# Gibson: Learn to Play Guitar — user reviews > 696 indexed App Store user reviews of Gibson by Zoundio, rated 4.80/5 from 12,511 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gibson-learn-to-play-guitar/id1116032929/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gibson-learn-to-play-guitar/id1116032929.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 10,773 · 4★ 1,089 · 3★ 279 · 2★ 99 · 1★ 271 ## What do users think of Gibson? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🚀 Beginner-friendly - 🚀 Effective teaching style - 🚀 Plenty of songs - 🚀 Interactive and immersive - 🚀 Accurate feedback - 🚀 Motivating and addictive - 🚀 Convenient for practicing anywhere **Cons** - 🐛 Buggy and glitchy - 🔒 Expensive subscription - 🔒 Limited free content - 🔒 Headphones required - 🔒 Lack of PC/Mac support - 🔒 Inconsistent difficulty progression - 🔒 Limited song selection **Commonly reported bugs** - Frequent app crashes - Unreliable note/chord detection - Upside down screen orientation issues - Subscription issues (unable to access content) - Incompatibility with older devices **Most requested features** - Ability to pause, rewind, and adjust speed - More comprehensive song library - Skill-level based lessons - Option to hear own guitar sound - Improved note/chord detection - Ability to save/mark songs in progress - Music theory lessons - Ability to create and play own songs ## Newest reviews (13 of 696) ### 3/5 — Decent Instructional Tool, but Don't Trust the Audio Engine *2026-09-01, version 6.2.6* Pros: The lesson layout, visual tracks, and bite-sized progressions are well-structured for building muscle memory and learning song patterns. Cons: The built-in audio pitch detection is unreliable. Even in a silent room after a sound check, the app consistently flags correct notes as "too high," "too low," or off-tempo. Testing this confirmed the system frequently misreads input, sometimes auto-advancing on phantom frequencies while the instrument is completely quiet. Verdict: Worth checking out for the visual lesson layouts if you catch a free trial, but the buggy mic tracking and high subscription cost make it hard to recommend for long-term daily practice. Trust your physical tuner and your own ears over the app's pitch tracker. ### 3/5 — It’s okay but *2026-08-26, version 6.2.6* It would definitely be a decent app if it wasn’t all behind a massive paywall you get about three lessons not even three like maybe one big lesson and that’s it. You can’t learn the actual important stuff it all behind a paywall all you learn how to do is as much as one or two frets and that’s it. Everything else is behind the payroll. How are you supposed to learn if everything‘s behind a paywall you can’t provide yourself from being a free app with literally everything on the app that’s useful is behind a paywall You’re not a free app you might as well just ask to have money you might as well go and make the app cost money instead of saying it’s free and then put everything behind the payroll. That’s just stupid. It’s hypocritical if you want to actually help people then why not give more lessons you’re literally teaching me how to do two frets and that’s it 2345 Fritz and boom you gotta pay the rest of it. You can’t learn the basics like it’s like learn the basics but you can’t even learn the basics. You can’t even learn how to hold a pic before it offers you paywall which is so stupid to me because you can’t pride yourself and being a free app playing guitar and then everything you have on the app is behind a paywall that’s not helpful at all. You’re better off costing money. ### 2/5 — Good but not instructive *2026-08-23, version 6.2.6* It seems to be a good video game style of learning if you can already play guitar, but it isn’t great for beginners. There’s no consistency between stages, suddenly you jump to something you have no clue how to do and the app is just saying do this now, then this, then this. No explanation of how. Then it is so difficult to navigate, like finding your way around a maze. And goodness help you if you lose your place, or go away for a few days and have to backtrack, or if you quit and later need to start again, you haven’t got a hope of finding your way. There’s a lot of content but it isn’t great badly organized and very frustrating for the beginner, completely sapping confidence. ### 4/5 — Using the app to relearn *2026-08-10, version 6.2.4* Played guitar for 30 years then took an 8 year hiatus. I’m using the app to clear the cobwebs and maybe learn some stuff I didn’t know in the first 30 years. It’s really great for working on your timing, finger strength, muscle memory and coordination between your right and left hands. I’m working on lessons below my ability but I am enjoying slowly easing back in. Doing a deep dive on the minor pentatonic scales right now. I never knew all the scale shapes, extended shapes and how to find them easily from each end of the neck and in between. I’m learning all of that as I tune up my playing ability. The ai analysis is really good too. Gives you detailed information on your playing. Worth every bit of the subscription price. Can