Moving Forward Together: Why the Skoog App Is Transitioning to a Subscription Model

For more than a decade, Skoog has been at the heart of accessible music-making — helping schools, families, therapists and musicians create sound in joyful, intuitive ways. When Skoogmusic went into receivership, many feared that this would mark the end of the platform.

But the community didn’t walk away — and neither did we.

Playable Technology (the original Skoog founders) stepped in to keep the app alive, maintain compatibility with iOS updates, fix what we could, and help users stay up and running. For more than two years, we provided this support entirely at our own cost because the Skoog community matters to us.

Now, to ensure Skoog continues to work reliably with future operating systems — and to give the platform the stable footing it deserves — we’re transitioning the Skoog app to a subscription model.

(£5.99 a month / £34.99 a year)

This isn’t about locking people out. It’s about keeping Skoog playing.

Skoog community in action (Able arts assembly)

Why the change?

• There has been no external funding for Skoog software development since well before the company closed.

• Apple’s iOS changes every year, requiring maintenance to ensure Skoog continues to function.

• The community’s needs — especially in education and accessibility — continue to grow.

A subscription model allows us to invest in:

• maintenance and stability

• improved performance

• future updates and new features

• continued support for those who rely on Skoog in classrooms, therapy, studios and homes.

What this means for users

If you already have the older version of the app installed, it will continue to work as long as it remains compatible with your device. The subscription applies only when updating to the new version — which includes stability improvements and a clearer foundation for future development.

A hopeful path forward

This change isn’t just a technical adjustment; it’s a commitment.

A commitment to the teachers who rely on Skoog for inclusive music sessions.

A commitment to the families who use it to spark joy and creativity.

A commitment to every player, past and present, who believes that music should be accessible to everyone.

With your support, we can continue to build, improve, and evolve — keeping Skoog alive for the next generation of creators.

Thank you for being part of this community.

The future of Skoog is still bright, still playful, and still full of possibility — and we’re excited to shape it together.

Craig Smith talks about Skoog