In the age of the smartphone and the Internet, apps for studying offer more ways to learn and stay focused than ever before, transforming smartphones and laptops into powerful educational tools.

Of course, there's also simply more to learn. And there are plenty more distractions, too (if that constant Ping! from your phone is anything to go by). But fear not: whether you're struggling while keeping track of your notes, doing an exam countdown, memorizing that list of vocab words, juggling your classes, doing a, or just stopping yourself from doom-scrolling... There's an app for that!

The Science of Study Apps

Plenty of scientific research has sought to learn more about... well, learning. The resulting insights and theories help us develop more effective teaching materials, learning aids (like study apps!), and advice for students. There are plenty of psychological tricks of the trade to help us learn more effectively, backed by research. These include:

  • Note-taking: Probably the least surprising, but yes—taking (and reviewing) notes helps us retain information better. Plenty of apps can help you take and organize notes. However, there are right and wrong ways of taking notes. Verbatim note-taking, for example, is less effective than summarizing or paraphrasing.
  • Spaced repetition: It's also not surprising that repeatedly thinking about something helps us remember it. But a key insight from educational psychology is that the most effective repetition is spaced— meaning, it works best when we take breaks between rounds of studying. Study apps that space out lessons and let you plan out the timing of your studying can help prevent useless cramming and maximize learning.
  • Self-testing: Making quizzes for ourselves can also boost our learning. This forces us to hold relevant information in mind and can show us which parts of the material we're still shaky on. Study apps that create flashcards are a great tool for this, or you can ask a friend to quiz you.
  • Focus: Distractions like social media can easily sabotage our learning, so it's important to keep a clear head (and desk!) while you work. This can be especially challenging for those with ADHD, but don't worry; we've written up some ADHD-specific tips. There's some evidence that listening to music while you work can help sustain focus, so some study apps include background music options.
  • Multimedia: Using multiple forms of media—from video to audio, to images—while teaching has been shown to improve students' performance. It shows us the same material in different ways, helping us get a well-rounded idea of complex concepts. Note-taking apps with multimedia capability come in clutch for this.
  • Gamification: Incorporating game design elements into study apps has also met with plenty of success in recent decades. Some features typical of games that you might find in a study app include earning points, following a story, or competing for a spot on the leader board (Take that, n00bz!)
  • Working with others: Studying doesn't have to be done in isolation. Working with other students and having accountability partners is thought to keep us engaged and motivated while learning. It can also protect our mental well-being, alleviating stress. As an example, in our accountability app, a professional human coach will work alongside you to make sure you're meeting your goals.

We've already reviewed some top productivity apps, but in this article we're branching out, looking at the best study apps that tackle note-taking, memorization, focus, time management, and more. They use all the tricks in the book—including user-friendly interfaces, games, collaborative features, and automated reminders—to keep you engaged and productive. Most are available on iOS, and many have desktop versions with cross-platform compatibility. So you can study, plan, and focus both on your computer and on the go.

A Study App for Every Task

1. Note-Taking

Digital note-taking has great perks: you never run out of paper (You're welcome, Mother Earth!), you can organize and search through your notes with the click of a mouse, and you can export, print, and share them however you like. These note-taking study apps are perfect for anyone needing to stay on top of their digital study materials.

Notion

Notion is an all-in-one workspace tool for keeping track of your school notes and projects. You can think of it as a set of building blocks; by making pages composed of "blocks" of images or text, you can craft and rearrange not only multimedia study notes but also databases, to-do lists, calendars, and more. In fact, Notion is so flexible, that it might take some time to familiarize yourself with its features.

Using Teamspaces, you can also share your pages with others to keep track of tasks and make collaborative edits... perfect for any group project. Plus, for an added fee, Notion AI can quickly answer questions about your project (What do we need to get done this week, again?), provide writing suggestions, and brainstorm ideas for you.

Price:

  • Free
  • Plus: $10 per seat/month
  • Business: $15 per seat/month
  • Enterprise: Contact for pricing
  • Notion AI: Add on $8 per member/month annually or $10 per member/month billed monthly

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.7 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.8 ★

Pros:

  • Flexibility and Customization: A wide range of templates and customizable content blocks suit every need: from study notes to a group project to-do list.
  • All-in-One Workspace: An intuitive sidebar organizes your pages, allowing you to combine note-taking, task management, databases, calendars, and more.
  • Great Community and Support: A large community with vast templates and tutorials.

