I had the same question when I started learning and tried both approaches. Free resources are good for occasional practice but they don't give you a clear path to follow. I spent months jumping between different websites and videos without making real progress. Eventually I decided to try a paid app and the difference was noticeable within a few weeks. Before committing I checked promova price to make sure it fit my monthly budget and it seemed fair. The app organized everything into daily lessons that build on each other which kept me motivated. You also get feedback on mistakes which free resources rarely provide