10 Free Apps All Students Should Download in 2024

In our recent study abroad survey, we asked 24,000 students about the best apps for college students they use during their studies. While there’s an app for almost anything, we narrowed down the responses to the most popular apps for students in these five categories:

1. Finance / budget planning apps
2. Time management / scheduling apps
3. Study apps
4. Language learning apps
5. Travel planning apps

From this list, we’ve put together five different types of students:

• the Bargain Hunter
• the Planner
• the Bookworm
• the Language Lover
• the Jet Setter 

Which student personality type are you? And which app do you love the most?

Here is our list of ten free apps that every student should download!

The Bargain Hunter

If you tend to share meals with friends, rent or buy textbooks secondhand, and have a strict loan repayment plan post-graduation, you might be a Bargain Hunter. Some of the best study apps for college students will help you track your spending, create a customized budget, and see all your transactions in one place.

Mint

For students who want to save money, Mint is one of the most popular budgeting apps for students. When you connect your accounts to the app, you’ll get a complete picture of your finances to help you create your ideal budget plan.

Because Mint automatically categorizes your spending, you’ll find out exactly how much you can spend on a weekend trip or night out after rent is paid. You can also plan for more long-term goals in your future, like paying off your student loans or next semester’s textbooks.

Available on: iOS and Android

This app is compatible with American and Canadian banks. More international apps are detailed below!

Splitwise

Splitting costs is an inevitable part of being a student. Whether you’re dividing the rent between you and your housemates or trying to find out what your friends actually owe you for drinks from the other night, things can get messy without an app to keep track of your expenses.

Splitwise is one of the top apps for students because it takes the awkwardness out of paying friends back for shared costs. Simply log each expense in the app and when you’re ready to settle up, you’ll see exactly how much everyone owes!
This app is perfect for group trips, making it easy to share the costs between housemates, friends, and even family.

Available on: iOS, Android, and web

Splitwise is available in multiple languages and 100+ currencies!

The Planner

Every student knows that missing a class (or sleeping in) happens to the best of us. That’s why the Planner is a student who makes an effort to keep their schedule organized and easy to manage. The best way to go about this is with a time management or student planner app that you can access anytime, anywhere (even on the go!).

My Study Life

My Study Life is the perfect online replacement for the notebook planner you’ve been carrying in your backpack for all these years. The calendar function of the app was made for students, and can help you balance your academic and social life. Even the most complicated schedules will seem easy with this student planner app. Issues due to class conflicts or rotation schedules will be a thing of the past!

With their task manager, My Study Life solves the problem of trying to find that specific date you might have forgotten to write in your paper planner. Instead, pop an assignment’s due date or an upcoming exam into My Study Life, and the app’s dashboard will automatically remind you of upcoming tasks and events.

Available on: Desktop, iOS and Android

This app can sync across all your devices and is available offline!

2Do app

Are you the type of person who likes to write to-do lists to keep track of your responsibilities? Being a student often means juggling multiple activities beyond your coursework, and it can be hard to remember the little things. The 2Do app creates checklists for projects and tasks to help keep track of everything you need to get done.

Divide your 2Do lists by course subject, student clubs, or sports activity, and keep lists organized with tags. You can even use the app to make a checklist for the next month, or keep it simple and use it for making today’s grocery list. Having all of your to-do lists in one place will make it easier to prioritize tasks and check off things that you’ve completed. Stay on top of your schedule with this study app’s built in notification alerts if you need a bit of extra nagging!

Available on: iOS, Mac, and Android

You can add items to your checklist even when this student planner app is not running!

The Bookworm

If you have a favorite study spot in your school’s library, keep a highlighter and flashcards handy, and enjoy reading the course literature before every lecture, you might be a studious Bookworm. As you’re clocking long hours in your study circle, it’s clear that you love learning, and your good grades show it! Study apps will make your life even easier by placing efficient study tools at your fingertips.

Quizlet flashcard app

The Quizlet flashcard app is a quick and easy mobile study tool that will help you prepare for the next big test, examination, or presentation.

No matter what subject you’re studying, flashcards are an effective way to help your brain remember connections. With the Quizlet flashcard app, you can create customizable flashcards - helping you remember the key pieces of information you need to ace your classes!