Cons:

  • Learning Curve: The app's versatility can be overwhelming for new users.
  • Performance Issues: The app can be slow, especially with large databases or complex pages.
  • Limited Offline Access: Full functionality requires an internet connection.

OneNote

Microsoft’s OneNote doesn't just let you type and organize notes in neatly organized pages; it also seamlessly integrates free-form annotation, sketches, and highlights by digital pen or touchscreen. OneNote also supports Optical Character Recognition (OCR), which lets you upload printed and handwritten notes straight into the app. You can also incorporate images, voice recordings, and other files for more multimedia studying power, and invite others to collaborate on your pages.

This free app is a great low-cost option for college students in need of a flexible note-taking app that can be accessed anywhere, on- or offline. Bonus: if you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, adding on Copilot (Microsoft's AI companion) will allow you to automatically generate summaries of your notes, or rewrite them for clarity.

Price:

  • Free

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.7 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.7 ★

Pros:

  • Generous Free Version: Almost all OneNote features are included in the basic version, which is free to use with a Microsoft account. A Microsoft 365 subscription adds additional storage space.
  • Rich Multimedia Support: Ability to embed images, audio, video, and printed or handwritten notes/sketches.
  • Microsoft Ecosystem Integration: As part of the Microsoft family, it works well with other Microsoft products like Office and OneDrive.

Cons:

  • Complex Interface: The interface can be overwhelming for new users.
  • Synchronization Issues: Syncing issues can occur with large notebooks, or due to poor internet connectivity.
  • Platform Feature Disparities: Not all features are available on all platforms.

Evernote

Similarly to OneNote, Evernote enables flexible multimedia note-taking and organization. With its clean, user-friendly interface, you can easily add in hand-drawn sketches, or audio/video files. You can also scan and upload text with its OCR support, and collaborate with other users on notebooks.

Another useful feature of Evernote is its scheduled reminders: you can time your exam notes to ping you after 10 minutes of studying, for example. Finally, with Professional plans and above, you can use AI to easily revise or summarize notes, or make complex search queries. Though some of Evernote's more useful features are beyond a paywall, the price could be worth it for those in need of an intuitive yet powerful note-taking system.

Price:

  • Free
  • Personal: $14.99 per month or $129.99 per year
  • Professional: $17.99 per month or $169.99 per year

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.0 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.4 ★

Pros:

  • Rich Multimedia Support: The app supports text, images, audio, web clippings, and attachments.
  • Intuitive Interface: Users agree that Evernote is easier to navigate and learn than some other note-taking apps.
  • Powerful Tools: Evernote streamlines your note-taking with advanced web clipping and OCR.

Cons:

  • Subscription Cost: Many useful features (including a reasonable amount of storage space) require a subscription, which can be costly for some users.
  • Syncing Issues: Occasional syncing delays or conflicts have been reported by users, impacting real-time collaboration.
  • Customer Support: Support options may be limited or less responsive for free users, affecting the user experience.

Google Keep

Google's free note-taking app allows users to create notes with text, images, and audio clips. It includes an OCR functionality as well as tools to share your notes with others in real time. Its interface is kind of like a virtual pinboard... perfect for pulling up quick, succinct notes and bits of data (maybe less so for long, in-depth study notes).

Uniquely, in addition to timed reminders, Google Keep can also send location-specific reminders. For instance, you can schedule your grocery list to open when you've arrived at the grocery store. It's a helpful and convenient option to keep smaller bits of important info at the ready, when and where you need them.

Price:

  • Free

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.1 ★
  • Apple App Store - 3.5 ★

Pros:

  • Free to Use: No cost, fully functional with a Google account.
  • Google Integration: Works well with other Google apps including Drive, Docs, Calendar, and Assistant.
  • Reminders: Offers time and location-based reminders.

Cons:

  • Limited Features: Basic compared to other study apps, and ill-suited for long, complex notes.
  • No Folder System: Uses labels and colors instead of folders for organization.
  • Limited Offline Access: Requires a mobile app for offline access, and has limited offline functionality on the web.

Apple Notes

If you're an Apple user, you might think of the Notes app as ultra-basic. But it can do more than you might realize; Apple's free, built-in note-taking app includes a folder-based organization system, search bar (which also searches attachment files), OCR tools, and capability to incorporate tables, hand-drawn notes/sketches, and video/file attachments. While it stays less powerful than some other study apps on our list, it offers an easy-to-use and safe option for basic note-taking.

