Learning guitar has evolved significantly since traditional in-person lessons. As someone who has journeyed through group sessions, one-on-one tutoring, and even formal guitar grading, I understand the diverse needs of guitar learners. Now, as a professional guitar product tester for Guitar World, I’ve explored a vast landscape of Online Guitar Training options, from instruments and accessories to the platforms offering the best virtual guitar education.
My experience, combined with the extensive testing conducted by the Guitar World team, has revealed a crucial insight: regardless of whether you’re a complete novice just starting your guitar journey or a seasoned player aiming to refine advanced techniques, there’s an online guitar training service perfectly tailored to your skill level and budget.
Currently, Guitar Tricks remains my top recommendation. It stands out as the most comprehensive platform, delivering exceptional value for guitarists at every stage. Recently, our team revisited Guitar Tricks and Fender Play (my preferred choice for beginners) to assess their latest updates and features, ensuring our evaluations remain current and accurate. This guide reflects these updated insights.
The landscape of online guitar training in 2024 is rich with high-quality platforms. These services offer structured learning paths and unique features, often at a more affordable monthly or per-lesson cost than traditional in-person lessons, making guitar mastery accessible from your home.
Starting your online guitar training is straightforward. You only need an internet connection and a device – be it a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. Many platforms also provide dedicated apps for streamlined learning on your preferred device.
For this guide, our expert team and I have rigorously tested a range of platforms catering to various skill levels and budgets, including outstanding free options. Our evaluations centered on ease of setup, content quality, tutor expertise, content breadth, and overall value. Importantly, most platforms offer free trials, typically around 7 days, allowing you to explore several options before committing to a subscription.
For in-depth advice on selecting the ideal online guitar training platform, refer to our how to choose and FAQ sections.
Our Top Picks for Online Guitar Training
Best Overall: Guitar Tricks ★★★★★
Guitar Tricks consistently outperformed other platforms in our online guitar training evaluations. With 25 years of content development, it boasts over 11,000 lessons and 900+ song tutorials, offering ample material for every skill level. From beginner-friendly content with clear learning paths to extensive intermediate and advanced lessons, all are presented professionally by experienced tutors. Its competitive pricing and a 60-day money-back guarantee further enhance its appeal. Guitar Tricks is our top recommendation for comprehensive online guitar training, regardless of your current skill level.
OFFER: Begin your online guitar training journey with Guitar Tricks for just one dollar for the first month and receive a complimentary gift.
> Learn More About Guitar Tricks
1. Best Overall: Guitar Tricks ★★★★★
Guitar Tricks excelled as the premier online guitar training platform in our rigorous testing. Their 25-year content development has produced over 11,000 lessons and 900+ song tutorials, providing abundant resources for every skill level. We found excellent beginner content with structured learning paths, a wealth of intermediate lessons, and advanced material, all delivered with high quality by professional tutors. The pricing is also very competitive, and the 60-day money-back guarantee offers peace of mind. Guitar Tricks is our highest recommendation for online guitar training for all players.
OFFER: Start your online guitar training with a special offer: first month for just $1 and a free gift.
> Read More About Guitar Tricks
Best for Beginners: Fender Play ★★★★★
Fender Play emerged as a top-tier platform for beginners seeking online guitar training. Its guided paths and lesson plans are exceptionally effective for newcomers. While primarily for beginners, it offers enough content to smoothly transition players to intermediate levels. We appreciated its dedicated app for its user-friendly design and regularly updated content, ensuring continuous learning opportunities. Fender Play is an excellent choice for starting your online guitar training journey.
OFFER: Guitar World readers can access a significant 50% discount on Fender Play’s annual plan, reducing the price to just $74.99 annually (approximately $4 per month). Use code guitarworld50 at checkout.
> Explore Fender Play for Beginners
Fender Play Online Guitar Training for Beginners
2. Best for Beginners: Fender Play ★★★★★
Fender Play is a standout online guitar training platform, especially for beginners. Its guided paths and lesson plans effectively lead new players to proficiency. The platform offers a smooth progression from beginner to intermediate levels, with sufficient content for more advanced learners as well. The app is well-designed and updated regularly with fresh lessons and songs, ensuring continuous engagement.
OFFER: Guitar World offers a 50% discount on Fender Play annual subscriptions, available at $74.99 per year with code guitarworld50.
> Discover Fender Play’s Beginner-Friendly Training
3. Best Content Volume: TrueFire ★★★★½
TrueFire offers an unparalleled volume of resources for online guitar training. With over 50,000 lessons, tabs, and jam tracks, it caters to every guitarist’s needs. While the sheer volume can be initially daunting, the structured learning paths are excellent for beginners. Features like slow-mo and looping are particularly beneficial for mastering challenging sections. Although song selection could be stronger and it is pricier than some, the depth of content is undeniable.
OFFER: Get a 30% discount on TrueFire’s All-Access subscription and courses with code GWTF30.
> Explore TrueFire’s Extensive Content Library
Guitareo Online Guitar Training for Usability
4. Best for Usability: Guitareo ★★★★½
Guitareo is a newer platform that stands out for its user-friendly approach to online guitar training. It provides a vast array of videos and resources, presented in engaging and creative ways by friendly instructors. Guitareo excels in guiding beginners, offering comprehensive basic information in a non-condescending manner. Its well-organized layout makes it the easiest platform to navigate, and it’s offered at a very affordable price.
OFFER: Guitar World readers can enjoy a 30-day free trial of Guitareo, the longest free trial among our featured platforms.
