Guitar Lesson Programs Reviews

Best Guitar Lesson Programs of 2026

We've analyzed the best Guitar Lesson Programs to help you find the right solution for your needs.

2026 Guitar Lesson Program Reviews

Where is the Best Place to Take Guitar Lessons?  There are a lot of incredible musical instruments you could choose to learn, but the guitar is a crowd favorite for quite a few reasons. It's easy to tote around and bring a song to life at a moment's notice. It goes beautifully with so many other instruments and if you are able to sing, then you're a walking performance. Whether you're casually jamming with friends, playing at a formal event, or just finding solace by yourself and enjoying a melody, having the talent to play the guitar is invaluable.

5.0

EXCELLENT

1

Best Option

  • Full membership is $299.99/year
  • First lesson is free
  • Beginner to advanced guitar courses

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EXCELLENT

5.0

On the GuitarGate website

Guitargate was built for people of all skill levels. There are over 6,500 videos and learning resources on their website and it is often updated based on student feedback. You can go through the entire first lesson for free to see what you think of the program before signing up for a premium membership. Premium membership unlocks all content on the site for $299.99/year. Although this is one of the more expensive guitar lesson choices, it comes highly recommended by students and we've seen many praiseworthy comments from people who are thrilled with the content of this program. Guitargate is a smart choice for guitar lessons and has earned 5 stars from us.

4.5

GREAT

2

Great

  • $39 for a 30-minute lesson or $74 per hour
  • Trial lessons available
  • First lesson 50% off

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GREAT

4.5

On the Virtu Academy website

Virtu Academy specializes in connecting highly trained instructors with students for real-time, face-to-face guitar lessons. You can select your instructor and book either a 30-minute or 1-hour guitar lesson on your own schedule whenever you want one. The platform is extremely easy to use and understand, and all you need is a guitar and computer with a microphone and webcam for your lesson. Virtu Academy offers a trial lesson and 50% off your first booking, so we highly suggest giving them a try if you like the idea of personalized instruction. Virtu Academy has earned one of our highest ratings.

4.0

VERY GOOD

3

Very Good

  • Pricing starts at $20 for a course, $24.99/month, or $119.88/year
  • 1,500+ courses across every skill level, style, and topic
  • Massive library of over 50,000 video lessons

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VERY GOOD

4.0

On the True Fire website

As one of the largest and most comprehensive sets of online guitar lessons available, TrueFire has something for everyone. Users can pay by course or subscribe for access to all the features TrueFire has to offer - and with a library of over 50,000 video lessons and a variety of interactive lesson tools, you're guaranteed to never get bored. It's clear to see why TrueFire ranks highly among its competitors.

3.9

VERY GOOD

4

Very Good

  • Monthly ($19.95/month) and annual ($179/year) memberships
  • Free Basic Access Membership to sample library
  • 60-day satisfaction guarantee

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VERY GOOD

3.9

On the Guitar Tricks website

Guitar Tricks is a great platform that combines the convenience of online video lessons with the option to meet one-on-one with a teacher if you want to. They have over 11,000 lessons that can be accessed with a monthly or yearly membership. It comes with a 60-day satisfaction guarantee that ensures you'll be learning quickly and want to stick with the program or you get your money back. Ratings for Guitar Tricks from students are extremely positive and they carry an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau. You're in good hands if you use Guitar Tricks to start learning the guitar.

3.5

GOOD

5

Good

  • As low as $19.99/month (for 12 months)
  • 1, 3, and 12 month plans
  • One-on-one teacher feedback

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GOOD

3.5

On the Artist Works website

ArtistWorks is a platform that has tons of lesson plans from renowned guitar teachers. There are a lot of instruments you can learn to play through their program, so the hard part will be narrowing down which lessons to take. You can subscribe for 1, 3, or 12 months for access to your guitar material and video feedback from your teacher. Students can leave reviews about each lesson plan and we found that overall people are really pleased with how effective these lessons are. Although they don't offer a free trial or any sort of guarantee or refund, we're reassured by the positive feedback from students, so ArtistWorks has earned a good rating from us.