Price:

  • Free

Rating:

  • Apple App Store - 4.9 ★

Pros:

  • Seamless Integration: Works well with the Apple ecosystem (iCloud, macOS, iOS, iPadOS).
  • Simplified Interface: Start making notes quickly with its intuitive, simple interface.
  • Security: End-to-end encryption for secure notes.

Cons:

  • Apple Ecosystem: Limited to Apple devices.
  • Basic Features: Lacks useful features found in other study apps, such as version history, web clipping, or AI tools.
  • Limited Formatting Options: If you're a highlighting fiend, beware; Apple Notes is bare-bones when it comes to formatting options.

2. Flashcards and Memorization

Quick, what does adumbrate mean? If you're not sure, or you have other bits of info you need memorized, these flashcard study apps have you covered. Let's adumbrate (that is, roughly describe) them below...

Anki

Anki is a flashcard-making app that uses spaced repetition and self-testing to help you memorize efficiently. It uses an algorithm to determine the optimal time to re-test you on specific pieces of material, based on your feedback. Say goodbye to wasting your time studying your entire 100-card deck to death!

It's ultra-customizable, allowing you to create flashcards with rich formatting (including video/audio clips and images, highlights, and color). Think beyond vocab words; you can memorize map locations, or even practice musical chords! You can also modify your "learning steps": the number of times you're shown a particular card, and the amount of time in between. Anki offers detailed stats to track your progress over time. Plus, you can synchronize your decks across multiple devices with the AnkiWeb service.

Price:

  • Free (Other Platforms)
  • AnkiMobile Flashcards: $24.99 (iOS)

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.7 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.1 ★

Pros:

  • Generous Free Version: Comes with all features free on most platforms.
  • Highly Customizable: Offers many card types, formatting options, timing options, and add-ons.
  • Community Resources: An active user community to share decks and learn more.

Cons:

  • Outdated UI: The interface is functional but less intuitive, making it harder to learn for new users.
  • iOS App Cost: The iOS app is paid (though the Android app is free).
  • Quality Control: Relying mostly on unregulated, crowd-sourced content, premade card decks may be of poor quality or contain factual errors.

Quizlet

Quizlet is another flashcard app that's perfect for memorization. After you create flashcards—which can include images and text, and can be efficiently uploaded from a spreadsheet—you can review them in various study modes, including practice tests. Look over your deck, then when you're ready for a challenge, go into Learn mode for multiple-choice, true-false, and write-in quiz questions. Or try out games like Match to shake up your study session!

With a paid Quizlet Plus subscription, you can also use adaptive study modes, which keep track of your performance and use that data to create and refine the next study session, ramping up the difficulty over time. It also uses spaced repetition in its Scheduled Review feature, sending periodic reminders to review your flashcards. Paid or unpaid, however, Quizlet enables study sessions packed with variety.

Price:

  • Free
  • Quizlet Plus (Monthly): $7.99 per month
  • Quizlet Plus (Annual): $2.99 per month
  • Quizlet Plus (Group order): $68.38 per year

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.7 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.8 ★

Pros:

  • Engaging Learning: Interactive games and multiple learning modes to make studying fun and keep users engaged.
  • Sleek Design: An aesthetic, user-friendly interface makes navigation a breeze.
  • Library and Collaborative Features: Extensive library of curated and user-generated study sets, as well as easy sharing and collaborative editing tools.

Cons:

  • Subscription Cost: Advanced features leveraging performance feedback and spaced repetition require a Quizlet Plus subscription.
  • Ads In Free Version: The free version includes ads that can be distracting.
  • Limited Customization: There are fewer customization options for flashcard design and spaced repetition tools compared to some competitors.

Brainscape

Brainscape is another effective and user-friendly flashcard app that incorporates spaced repetition. Its flashcards can include images and audio/video clips and can be uploaded from spreadsheets. When you review your cards, you rate the difficulty on a scale of 1-5, which influences how much time will pass before you see the card again. Though less customizable than Anki, Brainscape offers a user-friendly experience as well as spaced repetition tools even in its free version.

Price:

  • Free
  • Brainscape Pro: $19.99 per month
  • Brainscape Pro Semester: $59.94 for 6 months
  • Brainscape Pro Yearly: $95.88 per year
  • Brainscape Pro Lifetime: $199.99 (one-time payment)

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.7 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.8 ★

Pros:

  • Spaced Repetition: Uses spaced repetition to enhance memory retention.
  • Flashcard Customization: Allows flashcards with audio/video clips and images for flexible learning.
  • Content Quality: Has many premade decks certified by relevant professionals.

