50 Best Free Productivity Apps for Students

1. Google Keep

  • Simple and versatile, this app is a must-have for notes and reminders.
  • Very handy application for to-do lists, checklists, and for noting something real quick.
  • Syncs with Google Drive; hence, all the notes become accessible across devices.

2. Notion

  • A powerful all-in-one workspace where one can manage notes, tasks, and projects in one place.
    Class note, assignment, and reading list templates.
    Suitable for students handling multiple projects and subjects that need organization.

3. Microsoft OneNote

Meant for students who would like to maintain class notes in an organized manner for different subjects.
Enables users to include notes with multimedia, handwriting, and highlighted sections.
Can be accessed on different devices; integrates well with Microsoft Office.

4. Forest

  • Productivity app gamifying focus and time management.
  • Helps you stay off your phone by virtually growing trees during focused time.
  • Suitable for studying in short bursts using Pomodoro.

5. Trello

  • A visual task manager which works very well in planning projects and group assignments.
  • Boards, lists, and cards can be created without much effort, to keep track of the tasks to be done.
  • Track the progress of the projects in order to complete them within a given timeline.

6. Grammarly

  • Writing assistant to help refine grammar, spelling, and clarity.
  • Offering instant suggestions to refine essays, e-mails, and papers in real-time.
  • The free version gives coverage for basic grammar checks with quick proofs.

7. Quizlet

An app for creating flashcards with the facility to quiz, play games, and use study guides.
Helps in creating flashcard stacks for reviewing vocabulary, definitions of various terms, and quick memorization.

8. Google Calendar

Must-have for class timing, assignment submissions, and study groups.
Create reminders, and make events repeat at desired intervals.
Integrates with other Google services, making it a seamless part of Google’s suite.

9. Coursera

  • Free courses from universities around the world
  • Great for supplementing or learning concepts not offered through curriculum
  • Many free courses offer completion certificates for a fee

10. CamScanner

  • A simple, free document-scanning app.
  • Providing the facility of digitizing hand-written notes, assignments, and textbooks.
  • Saving documents in various formats such as PDF or JPEG for easy sharing.

11. Focus@Will

  • An app projected with the purpose of playing background music for effective focus and productivity.
  • Music is incised for diversity in work ranges: “Classical,” “Focus Spa,” among others.
  • Great for students who do better with ambient sounds of the environment.

12. SimpleMind

  • Free mind mapping tool to help students organize and visually work with ideas
  • Great for brainstorming sessions, essay planning, and project mapping
  • Helps students see the big picture of their tasks or ideas.

Here are some additional free productivity apps that students may find beneficial:

13. Evernote

  • A robust note-taking app with features like notebooks, tags, and reminders.
  • Ideal for organizing class notes, saving web clippings, and syncing information across devices.
  • Supports multimedia, letting students add audio, images, and attachments to notes.

14. Slack

  • Originally a workplace communication tool, it’s also useful for study groups.
  • Allows for creating channels for different classes or group projects.
  • Great for messaging, file sharing, and keeping discussions organized.

15. Khan Academy

  • Provides free lessons and practice exercises in various subjects, from math to art history.
  • Excellent for reviewing topics, learning new concepts, and preparing for exams.
  • Includes practice quizzes and tests for self-assessment.

16. TickTick

  • A to-do list app with added features like habit tracking, calendar integration, and reminders.
  • Helps students break down assignments into smaller tasks and manage deadlines.
  • Offers a Pomodoro timer for focused study sessions.

17. Microsoft To Do

  • A task management app that lets users organize and prioritize tasks with deadlines and reminders.
  • Syncs across all Microsoft devices and integrates with Outlook.
  • Great for keeping track of assignments and breaking down big projects.

18. Habitica

  • A habit-building and productivity app that gamifies personal goals.
  • Users create tasks and earn rewards or “level up” as they complete them.
  • Perfect for students who are motivated by goal tracking and rewards.

19. Anki

  • A flashcard app that uses spaced repetition, ideal for memorization-based subjects.
  • Great for language learning, vocabulary, and subjects that require memorization.
  • Allows users to create their own decks or download from shared decks.

20. Google Drive

  • A cloud storage service that’s perfect for saving, sharing, and collaborating on documents.
  • Works effortlessly with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, making collaboration simple and efficient.
  • Essential for students who want to access their files from any device.

21. Pomodone

  • A Pomodoro timer specifically designed for productivity enthusiasts.
  • Integrates with apps like Trello, Asana, and Todoist to manage tasks while using the Pomodoro technique.
  • Great for students looking to optimize study sessions.

22. My Study Life

  • A student-specific planner app for managing class schedules, assignments, and exams.
  • Organizes class timetables and syncs across multiple devices.
  • Provides reminders for deadlines and exams, helping students stay on top of tasks.

23. LibreOffice

  • A free and open-source alternative to Microsoft Office, offering word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation tools.
  • Great for students who need a suite of tools for writing papers, creating presentations, or working with data.
  • Works offline and is compatible with Microsoft Office file formats.

24. Wolfram Alpha

  • A computational search engine, ideal for students in math, science, and engineering.
  • Provides solutions, explanations, and examples for complex math problems.
  • Helps with homework and allows students to explore various academic topics.

25. StudySmarter

  • A learning app that allows students to create summaries, flashcards, and mind maps.
  • Includes features like a study planner and performance tracking.
  • Allows users to study on the go, with access to materials in offline mode.

26. GoConqr

  • A platform that offers tools for mind maps, flashcards, quizzes, and notes.
  • Ideal for visual learners who benefit from mapping out ideas or using interactive study aids.
  • Encourages collaboration and sharing with classmates or study groups.

