Top 5 free guitar apps | Lessons and simulators!
Discover the best guitar apps to learn chords, practice songs, and simulate.
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Step-by-step to download the guitar apps
If you’re ready to learn guitar using just your phone, here’s how to get started the right way.
You’ll be surprised how quick and simple it is to bring a virtual guitar teacher right into your pocket.
This section will help ensure your download experience is smooth, whether you use iOS or Android.
How download on iOS
- Open the App Store on your iPhone.
- Tap the search icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Type “guitar apps” into the search bar and press enter.
- Browse the results and check app ratings and screenshots.
- Tap on the app you want to install to open its page.
- Read the description to verify if it fits your learning style.
- Tap the “Get” button and confirm with Face ID or your Apple ID password.
- Wait for the download and installation to complete.
- Open the app and follow any on-screen instructions to get started.
How download on Android
- Open the Google Play Store on your Android smartphone or tablet.
- Tap the search bar at the top of the screen.
- Type “guitar apps” and hit the search icon to see the full list.
- Look at the number of downloads, ratings, and user reviews.
- Tap on your chosen app to read its features and instructions.
- Tap “Install” and allow the permissions it requests.
- Wait for the app to finish downloading and installing.
- Tap “Open” to launch the app immediately.
You may be prompted to register or set preferences for your music journey.
What are guitar apps?
A guitar app is a mobile application designed to help you learn or play guitar using your phone or tablet.
These apps can teach you chords, help tune your guitar, simulate real guitars, or even offer full music lessons.
With interactive features, they bring the experience of a music teacher directly into your pocket.
They are often used by beginners to start learning without needing expensive equipment or instructors.
Many also include built-in tuners, metronomes, and backing tracks to improve your skills.
Thanks to guitar apps, learning music has become more accessible, convenient, and fun.
Moreover, guitar apps often come with daily practice reminders, progress tracking, and a variety of musical styles to keep things interesting.
Some even offer community support, challenges, and forums to motivate and connect users worldwide.

1. Yousician
Yousician is one of the most popular guitar apps in the world and has helped millions learn how to play.
It uses an interactive teaching method that listens to your playing and gives real-time feedback.
Lessons are structured like a video game, making it fun to progress through levels and unlock new content.
You can learn chords, melodies, rhythm, and even full songs through step-by-step guidance.
Its clean interface and colorful visuals keep you engaged and motivated.
Whether you’re just starting or already have some experience, Yousician adapts to your skill level.
It’s like having a guitar teacher available anytime you want to practice.
You can also set personal goals, take challenges, and monitor your weekly improvement.
The app encourages healthy competition and even lets you earn badges as you improve.
Features:
- Real-time feedback from your phone’s microphone
- Step-by-step lessons for multiple skill levels
- Practice mode and performance scoring
- Huge library of popular songs and genres
- Works for acoustic and electric guitars
- Customizable learning paths and schedules
Pros:
- Fun and engaging interface
- Great for self-paced learning
- No need for extra hardware
- Progress tracking and reminders boost consistency
Cons:
- Some features require subscription
- Limited content on free plan
- May require strong internet for updates
User reviews: Most users say it’s perfect for beginners and fun to use daily.
Feedback: Some advanced players feel it lacks more complex music theory.
Free? Yes, but with premium features behind a paywall.
Where to download? Available on App Store and Google Play.
2. Ultimate Guitar: Chords & Tabs
Ultimate Guitar is a powerful app that gives access to the world’s largest catalog of guitar tabs.
Whether you want to learn your favorite songs or create your own, this app has it all.
You can search for songs by title, artist, or difficulty level.
It even includes playback and auto-scroll features to help while playing.
Users can rate, comment, and contribute their own versions of tabs.
It supports various instruments, including bass and ukulele.
The Pro version unlocks interactive tabs, tone settings, and song loops.
You can also adjust tempo, transpose chords, and enable left-handed views.
Advanced players appreciate the ability to isolate riffs and repeat tricky sections.