Cons:

  • Subscription Cost: Important features—including unlimited audio/video incorporation and card deck access—require a paid subscription.
  • Limited Timing Customization: Lacks customization options for spaced repetition features.
  • Fewer Organizational Options: Brainscape has fewer options for organizing your decks than some other apps.

Cram

Cram offers both flashcard-making tools and sample essays on a range of scholarly topics. Similarly to the other apps on this list, Cram uses spaced repetition principles to personalize your flashcard studying, flagging incorrectly answered cards to be reviewed more frequently. It also shares the import/export tools and image incorporation options found in other flashcard apps.

Price:

  • Free to use

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.7 ★
  • Apple App Store - The link to the official app for iOS is no longer operational

Pros:

  • Easy to Use: User-friendly interface for creating and organizing flashcards.
  • Variety of Study Modes: Offers modes like Memorize, Cram, and Test to suit different study needs.
  • Sample Essays: Cram's catalog of sample essays spans diverse subjects and offers ideas for writing topics.

Cons:

  • Ad-Supported Free Version: The free version includes ads, which can be distracting during study sessions.
  • Limited Customization: Limited options for customizing flashcards and card review schedules compared to some competitors.
  • Basic Interface: The design is functional but lacks visual appeal and modern aesthetics.

3. Accountability & Motivation

Having someone (or something) to stand by your side and keep tabs on your progress can keep you motivated and productive. These apps use creative strategies to give you that little boost and keep your head in the game.

GoalsWon

Imagine having your very own personal coach dedicated to your success, helping you plan out your studies and schedules, and making daily check-ins to keep you motivated and on track with your deadlines. With GoalsWon, you'll not only set realistic academic and personal goals, but you'll also get expert guidance to help you meet them every step of the way. This platform is designed to streamline your goal-setting journey, making sure you are efficient with your time and energy and are ready in time—whether that’s acing your next exam, managing time better, or balancing schoolwork with life. It's an accountability buddy but make an expert in productivity!

Price:

  • Free
  • Monthly: $90 per month with a 7-day free trial
  • Yearly: $60 per month with a 14-day free trial

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.6 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.9 ★

Pros:

  • Daily Accountability: Keeps you consistently progressing with regular check-ins.
  • Personalized Human Coaching: Enjoy one-on-one support and tailored feedback from experienced coaches.
  • Structured Goal Management: Split your larger goals into manageable, actionable tasks.

Cons:

  • Cost: Our premium service may be a higher investment for some users.
  • Limited Free Features: Access to a coach requires a subscription.

Habitica

Ever wanted to dive straight into the world of your favorite RPG? Habitica is a productivity app that aims to "gamify your life." It flavors habit tracking and task management with a fantasy RPG, where you can design and level up an avatar, fight monsters with IRL friends as an adventuring party, and earn rewards like battle armor and magic skills for completing tasks. It separates Habits—things you want to do frequently—from Dallies—things you want to do every day—from one-off To-Dos. So you can tackle everything from your school assignments to your eating habits, all in one magical adventure.

Price:

  • Free
  • Monthly Subscription
    • 1 month: $4.99
    • 3 months: $14.99
    • 6 months: $29.99
    • 12 months: $47.99

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.7 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.0 ★

Pros:

  • Gamification: Makes task management and habit-building enjoyable by turning them into a game.
  • Customizable: Users can create custom tasks and rewards tailored to their goals.
  • Community Support: Offers a social aspect with parties and guilds for collaborative goals and accountability.

Cons:

  • Time-Consuming: Managing game aspects can become a distraction from actual productivity.
  • In-App Purchases: Some features and items require in-app purchases, which may not appeal to all users.
  • Internet Dependency: Requires an internet connection for most features.

Streaks

While much less fantastical, Streaks uses a similar gamified motivation to keep you on-task. In Streaks, you build and maintain streaks by keeping up with your tasks. It's especially good for developing and keeping regular habits; for instance, you might make a streak of studying for an hour each day on important class material. Then, when you've been at it for a while, take a look back at all the progress you've made with its built-in analytics for an extra boost!

Price:

  • $5.99

Rating:

  • Apple App Store - 4.8 ★

Pros:

  • Simple Interface: A simple, easy-to-use, appealing design.
  • Health Integration: Syncs with Apple Health for fitness and health goals.
  • Reminders: Timely notifications to keep users on track.

Cons:

  • iOS Exclusive: Not available for Android users.
  • Basic Functionality: Lacks advanced habit-tracking features.
  • Limited Social Features: Minimal community support or social interaction, relying on self-accountability.

