18 Dec 2025 17 min read best productivity apps for students

12 Best Productivity Apps for Students in 2025: Your Ultimate Study Toolkit

Kickstart Your Study Routine with 12 of the best productivity apps for students in 2025. From task managers to note-taking platforms and cloud-based suites, this guide tackles common student challenges like scattered notes, missed deadlines, and distracted study sessions.

What you will learn in this listicle:

A concise breakdown of each app’s standout features, with screenshots and direct links
Real-world scenarios showing how students integrate tools into daily workflows
Honest pros and cons and quick tips for selecting the right platform

Each option solves specific problems:

Time management and deadline tracking
Organized note-taking and resource storage
Focus enhancement and distraction control

We include brief workflow examples and implementation guidance so you can match apps to your study habits without sifting through generic reviews. Expect plain-language explanations and strategic comparisons rather than promotional fluff.

Use this resource to:

Structure daily tasks and monitor progress
Centralize class materials, calendars, and to-do lists
Maintain focus with built-in timers and minimal-distraction modes

This list spans major marketplaces and niche services, from Apple App Store and Google Play to Notion for Students and Forest focus timer. Comparison tables highlight key metrics like cost, platform support, and learning curve.

All recommendations specify platform availability, pricing tiers, and ideal student use cases to help you make informed choices quickly. Screenshots provide visual context and direct links lead you straight to downloads or sign-up pages. Dive in to find the best productivity apps for students and transform your study routine today.

1. Apple App Store - “The Best Apps for Students” collection

Apple’s curated hub highlights the best productivity apps for students across iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Users can browse editor-picked tools for note-taking, time management, and focus training with ratings, reviews, and one-tap install options.

Features

Human-curated categories for note-taking, task managers, and focus tools
One-tap install and subscription management
Editor’s Choice badges and detailed user ratings
Family Sharing and easy refund support

Pricing & Access

Free to browse; paid apps vary by title
In-app subscriptions typically range from $1.99 to $9.99 per month
Requires Apple ID on iOS, iPadOS, or macOS
Regional availability via https://apps.apple.com/us/story/id1417422848

Ideal Student Use Cases

Gathering vetted apps for a new semester
Comparing editor picks before subscribing
Managing family or group licenses in one dashboard

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Safe, trusted source for student-focused tools
Straightforward refund process and strong accessibility settings

Cons:

Available only on Apple devices
Some apps require separate purchases per platform

“A one-stop shop for student apps with clear ratings and editor insights”

Quick Tips

Use filters to narrow by category and price
Read recent reviews for compatibility notes
Enable push notifications for sale alerts

2. Google Play – Best of / Productivity picks

Google Play organizes editorial collections like “Best of 2024” and productivity-focused lists to surface the best productivity apps for students across phones, tablets, and Chromebooks. From study planners to focus timers, Android users get direct installs, auto-updates, and family payment sharing in one place.

Features

Annual “Best of” awards and productivity editorials
Device-wide installs with automatic updates
Family payment methods and parental controls
Detailed user ratings, reviews, and trending badges

Pricing & Access

Free to browse; app prices and subscriptions vary
In-app purchases range from $0.99 to $9.99 per month
Requires a Google account on Android or Chrome OS
Regional availability via https://play.google.com

Ideal Student Use Cases

Discovering top study tools in one curated list
Keeping apps up to date across multiple devices
Sharing paid subscriptions with classmates or family

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Massive catalog with frequent deals and bundles
Works across Android phones, tablets, and many Chromebooks
Cons:
Availability and pricing vary by region and device
Some features are missing on certain Android builds

“Google Play’s productivity picks make it simple for students to uncover and manage their essential study apps”

Quick Tips

Use genre and award filters to narrow selections
Check the latest reviews for device-specific notes
Enable auto-updates to always run the newest versions

Learn more about Google Play – Best of / Productivity picks on simplytechtoday.com

3. Microsoft Store – Education hub / Microsoft 365 access

The Microsoft Store Education hub is the official gateway for students to claim free or discounted Microsoft 365 apps, browse device deals, and manage cloud storage in one spot. It stands out by offering an eligibility checker for Office 365 Education, seamless OneDrive integration, and exclusive student pricing on Windows devices.