> Experience Guitareo’s User-Friendly Platform
Best for Star Tutors: ArtistWorks Guitar ★★★★½
ArtistWorks Guitar emphasizes personalized online guitar training by featuring world-renowned instructors like Paul Gilbert and Andy McKee. It allows students to submit videos for personalized feedback from these tutors, offering a unique one-on-one lesson experience remotely. While it’s a premium service, the direct guidance from top guitarists is invaluable for serious learners. Try ArtistWorks Guitar for free.
> Learn from Star Tutors at ArtistWorks Guitar
5. Best for Star Tutors: ArtistWorks Guitar ★★★★½
ArtistWorks Guitar focuses on delivering personalized online guitar training with a personal touch. They feature world-class instructors including Paul Gilbert and Jared James Nichols, and offer a unique video exchange feedback system. Students can submit videos for review by their instructor, receiving detailed, bespoke responses to improve their playing. This personalized approach provides guidance akin to private lessons from renowned guitarists, all from home.
Try ArtistWorks Guitar for free.
> Discover ArtistWorks Guitar for Expert Guidance
Best for Gamers: Simply Guitar ★★★★½
Simply Guitar demonstrates that online guitar training can be both accessible and engaging. This iOS/Android app uses a gamified approach, making learning fun and interactive. It guides users from basic guitar handling to fretboard mastery, particularly appealing to younger learners with its game-like incentives. While it’s best for early stages, it’s an excellent starting point for children interested in guitar.
OFFER: Save 20% on a Simply Guitar annual subscription, reducing the annual cost to $120 (or $10 per month).
> Explore Simply Guitar’s Gamified Learning Approach
Simply Guitar Online Guitar Training for Gamers
6. Best for Gamers: Simply Guitar ★★★★½
Simply Guitar offers a fun and uncomplicated approach to online guitar training. Its gamified iOS/Android app makes learning engaging and practice enjoyable. It takes users from the very basics to advanced fretboard skills, using a game-style approach that particularly motivates younger learners. While primarily for beginners, it’s a fantastic initial step for kids showing interest in guitar.
OFFER: Get a 20% discount on Simply Guitar’s annual plan, making it $120 per year.
> Discover Simply Guitar’s Engaging Learning Experience
7. Best Advanced Lessons: JTC Guitar ★★★★½
JTC Guitar is ideal for advanced players seeking in-depth online guitar training. It focuses on more complex content than beginner to intermediate platforms, especially catering to heavier music styles. With renowned tutors like Jeff Loomis and Guthrie Govan, JTC offers high-caliber instruction. Its customizable video interface, including guitar-removed backing tracks, is a standout feature for serious practice.
Ready for a challenge? Try a 14-day free trial of JTC Guitar.
> Explore JTC Guitar for Advanced Training
Justin Guitar Online Guitar Training for Free Lessons
8. Best Free Lessons: Justin Guitar ★★★★½
Justin Guitar is an exceptional free resource for structured online guitar training. As a pioneer in online guitar education, Justin Guitar offers well-respected, structured lessons for free. It provides excellent beginner content, along with tutorials and downloadable resources for more advanced players. While additional in-depth content is available for purchase, the free content is substantial and highly valuable.
Start your online guitar training with Justin Guitar for free here.
> Access Justin Guitar’s Free Training Resources
Best Bespoke Lessons: Til ★★★★½
Til offers a unique approach to online guitar training, focusing on personalized learning for experienced players. Instead of structured paths, Til connects you with professional tutors for one-on-one or group lessons tailored to your specific needs. Pay-per-lesson access and lesson recordings offer flexibility and value. Claim $10 off your first Til lesson.
> Discover Til for Personalized Guitar Training
9. Best Bespoke Lessons: Til ★★★★½
Til provides a distinct online guitar training experience, catering to players seeking personalized instruction. It moves away from fixed learning paths and song tutorials, instead matching you with professional tutors for customized one-on-one or group lessons. These tutors, many of whom are industry veterans, help you target specific improvement areas. The pay-per-lesson model and lesson recordings offer unique flexibility.
OFFER: Get a $10 discount on your first lesson with Til.
> Learn More About Til’s Bespoke Training Approach
Best Overall Online Guitar Training
The BEST Way To Learn ALL Guitar Chords – YouTube 
YouTube Video: Best Way to Learn Guitar Chords
1. Guitar Tricks
The Top Platform for Comprehensive Online Guitar Training
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Price: $19.99 monthly, $179.99 yearly
Free Trial: 14 days
Dedicated App: Yes
Key Features: 11,000+ lessons, core studies, song lessons, genre studies, chord/scale charts, maintenance tips, tone advice with amp settings
Reasons to Buy
- Comprehensive learning paths
- Extensive roster of professional instructors
- Mature beginner modules
- Large content library for all levels
- Diverse genre and song selection
- Excellent resources, including video feedback and live lessons
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Reasons to Avoid
- User interface less modern than some competitors
- Rock and blues emphasis, with fewer pop options
Who is this for?
🫵 Ideal for all guitarists! Guitar Tricks offers a vast and growing library suitable for every skill level, ensuring you always find valuable content. It’s also very affordable.
At a Glance
✅ Best for Intermediate Players: Guitar Tricks is excellent for building on basics and introducing advanced theory and techniques.
❌ Not Ideal for Pop Song Focus: While the song library is large, it lacks contemporary pop artists like Taylor Swift.
