Being a student in 2026 is tough. You’ve got lectures, assignments, exams, and a social life to maintain (or pretend to maintain). The right productivity apps can make a massive difference between pulling an all-nighter and actually having free time.
I’ve tested dozens of apps over the years, and these are the ones that actually make a difference. All of them are free, so your wallet will thank you too.
Note-Taking Apps
1. Notion (Free Forever)
Notion is basically a second brain for students. You can take notes, create databases for your subjects, track assignments, and even build a whole system for your academic life.
The best part? The free plan is generous enough for most students. Create unlimited pages and blocks, and share with limited team members. Perfect for study notes, lecture summaries, and assignment tracking.
Best for: Building a complete study system, group projects
2. Obsidian (Free)
If you’re into the “second brain” concept, Obsidian is for you. It’s a markdown-based note-taking app that links your notes together, creating a web of knowledge.
Unlike cloud-based apps, Obsidian stores everything locally on your device. Your notes, your data. No subscription, no cloud storage limits.
Best for: Research-heavy subjects, building interconnected knowledge
3. Microsoft OneNote (Free)
OneNote has been around forever, and it still holds up. The free-form canvas lets you type, draw, and clip web content all in one place. Integration with Microsoft Office is seamless if you’re already on that ecosystem.
Best for: Handwritten notes (with stylus), visual learners
Task and Assignment Management
4. Todoist (Free Tier)
Todoist is simple, clean, and powerful. Add tasks, set due dates, create projects for each subject, and let the app remind you what’s due. The natural language input (“Assignment due next Friday 5pm”) is incredibly fast.
The free tier gives you 5 projects and basic features, which is enough for most students.
Best for: Simple task management, assignment tracking
5. TickTick (Free)
TickTick is like Todoist’s more feature-packed cousin. Along with tasks, it includes a built-in pomodoro timer, habit tracker, and even a calendar view. The free tier is surprisingly generous.
Best for: Built-in focus timer, habit building
6. Google Tasks (Free)
Simple, no-frills, and integrates perfectly with Gmail and Google Calendar. If you’re already in the Google ecosystem, this is the easiest option. Add tasks directly from your email and see them in Calendar.
Best for: Google users, simplicity seekers
Focus and Study Tools
7. Forest (Free)
Forest turns staying focused into a game. You plant a virtual tree, and if you leave the app to check social media, your tree dies. Over time, you grow a forest of focus sessions.
It sounds silly, but the gamification actually works. Plus, the free version is fully functional.
Best for: Phone addiction, staying off social media
8. Cold Turkey (Free)
When you need to block distractions, Cold Turkey is the nuclear option. You can block specific websites, apps, or your entire computer for set periods.
Unlike other blockers, you can’t easily undo the blocks once set. Perfect for those “no excuses” study sessions.
Best for: Serious focus, blocking distractions completely
9. Freedom (Free Tier)
Freedom lets you block distracting websites and apps across all your devices. The free plan gives you limited daily sessions, but it’s enough for serious study periods.
Best for: Multi-device blocking, consistent focus
PDF and Document Management
10. Zotero (Free)
If you ever need to write research papers, Zotero is essential. It automatically collects and organizes research sources, generates citations, and integrates with word processors.
It’s the academic gold standard for citation management, and it’s completely free.
Best for: Research papers, citations, bibliography management
11. Mendeley (Free)
Mendeley is another academic favourite, particularly for STEM students. It organizes your PDFs, extracts metadata, and generates citations. The PDF reader is surprisingly good too.
Best for: PDF management, scientific papers
Flashcard and Study Apps
12. Anki (Free)
Anki uses spaced repetition to help you remember anything. Create flashcards (called “cards”), and the algorithm shows them at optimal intervals for memorisation.
The learning curve is steep, but once you get it, it’s incredibly powerful for memorising facts, vocabulary, or anything that requires rote memorisation.
Best for: Language learning, medical studies, memorisation
13. Quizlet (Free)
Quizlet is more user-friendly than Anki. Create flashcards, use pre-made sets, and study with various game modes. The free version is generous for casual study needs.
Best for: Quick flashcard creation, group study
Time Management
14. Google Calendar (Free)
It seems obvious, but Google Calendar is incredibly powerful when used right. Block out study time, set reminders for assignments, and colour-code by subject. The widget on your phone makes it easy to check what’s next.
Best for: Schedule management, time blocking
15. Sunsama (Free for Students)
Sunsama is a daily planner that combines tasks, calendar events, and channels. Students get the premium features for free. It helps you plan your day and focus on what matters.
Best for: Daily planning, overwhelmed students
How to Actually Use These Apps
Having apps isn’t enough — you need a system. Here’s what I recommend:
- Start with one note-taking app — Master it before adding more
- Use a task manager for due dates — Don’t rely on memory
- Block distractions during study — Use Forest or Cold Turkey
- Review regularly — Use Anki or Quizlet for active recall
The best app is the one you’ll actually use. Don’t overcomplicate it.
My Top Picks
If you’re overwhelmed, start here:
- Notes: Notion or Obsidian
- Tasks: Todoist or Google Tasks
- Focus: Forest or Cold Turkey
- Research: Zotero
Mix and match based on what feels right. Your study system will evolve over time, and that’s completely fine.