Features

Eligibility wizard for Office 365 Education (free Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook)
Direct downloads of Microsoft 365 Personal and Education editions
Exclusive student discounts on Surface tablets and Windows laptops
Native OneDrive integration for auto-sync and file sharing

Pricing & Access

Free Office 365 Education with valid .edu or school email
Microsoft 365 Personal from $6.99 per month after trial
Up to 10–20% off on select devices (US and select regions)
Requires Microsoft account and school verification via https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/b/education

Ideal Student Use Cases

Activating free Office tools for essays and presentations
Collaborating on group projects with OneDrive and Teams
Scoring discounted Surface devices for note-taking

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Trusted source with deep Windows and OneDrive integration
Institution eligibility can unlock free access to premium apps
Unified portal for apps, licenses, and hardware deals

Cons:

Student offers vary by region and institution rules
Verification process may take 24–48 hours

“A one-stop hub for seamless Microsoft 365 access and student device deals”

Quick Tips

Sign in with your school email for instant verification
Bookmark the Education offers page for flash sales
Link OneDrive across devices to auto-back up coursework

4. Notion for Students (Notion Education/Plus plan)

Notion provides an all-in-one workspace for notes, tasks, wikis and databases, making it a top choice among best productivity apps for students. Eligible college users get the individual Plus plan free with a school email, unlocking advanced templates, 30-day version history and real-time collaboration in a single-member workspace.

Learn more about Notion for Students (Notion Education/Plus plan) on simplytechtoday.com

Features

Customizable pages, databases, templates and public publishing
Real-time collaboration, comments and sharing permissions
30-day version history under the student Plus plan
Cross-platform support for web, desktop and mobile

Pricing & Access

Free for eligible college students with school email
Plus plan covers one-member workspace and unlimited blocks
Standard paid plans start at $8 per month for individuals
Requires signing up at https://www.notion.com/product/notion-for-education

Ideal Student Use Cases

Structuring class notes and linking readings across courses
Tracking group project tasks with shared Kanban boards
Building a digital portfolio or personal wiki for research

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Powerful and flexible for notes, projects and portfolios
Large template ecosystem and seamless cross-device syncing

Cons:

Education Plus limited to one-member workspaces
K–12 students cannot access the student Plus plan

“An all-in-one hub where you can plan, write and collaborate without juggling multiple apps”

Quick Tips

Start with a course template and customize database views
Use comments and mentions to keep group workflows organized
Restore previous versions from history after heavy edits

5. Microsoft 365 for Students (official student promo)

Microsoft 365 for Students provides Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote and Copilot AI as a unified productivity suite tailored for academic workflows. Eligible U.S. college students can claim a three-month free trial and follow up with 50% off Microsoft 365 Personal after the trial ends.

Features

Desktop, mobile and web versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and OneNote
1 TB of OneDrive cloud storage per student account
Copilot AI integration for drafting, summarizing and data insights
Real-time collaboration via Teams chat, channels and SharePoint
Secure access and compliance tools tailored for educational institutions

Pricing & Access

Three-month free trial for U.S. college students with a valid .edu email
50% off Microsoft 365 Personal post-trial, terms vary by institution
Renewal from $6.99 per month plus tax, based on regional pricing
Verify current offers and eligibility at https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/05/12/college-students-can-get-microsoft-copilot-in-microsoft-365-apps-free-for-three-months/

Ideal Student Use Cases

Collaborating on group projects in real time across devices
Drafting essays with AI-powered outline and grammar suggestions
Managing research data and complex calculations in Excel
Organizing lecture notes and to-dos within OneNote and Outlook

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Industry standard toolset for assignments, presentations and email
Generous cloud storage and instant file sharing

Cons:

Promotional durations and eligibility windows change frequently
Requires active student status and account verification

A comprehensive hub for writing, research and collaboration with AI boosters

Quick Tips

Register with a valid .edu email to unlock student promo
Sync notebooks offline in OneNote before campus network dropouts
Enable Copilot AI in Office apps for smarter brainstorming
Use Teams channels to track project tasks and deadlines

6. Google Workspace tools (Docs/Drive/Sheets) + Google One

Google’s Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive offer free, real-time collaboration for coursework, while Google One unlocks expanded cloud storage. Students can co-edit assignments, track versions, and access files across web, iOS, and Android with seamless syncing.