27. ProWritingAid

  • An alternative to Grammarly, providing grammar, style, and readability suggestions.
  • Great for essays, reports, and other writing tasks.
  • Offers tools to improve writing structure, helping students enhance their written communication.

28. Clockify

  • A time-tracking app that lets students monitor how much time they spend on tasks.
  • Useful for self-assessment and improving time management skills.
  • Helps students balance time spent on studying, assignments, and other responsibilities.

29. MindMeister

  • A mind-mapping tool that allows for easy brainstorming and project planning.
  • Students can collaborate with classmates on mind maps, making it useful for group projects.
  • Allows visual organization of thoughts, helping with complex topics or project planning.

30. Duolingo

  • A popular language-learning app that gamifies language practice.
  • Great for students studying a foreign language or looking to learn a new one in their free time.
  • Offers courses in many languages with progress tracking and goal setting.

Here are some additional free productivity apps that can be incredibly helpful for students:

31. Toggl Track

  • A simple and effective time-tracking app that helps students see how they spend their time.
  • Great for setting study goals and understanding time allocation for different subjects.
  • Provides detailed reports and insights, helping students improve time management.

32. Any.do

  • A task and project management app with features like reminders, lists, and a calendar view.
  • Allows users to prioritize tasks and break down assignments into smaller steps.
  • Syncs across devices, making it easy to access and update on the go.

33. iStudiez Pro (Lite Version)

  • A student planner app specifically designed for organizing class schedules, exams, and assignments.
  • Offers GPA tracking and grade calculation features, helping students stay on top of their academic goals.
  • The Lite version is free and covers most essential planning features.

34. Discord

  • Often used for gaming, Discord is also useful for creating study groups and staying connected with classmates.
  • Allows students to create channels, voice chats, and share files for study sessions.
  • Works well for online study groups or connecting with remote classmates.

35. Microsoft Lens

  • A powerful scanning app that allows students to digitize notes, textbooks, and handouts.
  • Can convert scanned documents into PDFs, Word documents, or PowerPoint presentations.
  • Integrates with OneNote and OneDrive, making it easy to save and organize materials.

36. RescueTime

  • An app that tracks time spent on various websites and applications.
  • Helps students identify distractions and develop better focus habits.
  • Provides weekly reports and insights, aiding in improving productivity over time.

37. Tide

  • A focus and relaxation app that combines a Pomodoro timer with natural sounds for enhanced concentration.
  • Offers sounds like rain, ocean waves, and forest ambiance to create a calming environment for studying.
  • Helps students with focus, meditation, and sleep, supporting overall well-being.

38. Cold Turkey Blocker

  • A website and app blocker that helps students stay focused by limiting access to distracting websites.
  • Great for studying without interruptions from social media or other distractions.
  • Customizable settings let students control which sites to block and for how long.

39. Joplin

  • A free, open-source note-taking app designed for organizing and managing notes.
  • Supports markdown formatting and allows for syncing with cloud storage services like Dropbox.
  • Ideal for students who prefer a minimalist, distraction-free environment for notes.

40. Chegg Prep (Flashcards)

  • A flashcard app that lets students create and access thousands of flashcard sets.
  • Includes topics in math, science, history, and more, making it versatile for various subjects.
  • Allows students to learn through repetition, quizzes, and study games.

41. Simple Habit

  • A meditation and relaxation app with guided sessions that help manage stress and anxiety.
  • Useful for students looking to improve focus, reduce stress, or take mental breaks during study.
  • Offers brief 5- to 10-minute meditations, perfect for quick relaxation sessions.

42. Google Tasks

  • An easy-to-use task manager that integrates seamlessly with Gmail and Google Calendar.
  • Allows students to create to-do lists and set reminders directly within their email interface.
  • Syncs across devices, helping students stay organized and track assignments with ease.

43. Flipd

  • A focus and productivity app that tracks screen time and encourages students to stay off their phones.
  • Uses leaderboards, study goals, and a supportive community to stay motivated.
  • Helps build consistent study habits and avoid distractions.

44. HabitNow

  • A habit tracker and task organizer that lets students set daily habits, goals, and reminders.
  • Supports routines like daily reading, workout sessions, and study habits.
  • Visualizes progress, which can help students stay motivated and committed to their goals.

45. Kahoot!

  • An interactive quiz and learning platform that makes studying fun.
  • Allows students to create or join quizzes in various subjects, making it a fun tool for test prep.
  • Useful for group study sessions, where classmates can create quizzes and compete for scores.

46. Zotero

  • A reference management tool that helps students organize and cite research sources.
  • Allows users to save academic articles, PDFs, and web clippings for research projects.
  • Integrates with word processors, making it easy to insert citations and bibliographies.

47. EpicWin

  • A gamified to-do list app that turns tasks into quests and accomplishments.
  • Ideal for students who enjoy a game-like experience in tracking their goals.
  • Helps students stay engaged and productive by leveling up as they complete tasks.

48. Clockwork Tomato

  • A simple Pomodoro timer for Android that lets students set focused study sessions with breaks.
  • Includes customization for work and break intervals.
  • Helps students maintain focus and stamina during study hours.

49. Peak – Brain Training

  • A cognitive training app with games designed to improve memory, focus, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ideal for students looking to enhance their brain power through daily practice.
  • Offers progress tracking and adaptive difficulty levels based on performance.

50. Duet Display

  • Turns your tablet or phone into a secondary display, ideal for multitasking.
  • Allows students to take notes on one screen while viewing resources or assignments on another.
  • Helpful for students who work on complex projects or need extra screen space.

These tools cover a broad spectrum of productivity needs, from note-taking and task management to habit-building and time tracking. Many offer unique features that can help students find efficient ways to stay organized and engaged.

About the author
Khadija EDDAHMANY

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