Features:
- Over 1 million tabs and chords in various genres
- Offline access to saved tabs
- Autoscroll and audio playback options
- Personal collections and favorite lists
- Left-handed and dark mode support
- Tools like tuner and metronome
Pros:
- Massive database of songs and versions
- Very customizable interface
- Great for learning specific songs and solos
- Collaborative community for tab sharing
Cons:
- Interface can be overwhelming at first
- Ads in the free version
- Some tools locked behind paywall
User reviews: Guitarists love the variety and say it’s perfect for jamming and learning by ear.
Feedback: New users may find the layout cluttered at first but get used to it quickly.
Free? Yes, with optional Pro subscription.
Where to download? App Store and Google Play.
3. Fender Play
Fender Play is created by the legendary guitar brand Fender, aimed at teaching players from the ground up.
It offers video-based lessons taught by real instructors.
The app is organized by learning paths based on genre and skill level.
You can choose from pop, rock, blues, folk, and country.
Each lesson is short and easy to follow, with practice exercises in between.
There are also built-in progress tracking tools to keep you motivated.
It’s great for both guitar and ukulele learners.
You also get bonus tips from professional musicians and interviews.
Seasonal challenges and skill checklists encourage continued practice.
Features:
- High-quality video lessons with professional instructors
- Multiple genres and styles to choose from
- Progress tracking dashboard with milestones
- Personalized learning paths based on goals
- Practice reminders, tips, and quizzes
- Monthly challenges and new content updates
Pros:
- Professional production quality
- Suited for complete beginners
- Clear and structured curriculum
- Exclusive Fender artist content
Cons:
- Free trial only lasts 7 days
- No real-time feedback
- Requires payment after trial
User reviews: Students love the clear instruction, Fender quality, and genre diversity.
Feedback: Some users wish there were more advanced lessons and a feedback system.
Free? 7-day trial, then paid subscription.
Where to download? Available on App Store and Google Play.
4. Justin Guitar
Justin Guitar is the mobile version of the well-known free online guitar course by Justin Sandercoe.
The app brings his structured lessons to your phone with added tools.
You’ll find practice routines, beginner-friendly instructions, and video guidance.
Justin uses a warm and friendly tone that connects especially with new learners.
Each module builds on the previous one, reinforcing your knowledge.
There are quizzes, timers, and trackers to help build a daily practice habit.
He also offers music theory in a simple and accessible way.
The app includes songbooks, strumming patterns, and finger exercises.
There’s even a community space where users can share progress and ask for help.
Features:
- Complete beginner course designed by Justin
- Practice scheduler and habit tracker
- Play-along songs from different genres
- Quizzes to test your music theory and chord memory
- Video tutorials with Justin and live Q&A sessions
- Chord library and jam tracks
Pros:
- Friendly and easy to follow
- Comprehensive free content for beginners
- Community support and motivation
- Justin’s teaching style is calm and relatable
Cons:
- Less content for intermediate or advanced players
- Some tools and songs require payment
- Not as gamified as other apps
User reviews: Many call it the best app for learning from zero, praising its structure and warmth.
Feedback: Highly praised for its clarity, empathy, and effectiveness in teaching real basics.
Free? Yes, with optional in-app purchases.
Where to download? App Store and Google Play.
5. Real Guitar
Real Guitar turns your phone into a virtual instrument you can actually play.
It simulates a guitar on your screen with responsive strings and frets.
There are different playing modes, such as solo, chords, and recording.
The app supports multi-touch and real sound samples.
You can play along with tracks or create your own music.
This is a great choice if you don’t have a physical guitar yet.
Ideal for kids or casual users who just want to explore.
The app includes a library of preloaded songs and scales to jam with.
Great for testing ideas, composing, or just having fun during free time.
Features:
- Virtual acoustic and electric guitars
- Multiple playing modes (chords, solo, loop, record)
- Recording and playback options with export
- Realistic sound engine and multitouch response
- Background music and rhythm sections
- Built-in tutorials and beginner songs
Pros:
- Very fun and interactive for all ages
- Perfect for practicing anywhere and anytime
- Requires no guitar or extra setup
- Great for musical creativity and exploration
Cons:
- Not ideal for serious structured learning
- Can have frequent in-app ads unless paid
- Limited progression tools
User reviews: Great ratings from users who want a portable, on-the-go practice tool.