Features

Real-time co-editing with comments and version history
Cross-platform access on web, iOS, Android
Integrated Slides for presentations and Forms for surveys
Optional Google One plans to expand Drive, Gmail, Photos capacity
AI-powered suggestions and smart chips in paid Workspace tiers

Pricing & Access

15 GB free storage shared across Drive, Gmail, Photos
Google One plans start at $1.99/month for 100 GB, up to 2 TB
AI enhancements require paid Workspace tiers
Requires free Google account
Access via https://docs.google.com

Learn more about Google Workspace tools (Docs/Drive/Sheets) + Google One on simplytechtoday.com

Ideal Student Use Cases

Live collaboration on group essays and lab reports
Building dynamic data models in Sheets
Designing slide decks with peer review
Offline editing and auto-sync before deadlines
Archiving large media files with Google One

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Ubiquitous, integration with Gmail and Calendar
Free entry-level tier perfect for teams

Cons:

15 GB quota can fill quickly
Advanced AI and admin tools locked behind paid tiers

“A central hub for student workflows, from notes to presentations”

Quick Tips

Organize projects into shared Drive folders
Enable offline mode in Docs and Sheets
Set version notifications to track edits
Upgrade storage before major submission dates

7. Todoist – task manager for students

Todoist stands out as a cross-platform to-do app designed to help students juggle assignments, deadlines, and study schedules. With natural-language input and built-in productivity tools, it adapts to varied workflows—from list making to team projects.

Features

Natural-language task entry and recurring tasks (for example, “Read Chapter 5 every Monday”)
Multiple views: list, board and calendar modes to match planning style
Integrations with email, Google Calendar, Slack and dozens more
Advanced Task Assist suggestions and reminders on paid plans

Pricing & Access

Free tier supports up to 80 active projects and basic reminders
Pro subscription at $4 per month adds labels, filters and Task Assist
Business plan at $6 per user per month for team collaboration
Requires email sign-up; apps available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, web
Visit https://todoist.com/pricing for full details

Ideal Student Use Cases

Structuring a semester’s worth of readings and papers
Coordinating group projects with shared boards and comments
Setting up automated recurring study sessions for exams
Syncing deadlines with calendar alerts across devices

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Clean, fast interface with reliable syncing
Robust recurrence and custom filter options

Cons:

No active student discount as of late 2025
Some advanced features require Pro subscription

“Todoist makes task management feel so natural that you forget you’re using an app”

Quick Tips

Use project templates for common courses or club activities
Apply priority levels and color tags to spotlight urgent tasks
Link emails directly to Todoist to turn messages into tasks
Combine filters like “Today & High Priority” for a daily focus list

Learn more about Todoist – task manager for students on domain.com

8. Trello – boards for projects and study planning

Trello uses visual Kanban boards to help students organize classes, deadlines and group projects with simple drag-and-drop cards and lists. Its intuitive interface and generous free plan make it one of the best productivity apps for students seeking a clear overview of all tasks and collaboration needs. The Premium plan unlocks advanced views, admin controls and AI features for smart prioritization and automated workflows.

