11 Best Apps to Learn Guitar Ranked [For Beginners in 2023]

What Is The Very Best App To Learn The Guitar Right Now?

The best places to learn to play guitar in 2023 are as follows:

1. Guitar Tricks

The “Guitar Fundamentals” section is one of the best instructional videos I’ve ever seen for people who want to understand what they’re actually doing when they pick up their guitar without wasting hours on boring theory.

The guitar app that stood out to me as being the best for beginners trying to learn guitar quickly is Guitar Tricks.

It’s got over 11,000 lessons you can choose from and offers a wealth of resources for guitar players at any level. This means that as you progress from beginner to intermediate and eventually to advanced – you’ll never run out of resources that can take you to the next level.

The Core Learning System

The Core Learning System is one of the standout features of Guitar Tricks and in my opinion it’s what makes it the best guitar app for beginners.

It takes you through how to begin your guitar playing with the basics, including: the correct way you should hold your guitar to avoid pain, how to play with your fingers (or guitar pick), how to play single notes, how to play the basic chords, the popular strumming techniques, how to tune your guitar and more.

As you progress, you’ll learn the major and minor pentatonic scales, minor chords and even the easy way to read music (you’ll be surprised how easy this actually is).

Throughout the Core Learning System, you’ll be learning to play real songs, which makes it more enjoyable and a lot easier.

Why Guitar Tricks Is Worth It

• The app is straightforward and easy to use.
• It ensures that you build good foundational knowledge before moving on to more complicated elements.
• And the teaching style helps keep you motivated throughout the lessons.

The app also teaches various music styles in simple ways, so you can learn the basics of rock, funk, blues or country and find out which one you enjoy playing the most (without ever being locked into one style).

And with over 1,000 well-known songs (plus more being added every week), and step-by-step video lessons that show you exactly what to do in as much detail as you need – you’ll always have plenty of resources to choose from, even when you’ve nailed the Guitar Tricks fundamentals.

The app is available on both Apple and Android devices and they offer a free trial period, so you can test it out and see if it’s the right one for you without spending any money.

Plus it’s been around since 1998, so it’s really well thought through and planned for beginners.

Guitar Tricks User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about Guitar Tricks.

After using Guitar Tricks for almost 2 years I have nothing bad to say about it at all. The instructors are good and I’ve learned a serious amount from them. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to improve their guitar skills, in particular the blues level 2 course

Jermano

I stopped playing guitar 10 years ago but I recently got back into it. After a month of struggling, I found Guitar Tricks and it’s been a game-changer. The lessons they have made understanding guitar so much easier than trying to learn from books or teachers who don’t explain things in a simple way.Thanks Guitar Tricks team!

Carl Dawson

I’ve been using Guitar Tricks for almost a year now and I’m really impressed. The lessons are well organized easy to understand and perfect for when I only have a short amount of time to practice. I’ve tried other lessons before and was left feeling confused and frustrated, but with Guitar Tricks I feel like I’m making real progress. I like that they have a mobile app, but it’s not quite as easy to use as the website so I usually stick to using the web version. also the song library is a bit small for me so I supplement it with other resources but overall I’m really happy with the service.

Callum

They’ve got a really good way the lessons are set up. The short videos that you can watch quickly and then practice on your own is perfect for me. It’s better to learn in small chunks 20 minutes or so and then practice what you’ve learned instead of sitting through a long lesson and constantly having to pause and rewind. Guitar Tricks is great for me.

Glen Stevens

As a member who stuck with Guitar Tricks, this is the first app I would recommend trying if you’re trying to improve your skills and don’t want to waste time doing it.

You can start a free trial by clicking this link here, but be warned – once you start you’ll probably be like me and won’t want to cancel it.

2. JamPlay

With a library of over 450 courses, over 9,000 lessons, taught by over 130 different world-class instructors – JamPlay offers a diverse range of lessons to suit you, regardless of your current skill level. They also have a great roster of instructors, including famous guitar legends like Bumblefoot and Horace Bray.