Ratings
Layout/Design ★★★★★
Usability ★★★★★
Features ★★★★★
Songs ★★★★☆
Overall ★★★★★
Learning guitar is a continuous journey, and Guitar Tricks understands this, constantly evolving its online guitar training content over 25 years.
With over 11,000 lessons and 900+ song tutorials, Guitar Tricks offers more comprehensive training for all levels, particularly beginners and intermediates, due to its extensive content library.
Their beginner materials are exceptional, featuring a core plan that progresses from basic guitar handling to barre chords, clearly presented and paced. The recent updates to their Core Learning System and Guitar Fundamentals Courses, filmed in 4K, provide an excellent starting point for absolute beginners.
The song and genre studies are impressive, offering both concise tutorials and full song lessons, complete with tone advice including pickup selection, amp settings, and pedal suggestions. They cover 12 genres, including niche styles like surf and rockabilly.
The primary limitation is the emphasis on rock, metal, and blues, with fewer contemporary pop artists. While their song library is large, it misses major pop acts, potentially overlooking a younger demographic inspired by current pop music. However, their focus on guitar-centric genres is understandable.
A significant strength of Guitar Tricks is its lesson sequencing. Lessons build progressively, ensuring a logical learning path. This contrasts with some platforms that may introduce techniques prematurely, which can be confusing for new players.
Guitar Tricks’ additional features make it a comprehensive online guitar training solution, closely mirroring in-person lessons. The platform and app include chord charts, metronomes, and tuners. Custom Lesson Plans and 1-on-1 lessons are available for an extra fee for deeper personalization. Practice reminders via email or text are also available. For dedicated learners, Guitar Tricks is unparalleled.
Finally, Guitar Tricks offers a 60-day money-back guarantee, providing a risk-free trial period.
Considering Guitar Tricks versus Fender Play? See our comparison of Fender Play and Guitar Tricks.
> Get Guitar Tricks for Just $1 for the First Month + Free Gift
EXPERT VERDICT: GUITAR TRICKS! Chris Schwarten author photo](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
EXPERT VERDICT: GUITAR TRICKS
Chris Schwarten
“Guitar Tricks is exceptional for serious guitar learners of all levels and genres. Its comprehensive content and structured approach are unmatched.”
Read More: Guitar Tricks Review
Best Online Guitar Training for Beginners
Top 5 MUST-KNOW Practice Tips for Beginners | Fender Play – YouTube YouTube Video: Practice Tips for Beginner Guitarists
2. Fender Play
The Premier Beginner Platform from a Guitar Industry Leader
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Price: $19.99/£19.49 per month or $149.99/£144.99 per year
Free Trial: 7 days
Dedicated App: Yes
Key Features: Bespoke learning paths, quick lessons, popular song library, user-friendly navigation
Reasons to Buy
- Intuitive and broadly appealing user experience
- In-depth lessons for beginners and intermediates
- Step-by-step, engaging tuition
- High production quality with multi-cam videos
- Diverse song library
Reasons to Avoid
- Limited content for advanced players
- Some content repetition
Who is this for?
🫵 Beginner guitarists seeking affordable, contemporary lessons from a trusted guitar brand in an easy-to-use format.
At a Glance
✅ Ideal for Absolute Beginners: Fender Play offers high-quality entry-level content and song lessons to start your guitar journey.
❌ Not for Intermediate or Advanced Players: Content beyond the beginner level is limited.
Ratings
Layout/Design ★★★★★
Usability ★★★★★
Features ★★★★☆
Songs ★★★★★
Overall ★★★★★
As a leading name in guitars, Fender’s online guitar training platform, Fender Play, is designed for excellence. Our tests confirm Fender Play as a top-quality, rewarding choice for online guitar learning. The videos boast superb production quality with multi-camera angles.
Primarily aimed at beginners, Fender Play’s guided paths and lesson plans ensure effective, step-by-step learning.
While content is expanding for experienced players, those beyond early-intermediate level may find more comprehensive options elsewhere, such as Guitar Tricks, our top overall pick.
Fender Play’s lessons are concise, typically 3-5 minutes, which is effective for focused learning. This format suits beginners with shorter attention spans, delivering information clearly and quickly. Practice mode allows slowing videos to 75% or 50% speed for mastering difficult parts.
Fender’s Feedback mode adds interactivity, scoring performance using device mics, similar to Simply Guitar, our #6 pick. Although still in beta, it functions well.
Song lessons are a Fender Play highlight, featuring a growing library of contemporary tracks with varying difficulty levels, from classic rock to modern hits by Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. Lessons are simplified versions, focusing on core progressions and riffs, ideal for starting with popular music.
Fender Play effectively builds brand loyalty from the outset of a guitarist’s journey. The platform offers high-quality, genuine online guitar training for beginners, standing out in a competitive market.
> Get 50% Off Fender Play Annual Subscription with ‘guitarworld50’
EXPERT VERDICT: FENDER PLAY! Chris Schwarten author photo](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
EXPERT VERDICT: FENDER PLAY
Chris Schwarten
“Fender Play is stylish, contemporary, and perfect for beginners and early intermediates. Its lesson and song library is refreshingly diverse, moving beyond typical blues and rock classics.”