Features

Boards, lists and cards with drag-and-drop checklists and labels
Native Calendar view for deadline tracking
Timeline, Table and Dashboard views on Premium plan
Unlimited Power-Ups for third-party tools like Google Drive and Slack
Butler AI automations for task suggestions and reminder rules

Pricing & Access

Free plan with unlimited cards, members and one Power-Up per board
Premium at $5 per user per month (billed annually) for advanced views
Enterprise tier with organization wide controls and security support
Sign up via email or Google SSO at https://trello.com/premium
Desktop, web and mobile apps available on all major platforms

Ideal Student Use Cases

Structuring a weekly study timetable across multiple courses
Managing group project deliverables with real-time member updates
Visualizing research progress on Calendar or Timeline views

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Beginner friendly with clear visual boards
Generous free tier covers most individual study workflows
Cons:
Advanced Timeline and Dashboard require Premium
Cost scales per user for teams and automations

“Trello keeps every deadline and collaboration task in one clear visual space”

Quick Tips

Use color-coded labels for each subject to scan at a glance
Pin due dates with the Calendar Power-Up for automated alerts
Set up Butler rules to auto-assign cards when deadlines approach
Group related cards into Collections to mirror course modules

9. Forest – focus timer (iOS/Android)

Forest is a gamified Pomodoro-style focus app that grows virtual trees while you stay off your phone. It motivates students with visual progress, session tags and detailed stats plus optional charity tree-planting events. Forest stands out by blending habit tracking with environmental impact in a single, intuitive interface.

Features

Pomodoro-style timers with customizable intervals and break reminders
Session tagging for subject-specific tracking
Cross-device sync via free Forest account
Visual forest growth map showing daily, weekly and monthly stats
Optional real-tree planting through charity events

Pricing & Access

Free basic version on iOS and Android
Premium subscription unlocks unlimited tags, session history and themes
In-app purchases vary by region, starting at $1.99/month
Requires account registration for sync and charity features
Download from App Store or Google Play: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/forest-focus-for-productivity/id866450515

Ideal Student Use Cases

Structuring study blocks with Pomodoro intervals for lectures and readings
Tracking focus streaks across courses using custom tags
Gamifying long revision sessions to sustain motivation

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Engaging visual motivation supports consistent study habits
Simple setup, clean interface and minimal learning curve
Cons:
Monetization shifted toward subscription in many regions
Pricing and feature sets differ across platforms

“Forest turns every study session into a small win by growing virtual trees and planting real ones”

Quick Tips

Use tags like “Math,” “Essay” or “Revision” to analyze focus patterns
Review weekly stats to adjust your session lengths
Join charity events to convert focus time into real-world trees

10. Setapp – Mac & iOS app subscription with education discount

Setapp brings together over 240 premium Mac and iOS utilities in one flat-rate bundle ideal for students who need a suite of tools without juggling multiple subscriptions. With education pricing on eligible plans, it stands out as one of the best productivity apps for students looking to streamline workflows on Apple devices.

Features

One subscription unlocks task managers, note-takers, writing aids, and more
Curated app catalog with automatic updates and new additions
Cross-device syncing on supported plans for Mac, iPhone, and iPad
Offline access and fast search across all installed apps

Pricing & Access

Flat monthly fee from $9.99, with student and educator discounts
Free 7-day trial to explore the full collection
Manage plan and billing at https://setapp.com
Requires macOS 10.12+ or iOS 14+

Ideal Student Use Cases

Installing multiple premium apps without separate purchases
Exploring new productivity tools during exam prep
Sharing a group plan for collaborative project management

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Highly cost-effective for heavy app users
Centralized updates and one-click installs

Cons:

Limited to Mac and iOS platforms
Discount levels vary by academic status

“Access a world of premium Mac and iOS tools under one roof”

Quick Tips

Browse collections by category to find niche study aids
Pin favorite apps to your dock for faster launch
Check Setapp’s blog for workflow tutorials and insider deals

11. GitHub Student Developer Pack

The GitHub Student Developer Pack gives verified students free or discounted access to dozens of developer and productivity tools. It bundles offers from Notion Education, Dashlane, Deepnote, Codespaces and more into a central hub. Students in tech courses can claim premium software for coding, collaboration or analytics without spending. The pack refreshes its partners periodically to stay current.