HabitNow

HabitNow is a planner app designed to help users create and maintain daily habits and routines, on top of managing their daily tasks. It can flexibly keep track of your progress on different types of goals by creating to-do lists, notes, alarms, and reminders, logging timed activities with its built-in timer, and providing analytics to visualize your success. HabitNow blends task management with habit tracking,  aiming to spark motivation to reach your goals and become your best self.

Price:

  • Free (up to 7 habits)
  • Premium: $9.99

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.8 ★

Pros:

  • Comprehensive Tracking: Combines habit tracking with task management.
  • User-Friendly: Intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface.
  • Flexible Scheduling: Supports different habit frequencies and routines.

Cons:

  • Android Focused: Primarily available on Android.
  • Ads in Free Version: The free version includes ads that can be distracting.
  • Self-Motivated: The lack of social aspects or gamified rewards means this app relies on progress-based motivation.

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Supporti

Supporti pairs users together to help both achieve their goals through mutual encouragement, daily check-ins, and support. Tell your accountability buddy your study plans, for example.... Then later, let them know how it went. Your partner can offer emotional support and advice, congratulating you on your good days and helping you work through the bad. You'll also be able to list out your goals and break them down into more manageable pieces.

Price:

  • Free 2-week trial
  • Monthly: $15.99
  • Yearly: $129.99

Rating:

  • Google Play - 2.8 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.4 ★

Pros:

  • Mutual Accountability: Pairs users with partners for mutual support.
  • Daily Check-Ins: Encourages consistent progress with daily check-ins.
  • Customizable Goals: Allows setting and tracking personalized goals.

Cons:

  • Subscription Cost: Supporti requires a paid subscription.
  • Mutual Investment: You'll need to support your partner the way they support you, with regular check-ins and encouragement.
  • Variable Partner Quality: Experience may vary based on the accountability partner.

4. Project and Time Management

When exams, projects, homework assignments, and quizzes pile up, managing your to-do lists can become quite the juggling act. We already have a list of time management strategies for you... but some digital tools can be helpful, too. These handy apps are like your own air traffic control center: keeping every task and project running smoothly and on schedule. Great for preventing nasty surprises, rushed work, and frazzled brains.

Microsoft To Do 

Microsoft's task management app is like a personal assistant in your pocket. List tasks with due dates, schedule reminders, divide complex tasks into simpler steps, and share your to-do lists with others. The My Day page gives you a birds-eye view of your most pressing to-dos, and the app even gives you intelligent and personalized suggestions to update your list, so you'll never miss a beat. Though much simpler than other management apps on this list, Microsoft To Do is a great option for budget-minded students needing to keep track of a laundry list of tasks.

Price:

  • Free

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.7 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.7 ★

Pros:

  • Simple and Intuitive: Easy-to-use interface for quick task entry and management.
  • Microsoft Integration: Works well with other Microsoft products like Outlook and Teams.
  • Free of Charge: Microsoft To Do is totally free to use with a Microsoft account.

Cons:

  • Limited Customization: There are fewer options for task organization compared to other apps.
  • Basic Reporting: Minimal options for task analysis and productivity tracking.
  • No Offline Mode: Requires an internet connection for full functionality.

MyStudyLife

MyStudyLife is a digital planner app designed specifically for students. Enter your term and holiday dates, classes, and assignments or exams for each class. Its to-do list is especially suited for homework assignments that might vary in length, allowing you to mark tasks as "in progress" rather than just complete or incomplete. You can set up reminders to head to class, study for exams, turn in projects, and check your schedule in daily or monthly views. Free of charge, this powerful app is perfect for busy college students looking to stay on top of their semester.

Price:

  • Free

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.1 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.6 ★

Pros:

  • User-Friendly Interface: The app is easy to navigate, making it accessible for students of all ages.
  • Students in Mind: The app includes features for tracking homework, exams, and class schedules, helping students stay organized.
  • Free to Use: You can download the app at no charge, perfect for the student on a budget.

Cons:

  • Limited Customization: Some users may find the customization options for schedules and tasks to be limited.
  • No Integration with Other Apps: The app does not currently integrate with other popular productivity tools or calendar apps.
  • Advertisements: The app may include advertisements, which could be distracting.

Todoist

Todoist is a to-do list app that helps you manage tasks and deadlines. Its clean, minimalist interface is easy to use, and its Quick Add feature makes adding spur-of-the-moment tasks a snap. You can also add recurring due dates, and reminders, and organize your to-dos by project, priority, and nesting sub-tasks. For paid subscriptions, an AI assistant can also help you manage your tasks for an even more intuitive, hassle-free experience.