Read More: Fender Play Review
Best Online Guitar Training for Content Volume
🎸 Sol Philcox-Littlefield Guitar Lessons – The Session Guitarists’ Playbook – TrueFire – YouTube YouTube Video: TrueFire Guitar Lessons
3. TrueFire
Unmatched Content Volume for Online Guitar Training
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Price: $29/£21 per month, $249/£178 per year, or $2,499/£1,800 lifetime
Free Trial: 30 days
Dedicated App: Yes
Key Features: 40,000+ lessons, 30,000+ tabs, 20,000+ jam tracks, weekly new courses
Reasons to Buy
- Extensive range of courses
- Impressive genre variety
- High tuition standards
- Celebrity educators
Reasons to Avoid
- Can be overwhelming initially
- Premium content at extra cost
- Weaker song library
Who is this for?
🫵 Guitarists with ample practice time. TrueFire offers endless online guitar training content, perfect for dedicated learners who can navigate its vast library.
At a Glance
✅ Best for Extensive Content: TrueFire boasts the largest online guitar lesson collection, ideal if you know what you seek.
❌ Not Budget-Friendly: TrueFire is pricier than other options; a 30-day trial is recommended before committing.
Ratings
Layout/Design ★★★★★
Usability ★★★★★
Features ★★★★★
Songs ★★★★☆
Overall ★★★★★
While YouTube offers abundant free guitar lessons, structured online guitar training platforms like TrueFire provide superior organization. Structured content is crucial, especially for beginners, to avoid gaps in essential skills.
TrueFire stands out with an immense volume of lessons, tabs, and jam tracks – the largest among our recommendations – and features respected and star instructors.
Beginners might find the sheer volume overwhelming, as navigation isn’t the most intuitive. However, once you find relevant courses, the content quality is excellent. Starting with Learning Paths is recommended for structured beginner routes. Advanced players will find the search bar invaluable.
Video features like slow-mo and looping are highly beneficial for mastering complex passages. These features, while not unique to TrueFire, are invaluable for effective practice.
TrueFire is a premium online guitar training option, especially the lifetime membership. However, it’s a robust tool for long-term guitar development.
> Save 30% on TrueFire All-Access with Code GWTF30
EXPERT VERDICT: TRUEFIRE! Simon Fellows author photo](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
EXPERT VERDICT: TRUEFIRE
Simon Fellows
“TrueFire provides a vast, diverse array of online guitar training for all levels, from beginner to advanced, covering genres from blues to flamenco. While the song library is lacking, the site offers extensive resources to keep players engaged.”
Read Our Full Review: TrueFire Review
Best Online Guitar Training for Usability and Navigation
Acoustic Guitar Classics – The Joker By The Steve Miller Band – YouTube YouTube Video: Guitareo Acoustic Guitar Lesson
4. Guitareo
User-Friendly and Fun Online Guitar Training
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Price: $15 per month, $120 per year
Free Trial: 7 days
Dedicated App: Yes
Key Features: Extensive video library, engaging presenters, guitar method sections, 500-song challenge, live videos
Reasons to Buy
- Comprehensive content
- Engaging, likable presenters
- Fun and creative teaching approach
- Well-organized layout
- Regular content updates
Reasons to Avoid
- Initial overwhelm from extensive content
Who is this for?
🫵 Guitarists who want to enhance core lessons with unique, engaging content, fostering well-rounded musicianship through online guitar training.
At a Glance
✅ Budget-Friendly Option: Guitareo is among the most affordable online guitar training platforms.
❌ May Overwhelm Beginners: The sheer volume of content may be initially daunting for newcomers.
Ratings
Layout/Design ★★★★★
Usability ★★★★☆
Features ★★★★☆
Songs ★★★★★
Overall ★★★★½
Guitareo, a newer online guitar training platform, offers a vast collection of concise videos and resources for learning guitar. It effectively guides beginners from the basics in an accessible, non-patronizing way, aiming to get you playing quickly, regardless of age. The platform emphasizes making learning fun and easy to understand.
Resources for ear training and music theory are abundant, offering comprehensive online guitar training. Guitareo’s depth of information becomes increasingly apparent as you explore its offerings.
The website is structured into sections for courses, guitar methods, a 500-songs-in-5-days challenge, recording session preparation, and more. Guitareo excels in creative, engaging content beyond standard lessons, presenting exciting challenges and concepts for players.
Of course, step-by-step lessons for basic guitar skills are readily available.
Notably, Guitareo is well-organized and easy to navigate. While the volume of content might initially seem overwhelming, the site’s intuitive design quickly becomes user-friendly.
> Try Guitareo Free for 30 Days (Guitar World Exclusive)
EXPERT VERDICT: GUITAREO! Richard Blenkinsop profile pic](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
EXPERT VERDICT: GUITAREO
Richard Blenkinsop
“Guitareo is packed with videos offering a wealth of information to quickly get you playing guitar, across genres and styles, whether electric or acoustic.”
Read More: Guitareo Review
Best Online Guitar Training with Big-Name Tutors
Guitar Lesson: Alternate Chord Voicings with Dave Isaacs || ArtistWorks – YouTube YouTube Video: ArtistWorks Guitar Lesson
5. ArtistWorks Guitar
Learn Guitar Online from Renowned Tutors
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Price: 3-month plan $35/£25 per month, 6-month plan $30/£21 per month, annual plan $23.25/£16.50 per month
Free Trial: Sample lessons available
Dedicated App: No
Key Features: 50,000+ video lessons
Reasons to Buy
- Remarkable Video Exchange feedback
- Top-quality tuition
- Big-name instructors
Reasons to Avoid
- Higher cost
- Single ‘school’ subscription limit
Who is this for?