Features

Central portal for student verification and offer claims
Curated partner offers for web dev, data science and more
Time-limited offers with renewal where applicable

Pricing & Access

Free for verified students
Instant access via GitHub Education account
Requires academic email or enrollment proof
Sign up and verify at https://education.github.com/pack to claim offers

Ideal Student Use Cases

Getting premium tools for coding assignments
Experimenting with cloud environments in classroom labs
Accessing paid design, analytics, and security tools at no cost

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Exceptional value with many premium tools available at no cost
Constantly updated partner list and diverse tool categories

Cons:

Must verify student eligibility and periodically re-verify
Offers rotate and exact inclusions change over time

“A one-stop hub for students to access top-tier development and productivity services without spending”

Quick Tips

Check new offers monthly after login
Link academic email early to avoid delays
Use two-factor authentication for better account security (Learn more about GitHub Student Developer Pack security on simplytechtoday.com)

12. Goodnotes – digital note-taking

Goodnotes is a leading handwritten and typed note app designed for students to capture and organize class materials on iPad, Mac, Windows, and Android. It offers PDF markup, handwriting search, math conversion, and real-time collaboration with an optional AI Pass add-on for study features. Regular updates improve writing recognition, interface quality, and introduce new templates.

Features

Handwriting search and real-time math conversion
PDF annotation with audio recording support
Cross-platform sync on iPad, Android, Windows
Live collaboration for group study sessions
Customizable notebook templates and digital stickers

Pricing & Access

Free basic version with limited notebooks
Yearly subscription from $7.99 per year
AI Pass add-on at $14.99 per year
Requires Goodnotes account for cross-device sync
Purchase via https://www.goodnotes.com/pricing

Ideal Student Use Cases

Annotating lecture slides in PDF format
Converting handwritten equations into editable text
Collaborating on shared notebooks in real time

Pros & Cons

Pros:

Intuitive interface with smooth writing experience
Responsive support plus flexible device promos

Cons:

Subscription tiers differ by platform
Android and Windows yearly plans retired in 2025

“Handwriting meets AI to keep your study flow seamless”

Quick Tips

Use subject tags and color coding per notebook
Clip web images directly into notes on split view
Export notes as searchable PDFs for archiving

Top 12 Student Productivity Apps — Quick Comparison

Item	Core features	UX / Quality (★)	Price / Value (💰)	Target (👥)	Standout (✨ / 🏆)
Apple App Store – “The Best Apps for Students” collection	Curated student app lists, one‑tap install, reviews	★★★★	💰 Mixed: free & paid; easy refunds	👥 iPhone/iPad/Mac students	✨ Editor picks & badges · 🏆 Vetted/safe source
Google Play – Best of / Productivity picks	Editorial collections, awards, direct installs	★★★★	💰 Large catalog, frequent deals	👥 Android & Chromebook students	✨ Annual "Best of" roundups · 🏆 Wide device reach
Microsoft Store – Education hub / Microsoft 365 access	Student deals, Office 365 eligibility, Windows apps	★★★	💰 Discounts & promo trials (varies)	👥 Windows students & institutions	✨ Deep OneDrive/Windows integration · 🏆 School eligibility perks
Notion for Students (Education/Plus)	Pages, databases, templates, real‑time collaboration	★★★★★	💰 Free Plus for eligible college emails	👥 College students managing notes/projects	✨ Highly flexible workspace · 🏆 Strong template ecosystem
Microsoft 365 for Students (promo)	Word/Excel/PowerPoint, 1 TB OneDrive, Copilot during promos	★★★★	💰 Trial & student discounts; varies by offer	👥 College students needing Office tools	✨ Copilot integrations (promo) · 🏆 Industry‑standard apps
Google Workspace + Google One	Docs/Sheets/Slides, Drive storage, real‑time co‑editing	★★★★	💰 Free tier (15 GB); Google One paid storage	👥 Group projects & cloud‑native students	✨ Instant collaboration · 🏆 Ubiquitous in education
Todoist – task manager for students	Natural‑language tasks, projects, calendar view	★★★★	💰 Free basic; Pro advanced features	👥 Students needing task & schedule management	✨ Fast input & integrations · 🏆 Cross‑platform reliability
Trello – boards for projects and study planning	Kanban boards, checklists, automations, views	★★★★	💰 Generous free; Premium per user	👥 Group projects & visual planners	✨ Simple Kanban UX · 🏆 Great for team visibility
Forest – focus timer (iOS/Android)	Gamified Pomodoro timers, stats, charity events	★★★	💰 One‑time or subscription options (region)	👥 Students wanting phone‑free focus	✨ Gamified tree growth · 🏆 Motivational UX
Setapp – Mac & iOS app subscription	Bundle of 240+ Mac/iOS productivity apps, updates included	★★★★	💰 Subscription; edu discounts available	👥 Heavy Mac/iOS users & students	✨ One sub = many apps · 🏆 Cost‑effective if you use many tools
GitHub Student Developer Pack	Verified student offers for many developer tools	★★★★★	💰 Mostly free/discounted partner tools	👥 CS, dev & tech students	✨ Large partner catalog · 🏆 Exceptional value for devs
Goodnotes – digital note‑taking	Handwriting search, PDF markup, math conversion, sync	★★★★★	💰 Paid app/plan; optional AI add‑on	👥 Students taking handwritten notes	✨ Strong handwriting + PDF tools · 🏆 Best for lecture annotation