Multi-user collaboration and task assignments are also built-in, letting your project group divide and conquer. Finally, productivity milestones keep track of your progress, and Karma points reward you for your hard work. Todoist is a great, easy-to-use tool for those juggling multiple projects with multi-part tasks, either alone or with other users. And its modest subscription fee may be well worth it for the added features.

Price:

  • Beginner: Free
  • Pro: $4 per month billed yearly ($5 billed monthly)
  • Business: $6 per month billed yearly ($8 billed monthly)

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.4 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.8 ★

Pros:

  • User-Friendly Interface: Its clean and intuitive design offers a low barrier to entry.
  • Gamification: A "Karma" system rewards productivity.
  • Productivity Tools: It can easily interface with Google Calendar, Slack, and other apps.

Cons:

  • Subscription Cost: Some fundamental features—including the calendar layout and task reminders—require a paid subscription.
  • Customization: Todoist is less customizable in layout and form than some competitors.
  • Notification/Sync Issues: Some users have noted delays in synchronization and notifications, potentially making time-intensive or collaborative work more difficult.

Trello

Trello is another project management platform that can be used by either individuals or groups. It uses a virtual tree—from boards to lists, to cards representing individual tasks—to help you and your team visually manage every to-do list. Trello's customization options allow you to make custom boards or lists, add important info to each task, and more, suiting every project need. And like Todoist, you can integrate Trello with a variety of other productivity apps, like Slack or Google Drive. This app is well-suited for large projects and collaborative efforts, organizing tasks and breaking things down into manageable steps. However, its cheaper subscription options have more limited capabilities.

Price:

  • Free
  • Standard: $5 per user/month billed yearly ($6 billed monthly)
  • Premium: $10 per user/month billed yearly ($12.50 billed monthly)
  • Enterprise: $17.50 per user/month billed annually

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.4 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.4 ★

Pros:

  • Visual Organization: Appealing, intuitive Kanban-style boards for visual task management.
  • Flexibility: Customizable layout to suit various project types.
  • Integrations: Integrates with various third-party apps like Slack, Google Drive, and Jira.

Cons:

  • Feature Costs: Useful features that add versatility require higher-tier subscriptions, such as Views (including calendar, timeline, and map views, starting at Premium) or advanced checklists (Standard).
  • Dependency Management: Lacks built-in task dependency management.
  • Learning Curve: Its powerful, flexible system can be overwhelming for new users.

Asana

Asana is a powerhouse for complex work management. Like Trello, Asana breaks down your to-do list into an extensive virtual tree, from goals to portfolios to projects to tasks to sub-tasks. It can show these items in various visual styles, including board, calendar, or list views. The My Tasks tab serves as your personal home base, keeping your tasks organized by due date, project, or custom tags.

In addition to personal task-tracking, Asana also emphasizes communication; you can share your progress through Status Updates with your team. It can also be integrated with other apps, such as time-tracking apps for added accountability. With these features, Asana works particularly well for complex collaborative projects, and its free version is reasonably flexible. However, its subscriptions—which add on some useful features like AI assistance and the Workload tab—come at a slightly steeper price than its competitors.

Price:

  • Personal: Free
  • Starter: $10.99 per user/month billed yearly ($13.49 billed monthly)
  • Advanced: $24.99 per user/month billed yearly ($30.49 billed monthly)

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.6 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.7 ★

Pros:

  • Project Views: Supports various views including lists, boards, calendars, and timelines, suited for any project.
  • Communication Features: Facilitates team communication with comments, attachments, and project updates.
  • Reporting and Analytics: Provides insights and reports on project progress and team performance.

Cons:

  • Cost: Some advanced features require a premium subscription, which may be costly for smaller teams or individuals.
  • Complexity: The added flexibility in project views and range of tools can be overwhelming for new users, or those with simple project management needs.
  • Limited Offline Functionality: Requires an internet connection for full functionality.

TogglTrack

If you're really looking to optimize your work schedule and make every minute count, TogglTrack could help. Designed primarily for time management and billing of corporate teams, TogglTrack lets you log your tasks by the hour and outputs analytics to help you figure out where you're spending the most time, and where you're skimping. This can also help you plan out future projects and goals, based on the time it took you previously. TogglTrack's free version may be good enough for individual users, though paid subscriptions add useful collaborative features. And with TogglTrack's collaborative tools, you can manage a whole group's time, ensuring that everyone is pulling their weight without overworking.