🫵 Guitarists who value star power in their online guitar training and appreciate personalized feedback on their playing.
At a Glance
✅ Learn from Famous Guitarists: ArtistWorks offers feedback from star tutors like Paul Gilbert, enhancing your online guitar training.
❌ Premium Pricing: Personalized feedback comes at a higher cost; consider if the extra expense is justified.
Ratings
Layout/Design ★★★★☆
Usability ★★★★☆
Features ★★★★★
Songs ★★★★★
Overall ★★★★½
A potential drawback of online guitar training is the lack of direct feedback from an instructor. While self-directed learning is valuable, expert guidance can correct subtle technique issues that prevent bad habits.
ArtistWorks addresses this by emphasizing personal interaction. It features renowned instructors like Paul Gilbert, Andy McKee, and Jared James Nichols, and offers video submission for personalized assessment. Instructors review and respond with detailed videos, pinpointing areas for improvement. This feedback level is traditionally only available in face-to-face lessons.
Additionally, a student and teacher community fosters interaction and question-asking.
While star tutors aren’t exclusive to ArtistWorks, they are central to its approach, providing unique insight from idolized players.
Courses are comprehensive and in-depth, requiring commitment. If you prefer short, concise lessons, this platform may not suit you. More camera angles in videos would be beneficial, but features like slow-down are helpful.
EXPERT VERDICT: ARTISTWORKS! Simon Fellows author photo](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
EXPERT VERDICT: ARTISTWORKS
Simon Fellows
“ArtistWorks.com stands out with its personalized video feedback feature. It’s the closest online guitar training gets to one-on-one lessons with top instructors.”
Read More: ArtistWorks Review
Best Game-Style Online Guitar Training
Start learning with Simply Guitar! – YouTube YouTube Video: Simply Guitar App Demo
6. Simply Guitar
Gamified Guitar Learning for Fun and Engagement
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Price: $/£9.99 per month or $119.99/£109.99 per year (20% off currently)
Free Trial: 7 days
Dedicated App: Yes
Key Features: iOS/Android app, step-by-step tutorials, direct app feedback, contemporary song lessons
Reasons to Buy
- Highly engaging for beginners
- Lively user experience
- Strong contemporary song library
- Real-time feedback
Reasons to Avoid
- Limited content for advanced players
- Modern design may not appeal to traditionalists
Who is this for?
🫵 Younger guitarists and beginners who prefer a game-like approach to online guitar training, making learning fun and challenging.
At a Glance
✅ Ideal for Gamers: Simply Guitar’s animated fretboard and competitive elements make online guitar training fun and engaging.
❌ Beginner-Focused: Advanced players will find limited resources; it’s primarily for beginners.
Ratings
Layout/Design ★★★★☆
Usability ★★★★★
Features ★★★★★
Songs ★★★★★
Overall ★★★★½
Simply Guitar proves online guitar training can be uncomplicated and enjoyable. This iOS/Android guitar app guides you from initial guitar handling to fretboard mastery with a fun, gamified approach.
Its core feature is an animated fretboard. Playing correct notes on the scrolling fretboard unlocks content, including Simply Guitar’s impressive contemporary song library (1,000+ songs and growing).
Instant feedback corrects mistakes, and the app revisits challenging sections. This engaging approach addresses the feedback gap in online guitar training, motivating continued practice.
Each level begins with humorous, professional explanatory videos. The animated content is engaging and almost addictive.
Beginners valuing simplicity will love this app and its 7-day free trial. Advanced players should consider Guitar Tricks (#1) or JTC Guitar (#7) for more depth.
Simply Guitar offers a wide song selection, including contemporary pop and diverse artists like Bruno Mars and Billie Eilish, appealing to modern players.
As an app-only platform, ensure device compatibility.
> Save 20% on Simply Guitar Annual Subscription
EXPERT VERDICT: SIMPLY GUITAR! Simon Fellows author photo](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
EXPERT VERDICT: SIMPLY GUITAR
Simon Fellows
“Simply Guitar’s joyful approach to guitar tuition is addictive and fun. Its extensive song library and real-time feedback keep players motivated.”
Read Our Full Review: Simply Guitar Review
Best Online Guitar Training for Advanced Lessons
Chromatic Spice in 15 Steps! – YouTube YouTube Video: JTC Guitar Advanced Lesson
7. JTC Guitar
Advanced Online Guitar Training for Serious Players
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Price: Monthly £19.99 (approx $25), annual £179.99 (approx $224), 6-monthly £99.99 (approx $124)
Free Trial: 14 days
Dedicated App: No
Key Features: Personalized coaching, masterclasses, jam tracks, videos, interactive tabs
Reasons to Buy
- Extensive, high-quality material
- Line-up of top guitarists
- Diverse styles represented
- Excellent video interface
- Rapid skill improvement potential
Reasons to Avoid
- Website navigation less intuitive
- Non-rock genres less prominent
Who is this for?
🫵 Advanced guitarists seeking challenging online guitar training to break through plateaus, especially fans of metal and progressive styles.
At a Glance
✅ Pro-Level Content: JTC Guitar offers lessons by pro players for intermediate to advanced guitarists.
❌ No App Available: JTC Guitar lacks a dedicated app, requiring browser use.
Ratings
Layout/Design ★★★★☆
Usability ★★★★★
Features ★★★★★
Songs ★★★★☆
Overall ★★★★½
Online guitar training isn’t just for beginners. Intermediate and advanced players often seek resources to overcome playing plateaus. JTC Guitar (formerly Jam Track Central) is tailored for advanced players aiming to elevate their skills.
