Piano free? Free to start, yes. Free forever, no. The free trial is the smart middle path.
Use it to try the full app at zero cost. Then keep it or cancel. You decide with real experience, not hype. That beats guessing every time.
If piano has been on your "someday" list, a free week is a low-risk way to finally start.
👉 Start your free Simply Piano trial →
- SEOmoz vs SEMrush: Best for Beginners? (2026) - juin 15, 2026
- Moz vs SEMrush vs Ahrefs: 2026 Showdown ⚔️ - juin 15, 2026
- Moz vs Ahrefs: Honest 2026 Comparison ⚔️ - juin 15, 2026