As soon as you log in to your account, the first thing you see is your progress with the latest lessons that you’ve finished or are currently doing. This is a lot more helpful than it probably sounds on the surface because it allows you to come back to it in your own time and not forget where you was.

As you scroll down the main page, you’ll be able to see all the newest courses and upcoming live courses – this is also great because it helps you plan what you want to learn next.

It’s actually quite exciting being a JamPlay member because they’re always adding new stuff that’s interesting to learn.

Why JamPlay Is Worth It

One of the key benefits of using JamPlay is the live video lessons. This allows you to interact with the instructor and receive real time feedback, making it a valuable tool for anyone who likes real human feedback when learning.

They offer them in two formats:

1. Weekly workshops
   That are hosted live every single week and recorded for later viewing
2. Live Q&A
   Where users can log in at any time within an eight-hour window to receive help for anything.

These live features alone are why JamPlay is considered one of the best guitar learning apps available today.

That being said, JamPlay stands out most for it’s intermediate and advanced courses. They do a good job of teaching the popular stuff most people want to play and there’s also some nice unique lessons that I’ve not seen covered elsewhere.

JamPlay User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about JamPlay.

I’ve looked into a lot of different online bass lessons and hands down JamPlay is the best one out there. The teaching tools they offer are really good and the site can take you from knowing nothing to having a solid grasp of any style you want. The videos are great and have 3 different angles to give you a good view of what’s going on…you really can’t beat the quality and value that JamPlay offers.

Anthony

Really happy with JamPlay. All the teachers are great and I’ve loved taking the live lessons. I’ve learned a lot and I’m still learning.

Simon

3. Jellynote

Jellynote is a great option for those who want to learn multiple instruments, not just the guitar. It offers a wide range of training options for instruments like the ukulele, piano, violin, flute, bass and more.

It’s not the greatest app for people who are totally new to guitar, but what sets Jellynote apart is its huge collection of over 100,000 songs, available in sheet music, tabs and chords format.

When you’ve got a bit more experience, you’ll find the app quite useful as it features MIDI sounds so you can hear how the musical notes should sound, and you can also adjust the tempo to learn at your own pace.

With the Jellynote premium subscription, you have access to all the music sheets on the platform without having to purchase them individually. However, it’s worth noting that the subscription does not grant you the right to print them. You still need to purchase prints (but at a discounted price).

Jellynote User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about Jellynote.

Jellynote is a 5 out of 5 I’ve learned more from this than I could from any book

arthur

Just downloaded the app a few days ago but I’m really liking it atm. Bit annoying with the time limit but still impressed!

Oliver Evans

4. Truefire

TrueFire offers a wide range of instructional videos for guitarists of all skill levels. With over 51,000 videos taught by hundreds of instructors, including big names such as Joe Bonamassa and Steve Vai – TrueFire offers a diverse range of courses to choose from.

TrueFire has different “Learning Paths” to choose from, which are structured courses that cover different genres such as blues, acoustic, bass, rock, jazz, and country. These paths are divided into five levels, starting from beginner and progressing to advanced, allowing you to start at the point that best suits your current abilities.

I quite liked how they broke these up in this way because it meant I could skip through the parts I already knew.

Why TrueFire Is Worth It

One of the key benefits of using TrueFire is the flexibility it offers. You can learn at your own pace and access the courses on any device, making it easy to fit guitar learning into your already busy schedule.

It’s also not solely aimed at beginners which means there’s some great advanced content on there for you once you get a bit better.

Then there’s also the amount of famous guitarists you can learn from, including:

• Andy Wood
• Ariel Posen
• Corey Congilio
• Greg Koch
• Jeff McErlain
• Joe Bonamassa
• Josh Smith
• Kirk Fletcher
• Larry Carlton
• Matt Schofield
• Pat Martino
• Robben Ford
• Steve Vai
• Tim Pierce
• Tommy Emmanuel
• and more

There’s also a 14-day free trial, allowing you to explore the platform before committing to a subscription.