3.4

GOOD

6

Good

  • $29.99/monthly or $9.99/month yearly
  • Over 70,000 guitar videos for every skill level
  • Over 1,500 guitar lessons from over 400 instructors

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GOOD

3.4

On the Jamplay website

JamPlay is a sister company with TrueFire (which you'll also find on our list) and their content is integrated for students to take advantage of with an all-access membership. The platform is for people of all guitar levels, but some beginners complain that the videos move too fast and they aren't able to start at the bottom without getting confused. There are over 70,000 videos on this site and over 1,500 structured lessons, so it may feel a little overwhelming to know where to begin. Luckily JamPlay offers a 14-day trial before making you sign up for a monthly or yearly membership to continue. JamPlay has an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau but mixed reviews from students who either love the platform or feel like it is disorganized and doesn't help with natural skill progression. JamPlay has earned a good rating from us, although it isn't one of our top choices.

3.0

AVERAGE

7

Average

  • Monthly ($19.99/month) and annual plans ($149.99)
  • 2-week free trial
  • For beginner and intermediate players

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AVERAGE

3.0

On the Fender Play website

Fender Play is an online platform with pre-recorded videos you can choose from to navigate your own learning journey. They boast that they have hundreds of popular songs you can learn that will keep things exciting. Their platform has progress tracking and different modes for practicing and feedback to help you build on your skills as you go. They don't show you a glimpse into much of the process unless you sign up for an account. This is also the case with pricing and we were disappointed at how they withheld the cost of the program until we gave our name, email address, and made a password. You can either pay annually for access to their content or month-by-month. Both come with a free trial so you can test it out before continuing on and paying. Fender Play likely has useful material, but won't be the best learning route for everyone, so their guitar lessons have earned an average rating.

2.5

FAIR

8

Fair

  • 21 video courses
  • One-time payment plan option starting at $39.95
  • Lots of free video resources

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FAIR

2.5

On the Elmore Music website

At first glance, you may be turned off by Elmore Music. It's got some website issues and their videos appear to be 20 or so years old. However, we like that there are a lot of video courses available for a one-time payment that you can download and use for life whenever you want. You could also get an all access membership and dabble in all the lessons if you can't pick just one. This comes with a 7-day free trial and all lessons have a 60-day money back guarantee. You won't get one-on-one lessons or corrections or feedback here, but if you just want to learn at your own pace, Elmore Music is an affordable place to learn some tips and tricks. Its outdatedness earns a below-average rating, but it could be worth a peek.

2.4

FAIR

9

Fair

  • $97 one-time purchase
  • Access videos 24/7 from any device
  • Lifetime access

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FAIR

2.4

On the Jamorama website

Jamorama is a series of 10 course lessons that teach everything from the basics of guitar to music theory, picking patterns, and more. If you're self-motivated, this fully video-based course would be a good resource to have in your back pocket. It costs a one-time fee of $97 for a lifetime membership. Unfortunately, some students have complained that they've been locked out of their accounts and that technical issues with the site have prevented them from accessing videos. It doesn't seem like there is a strong customer service team behind Jamorama and they aren't actively maintaining the site, so we aren't confident that this will be a good investment.

2.0

SUBPAR

10

Subpar

  • One-time cost of $99
  • DVD-based learning system
  • Over 40 hours of instruction

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SUBPAR

2.0

On the Learn & Master website

Learn & Master once had a lot going for them, but their outdated website with unavailable videos and out-of-stock DVDs dropped them in our rankings. For just $99, you would get over 40 hours of DVD instruction and have access for life. Learn & Master's parent company, Legacy Learning Systems, has an "A+" rating and students seem to have really enjoyed the content here and felt it was effective. We wish that this website were a bit more polished and that there was more inventory of the Learn & Master guitar program, but unfortunately that's not the case at this time.

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Take Guitar Lessons?