Feedback: Better for fun and spontaneous use than for structured lessons.
Free? Yes.
Where to download? Google Play and App Store.
Are the guitar apps free?
Yes, most of the guitar apps mentioned offer free versions, allowing users to access essential learning tools without paying upfront.
The free plans generally include basic lessons, a few popular songs, or core features like virtual guitar simulators and tuners.
These free tools are often more than enough for beginners to get started and build their first skills without needing expensive lessons.
However, to access premium content like advanced lessons, artist-backed tracks, or ad-free experiences, many apps offer subscription plans.
Even so, users can benefit greatly from the free content alone if they commit to consistent practice and exploration of each app.
Are they reliable?
Yes, guitar apps are generally very reliable and trusted by millions of users around the world.
They are created by reputable companies or educators with deep knowledge in music education and technology.
Apps like Fender Play and Yousician are backed by well-known music brands and undergo constant improvements.
Regular updates and user feedback help identify bugs and add new features, improving performance over time.
Ratings in the App Store and Google Play also give insight into how well each app performs across different devices.
You can rely on these apps for serious learning or casual exploration without worrying about credibility or functionality.
How to use these guitar apps?
Start by identifying your goal: do you want to learn chords, play along with songs, or simulate a guitar?
Once downloaded, open the app and follow any setup instructions, like selecting your skill level and musical interests.
Most apps will offer a guided tour or onboarding experience to help you get familiar with the features.
Set a consistent practice schedule and follow the recommended lessons or exercises each day.
Use built-in tools like metronomes, tuners, or feedback systems to improve accuracy and timing.
If the app includes games or challenges, use them to stay motivated and track your growth.
Try experimenting with different modes, such as learning songs, free play, or creating your own music.
Above all, have fun and be patient—consistency is the key to improvement when using guitar apps.
Functionalities and features of the guitar apps
Guitar apps offer a wide variety of features to make learning accessible and fun for all levels of players.
From tuning tools to interactive lessons, each app provides a different experience tailored to specific goals.
You can explore these functionalities based on your learning style, musical genre preference, or playing experience.
Here are some of the key functionalities commonly found in top-rated guitar apps:
Virtual Guitar Simulation
Simulates the sound and layout of a real guitar with touch-sensitive strings and frets.
Ideal for users who don’t yet own a guitar or want to practice chords and finger placement.
Chord Libraries
Includes thousands of chords across multiple keys, often with diagrams and audio demonstrations.
Helps users quickly identify and memorize chord shapes for both rhythm and solo playing.
Interactive Lessons
Step-by-step learning modules designed for all levels, often gamified to increase motivation.
Lessons include visuals, sound feedback, and progress checkpoints.
Tuning Tools
Integrated digital tuners that use your device’s microphone to help tune your guitar accurately.
Many support alternate tunings like Drop D or Open G.
Recording and Playback
Allows users to record their playing sessions and listen back for improvement.
Essential for self-assessment and tracking personal growth.
Progress Tracking
Displays stats such as time practiced, lessons completed, and skills mastered.
Motivates users to stay consistent and improve over time.
Are the guitar apps worth downloading?
Absolutely.
Especially for beginners or anyone who wants to explore music in a low-cost, practical way.
These apps remove the intimidation from learning guitar and offer real value for no or little cost.
They are flexible and adapt to your schedule, making them perfect for busy lifestyles.
Even five minutes a day can produce real improvement over time.
They give you access to expert techniques, songbooks, and training routines from your own home.
For kids, adults, or retirees, it’s a gateway into music without pressure.
They help you build confidence and joy through your own progress.
From beginner chords to jamming along with your favorite songs, the features are rich and practical.
You get encouragement and structure, even if you’re learning solo.
It also helps with finger strength, memory, and hand coordination.
In many cases, guitar apps become a stepping stone to in-person lessons or performances.
They are not only worth downloading—they might become your favorite daily habit.
So try one or more today and see how music fits into your life.
You don’t need expensive equipment or years of training to enjoy playing.
With guitar apps, the first step is simple, rewarding, and 100% yours.