Truefire User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about Truefire.

Absolutely Brilliant, I’ve tried most of these courses and it’s more expensive that the onther ones but well worth the extra money . The learning paths are better structurered for people starting from scratch, whereas you often get lessons where there’s assumed knowledge in competitor courses. If you don’t know anything about guitar, this is the best course for you. VERY GOOD JOB TEAM

Ed

I’m just starting out but so far so good. The lessons have been great they are clear and concise.For me it’s 5 stars and I 100% would recommend.
Thanks
David

Alien Guitarist

5. Fender Play

Fender Play has a wide selection of guitar tutorials that many people find easier to digest than videos from other courses.

One of the best features of Fender Play is the flexibility it offers. There’s loads of short tutorials that makes it easy for beginners to follow and understand the information without committing hours to learning every single day. In fact, you could just put in 15 minutes per day and still see decent progress as it’s very to-the-point.

Another good thing about Fender Play is that you can try before you buy; the app offers a 7-day free trial, giving you enough time to test out the beginner lessons and decide if it’s the right course for you.

Why Fender Play Is Worth It

Fender Play offers a song-based approach to learning, where you can master new skills while playing your favorite popular songs, making practice feel less like a chore and more like fun.

In terms of guitar genres they cover, you can choose from: rock, country, blues, pop or folk.

After you’ve picked your genre, you’ll be taken through a path with five levels. Each level has a variety of courses that are broken up into short videos (typically 5 minutes each) where you’ll quickly learn the important aspects needed to master the style.

Each of these videos are filmed with multiple camera angles and the audio and video are extremely high resolution – providing an easier learning experience than you can get on YouTube or over a Skype call lesson where it’s hard to see what’s going on.

The app also provides access to a huge library of songs with new lessons added weekly, so if your favorites aren’t on there yet, there’s a good chance they will be soon.

The Fender Play app is available for both Android and Apple devices, and it offers a wide range of tutorials for both beginner and advanced guitarists.

The app also offers a choice of guitar, bass or ukulele so if you wanted to learn other instruments at the same time, you can. And it’s also a self-paced learning system, so you learn at your leisure.

Fender Play User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about Fender Play.

Fender Play is the real deal for anyone wanting to learn guitar. As a beginner I was skeptical about whether it would actually help but it’s been AMAZING. I’ve learned loads of chords and even some full songs. If you want to learn guitar, this is the app to get. I’d give it 10 stars if I could.

Rebecca

5/5. After years of picking up my guitar every now and then and not getting anywhere this has been insane. Since I started using the app I’m making real progress..!A week in and I’m already playing songs I never thought I could! Well Worth the money!

eric hodgson

I’ve been using Fender Play for a bit now and it’s been pretty good so far. Some of the lessons feel a bit repetitive, but it helps you practice what you learned in other lessons. It’s hard to learn guitar but the app does help me want to keep going.
so far so good!

George

6. Justin Guitar

Justin Guitar offers a well organized learning pathway with a wide range of songs and skill sections to choose from. There are also paid options available, such as premium courses and instructional ebooks.

This is a great, mostly free online guitar learning platform that offers beginner to advanced level lessons for guitarists of all ages. The site boasts high quality video quality and easy to follow instructions.

The platform is organized into levels, each comprising of three grades, and each grade is split into several modules that are packed with various lessons designed to teach you the skills without overwhelming you.

Why Justin Guitar Is Worth It

Justin’s teaching style is very to the point, meaning you don’t waste time on stuff you don’t need to know. And the lessons typically last between 9 – 20 minutes, covering a wide range of topics – from basic open chords to barre chords, lead guitar playing and different styles such as: blues, jazz, fingerstyle, funk and folk.

The site also offers skill sections for those looking to take a deeper dive into specific areas such as arpeggios, scales or even ear training.

The song library on JustinGuitar.com is also impressive with over 727 songs, making it appeal to all skill levels and tastes in music (and more songs being added all the time).