see this being a good tool for beginners as well. Lots and lots of different sessions available to cover an extreme amount of topics! Highly recommend! ### 4/5 — Restart *2026-08-10, version 6.2.4* I love this app its very easy but when i go back and try tohit resume spmetimes i hit the restart button and it restarts all my progress and ita very annoying, please make more space beyween the resume and restart button ### 2/5 — Where are the 10K Songs and Lessons? *2026-07-28, version 6.2.4* The song list is a barren wasteland. I thought, “surely, with ten thousand songs and lessons I will be able to practice some reels and jigs.” The ad is misleading. ### 4/5 — Orientation *2026-07-08, version 6.2.1* One really bad thing about this app is you can’t choose the way the orientation is aka in other words the usbc always has to be on left and id rather it be on right… really bothers me tbh ### 5/5 — Great tool *2026-07-04, version 6.2.0* Great app or all levels ### 5/5 — Excellent app and customer service *2026-06-23, version 6.1.2* My wife and I recently retired and have both decided to learn to play guitar. The Gibson app has been wonderful, both in its content and the way in which it presents the material and assesses one’s progress. I had a question regarding the app and sent a note to customer support on a Saturday evening. On Monday morning a response from the support team was waiting for me in my inbox. The email was very helpful and thorough - somebody took time to write that email. That impressed me a lot. It’s an excellent app supported by an obviously excellent team. ### 5/5 — God send *2026-06-16, version 6.1.2* I’m learning faster with this app. ### 5/5 — Unbelibable experience! *2026-06-09, version 6.1.2* Other platforms base themself on made up songs, and a bunch of confused techniques, Gibson app is base on real music learning material. Stuff that make sense to your ears. ### 5/5 — Pretty good *2026-06-03, version 6.1.2* Paired with Scotty West’s AUG and I’m feeling like I’m learning what I want to. ### 5/5 — I wanted to play a guitar *2026-06-03, version 6.1.2* It taught me how to play a guitar so 5 stars ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Doesn’t move forward In lessons *2026-08-26, version 6.2.6* The app is glitchy on new iPhones ### 1/5 — Definitely NOT free! *2026-08-16, version 6.2.5* You have to pay for like almost everything! How am I supposed to learn if I can’t take lessons! ### 1/5 — What am I missing? *2026-07-23, version 6.2.3* I see all these reviews about how much people like the app, but I don’t get it. Couldn’t get past the tuning page without killing the app and skipping it. I am not even 30 mins, and fully blocked by the “7-day trial”. What is the point of a 7-day trial when I can get past a few mins/few lessons. Why are you forcing screen rotation? Not allowing it to rotate as I need is severely hampering (the headphone cord goes the wrong direction and gets tangled with my guitar. I’ve been playing guitar for many years, so I selected “intermediate”. First lesson? Here’s how to make your first note: pluck the thinnest string at the first fret! Why ask if you are going to ignore it. I am all for these kinds of apps and I would gladly pay for it, but not with these basic UI/UX problems and certainly not when I am given a 7-day trial that blocks after 30 mins. ### 1/5 — Update messed everything up *2026-07-22, version 6.2.3* I tried every way with my Positive Grid Riff to get the digital amp version of Gibson to work and it did absolutely nothing. All I do now is practice with a dry, clean sound from Bias FX, because I won’t hop back and forth between apps to get the right sound every time I practice or play something different. That’s annoying. ### 1/5 — REALLY THINKING ABOUT THE SUB PLAN *2026-07-16, version 6.2.2* I have been trying for weeks to play whatever so I want from basic and melody so I can get better but the app won’t let me even though I have finished the lessons to be where I am. I do not want to move forward until I’m comfortable but it will not let me tap the song to play like it did my first week. ### 1/5 — Buggy *2026-07-12, version 6.2.1* For some reason, the game still gives me points for hitting the note right without even playing a note. I’ve had to restart restart my phone close the app twice and it’s still the same. ### 1/5 — Timing off *2026-06-11, version 6.1.2* The latency is still really bad I use my own eye don’t pay attention to the red green miss versus hit. Works a lot better. Can’t get an update either my phone don’t automatically update. ### 1/5 — Begs for reviews *2026-05-31, version 6.1.2* If your app begs for reviews in the middle of doing what your app is supposed to do, then you get 1 star, regardless of how good the app is otherwise. ### 1/5 — Stuck with headphones and phone mic *2026-05-30, version 6.1.2* I’m not a fan of the game style learning. I was using another app like this a while back and realized that i was learning to watch a screen instead of listening to keep time. I’ll be bc stick with truefire and Justin. When I want to learn a song I’ll use songster. ### 1/5 — Don’t Fall for Gibson’s