While beginner content exists, JTC Guitar is geared towards more experienced players, with less beginner guidance.
It heavily emphasizes rock, metal, fusion, and progressive styles. While excellent for these genres, acoustic, country, and blues content is less extensive.
Instructors include Guthrie Govan and Jeff Loomis, and downloadable materials enhance off-screen practice.
The video interface is a highlight, offering tab, piano roll, and visual fingerboard display options. You can also remove the guitar track from backing tracks for focused practice.
EXPERT VERDICT: JTC GUITAR! Richard Blenkinsop profile pic](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
EXPERT VERDICT: JTC GUITAR
Richard Blenkinsop
“JTC Guitar offers top-quality online guitar training, presented by incredible players, ideal for advanced guitarists, especially in rock, metal, and progressive genres.”
Read More: JTC Guitar Review
Best Free Online Guitar Training
How to Mix Lead & Rhythm in a Blues – YouTube YouTube Video: JustinGuitar Free Lesson
8. JustinGuitar
High-Quality Guitar Training at No Cost
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Price: Primarily free. Packages from $9.99/£7 per month for 6-month plan
Free Trial: Extensive free content available
Dedicated App: Yes
Key Features: Grade system, downloadable resources, wide course variety for all levels
Reasons to Buy
- Free access
- Beginner to advanced lessons
- Excellent teaching quality
- High production quality
- In-depth paid content option
- Free access is a major benefit
Reasons to Avoid
- Justin’s calm style may not suit everyone
- Some older content present
Who is this for?
🫵 Guitarists with limited budgets seeking expert, trustworthy online guitar training with structured, free content.
At a Glance
✅ Excellent Free Content: JustinGuitar offers high-quality online guitar training that is largely free.
❌ Single Tutor Style: Justin Sandercoe’s calm style may not appeal to all; limited tutor variety.
Ratings
Layout/Design ★★★★★
Usability ★★★★★
Features ★★★★☆
Songs ★★★★☆
Overall ★★★★½
Justin Sandercoe is a legend in online guitar training. JustinGuitar is the best source for genuinely free, high-quality online guitar lessons. If budget is a constraint but quality and structure are priorities, JustinGuitar is ideal.
For beginners, JustinGuitar offers an exceptional, free introductory experience. Advanced players will find tutorials and downloadable practice resources.
Teaching quality is top-notch – Justin’s extensive experience is evident. Presentation and video quality are impressive. While some older videos exist, recent content is reorganized and reshot for improved clarity and modern appeal. And it’s largely free.
A substantial song library of nearly 700 songs is available, though other platforms offer larger libraries.
While YouTube initially provided Justin’s platform, his premium lessons are also worthwhile.
EXPERT VERDICT: JUSTINGUITAR! Simon Fellows author photo](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
EXPERT VERDICT: JUSTINGUITAR
Simon Fellows
“JustinGuitar proves the best things in life can be free. Recent updates enhance its pro quality, making it competitive with paid online guitar training platforms.”
Read More: JustinGuitar Review
Best Bespoke Online Guitar Training
Til guitar lessons on laptop and smartphone
(Image credit: Til)
9. Til
Traditional Personalized Learning for the Modern Guitarist
Our Expert Review:
Specifications
Price: $30 to $120 per lesson
Free Trial: Teacher dependent
Dedicated App: No
Key Features: Professional tutors, group lessons, genre-sorted options
Reasons to Buy
- Top-quality tutors
- Personalized lessons
- Group learning option
Reasons to Avoid
- Lesson costs accumulate quickly
Who is this for?
🫵 Experienced guitarists seeking to refine specific skills through personalized online guitar training with professional musicians.
At a Glance
✅ Bespoke Lessons: Til matches you with expert tutors for personalized online guitar training focused on your needs.
❌ Not for Beginners: Til is geared towards established players, lacking structured learning paths or song lessons for novices.
Ratings
Layout/Design ★★★★☆
Usability ★★★★½
Features ★★★★½
Songs N/A
Overall ★★★★½
Til offers a unique online guitar training model, resembling traditional guitar lessons with a personal teacher, brought online. It provides personalized lessons from professional guitarists.
Til’s strength is its tutor quality, all active industry professionals. This ensures real-world experience tailored to your needs, whether it’s the CAGED system, jazz licks, or technique refinement.
Lesson content is sortable by skill level, style, or schedule, facilitating finding the perfect tutor. Group classes are also available for peer learning and feedback. While not ideal for beginners, Til is excellent for experienced players seeking targeted improvement.
> Get $10 Off Your First Til Lesson
EXPERT VERDICT: TIL! Guitar World author Matt McCracken playing guitar on stage](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
EXPERT VERDICT: TIL
Matt McCracken
“Til excels in personalized online guitar training, offering pinpoint improvements in technique through top-tier tutors. It’s a modern take on traditional guitar education, connecting students and teachers globally.”
