How to Choose Online Guitar Lessons First
Quick answer
Answer six questions before you pay: what you want to play, whether you want one guided path or a library, your budget per year, how long the free trial is, what the refund rule is, and whether you like the teacher. Then use a free trial to test the one or two that fit.
The six questions
- What do you want to play in six months? Campfire songs, blues, worship, rock, fingerstyle? Pick a platform that teaches that style, not just "guitar". See lessons by style.
- One path or a big library? Total beginners usually do better with one step-by-step path. Libraries suit players who already know a few chords.
- What can you spend in a year? Compare yearly cost, not the monthly headline. Our total cost calculator adds lessons and gear over 12 or 24 months.
- How long is the free trial, and does it need a card? Write the end date in your calendar the day you sign up.
- What is the refund rule? Some platforms refund within a set number of days; some do not refund part-used periods. Check before you pick annual billing.
- Do you like the teacher? Watch two or three free lessons. If you would not happily watch that person for 15 minutes a day, keep looking.
A one-week trial plan
| Day | Test |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sign up, set the trial-end reminder, do the first lesson. |
| 2-4 | Do one lesson a day. Notice whether you know what to practise next without searching. |
| 5 | Try to find a song you want; check it is there at your level. |
| 6-7 | Decide: keep, switch to another trial, or cancel. Don't overlap two paid plans. |
Compare side by side
- Guitar Tricks vs Fender Play
- TrueFire vs Fender Play
- JustinGuitar vs Fender Play (free vs paid)
- All comparisons - each has prices and trial terms with the date they were checked.
Not sure online is right for you? Read online vs in-person lessons and what lessons cost compared with apps. Learning bass? See best online bass lessons.
Safety notes
- Stop and rest if your hand, wrist or forearm aches; tension is the usual cause.
- Keep amp and headphone volume low to protect your hearing.
FAQ
Are free YouTube lessons enough?
They can be, if you are good at choosing what to learn next. Paid platforms mostly sell structure. See lessons vs YouTube.
Monthly or annual?
Start monthly or on a trial until you know you will stick with it; annual is cheaper per month but often not refundable part-way.
How many platforms should I try?
One or two, one at a time. Running several trials at once makes it hard to judge any of them.
Sources checked
- Platform prices, trials and refund terms: see each linked comparison page for its dated sources (checked Oct 22, 2026): fretcompare.com/compare/
Not hands-on testing: FretCompare explains standard technique in its own words and links official pages for prices and terms.