There are a lot of incredible musical instruments you could choose to learn, but the guitar is a crowd favorite for quite a few reasons. It's easy to tote around and bring a song to life at a moment's notice. It goes beautifully with so many other instruments and if you are able to sing, then you're a walking performance. Whether you're casually jamming with friends, playing at a formal event, or just finding solace by yourself and enjoying a melody, having the talent to play the guitar is invaluable.

No matter if you have a young kid interested in learning to play the guitar or you're getting up in age and still have a zest for developing new hobbies, there are easily-accessible guitar lessons perfect for your level. Even those who have taken years of guitar lessons and play quite a few songs can continue to learn and move up in their skills. Online guitar lessons can meet you where you're at and provide the convenience of learning on-the-go whenever you have time.

There are quite a few platforms that offer guitar lessons online. They all take on a variation of teaching styles, so what works for one person might not be the best choice for another. Maybe you want to work one-on-one with a teacher online for constructive feedback and to hold yourself accountable to someone. Or maybe you're the type of person who just wants to learn behind closed doors on your own timetable and go at your own pace. Luckily, a few companies out there offer free trials to give you a taste of their platform and choose the one that will benefit you most.

From online guitar lessons, you'll learn everything you'd learn in-person with a teacher. Plus, it's usually much more affordable. You'll cover hand positions, how to find different notes and string them together, strum patterns, and how to read music. You can usually choose your favorite songs and learn to play those, which makes the process much more exciting.

We've done a lot of the important research regarding some of the best online guitar lesson options, but we recommend you keep a few things in mind when you're differentiating between companies:

The experts at Top Consumer Reviews have researched the most important things you'd need to know about choosing a guitar lesson program and ranked some of today's popular options. We hope this information helps you find a company that provides great resources for learning the guitar and builds your confidence as you improve your skills!

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Guitar Lesson Program FAQ

Why take online guitar lessons?
The opportunity to take online guitar lessons allows you to learn at your own pace. You can pause and review lessons as many times as you need to until you feel like you've mastered a skill, technique, or song. You can practice and go over new lesson material whatever time of the day you want without having to make it to a scheduled in-person lesson. You'll also save hundreds of dollars and tons of time, so there is really no reason not to take online guitar lessons!
How do online guitar lessons work?
The services offered by online guitar lesson platforms may vary slightly, but most of them will provide video lessons from professional instructors, play-along songs, progress tracking, Q&A sessions, and more. They're broken into different levels, so you can start where you're comfortable and progress as fast as you're able. You'll be getting more on-demand help with online guitar lessons than you would if you were just taking in-person lessons since you usually have access to an instructor if needed.
How much can online guitar lessons really teach me?
The feedback from students about their experiences with online guitar lessons is almost 100% positive across the board! People are able to progress from first-time guitarists to experts in as little as a few months with consistent practice. You'll get unique tips and tricks from professional guitarists and fellow students learning on the same platform. In addition, you'll have long-term access to all of the material through most platforms, so you can learn as fast as you want and go back and review as needed.
Will I run out of material to continue my learning with online guitar lessons?
No way! Many online guitar lesson platforms are continually adding new songs on top of already having thousands of videos and other forms of lesson material. Your opportunities for learning are far beyond what you'll be able to get through in months or even years. Online guitar lessons are the best way to get a seemingly endless amount of coaching!
How much will online guitar lessons cost me?
You'll have options to either pay for a monthly subscription to an online guitar platform or to buy lifetime access. This ranges from $20/month to $280/year. You can even find all-inclusive courses with full, lifetime access for as low as $100. Regardless of which guitar platform you choose, you'll be saving hundreds (if not thousands!) of dollars in the long-run.
How much experience do I need to do guitar lessons online?
None! The amazing thing about online guitar lessons (or online lessons for any instrument) is that you don't have to have ever picked up a guitar before! You'll be taught how to hold the guitar, where the chords are, beginner strum patterns, and all the basics. On the other hand, if you've been taking guitar lessons for years and decide to move to an online platform, you'll still have plenty of room for learning.
What if I change my mind about the online guitar lessons service I choose?
Your best bet is to find an online guitar lesson platform that gives a free trial. This way you'll get a better idea of whether or not you want to stick to the course. If not, you may have the option of cancelling your subscription or getting a refund anywhere from 7 to 120 days after signing up depending on company policies. Be sure to go with a highly-rated online guitar lesson platform that provides demos of their lessons, instructor bios, or photos of their platform to get a feel for the professionalism and material before signing up.
What equipment do I need for online guitar lessons?
All you need for online guitar lessons is a guitar, capo, guitar picks (if you want them), and access to a device to view your lessons. All the same things you'd need for in-person guitar lessons apply to online guitar lessons as well. Find a comfortable environment to practice in and you're all set!