Read More: Til Review
Price Comparison of Online Guitar Training Platforms
Compare the prices and value of our top online guitar training choices. Prices are accurate at the time of writing. Some £ prices are converted from $ where not explicitly listed.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
| Service | Free Trial | Monthly | Yearly | Lifetime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guitar Tricks | 14-days | $19.99/£15.99 | $179.99/£141.99 | N/A |
| Fender Play | 7-days | $19.99/£19.49 | $149.99/£144.99 | N/A |
| TrueFire | 30-days | $29/£21 | $249/£178 | $2,499/£1,800 |
| Guitareo | 30-days (with GW promo) | $15/$12 | $120/£95 | $1,200/£945 |
| ArtistWorks | Sample lessons | $35/£25 (3-month plan), $30/£21 (6-month plan) | $279/£198 | N/A |
| Simply Guitar | 7-days | $9.99/£9.99 | $119.99/£109.99 | N/A |
| JTC Guitar | 14-days | $25/£19.99 | $224/£179.99 | N/A |
| Justin Guitar | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Til | N/A | $30 to $120 per lesson | N/A | N/A |
Other Online Guitar Training Platforms Tested
Beyond our top picks, we’ve tested numerous other online guitar training options that offer unique features and are worth considering.
Yousician ★★★½
$9.99/£7 per month or $119.99/£86 per year | 7-day free trial | Features: Audio-recognition tech, 9k lessons, 1,800 songs
Yousician innovates online guitar training with gamification, similar to Simply Guitar. It uses audio-recognition to score your playing accuracy via smartphone or tablet, appealing especially to younger players with its instant feedback and game-like motivation.
Considering Yousician or Simply Guitar? See our Yousician vs Simply Guitar comparison. Also, see Yousician vs Fender Play comparison.
Read More: Yousician Review
Yousician ★★★½
$9.99/£7 per month or $119.99/£86 per year | 7-day free trial | Features: Audio-recognition tech, 9k lessons, 1,800 songs
Yousician offers a unique online guitar training experience, incorporating gamification similar to Simply Guitar. Utilizing audio-recognition technology, it listens to your playing via smartphone or tablet and provides scores based on accuracy, reminiscent of games like Guitar Hero. This approach is particularly effective for younger learners, offering instant feedback and a motivating, game-like structure.
For a deeper comparison, see Yousician vs Simply Guitar and Yousician vs Fender Play.
Read More: Yousician Review
Pickup Music Online Guitar Training
Pickup Music ★★★★½
$29.99 per month or $179.99 per year | 14-day free trial | Key features: Graded pathways, daily exercises, personalized feedback, master classes, 5-min lessons, artist lessons, downloadable exercises
Pickup Music enhances online guitar training by adding personalization and interactivity often lacking in virtual platforms. Its user-friendly website features a chatbot for guidance. Beginner lessons are clear and engaging, getting you playing quickly. New features include 1-on-1 video feedback, weekly live lessons, and expanded Learning Pathways and Masterclasses.
Read More: Pickup Music Review
Gibson: Learn & Play Guitar ★★★★½
$19.99 monthly, $119.99 yearly | 7-day free trial | Key features: In-depth novice to intermediate learning, gamified fretboard, video tutorials, AR amp feature
Gibson: Learn & Play Guitar app excels in online guitar training for blues, rock, and metal beginners. However, it’s less comprehensive for intermediate or jazz, funk, country, and other genre learners. It uses a gamified, learning path approach with an animated fretboard and detailed video lessons.
Read More: Gibson: Learn & Play Guitar Review
Orange Learn ★★★★
Monthly/annual costs vary by grade level | Free sign-up with paid courses | Key features: Accredited course for all levels
Orange Learn offers a credible online guitar training approach, focusing on official, graded courses from beginner to Grade 8. Unlike content-heavy platforms, Orange emphasizes accredited qualifications with online tutor support.
Read More: Orange Learn Review
Orange Learn Online Guitar Training
Orange Learn ★★★★
Monthly/annual costs vary by grade level | Free sign-up with paid courses | Key features: Accredited course for all levels
Orange Learn distinguishes itself in online guitar training by offering official, graded courses aiming for qualifications. Ranging from beginner to Grade 8, it prioritizes credibility over content volume, providing structured learning with tutor assistance.
Read More: Orange Learn Review
How to Choose the Best Online Guitar Training for You
Choosing Online Guitar Training: Guitarist at laptop
(Image credit: Getty/Westend61)
Learning an instrument, be it guitar, ukulele, or drums, is deeply personal and rewarding. Whether you prefer minimal guidance or structured lessons, online guitar training offers options for every learning style.
Many online guitar training platforms share similarities: sign-up, choose a learning path, and access video lessons.
However, subtle differences and extra features like feedback and live lessons can significantly impact your learning journey. Key considerations when choosing a platform include:
- Structure: Is the lesson and course structure logical and user-friendly? Is the site/app navigation intuitive for easy content discovery?
- Lesson Quality: Are videos high quality, filmed from multiple angles? Is tutor hand technique clear? Are lessons well-presented, friendly, and clear in explaining techniques and theories?
- Useful Tools: What features aid learning? Metronomes and tuners are basic, but slowing and looping lesson sections, and on-screen TAB are invaluable.
- Pacing: Is the lesson pacing appropriate? Too fast can overwhelm, too slow can bore. Does the platform align with your goals, whether songwriting skills or learning riffs?
- Price: Does the subscription cost justify the value? Free trials help assess platform suitability.
Learning guitar requires effort and patience. Remember that consistent practice yields long-term rewards in your online guitar training journey.
How We Test Online Guitar Training Services
Testing Online Guitar Training: Man with guitar at laptop
(Image credit: Getty/Westend61)
Guitar World’s online guitar training reviews are editorially independent and unbiased. We use free subscriptions or purchase our own for testing purposes.
Each platform is tested for weeks to thoroughly assess its functionality and impact on playing.