Most of the song videos were shot a few years back, but they are still very good quality.

With Justin’s constant updating and expansion of the site, it’s definitely up there when it comes to the best guitar apps.

Justin Guitar User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about Justin Guitar.

I’ve been a fan of Justin’s guitar lesons for a long time since the days watching on Youtube, and the app has made it even better to learn.

The lessons are clear and I’ve made significant progress in a short amount of time. I can’t thank you enough Justin!!
Michael

Michael

He’s a really good teacher and the courses are excellent. The free stuff is better than some of the courses I’ve paid for so I’m a big fan of JustinGuitar.com and don’t mind paying for it.

Sarah Garcia

Brilliant course! I started playing guitar with another course and got so bored that I almost gave up This is like finding gold thanks J! 🙂

Andrew

7. Jamorama

One of the best things about Jamorama is that they offer lifetime access to their content. This sets it apart from other courses who prefer monthly subscriptions. Plus they also offer a 120 day money back guarantee.

Jamorama is a great guitar learning platform for beginners. Although many people know it for it’s advanced lessons, they offer lessons on a variety of important guitar skills that beginners need to learn too, such as: the foundational guitar skills, playing chords, strumming techniques, different playing styles, scales, progressions, picking patterns, music theory, practice routines and guitar maintenance.

Why Jamorama Is Worth It

They start with pretty basic stuff like chords and some basic guitar maintenance, which is great for beginners. And each course is split into a number of parts, labelled as “weeks”, with the idea that you should complete one section per week to complete that course. This is quite good as it allows you to move at your own pace without feeling overwhelmed.

All courses are taught by the same instructor, Mark McKenzie, who is a really good guitarist and great teacher.

For beginners, there are loads of videos designed for people who know very little about guitar. However, he does do some advanced lessons such as speed picking, fingerstyle and blues that are amazing as you get better at the guitar. In terms of time, completing all the courses should take about a year.

Another unique thing about Jamorama is their community which allows users to connect with each other and share their experiences.

Jamorama User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about Jamorama.

Jamarama is the best place to learn guitar. the way they teach chords and strum patterns etc is so much better than i expected, specially the “play along” which is really helpful tolearn timing and creating my own songs. So far it’s been worth every penny.

Bruce

8. Yousician

Yousician is a great app for beginners looking to learn guitar and other instruments. The interactive interface, along with the real-time feedback, make it a good option for anyone looking to improve their skills.

Yousician is a fun and interactive app for beginners looking to learn guitar (as well as: piano, ukulele, bass or even singing).

The colorful and lively interface is quite a fun little touch, which to me makes it perfect for kids because it’s like playing a video game – whilst still learning something important.

The app offers a decent song library and a variety of exercises and courses to help you improve your guitar skills. However some people complain that the bright aesthetic can be overwhelming after a while.

Why Yousician Is Worth It

One of the standout features of Yousician is the animated, moving fretboard that makes learning the guitar fun and interactive. The app listens to your playing and provides real-time feedback, helping you to stay in time and improve your skills.

The app features a guitar learning path that includes: missions, themes, and levels that guide you step by step through the process of learning to play the guitar.

The “Levels” range from basics to advanced and include thousands of exercises that’ll help improve your abilities. Once you get to level 5 on Yousician, you’ll most likely be able to play along with a lot of your favorite songs.

The app also includes an activity report that is sent to you every Monday to help you track your progress. This is helpful if you’re someone who lacks motivation as it’s a weekly reminder.

Yousician can be downloaded on Apple or Android smartphones and tablets, and it can also be installed as an application on your PC too (Windows and Mac).

Also, Yousician gives you the option to buy a family membership, which means your whole family can learn together under the one subscription.

Yousician User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about Yousician.

