- Guitar apps at a glance
- Ten guitar learning apps and lesson sites
- Why one guitar subscription won't cover the whole family
- A first-month guitar practice plan
- Lessons, play-along or tabs: ways to learn
- Habits that keep a new guitarist going
- My plain advice for learning guitar with an app
- Frequently asked questions
The best guitar learning app is the one that matches how you like to learn: apps that listen and score your playing, video lesson libraries from teachers, or tab players for learning songs. Check what the free version or trial includes and whether it supports your instrument. Ten apps follow in no particular order, then a practice plan.
Most people who give up guitar don't quit because the app was wrong. They quit in the first few weeks, when their fingertips are sore and chord changes feel impossible. A good app gets you through that stretch with small wins, songs you recognise and a reason to pick the guitar up again tomorrow.
These ten apps and lesson sites are listed alphabetically and in no particular order. Each description comes from the tool's own website, and three take their free or trial status from their App Store listing. If you also want to record what you play, my round-up of apps for recording and mixing your own songs is a good next step.
Guitar apps at a glance
Yes means the site or App Store listing describes a free plan, free lessons or a free version, Trial only means a time-limited trial, and No means neither is stated. Free versions often limit lessons or show ads.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fender Play | Guided guitar lessons | Song-based lessons for guitar, bass, ukulele | Trial only |
| Fretello | Beginner guitar lessons app | Step-by-step lessons with a practice tutor | Trial only |
| Gibson App | Guitar lessons app | Lessons plus a free tuner and metronome | Yes |
| Guitar Tricks | Online guitar lesson library | A big library with a free tier | Yes |
| JustinGuitar | Free guitar course and app | A free structured beginner course | Yes |
| Rocksmith+ | Play-along guitar learning | Songs on a real guitar | Trial only |
| Simply Guitar | Feedback-based lessons app | Lessons that listen and give feedback | Yes |
| Songsterr | Interactive guitar tabs | Learning songs from tabs with playback | Yes |
| TrueFire | Guitar video lesson library | Artist-led courses across styles | Trial only |
| Yousician | Interactive guitar lessons | Game-style practice with instant feedback | Trial only |
Ten guitar learning apps and lesson sites
Fender Play
Best for: Beginners who want structured, song-based lessons for guitar, bass or ukulele from a guitar maker, after a 14-day free period.
Fretello
Best for: Complete beginners who want a guided path and an interactive tutor that checks their playing, with a free trial of Pro.
Gibson App
Best for: Players wanting lessons, tabs and chords in one app, with a free tuner, metronome and practice calendar included.
Guitar Tricks
Best for: Learners after a big catalogue of lessons, starting on a free basic membership with 24 lessons before full access.
JustinGuitar
Best for: Self-taught guitarists who want a free, structured course from one well-known teacher, plus a companion beginner app.
Rocksmith+
Best for: Guitarists who want to plug in a real guitar and learn songs through play-along arrangements, after a free try.
Simply Guitar
Best for: New players who want an app that listens as they play and gives feedback, with a free download and in-app purchases.
Songsterr
Best for: Tab readers who want playback, looping and slow-down, with a free ad-supported version and a Plus upgrade.
TrueFire
Best for: Guitarists wanting a deep library of video courses from working artists across many styles, after a seven-day trial.
Yousician
Best for: Fans of game-style practice who want instant feedback on guitar and other instruments, with a seven-day Premium+ trial.
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Why one guitar subscription won't cover the whole family
This rule surprises parents and partners. Google Play Help's page on Family Library says you can't share in-app purchases, or apps downloaded at no charge, with family members through Family Library.
Most guitar apps are free downloads that open up lessons through an in-app subscription, so on Android one person's subscription won't simply appear for everyone else. If two of you are learning, check whether the app offers its own family or multi-profile plan before you each sign up.
A first-month guitar practice plan
- Tune up every time, with a tuner app or the one built into your lesson app.
- Learn two or three open chords before you try a full song.
- Practise switching between two chords for a few minutes each day.
- Add a simple strumming pattern once the changes feel smoother.
- Pick one song you love that uses only the chords you know.
- Record yourself at the end of the month to hear how far you've come.
Lessons, play-along or tabs: ways to learn
- Video lessons: a teacher explains technique and you copy at your own pace.
- Apps that listen: the app hears your playing and tells you whether you hit the notes.
- Play-along with a real guitar: you plug in and follow arrangements of real songs.
- Tab players: handy once you know the basics and want to learn specific songs.
Habits that keep a new guitarist going
- Leave the guitar out of its case. If it's within reach, you'll play it more.
- Stop while it's fun. Ending on a good note makes tomorrow's session easier to start.
- Track small wins. A clean chord change counts.
And on days when motivation dips, these simple ways to keep your energy up apply to practice as much as to work.
Do you make a guitar learning app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice for learning guitar with an app
Start free. A free structured course or a free basic membership will tell you within a month whether you enjoy the learning style, and that's worth knowing before you subscribe to anything.
If you want instant feedback, try an app that listens. If you want to understand why things work, choose video lessons from a teacher. If you already play a little, a tab player with slow-down and looping is often all you need. Whatever you pick, ten minutes most days beats an hour at the weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Can you teach yourself guitar with an app?
Yes, many people do. An app gives you structure and feedback, though a teacher can spot habits you can't see yourself.
Are there free guitar learning apps?
Yes. Some sites offer free courses or a free basic membership, and several apps are free downloads with optional in-app purchases.
Do guitar apps work with acoustic and electric guitars?
Most lesson apps cover both. Check the app's own site if you plan to plug an electric guitar in.
Can my family share one guitar app subscription?
Not through Google Play Family Library, which Google Play Help says doesn't share in-app purchases. Look for the app's own family plan.
How long does it take to learn guitar?
It varies a lot. Short, regular practice tends to get beginners playing simple songs sooner than occasional long sessions.
Should I learn from tabs or lessons?
Lessons build technique, while tabs help you learn specific songs. Most players end up using both.