Guitar Lessons App – Beautiful App, Crooked Billing Practices *2026-05-29, version 6.1.2* I purchased a Gibson guitar subscription to learn how to play, initially signing up for what I believed was a single annual plan. After paying $129.99, I started the seven-day trial to evaluate the service. The very next day, I received an email from Gibson offering a “special” subscription for just $90.99. Grateful to stay within my budget, I accepted what appeared to be a better deal — and immediately canceled the original seven-day trial. What followed was a textbook example of deceptive and predatory billing practices. Despite canceling the trial right away, it refuses to be removed from my account, and Gibson is now insisting on billing me the full $129.99. Meanwhile, I was also charged the $90.99. I am now saddled with two separate annual subscriptions—totaling over $220—neither of which I can cancel or access properly. When I contacted Gibson directly, I was told they could do nothing. They’ve outsourced the service to some third-party company in Europe, and their hands are conveniently “tied” by contract. Despite my repeated emails to this mysterious European entity, I’ve received zero response. Gibson, a respected American brand, has effectively washed its hands of the entire customer service nightmare they created. This is outrageous. While the app itself may be solid (it currently holds a 4.8-star rating), the company’s predatory billing tactics and complete abdication of responsibility are disgraceful. Trapping customers in non-cancellable subscriptions through opaque overseas partners — even after they cancel a trial in good faith — is not just poor business, it’s deeply unethical. I’ve disputed the $90.99 charge with Apple Card, but fighting the original $129.99 is proving equally frustrating. At this point, I’ve been left with no choice but to abandon Gibson’s platform entirely and resort to free YouTube tutorials. Consider this a warning: Gibson’s guitar training app may look appealing, but their billing practices are a nightmare. Think twice before handing over your money. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Great App and Great Customer Service *2026-08-31, version 6.2.6* As an older beginner, I find the App easy to follow, intuitive and it never loses its temper! The customer service team have been equally patient in helping me with my “ newbie ” queries. A super start to what I hope will be a long and rewarding partnership. ### 5/5 — So much fun *2026-08-22, version 6.2.6* I want to be a singer, but I feel like I need to learn an instrument. So me and my dad looked on the App Store and tried it out. It’s still my first day and I feel like I have learned so much. ### 5/5 — Get this app *2026-08-08, version 6.2.4* I took a chance about a year and a half ago. After years of lessons and tutorials I was still missing something and started the Gibson app and can’t say enough about how good it is and how it’s helped me progress in my home on my time and sooo many things you can do that keeps you focused and having fun 🤘🏼 . ### 5/5 — Great App, Veterans Discount *2026-07-30, version 6.2.4* After a free trial I was hooked! They have a generous veterans discount and the staff and support team is very helpful. ### 5/5 — Dear Gibson *2026-07-26, version 6.2.3* I bought this app because simply guitar sucks and I have an Epiphone SG Tribute I would get a standard but I spent all my money on this guitar anyways whoever is reading this have a good day! ### 5/5 — Gibson *2026-07-20* I have installed this app on multiple devices and it is a great way to play guitar. I have been learning guitar for about 4 years and it is a good way to practice and play guitar with Gibson. I would like to see a platform where you can write songs and publish it among artists **Developer response:** Hi there, thanks for the review. Please do reach out to us at app.support@gibson.com with any ideas or suggestions you have for future updates and we'll gladly look into what can be done. Best regards, Matthew ### 5/5 — Fun app *2026-07-09, version 6.2.1* Super fun to play along with my new les Paul. ### 5/5 — Outstanding! *2026-07-05, version 6.2.0* 5 star all the way - highly recommended ### 5/5 — From novice to professional *2026-07-05, version 6.2.0* The goal is for me to be a professional guitarist one day and I learnt playing guitar and understanding tips around guitar using this app. It’s a great beginner friendly app without any need for a tutor or instructor. ### 5/5 — Fundamentally Sound - my goal *2026-07-04, version 6.2.0* I am very pleased with this application. It is afforded me the opportunity to learn all about playing the guitar at my own pace. The competition in the levels encourage you to stick with it and it’s amazing how much I’ve learned just in the two months I’ve been working with the app! I have bought two other online guitar programs which I haven’t touched yet, because I’m just getting so much fundamental benefit from the Gibson app. I will utilize those later on, once I get through this program which may take a few more months. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*