Nova Music

Overview

Nova combines scheduling, billing, student records, family messaging, and practice tracking. A PIN-based student portal lets learners check upcoming lessons, submit assignments, follow progress, access shared resources, and message their teacher. That makes it a sensible fit for teachers who want studio logistics and student activity coordinated in one place.

The breadth is useful, though the free plan's student and storage limits are meaningful constraints: 10 students and 100 MB of file storage can suit a small practice, but leave little room for growth or a large resource library. Pro removes the student cap and raises storage to 5 GB.

Key features

Scheduling and records

Recurring lessons, multiple calendar views, conflict detection, and availability management cover common scheduling needs. Student records and basic attendance tracking keep lesson administration alongside the calendar. Pro adds calendar synchronization with iCal and Google Calendar, plus makeup-credit tracking for teachers managing replacement lessons.

Student tools and practice

The portal gives students a place to handle assignments and shared resources without losing access to progress updates and teacher messaging. Daily practice logs, streaks, goals, points, levels, and achievement milestones add structure between lessons. These tools make Nova more than a scheduling calendar, especially for teachers who want practice to remain visible to students.

Billing and privacy

Pro includes Stripe online payments and automated invoicing. The features page also names cash, check, card, and Venmo as supported payment methods. Nova says it does not receive or store full card numbers, bank account numbers, or security codes; online payments are handled through Stripe or another teacher-selected method. Its privacy policy says it does not sell personal information for money and uses service providers for hosting, payments, analytics, reliability, and support.

Nova describes access controls, encrypted network connections, restricted service credentials, and security monitoring. Teachers who need help can use a help center with 33 articles across seven categories or email [email protected].

Pricing

Nova uses a freemium model, with paid plans starting at $10/mo.

• Free — 0.00 USD per free: Up to 10 students, scheduling and calendar, group lessons, basic attendance, direct messaging, a student portal, and 100 MB of file storage. This is the practical starting point for a small studio that can work within the roster and storage caps.
• Pro — 10.00 USD per month: Unlimited students, calendar sync, makeup credits, invoicing and Stripe payments, auto-invoicing, and 5 GB of file storage. At $10 / per month, it suits teachers who have outgrown the Free cap or want payment and calendar tools built into the workflow.
• Studio — custom pricing: For multi-teacher studios, with multiple teacher accounts, a shared calendar, custom portal branding, unlimited file storage, and priority support. This is the relevant tier for studios needing shared administration rather than a single-teacher setup.

Platforms

Nova is available on the web and iOS. The iPhone app, Nova Music Studio, requires iOS 17.0 or later.

Who it's for

Nova is designed for piano teachers, guitar instructors, voice coaches, and private studios. It is strongest for teachers who want scheduling and student engagement together. Solo teachers with more than 10 students, heavier resource needs, or a need for integrated invoicing should budget for Pro; multi-teacher studios should consider Studio.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Scheduling, student records, communication, and practice tools share one platform, reducing the need to coordinate those activities across separate apps.
• Pros: Pro removes the student limit and adds calendar sync, makeup credits, automated invoicing, and Stripe payments for $10.00 USD per month.
• Cons: Free is capped at 10 students and 100 MB of storage, which constrains larger rosters and shared resources.
• Cons: Calendar sync, makeup credits, and billing features are reserved for Pro, so teachers who need those tools cannot remain on the free tier.

Alternatives

Explore Music Lesson Scheduling Software to compare options in the category.

• Adagio is a freemium option for readers who want an alternative available on Android as well as iOS and web.
• Clefwise may suit a very small studio: its free plan covers 3 students and includes scheduling, invoicing and online payments, a parent portal, and lesson notes.
• CogNote is worth considering for readers who prefer a self-hosted option; it is also available on the web.
• DuetStudio is a web alternative whose free plan includes unlimited active and inactive students, scheduling, lesson notes, a student portal, practice tracking, and manual invoicing.
• GroovConnect is another free, web-based option for readers comparing products aimed at music schools.
• Harness is a web-based alternative with a free Hobby plan capped at 5 students and tools including scheduling, attendance, a family portal, and income and expense tracking.
• Trio offers a free web plan for one teacher and up to 10 students, with online payments excluded; it may appeal to teachers who prioritize a lower-priced paid tier.
• AMES is an alternative for readers comparing a payment model based on transaction fees.

Verdict

Nova Music is a strong fit for independent music teachers who want lesson scheduling, student communication, and practice tracking in one system. Its free plan can support a small roster, while Pro is the practical choice for unlimited students and integrated invoicing and calendar sync. Look elsewhere if the free student cap is too restrictive or if you need a different platform fit.