Best Online Guitar Lessons for Intermediate Players
Quick answer
For depth, pick TrueFire (85,000+ lessons, 1,900+ courses, 30,000+ jam tracks, $119.88/yr). Get the same TrueFire library plus JamPlay's for less through JamPlay + TrueFire at $99/yr. If you want to be told what to practise next, with a 60-day guarantee, choose Pickup Music's graded pathways.
| Top picks | Monthly | Trial | Refund | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TrueFire | $19/month | 7-day free trial | 14-day refund policy | Official site ↗ |
| JamPlay | $29.00/month billed monthly | 14-day free trial of JamPlay + TrueFire All Access | Full refund within 14 days of signup | Official site ↗ |
| Pickup Music | $29.99/month charged monthly | 14-day free trial | 60-day satisfaction guarantee | Official site ↗ |
Prices and terms as published by each platform (sources below); buttons go to each official site, not an affiliate link.
Are you actually intermediate? A quick check
- You can change between open chords in time and play a few full songs.
- You know at least one barre shape, or you are working on F. Our F chord guide takes it in steps.
- You read tab easily. If not, start with how to read guitar tabs.
The 4-week plateau plan (use it with any platform)
- Week 1: pick one style (blues, rock, fingerstyle) and one song slightly above your level.
- Week 2: learn the scale shape that song uses from our scale charts, and improvise over a jam track for 10 minutes a day.
- Week 3: slow the hardest bar down with the metronome, then add 5 bpm whenever you get it clean.
- Week 4: record yourself and compare with the original. Fix one thing, then choose the next song.
The picks, and why they fit
#1 TrueFire
The largest verified library, with jam tracks for the improvising part of the plan. 7-day trial (14 days has been shown at yearly checkout) and a 14-day refund.
#2 JamPlay (+ TrueFire)
Combined 70,000+ lessons for $99/yr, the lowest verified annual price. The refund window is 14 days on its current page.
#3 Pickup Music
Structured pathways, a 14-day trial and a 60-day guarantee. A smaller library (1,000+ lessons), but more guidance on what comes next.
#4 Guitar Tricks
11,000+ lessons across styles and a 60-day money-back guarantee, at $29.95/mo.
Free option: JustinGuitar Intermediate
JustinGuitar lists Intermediate Grades 4-6 in its course menu. Check on its site which lessons are free.
Comparing two? See TrueFire vs JamPlay + TrueFire and TrueFire vs Pickup Music. If blues is your style, see best lessons for blues.
FAQ
Is Fender Play good for intermediate players?
Fender Play is built mainly for beginners, with short lessons and no partial refunds. Most intermediate players get more from a deeper library.
What is the cheapest way to get a big intermediate library?
JamPlay + TrueFire at $99/yr, in our verified prices.
Deciding between two platforms?
- TrueFire vs Pickup Music: library depth versus coached progression.
- TrueFire vs JamPlay: TrueFire alone or the All Access bundle.
Sources checked
- TrueFire (checked 2026-10-20): truefire.com/pricing - truefire.com/all-access - truefire.com/learn/all-access-free-trial
- JamPlay (checked 2026-10-20): jamplay.com/pricing - jamplay.com/guitar-and-bass-membership - jamplay.com/guitar-lessons
- Pickup Music (checked 2026-10-20): pickupmusic.com/pricing - pickupmusic.com/ - www.pickupmusic.com/gift
- Guitar Tricks (checked 2026-10-20): www.guitartricks.com/pricing - support.guitartricks.com/hc/en-us/articles/216287417-How-muc - support.guitartricks.com/hc/en-us/articles/10303323626647-Ho
- Fender Play (checked 2026-10-17): www.fender.com/products/fender-play-subscription - play-support.fender.com/hc/en-us/articles/44538271886235-Fre - www.fender.com/play/pages/annual-plan-special-offer
Fender Play pricing was last confirmed Oct 17, 2026 (its pricing page could not be re-read on Oct 20). Prices are US-dollar list prices. Some platforms (Yousician, for example) price by country, so you may see a different price outside the US. JamPlay is now sold as JamPlay + TrueFire All Access. Confirm current terms at checkout. Common questions about trials, refunds and billing are answered in our online guitar lesson FAQ.
How this page was made
An editorial comparison built from each platform's own published prices, trials and refund terms - 5 sources checked (listed above), last verified Oct 2026. Not based on hands-on testing. How we rate.
Update log: Oct 2026 - prices, trials and refund terms re-checked against official pages (date per source above). Fender Play pricing was last confirmed Oct 17, 2026.