App Feature
Simply Guitar teaches beginners to play guitar through step‑by‑step video lessons, real‑time microphone feedback, a built‑in tuner, a visual chord library, and play‑along songs with adjustable tempo. It tracks progress, adds new lessons regularly, and works with any acoustic or electric guitar.
Verdict
Verdict: An engaging, beginner‑friendly guitar tutor with great feedback and pacing, but meaningful progress requires a paid subscription.
Who is it for
Best for:
- Absolute beginners who want structured, bite‑sized lessons with instant feedback
- Self‑learners seeking a clear progression, chord library, and play‑along songs
- Adults or teens returning to guitar after a break and needing motivation
Not ideal for:
- Advanced players wanting in‑depth theory, genre‑specific techniques, or customization
- Budget learners unwilling to subscribe after the initial free lessons
- Users in noisy environments or with poor phone mics needing flawless note detection
Real-world User Experience
Users like it:
Smooth onboarding, immediate wins (playing a song within minutes), accurate tuner, motivating instructor tone, well‑sequenced lessons that verify mastery before progressing, adjustable song speed, responsive human support, and noticeable improvement with daily practice.
Users complain about:
Core content quickly sits behind a paywall (~$89.99/year per one review), microphone recognition can struggle without a quiet room or proper positioning, and free tier is very limited beyond basics.
Is it Worth Paying For?
If you’re a motivated beginner, yes—the structured curriculum, real‑time feedback, and play‑along library justify the subscription, especially compared to the cost of in‑person lessons. However, those seeking entirely free learning or only casual dabbling may find the paywall restrictive after the intro.
How it Compares to Alternatives
Versus Yousician, Simply Guitar feels more streamlined and beginner‑centric, with a friendlier pace and emphasis on chords and early song wins; Yousician offers broader instrument coverage and gamification. Compared to Fender Play, Simply Guitar leans heavier on microphone feedback and interactive checkpoints, while Fender Play offers genre tracks and polished video paths. Against free resources (e.g., YouTube/Ultimate Guitar tabs), Simply Guitar provides structure and assessment but at a recurring cost.
Summary
Simply Guitar is a polished, accessible path to learning guitar from scratch: place your phone, tune up, and follow short, confidence‑building lessons that confirm you can actually play before moving on. The real‑time feedback, chord library, and adjustable play‑along songs help beginners build rhythm, chord changes, and basic technique quickly. Its biggest caveat is the paywall that appears after the initial lessons, and mic recognition can require a quiet environment. For serious beginners willing to subscribe, it’s a high‑value, engaging alternative to early private lessons; for advanced players or strict non‑spenders, other options may fit better.












