Guitar Start Guide
Both of these are good, and that is exactly why this comparison is harder than it should be. Guitar Tricks and JustinGuitar teach the same beginner material perfectly well, so the decision you are actually making is not paid versus free. It is whether you keep paying a subscription for as long as you keep playing, or pay once and be done with it.
There is a third way this page barely touches. Jamorama is a one-off $97 course, listed at $287, built by Mark McKenzie as ten sequenced modules with jam tracks, so the order of what you learn is decided for you. It will not listen to your playing or correct you in real time, and the video production looks dated next to Guitar Tricks. What it does give you is a finished path and no recurring bill.
See why we recommend Jamorama →
Song-based lessons that listen to your playing and give instant feedback — a low-pressure way for beginners to start.
Try Simply Guitar free →The Guitar Tricks vs JustinGuitar question really comes down to one thing: do you pay for a tidy, structured path, or do you learn from one of the most respected free teachers on the planet and accept a bit more legwork? Both can genuinely take a complete beginner to confident strummer. We’ve compared both, and the honest answer is that they suit different kinds of people rather than one being “better”.
Below we break down how each one teaches, what you actually get, and who should pick which. If you’re weighing up other options too, it’s worth reading alongside our reviews and comparisons hub.
The short version
Guitar Tricks is a paid subscription course library built around a step-by-step “Core Learning System” that holds your hand from your first note. JustinGuitar is a free lesson site (with an optional paid app and songbook) run by Justin Sandercoe, whose beginner course is famous for being clear, patient and genuinely complete. Guitar Tricks sells structure and polish; JustinGuitar gives you a world-class curriculum for nothing, if you’re happy to follow a menu rather than a guided rail.
Guitar Tricks vs JustinGuitar at a glance
| Feature | Guitar Tricks | JustinGuitar |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Paid subscription (around $20/month or ~$150/year at the time of writing) | Core lessons free; optional paid app & songbook |
| Structure | Very structured “Core Learning System” | Structured Grade courses, but you self-navigate |
| Teaching style | Multiple instructors, polished studio video | Mostly one trusted teacher, warm and personal |
| Song library | Large, with licensed song tutorials | Huge free song catalogue + practice tools |
| Best for | People who want a paid, guided path | Self-starters and budget-conscious learners |
| Free trial | Yes, limited trial | Free by default |
A third way: Guitar Tricks bills you every month and JustinGuitar leaves you to self-navigate. If you want a paid course’s structure without the recurring subscription, Jamorama is our overall pick — you pay once, own it for life, and it’s backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee (see what’s inside →).
How each one teaches
Guitar Tricks leans on its Core Learning System: two “Fundamentals” courses that march you through holding the guitar, your first chords, strumming, switching chords cleanly and playing simple songs. Every lesson is shot in a studio with close-up fretboard cameras, and different instructors handle different styles once you graduate the basics. It feels like a well-produced online school.
JustinGuitar feels like sitting with a brilliant, encouraging mate. Justin’s beginner Grade 1–3 courses are laid out in order, but you’re browsing a website and choosing what’s next rather than being pushed along a single track. The trade-off for that freedom is that a nervous beginner can occasionally feel unsure whether they’re “doing it right” or skipping ahead too fast.
Learning real songs
Both are strong here, which matters because songs are what keep beginners practising. Guitar Tricks has a big library of licensed, note-accurate song tutorials broken into chunks. JustinGuitar counters with an enormous free song catalogue, app-based play-alongs and clever practice features. If you learn best by chasing songs you love, you’ll be well served either way — and if that’s your priority, our guide to songs and practice pairs nicely with both.
Where each one wins
- Pick Guitar Tricks if you want a paid, no-decisions path and you find a clear next-button motivating.
- Pick JustinGuitar if you’re self-motivated, on a budget, or you simply respond to a warm single-teacher style.
- Consider both — many people use JustinGuitar’s free course and dip into Guitar Tricks’ trial to compare before committing a penny.
If you are weighing a paid subscription against free lessons and want something in between, Jamorama is a fixed beginner video course at once on the vendor’s page (checked 30 September 2026), with a 60-day refund through ClickBank. JustinGuitar is free and is the better pick if budget is the main concern. Jamorama cannot hear your playing, and on Trustpilot it shows a 1.4 score from 41 reviews: older reviews praise the teaching and a few from 2023 to 2025 report account or support problems (we did not test it hands-on). What to check before buying.
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See Jamorama on the vendor’s page →What about apps and other courses?
Neither of these is the only game in town. If you’re the type who wants your phone to listen and score your playing, an app-first route might suit you better — see our Yousician vs Simply Guitar comparison. And if you specifically like the Guitar Tricks style but want to weigh a Fender-branded alternative, our Fender Play vs Guitar Tricks breakdown is the natural next read. Curious how paid courses stack up against just searching lessons online? We tackle that in Guitar Tricks vs YouTube.
Our pick to get going: Both Guitar Tricks and JustinGuitar are solid, but if you’d rather not agonise over the choice, Jamorama gives you the same step-by-step structure with a song-driven approach that keeps practice from feeling like homework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JustinGuitar really completely free?
The core beginner lessons and a large song catalogue are free on the website. There’s an optional paid app and songbook with extra practice tools, but you can learn the fundamentals without spending anything.
Is Guitar Tricks worth paying for if JustinGuitar is free?
It can be, if the extra structure and studio-quality production keep you practising. Some people simply learn better when a paid course removes the decisions. Try the free trial and be honest with yourself about which one you actually open.
Which is better for absolute beginners?
Both are beginner-friendly. Guitar Tricks holds your hand a little more tightly with its Core Learning System, while JustinGuitar’s beginner grades are famously clear. If you tend to procrastinate, the guided paid path may help.
Can I switch between them later?
Absolutely. Many learners start free with JustinGuitar and later try Guitar Tricks (or vice versa). Skills transfer completely — chords, strumming and timing are the same wherever you learn them.
What to Read Next
Prefer one structured course you own for life over renting an app? Jamorama is our top recommendation — a 10-part video course, pay once, with a 60-day money-back guarantee.
See what’s inside Jamorama → Read our reviewDisclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend what we genuinely rate.