Price:

  • Free
  • Starter: $9 per user/month billed annually ($10 billed monthly)
  • Premium: $18 per user/month billed annually ($20 billed monthly)
  • Enterprise: TBD

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.6 ★
  • Apple App Store - 3.0 ★

Pros:

  • User-Friendly Interface: Easy to start and stop timers with just one click.
  • Browser Extension: Track your time with the use of browser extensions.
  • Integration Capabilities: Connects with various project management tools.

Cons:

  • Manual Tracking: As a time-tracking app, users need to update logs regularly (and honestly).
  • Syncing Issues: Delays in data synchronization across devices have been reported.
  • Customer Support: It can be difficult to receive timely support, some sources say.

5. Focus and Productivity

Ding! Ding! Buzz! Notifications are constantly clamoring for your attention. Even if they weren't, it's easy for your mind to wander while you're trying to get in the zone. These apps are designed to get and keep you there, so you can make the most out of your study time.

Forest

Forest helps you stay focused by gamifying the process. You plant a tree that grows as you stay off your phone; if you leave the app, your tree dies. Simple as that. You'll get insightful statistics to see what times of day you focus best, and more. As a bonus, with each minute you're still studying, you'll earn virtual coins you can spend on tree-planting initiatives IRL. Stay focused, and save the planet!

Price:

  • Android: Free ($1.99 for Pro)
  • iOS: $3.99

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.7 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.8 ★

Pros:

  • Gamification: Helps maintain focus by gamifying productivity.
  • Customizable: It allows you to set custom focus times and break periods.
  • Group Sessions: Supports group focus sessions for team productivity.

Cons:

  • Inflexibility: This can be restrictive if an unexpected interruption occurs.
  • Limited Features: Some users find the app too simplistic for their needs.
  • Battery Drain: Continuous use might drain the phone battery.

Focus@Will

Focus@Will is a music app that offers background noise designed to improve focus and concentration. The app offers diverse music channels for every type of task and personal preference, and its Channel Recommender can help you find the sound that works for you. Focus@Will also customizes the soundtrack at time intervals where attention usually lapses, aiming to help users stay focused longer.

Price:

  • Individuals: 1-week free trial
    • Monthly: $7.49 per month
    • Yearly: $52.49 per year
    • 2 Years: $89.99 per year
  • Workplace: 28-day free trial
    • 5 to 10 users: $2.75 per month/user, $27.55 per year/user
    • 11 to 25 users: $2.75 per month/user, $22.54 per year/user
    • More than 25 users: TBD

Rating:

  • Google Play - 3.5 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.2 ★

Pros:

  • Variety of Channels: Offers diverse music genres and channels to suit different tastes and tasks.
  • Customizable Sessions: Allows customization of session lengths and breaks.
  • Mood Tracking: Includes tools to track how different music affects focus.

Cons:

  • Subscription Cost: Requires a subscription, which can be a downside for budget-conscious users.
  • Personal Preference: Music preferences are highly individual, and some may not find the selections effective for their focus.
  • Internet Requirement: Needs an internet connection for streaming music, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.

6. Collaboration and Group Study

Teamwork makes the dream work! With these collaborative study apps, you'll be able to share ideas and resources with other students at the speed of thought. Your next group assignment won't know what hit it.

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams, part of the Microsoft 365 suite, is a comprehensive collaboration platform. Hold an effective virtual study session with Microsoft Whiteboard and AI-generated meeting notes, store and exchange files with ease, and collaborate on documents in real time. Its capable integration with not only Microsoft apps like Powerpoint and Excel but also other apps like Trello, make it a popular choice in both educational and professional settings.

Price:

  • Free
  • Microsoft 365 Personal: $6.99 per user/month, $69.99 per user/year
  • Microsoft 365 Family: $9.99 per user/month, $99.99 per user/year

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.6 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.8 ★

Pros:

  • Flexible App Integration: Seamless integration with Office apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneDrive, plus hundreds of non-Office apps like Trello, enabling customized workflows.
  • Video Conferencing: High-quality video calls with features like screen sharing, recording, and breakout rooms.
  • Security: Strong security features, including data encryption and compliance with industry standards.

Cons:

  • Complexity: It can be overwhelming for new users due to its wide range of features.
  • Performance Issues: May experience occasional lags or slow performance, especially with large teams or extensive use.
  • Cost: Requires a subscription for access to all features, including unlimited meetings, which might be expensive for small teams or individuals.

