Pick TrueFire if you want a huge streaming library across many guitar styles under one subscription. Pick ArtistWorks if you want one master teacher per style and recorded video replies on your own playing, which need Premium at a school that offers it. We score TrueFire 4.0/5 and ArtistWorks 4.5/5. For the full picture, read our TrueFire review and our ArtistWorks review.
Both sites teach guitar by video, but they solve different problems. TrueFire gives you one huge streaming library across many styles. ArtistWorks gives you one master teacher per school and, on Premium, video replies on your own playing. If you are still at the very start, our guide to how to play the guitar covers the first steps.
Registration & Prices
Both free trials last 7 days. Each site reminds you on day 6 and charges on day 7 unless you cancel before then.
TrueFire has a free account with limited streaming. All Access adds guided learning paths and methods for step by step progress.
TrueFire offers a 7 day free trial of All Access. It also has a 100% satisfaction guarantee: contact support within 14 days of subscribing if All Access is not working for you.
TrueFire Price:
• All Access monthly: $29.99 a month
• All Access annual: $249.99 a year ($20.83 a month) at the standard price. SALE: $77.88 for the first year (69% off), then $99 a year, as shown on the TrueFire pricing page
On ArtistWorks, you start by picking a school and its teacher. The 7 day trial opens all of that school’s lessons, the Video Exchange library and the study materials.
ArtistWorks Price:
• Standard: $19.99 a month, or $191.88 a year at the regular price (limited time sale: $115.13 a year)
• Premium: $29.99 a month, or $287.88 a year at the regular price (limited time sale: $172.73 a year)
Prices are per school, and the sale applies to annual plans only. Check the ArtistWorks pricing page before you pay.
ArtistWorks bills monthly or annually, and each plan covers one school. At standard prices, ArtistWorks Standard ($191.88 a year, or $15.99 a month) costs less than TrueFire annual ($249.99 a year), and Premium ($287.88 a year) costs more. On the current sales, both drop further.
One TrueFire All Access subscription streams the whole library, while a second ArtistWorks style or instrument means a second subscription. Here is what each gives you for the money.
Content & Progression Systems
TrueFire starts learners off with guided learning paths and step by step Guitar Methods, and beyond the paths you can browse more than 1,900 courses across many styles.
All Access streams these courses as part of the subscription. If you want to own a course as a download that stays yours after you cancel, that is a separate purchase, with 25% off for All Access members.
Courses are labeled by skill level, so beginners can start with fundamentals and experienced players can skip to the material they need.
On ArtistWorks, Standard includes the school’s lessons, sheet music and backing tracks, the Video Exchange library and the community forum. Premium adds unlimited personalized video feedback from your instructor and the bonus content library. Premium is not offered at every school.
ArtistWorks also teaches other instruments, which matters if you play guitar alongside mandolin, ukulele or banjo. Its guitar schools range from rock to dobro and lap steel.
Each guitar school is led by one teacher, with lessons organized step by step for beginners and advanced material for experienced players. That one teacher, one school structure is the main reason to choose ArtistWorks; our ArtistWorks review covers the schools in more detail.
Do TrueFire or ArtistWorks actually correct your playing?
Online lessons give feedback in three ways: automatic (an app listens and scores your notes), asynchronous instructor video (you upload, a teacher replies) and live lessons (real time with a teacher). Here is how each platform handles it.
- ArtistWorks: asynchronous instructor video through Video Exchange. You record yourself playing the assignment and submit it, and your teacher replies with a personal video. You wait for a reply before sending the next video. Sending your own videos needs Premium, at a school that offers it; Standard lets you watch the Video Exchange library of other students’ exchanges.
- TrueFire: All Access is built for self directed learning, with slow motion, looping and video synced tab. Its VIP invites are to live, artist hosted streaming events, which are not personal lessons.
Our recommendation: if you want a teacher to correct your playing, choose ArtistWorks Premium and confirm your school offers it before you pay. If you choose TrueFire, record yourself and compare it with the lesson video, practice with a metronome or jam track, and book an occasional live lesson with a local teacher to check technique.
The Video Exchange library is useful on any ArtistWorks plan: you can watch the feedback other students received on the same lessons.
TrueFire vs ArtistWorks – Final Thoughts
Pick ArtistWorks if you want a single master teacher and replies on your own playing; it teaches many instruments, but each subscription covers one school.
Pick TrueFire if you are committed to guitar or bass and want a large, regularly updated catalog of genre courses for one price. Both offer a 7 day free trial, so try the one that matches your goal before paying.
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