Yousician is great! I’ve been using it for years and it’s been the main thing that’s helped me learn guitar. I used to think you needed private lessons but these videos do the trick

Cody

Fantastic no youtube video reaches the quality of Yousician. It’s well instructed and really worth the money. You can always study at any time of the day, even when travelling across the country. Thanks so much. 5*

chris

9. ChordBank

Chordbank is a guitar app that helps with the fundamentals of guitar playing. It’s a simple and easy-to-use tool that provides you with the finger positions for a huge amount of chords, whether you’re looking for major, minor, seventh, sixth, suspended, slash, diminished, augmented or any other type of chord – you’ll find it on ChordBank.

With thousands of chords, scales, lessons and tools – Chordbank is a great resource for people of all ages that are looking to learn guitar.

One of the standout features of Chordbank is its hand curated chords, which are selected by experts to be comfortable to play and musically sound. This ensures that you are learning chords that are actually useful and practical for your playing.

Why ChordBank Is Worth It

Aside from it’s core function, the app also includes a “Genius” button that provides you with a note-by-note explanation of any chord, as well as links to videos that make music theory simple to understand.

Chordbank also includes a reverse chord finder, which allows you to tap the fretboard and put in the chord you’re playing on your real guitar. The app will then tell you what chords those notes make up, which is really useful if you’re watching your favourtie guitarist play and aren’t sure what chord he’s playing!

With a simple interface and easy navigation, Chordbank is a valuable tool for any new guitarist looking to improve their skills. Plus it’s available on both Apple and Android phones.

ChordBank User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about ChordBank.

Very cool app, you get the basic chords for free, the full access isn’t over expensive so worth getting if you use it as much as me.

Ted

10. Amped Guitar (Gibson guitar: Lessons & tuner)

The Amped Guitar app uses augmented reality to give you real-time feedback and adjustments to your playing.

Gibson guitar: Lessons & tuner, also known as “Amped Guitar”, is another useful guitar app that provides you with an interactive guitar learning experience. The app is designed to cater to all experience levels, from beginners to more advanced players looking to improve, and offers advice from some of the world’s greatest guitarists.

Why Gibson guitar: Lessons & tuner Is Worth It

• Built-in Digital Amplifier
  This allows you to jam along with backing tracks and even record yourself!
• Gibson TV
  Gives you access to Gibson’s original TV series about guitars, music and culture.
• Training Calendar
  This helps you set a structure for your learning and provides reminders to play a little bit every day.
• Built-in Tuner & Metronome
  Which are essential tools for any guitar player. The tuner supports standard tuning and many other alternative tuning options, while the metronome includes all the standard features expected of a good metronome.

The app offers a 14-day free trial for the annual subscription, so it’s worth checking out if it sounds like the sort of app that’d help you.

Plus, it is available on both Apple and Android.

Gibson guitar: Lessons & tuner User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about Gibson guitar: Lessons & tuner.

This is awesome. For the price, it’s got to be one of the best tools out there for learning guitar. You do need a headset, but its worth getting regardless. I love it!Thanks (your app is as good as your guitars!)

Adam from Cairns

11. Guitar Pro

Whether you want to learn the riffs of your favorite guitarists or write down your own ones, Guitar Pro makes it way easier.

Guitar Pro is a great guitar app for players who have a bit more experience than the typical beginner (as well as advanced guitar players).

It’s a fantastic app for guitarists, bassists, ukulele players, and more who are looking for something to make editing, reading and creating sheet music simple.

With a wide range of integrated features, such as a metronome, chord and scale libraries, tuner and virtual instruments – this program makes it easy to improve your skills and take your playing to the next level.

One of the standout features of Guitar Pro is its smart reading options, such as the “loop mode” which allows you to focus on specific sections of a song and improve your technique on the part you’re struggling with.

Guitar Pro is available on both Apple and Android devices and it’s not over expensive on either app store so it’s worth checking out as you get better at guitar.

Guitar Pro User Reviews

Here’s some of the comments other people have made about Guitar Pro.

Tad on the expensive side but really good bit of software if you’re trying to learn difficult songs as you can slow down the playback to your own BPM

Philip