Music

Researched by Peabody

Facts from each maker's own pages (terms, pricing, privacy), with our one-line take. A to Z; we rank nothing until we have tried it.

• Desk researchFreeNo ads

  AI Duet

  Yotam Mann with Google Magenta and Creative Lab · ages about 5 and up

  Worth a few minutes in a music or AI lesson; not a tool for learning piano.

• Desk researchFreeNo ads

  Audacity

  Muse Group and contributors (open source) · ages about 10+

  The standard free tool for a child recording a podcast or voice-over on a computer; tablet users should use GarageBand instead.

• Desk researchFree, with paid extras

  BandLab (SongStarter, BandLab for Education)

  BandLab Technologies (BandLab Singapore Pte Ltd) · ages 13+ on the public app; younger students only through BandLab for Education

  BandLab for Education is a strong free pick for school music classes; teens can use the main app with a parent's okay, but younger kids should stay in the classroom version.

• Desk researchPaidNo ads

  Blipblox

  Playtime Engineering · ages 3+ (safety-certified; built for all ages)

  A lasting music-making toy for families who will use it across ages; parents wanting a cheap first instrument can start smaller.

• Desk researchFreeNo ads

  Blob Opera

  David Li with Google Arts & Culture · ages about 4 and up

  A delightful five-minute music toy for any age; not a music course.

• Desk researchFreeNo ads

  Chrome Music Lab

  Google · ages about 4 and up

  A safe, free first stop for music play at any age; look elsewhere if you specifically want AI music tools.

• Desk researchFreeNo ads

  GarageBand

  Apple · ages about 6+

  The obvious first music studio for kids with Apple devices; others can try Soundtrap or BandLab in a browser.

• Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

  Moises

  Moises Systems Inc. · ages 13 and up

  A strong practice tool for teen musicians and their teachers; younger kids are not allowed, and parents should check the subscription and ad settings.

• Desk researchFree

  Noodle Loaf

  Dan Saks · ages about 3-9

  A lovely free pick for families who want musical play without screens; not for kids ready to learn an instrument.

• Desk researchPaidNo ads

  Pinna

  Pinna LLC · ages 3-12

  A good pick for families who want curated, ad-free audio for kids 3 to 12; less needed if a library app covers you.

• Desk researchPaidNo ads

  Simply Piano

  Simply Ltd · ages school-age kids, teens and adults

  Suits motivated kids with a keyboard at home who want to learn songs; a human teacher still matters for technique and posture.

• Desk researchFree, with paid extras

  Skoove

  Learnfield GmbH · ages teens and adults (younger kids with a parent)

  A solid self-study option for teens or a parent learning alongside a child; not designed for young kids on their own.

• Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads

  Soundtrap

  Soundtrap AB (Sweden) · ages grades K-12 through school; 13+ for personal accounts

  A good fit for schools teaching music or podcasting on Chromebooks; families at home may get more from free GarageBand or BandLab.

• Desk researchFree, with paid extras

  Spotify (Spotify Kids and managed accounts)

  Spotify · ages 13+ on their own; younger through Spotify Kids or managed accounts

  Easy to make safe for kids with a managed account or Spotify Kids; teens on regular accounts need the explicit filter on.

• Desk researchFree, with paid extras

  Suno

  Suno, Inc. · ages 13+ (teens with a parent's consent)

  For teens with a parent's okay who want to play with songwriting; younger children and anyone wanting to learn instruments should skip it.

• Desk researchPaidNo ads

  Teenage Engineering EP-133 K.O. II

  Teenage Engineering AB (Sweden) · ages about 10 and up

  A great creative tool for a musically curious older kid or teen who wants to make beats without a screen; younger kids or casual dabblers may find it too costly and fiddly.

• Desk researchFree, with paid extras

  Yousician

  Yousician Ltd · ages about 13 and up

  A fit for teens learning guitar or another instrument on their own; younger kids are outside its own privacy rules.