Next Steps to Supercharge Your Study Habits

As you’ve explored the best productivity apps for students across platforms like Apple App Store, Google Play, and Microsoft Store, it’s clear that the right combination of note-taking, task management, and focus tools can transform your study routine. From Notion for Students to Forest’s focus timer, each app brings unique features and real-world benefits. Use the insights below to refine your setup and maintain consistent progress.

Recap of Key Insights

Diverse App Ecosystem
- App stores (Apple, Google, Microsoft) offer curated collections and official promos.
- Bundled suites like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace give seamless integration.
Task Management Essentials
- Todoist excels at recurring tasks and priority flags.
- Trello boards map project milestones with visual clarity.
Note-Taking and Organization
- GoodNotes provides freehand sketching and PDF annotation.
- Notion’s all-in-one workspace merges docs, databases, and templates.
Focus and Accountability
- Forest’s gamified timer builds focus streaks.
- GitHub Student Developer Pack unlocks pro-level developer tools.
Subscription and Cost Considerations
- Setapp and Google One bundle multiple apps under one subscription.
- Education discounts often slash prices for students.

Actionable Next Steps

Select 2–3 tools that address your biggest productivity gaps—note-taking, task tracking, or focus.
Run a seven-day study sprint with your chosen apps. Track time spent, tasks completed, and note clarity.
Review and adjust after one week: drop features you don’t use and lean into those that save time.
Document your workflow in a simple template (Notion or Google Sheets) and refine it each month.

Choosing the Right App for Your Workflow

If you juggle group projects and deadlines, prioritize Trello or Microsoft Planner for board-based planning.
When crafting essays and reports, lean on Google Docs or Notion for collaborative editing and version history.
For coding assignments or developer resources, the GitHub Student Developer Pack provides free access to cloud hosting, IDE extensions, and learning platforms.
If you struggle with distractions, integrate Forest or the Pomodoro-style timers built into GoodNotes and Notion.

Implementation Tips and Considerations

Set clear goals for each app: for example, use Todoist solely for deadline management, not casual to-dos.
Leverage cross-platform sync to avoid siloed information—ensure your notes or tasks appear on all devices.
Schedule weekly “app audits” to archive outdated tasks and reorganize your workspace.
Be mindful of notification overload—customize alerts so you only get notified for top priorities.
Take advantage of student discounts and free tiers before upgrading to paid plans.

By intentionally selecting and testing the best productivity apps for students, you’ll build a personalized toolkit that aligns with your academic goals. Remember, the key is consistency: a streamlined workflow today lays the foundation for academic success tomorrow. Keep experimenting, stay organized, and celebrate each milestone along the way.

Ready to stay ahead of the curve with in-depth reviews, expert tips, and exclusive student offers? Visit Simply Tech Today at Simply Tech Today for regular updates on the best productivity apps for students and beyond.