PianoGlow vs Synthesia
Both are buy-once programs that drop notes toward a keyboard and speak MIDI. On 9 Nov 2026 PianoGlow was $17.49 on the US Steam store, down from $24.99. Synthesia’s unlock page said $39, with more than 20 songs free before that. PianoGlow talks about rooms. Synthesia does not.
Side by side
Synthesia’s own lines are “unlock for $39,” “buy once, play forever,” “150+ songs,” and a free slice of 20 or more. Its download page lists Windows 7 64-bit or newer, macOS 10.9 or newer, Android 5.0 or newer, and iPad. It supports MIDI and light-up keys, and it has the usual practice tools: hands apart, loops, a staff. PianoGlow adds computer-key charts, a public library counted at 51,613, Workshop items, AI audio conversion, and the queue and Mania rooms. Those rooms are the reason to pick PianoGlow if you want other people. They are irrelevant if you want a quiet drill.
| Feature | PianoGlow | Synthesia | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price that day | $17.49, list $24.99 | $39 unlock | Vendor listing · 1 source per product |
| Free slice | Phone apps install free; desktop demo page was absent | 20+ songs | Vendor listing · 1 source per product |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows 7+, macOS 10.9+, Android 5+, iPad | Vendor listing · 1 source per product |
| Input | QWERTY and MIDI, USB or Bluetooth | MIDI, including light-up keys | Vendor listing · 1 source per product |
| Rooms | Queue, Mania, guessing games | Not offered | Vendor listing · 1 source per product |
| Songs | 51,613 letter charts, plus your MIDI | 150+ included, plus your MIDI | Vendor listing · 1 source per product |
Which one to open
Choose PianoGlow if the Steam sale price, the letter-chart library, or a room with friends is the point. Choose Synthesia if you want the older falling-note tool, you already know its song pack, and you have no interest in multiplayer. The $21.51 gap between $17.49 and $39 is arithmetic on those two stickers. It is not a measure of which teacher is better. Neither product is a teacher.
Related guides
Questions
Is PianoGlow or Synthesia cheaper?
On 9 Nov 2026 the Steam discount put PianoGlow at $17.49 and Synthesia’s unlock page said $39. Both are one-time prices. The Steam discount end date is in conflict, so recheck it.
Does Synthesia have multiplayer?
Its public pages do not offer rooms. PianoGlow’s store page does.
Sources
- Synthesia home — checked 2026-11-09
- Synthesia unlock — checked 2026-11-09
- Synthesia download — checked 2026-11-09
- Official sheets library — checked 2026-11-09
- Steam store page — checked 2026-11-09