If you’re running out of study time, this student planner app has a flashcard library with millions of pre-created flashcards available for free! This app is especially helpful for international students looking to learn some of the local language in their study abroad country. Browse the library to find a deck of flashcards in your subject area and add them to your daily study routine!

Available on: iOS and Android

Evernote

Evernote is more than a note-taking app: It’s one of the best apps for college students, helping you keep track of everything from lecture notes to bright ideas.

Tired of rifling through notebooks and folders for the right notes? Organize your coursework, track due dates, type notes, and save related handouts, websites, and whiteboard pictures- all in one place. Evernote also allows you to save webpages for markups, and can even be integrated with Google Drive and Outlook!

If you are always forgetting where you save things, you can search tags and text, even within uploaded photos of your handwritten class notes. You will never have to worry about losing connection, as this student planner app is usable even if you’re offline.

Available on: Desktop, iOS and Android

Your notes can be synced across all of your devices with this app!

The Language Lover

There are many reasons to learn a new language. Maybe you want to travel, communicate with new friends, or would just like the pleasure of learning something new. Whatever your current level of fluency is, study apps made specifically for language learning online can help you make progress outside the classroom. If your goal is to order a coffee on your next trip overseas or if you’re nearly fluent and want someone to practice with, these apps will make it even easier!

Duolingo

Whether you’re preparing for a semester abroad or are intensively studying a second language, Duolingo is a great way to learn a foreign language.

It’s a fun and addictive game-based learning platform where you earn points for correct answers, race against the clock, and level up. Exercises are adapted to your vocabulary and learning style, and you’ll receive feedback immediately as well as tips for improvement. Duolingo forums also provide a great way to talk to others about specific linguistic questions or language learning in general!

This app is ideal for Language Lovers looking for a fun, fast way to boost their language skills. A study has shown that just 34 hours of Duolingo is equal to 1 university semester of language courses, making it one of the best apps for college students who want to learn languages!

Available on: Desktop, iOS and Android

HelloTalk

They say the best way to learn a language is by using it with native speakers, and this app delivers the ultimate language exchange! HelloTalk allows you to learn a language while exploring new cultures and making new friends around the world.

The app hosts a worldwide community of users dedicated to helping you practice more than 100 languages. Connect with native speakers who will teach you their language while you teach them yours! Chat via text, voice recordings, voice calls, video calls, and even doodles.

If you like learning by doing, HelloTalk will help you practice your language skills in a unique, authentic way. Combined with Duolingo, these study apps will have you speaking like a local in no time.

Available on: iOS and Android

The Jet Setter

Being a university student is complicated: Your class schedule may allow you to travel and see the world, but your wallet holds you back! Luckily, there are budget-conscious ways to travel as a student. Many of the best apps for college students to plan trips help you compare prices and work around your budget, so you can still explore the world without breaking the bank as a Jet Setter!

TripAdvisor

If you’re already using budgeting apps to save for your next big trip or weekend away, don’t forget to download the ultimate travel planner app!

Tripadvisor provides millions of travel recommendations, like reviews on hotels, must-do activities, the best places to eat, and other hidden gems from other travelers. You can stay within your budget by using the app’s price comparison for accommodation and flights. The planning tool allows you to schedule your future trip and visualize it on a map, with an option to collaborate with travel buddies!

If you love exploring new places during your school breaks, make your next trip both cost-efficient and full of the best restaurants, tours, and attractions thanks to the insider tips on Tripadvisor.

Available on: Desktop, iOS and Android

This app is available in many languages!

Roadtrippers

Sometimes the best (and cheapest) way to explore a new place is by car. Hit the road with the one of the best apps for college students with the travel bug and discover the coolest “off the beaten path” places along the way.

If you have a car or can rent one, use the Roadtrippers app to plan your next trip.You can search for specific places like breweries or museums while collaborating on a shared map with friends! Once you enter your destinations, the app will calculate trip time, traffic, mileage, and even the cost of gas. You can also get inspired by one of their premade trip guides! The app can also show you destinations along the way you didn’t even know about- like quirky roadside attractions or hidden scenic spots

Available on: Desktop, iOS and Android

This app is usable offline!