As services evolve, our reviews are continuously updated to reflect changes and maintain accuracy. This guide is regularly updated to align with the latest improvements in online guitar training platforms.
We provide detailed reviews of each platform in this guide. We also evaluate new services, including only those meeting our standards. Our aim is to offer a curated list of top recommendations for various needs, such as best for beginners or best free options.
We capture platform screenshots and link to full reviews in each product entry.
We test each service across devices and skill levels, from a user perspective. Our evaluation categories include:
- Ease of registration/setup
- Content/tutor quality
- Content range
- Song library
- Useful features
This rigorous testing ensures accurate, balanced reviews to help you choose the best online guitar training.
Detailed Testing Criteria:
- Registration/Setup: How easy is sign-up and content discovery? Are free trials easy to access and cancel?
- Content/Tutor Quality: Is video presentation clear and high quality? Are tutors engaging, knowledgeable, and lessons easy to follow? Are playalong songs and PDFs user-friendly?
- Content Range: Does the platform cater to all skill levels or focus on specific areas? We identify strengths and weaknesses to guide player recommendations.
- Songs: How extensive is the song library and genre breadth? Are lessons thorough or concise?
- Other Features: How intuitive is navigation? Are learning paths clear? Are there live streams or community features? Are features like video slow-down and looping available? Is content accessible on multiple platforms and offline?
Read more about Guitar World’s rating system and testing process here.
Why Trust Our Online Guitar Training Reviews?
☑️ 20+ online training services reviewed by experienced guitarists and learners.
☑️ Over 40,000 reviews on GuitarWorld.com.
☑️ 30+ years of product testing at Guitar World.
Guitar World has been a leading guitar resource since 1980. GuitarWorld.com, launched in 1994, reaches 3.8 million guitarists monthly, providing guitar news, reviews, and buyer’s guides.
GuitarWorld.com hosts over 40,000 reviews, with continuous growth.
Our testing team includes:
- Expert reviewers with decades of guitar product and service testing experience.
- Industry professionals with extensive music industry experience.
- Writers with experience at leading guitar publications and companies.
- Guitar tutors with successful teaching businesses and lesson content creation experience.
! Chris Schwarten author photo](https://vanilla.futurecdn.net/cyclingnews/media/img/missing-image.svg)
Chris Schwarten
I’ve played guitar since age 10, through various learning methods and challenges, including trigger thumb surgery. Guitar remains central to my life, playing in an indie rock band and reviewing guitar products for Guitar World since 2020, including the online guitar training platforms in this guide.
FAQs About Online Guitar Training
FAQs Online Guitar Training: Guitarist using laptop
(Image credit: Getty/Francesco Carta fotografo)
What is Online Guitar Training?
Online guitar training refers to guitar lessons accessed via the internet, typically through video lessons on browsers or apps. This guide focuses on subscription-based platforms offering comprehensive lessons and features.
These platforms provide structured curriculums for learning in a logical sequence and pace.
However, free online content varies in quality and structure. Platforms like YouTube may lack structured, accurate lessons compared to dedicated online guitar training services.
Do I Need Internet for Online Guitar Training?
Yes, internet access is necessary for online guitar training. While some platforms allow temporary offline downloads, internet is required to access lessons, whether through home internet or mobile data.
How Much Does Online Guitar Training Cost?
Online guitar training costs vary by platform and subscription level. Monthly fees start around $/£9.99, with annual subscriptions offering savings. Lifetime subscriptions are also available.
Monthly or annual subscriptions can seem significant initially, which is why many platforms offer free trials (7-30 days) to explore content and features. Some trials require no credit card details. Free-to-join sites may charge for premium content.
Platforms like Til offer pay-per-lesson models without subscriptions.
Most subscriptions are cancellable, offering flexibility to pause and resume learning.
Compared to in-person lessons (averaging $40-$60 per hour), online guitar training is significantly more cost-effective.
Is Paying for Online Guitar Training Worth It?
Yes, paying for online guitar training is highly worthwhile. While free resources exist, paid platforms offer structured, accurate lessons from credible instructors, ensuring comprehensive learning.
Paid platforms also often include feedback and community features.
Free trials allow risk-free assessment before committing to a paid subscription, ensuring you get the right online guitar training for your needs.
Is Online Training Better Than Face-to-Face?
Both in-person and online guitar training have pros and cons. In-person lessons offer immediate feedback, but can be costly and less convenient. Some online platforms integrate tutor feedback, combining remote convenience with personalized guidance.
Effective online guitar training relies on clear, professional content. Supplement online learning with real-world practice like playing with others and performing live to enhance your skills. A hybrid approach, combining online and occasional in-person lessons, is also effective.
For a deeper dive, see our comparison of online vs face-to-face guitar lessons.
Latest Updates in Online Guitar Training
Recent Updates
11/08/24: Added Til to guide for its unique interactive lesson format, pay-per-lesson model, and positive user experience. Added verdict sections to each guide entry.
08/06/24: Major guide update: Guitar Tricks promoted to ‘best overall’ after re-review; added star ratings boxes, price comparison table, ‘who is this for’ boxes, and updated FAQs and testing sections.
04/19/24: JTC Guitar entry updated to reflect name change and added depth, coinciding with full JTC Guitar review publication.
02/16/24: Clearer labels added to top product picks for player type targeting.
01/25/24: 2024 guide refresh for easier navigation and right platform discovery, with ‘buy if/avoid if’ boxes for quick service assessment.