Compare Any 2 Products

GuitarGate
Virtu Academy
True Fire
Guitar Tricks
Artist Works
Jamplay
Fender Play
Elmore Music
Jamorama
Learn & Master
vs
GuitarGate vs Virtu AcademyGuitarGate vs True FireGuitarGate vs Guitar TricksGuitarGate vs Artist WorksGuitarGate vs JamplayGuitarGate vs Fender PlayGuitarGate vs Elmore MusicGuitarGate vs JamoramaGuitarGate vs Learn & MasterVirtu Academy vs True FireVirtu Academy vs Guitar TricksVirtu Academy vs Artist WorksVirtu Academy vs JamplayVirtu Academy vs Fender PlayVirtu Academy vs Elmore MusicVirtu Academy vs JamoramaVirtu Academy vs Learn & MasterTrue Fire vs Guitar TricksTrue Fire vs Artist WorksTrue Fire vs JamplayTrue Fire vs Fender PlayTrue Fire vs Elmore MusicTrue Fire vs JamoramaTrue Fire vs Learn & MasterGuitar Tricks vs Artist WorksGuitar Tricks vs JamplayGuitar Tricks vs Fender PlayGuitar Tricks vs Elmore MusicGuitar Tricks vs JamoramaGuitar Tricks vs Learn & MasterArtist Works vs JamplayArtist Works vs Fender PlayArtist Works vs Elmore MusicArtist Works vs JamoramaArtist Works vs Learn & MasterJamplay vs Fender PlayJamplay vs Elmore MusicJamplay vs JamoramaJamplay vs Learn & MasterFender Play vs Elmore MusicFender Play vs JamoramaFender Play vs Learn & MasterElmore Music vs JamoramaElmore Music vs Learn & MasterJamorama vs Learn & Master Learn & Master vs JamoramaLearn & Master vs Elmore MusicLearn & Master vs Fender PlayLearn & Master vs JamplayLearn & Master vs Artist WorksLearn & Master vs Guitar TricksLearn & Master vs True FireLearn & Master vs Virtu AcademyLearn & Master vs GuitarGateJamorama vs Elmore MusicJamorama vs Fender PlayJamorama vs JamplayJamorama vs Artist WorksJamorama vs Guitar TricksJamorama vs True FireJamorama vs Virtu AcademyJamorama vs GuitarGateElmore Music vs Fender PlayElmore Music vs JamplayElmore Music vs Artist WorksElmore Music vs Guitar TricksElmore Music vs True FireElmore Music vs Virtu AcademyElmore Music vs GuitarGateFender Play vs JamplayFender Play vs Artist WorksFender Play vs Guitar TricksFender Play vs True FireFender Play vs Virtu AcademyFender Play vs GuitarGateJamplay vs Artist WorksJamplay vs Guitar TricksJamplay vs True FireJamplay vs Virtu AcademyJamplay vs GuitarGateArtist Works vs Guitar TricksArtist Works vs True FireArtist Works vs Virtu AcademyArtist Works vs GuitarGateGuitar Tricks vs True FireGuitar Tricks vs Virtu AcademyGuitar Tricks vs GuitarGateTrue Fire vs Virtu AcademyTrue Fire vs GuitarGateVirtu Academy vs GuitarGate
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