Slack

Slack is another communication platform that’s great for group study sessions and project coordination. Like Teams, it supports video/audio calls, text messaging, and file sharing. Slack organizes text channels by topic rather than team structure, which can provide easier access to different conversations involving different groups and projects.

Notably, "Slackbot" introduces a handy shortcut method of setting reminders, giving automated responses to common questions (When's this assignment due, again?), or just adding a little fun with silly, emoji-laden responses to a trigger phrase. Slack is also compatible with a range of other productivity apps to customize your experience... though it lacks the perks of being in the Microsoft 365 family.

Price:

  • Free
  • Pro: $8.75 per month (or $4.38 for 3 months)
  • Business+: $15 per month
  • Enterprise Grid: TBD

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.1 ★
  • Apple App Store - 3.7 ★

Pros:

  • Notification Customization: Be alerted only when you need to be, with extensive channel- or keyword-specific customization options.
  • File Sharing: Easy sharing of documents, images, and other files within conversations.
  • Organizational Tools: Features like mentions, threads, and reactions to keep conversations organized and relevant.

Cons:

  • Cost: Automation tools and larger storage options require a subscription, which can be expensive for some users.
  • Notification Overload: Its numerous, easy-to-make channels can generate excessive notifications, which can become distracting if not managed properly.
  • Performance Issues: Can sometimes experience lag or performance issues, particularly with video/audio calls, large teams, or an extensive message history.

7. Language Learning

Learning a new language can be daunting. It's a bit trickier than some other topics since it's best learned through frequent, real-time feedback. Luckily, there are apps designed to guide you through the process, from Huh? to ¡Entiendo!

Duolingo

Duolingo makes language learning fun with its gamified lessons and engaging interface. Its efficacy has been supported by peer-reviewed studies, so you know it's the real deal. And its (adorable) mascot Duo will periodically remind you to keep practicing (Hello again, spaced repetition!)

Price:

  • Free
  • Super Duolingo
    • $12.99 per month
    • $59.99 per year

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.8 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.7 ★

Pros:

  • Gamified Learning: Uses game-like elements such as streaks, points, and leaderboards to motivate users.
  • User-Friendly: The intuitive interface and engaging, bite-sized lessons make it easy to use.
  • Science-Backed: Duolingo's commitment to efficacy studies and linguistics research ensures you'll see results.

Cons:

  • Limited Depth: While great for beginners, the app may not provide the depth needed for advanced language learners.
  • Ads In Free Version: Though Duolingo's free version has nearly all relevant features, it comes with ads that might be distracting for users.
  • Light on Vocal Practice: Duolingo emphasizes language comprehension, and is light on conversational skills.

Babbel

In contrast to Duolingo, Babbel takes a less gamified, more traditional approach to language learning, focusing on conversational skills. Its lessons are designed to be quick and effective, making them perfect for busy students. They also layer in grammar lessons, for a deeper understanding of the language. Spaced repetition plays a role in Babbel, too, as it reintroduces terms with varying frequency across six memory stages. Finally, Babbel offers live classes with native speakers for more personalized instruction.

Price:

  • 6 months: $7.20 per month
  • 12 months: $4.80 per month
  • Lifetime: $190.99 (Access to all languages, one-time payment)

Rating:

  • Google Play - 4.7 ★
  • Apple App Store - 4.7 ★

Pros:

  • Structured Curriculum: The app offers well-organized lessons that build on each other, providing a clear learning path.
  • Real-Life Conversations: Babbel focuses on practical, real-world conversations, which can help users quickly apply what they learn.
  • Live Lessons: Babbel Live puts you in touch with native-speaking instructors for a personalized curriculum.

Cons:

  • No Free Version: Babbel requires users to subscribe for access.
  • No Offline Mode: The app requires an internet connection, which can be inconvenient for users with limited access.
  • Fewer Languages: Babbel offers lessons in 13 languages, fewer than Duolingo (40).

Conclusions

With this list of superstar study apps, you're ready to take effective notes, you can confidently do that exam countdown, balance assignments with ease, get in touch with your study partners, and stay focused and motivated (Whew—that's a lot!). These apps use psychological strategies like gamification, accountability, and spaced repetition to make your learning fun, effective, and long-lasting— being a student was never this smooth!

The best study apps won't be the same for everyone, though. Leverage free trials and get a feel for what works with your learning style, projects, and schedule. And of course, apps can only take you so far. Ultimately, your success will come down to your efforts. That's why it's important to form good habits outside of school and work, like getting enough food and sleep, so you can meet your tasks with your best self.

Now get out there and ace that next exam—you've got this!