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College life is a whirlwind of lectures, assignments, social events, and personal growth. Whether you’re starting your first year or navigating the final semester, having the right tools on your phone or laptop can make a world of difference. With so many apps available, knowing which ones truly help students stay organised, focused, and connected can be tough.
This guide walks you through 15 essential applications that every college student should consider, including some of the best apps for students that will help them monitor and manage their time and well-being.
15 Best Apps For International Students
1. Notion
Notion has quickly become a favourite among students for good reason. It combines note-taking, task management, and collaboration into a single platform. You can create to-do lists, organise lecture notes, and even manage group projects with classmates. Its flexibility means you can customise it to fit your study style, whether that’s detailed outlines or simple checklists.
For international students, Notion’s ability to integrate calendars and reminders helps keep track of deadlines across different time zones, making it easier to manage coursework and personal commitments.
App Store Rating | 4.8/5 |
Cost | – Free Education Plus Plan (for students with school email- Personal Plus: $8/month (billed annually) – Free Basic Plan available |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web |
Benefits:
- Combines note-taking, task management, and project organisation in one app
- Offers unlimited pages, blocks, and file uploads with the Education Plus Plan
- Free for students and educators with verified school email
- Supports collaboration for group projects with shared workspaces
- Highly customisable with templates for study plans, goal setting, and time management
- Integrates with popular apps like Google Drive, Slack, and Trello
- Available offline and syncs across devices
- Strong community support and extensive tutorials to help new users
2. Google Drive
Google Drive is a staple for students who need to store documents, presentations, and spreadsheets online. It offers free cloud storage and easy sharing options, which is perfect for group assignments and submitting work to professors. The real-time collaboration feature means you and your classmates can work on the same document simultaneously without confusion.
International students often find Google Drive invaluable for backing up important documents like visas, university forms, and personal IDs, ensuring they’re accessible anytime, anywhere.
App Store Rating | 4.7/5 |
Cost | – Free with 15 GB storage- Paid plans start at $1.99/month for extra storage (Google One) |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web |
Benefits:
- Cloud storage for documents, photos, and files accessible anywhere
- Real-time collaboration on Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides
- Easy sharing and permission controls for group projects
- Automatic backup and sync across devices
3. Forest
Staying focused during study sessions can be challenging, especially with constant notifications and distractions. Forest helps by encouraging you to stay off your phone. When you want to focus, you plant a virtual tree that grows as long as you don’t use your phone. If you leave the app, the tree dies. This simple but effective method helps build concentration and reduce procrastination.
This app is one of the best apps for students who struggle with maintaining focus, and its visual progress can be surprisingly motivating.
App Store Rating | 4.6/5 |
Cost | – $1.99 one-time purchase on iOS;- Free with in-app purchases on Android |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Chrome extension |
Benefits:
- Encourages focus by growing a virtual tree while you avoid phone distractions
- Helps build productive habits and reduce procrastination
- Visual progress tracking motivates sustained study sessions
- Supports environmental causes by planting real trees through app partnerships
Also read: Top 10 Best Healthcare Apps For Students In 2025
4. Grammarly
Writing essays, reports, and emails is a big part of college life, and Grammarly helps ensure your writing is clear and error-free. It checks grammar, spelling, punctuation, and even tone, providing suggestions to improve your text. For international students, Grammarly is especially helpful in navigating the nuances of English writing, boosting confidence and clarity.
You can use Grammarly as a browser extension or mobile app, making it easy to check your work wherever you write.
App Store Rating | 4.6/5 |
Cost | – Free basic version- Premium plans start at $12/month |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web (browse extensions) |
Benefits:
- Advanced grammar, spelling, and style checking for essays and assignments
- Provides vocabulary enhancement and plagiarism detection
- Integrates with email, word processors, and social media platforms
- Improves writing clarity and professionalism
5. Quizlet
Quizlet is a powerful tool for memorisation and review. You can create your own flashcards or use sets made by other students on a wide range of subjects. The app also offers games and quizzes to make studying more engaging.
International students benefit from Quizlet’s language learning flashcards and the ability to access study materials shared by peers worldwide, making it one of the most versatile apps for international students.
App Store Rating | 4.7/5 |
Cost | – Free basic version- Quizlet Plus $3.99/month |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Web |
Benefits:
- Create and access flashcards and study sets on various subjects
- Offers interactive learning modes like quizzes and games
- Supports collaborative study through shared decks
- Helps improve memorisation and exam preparation
6. Microsoft OneNote
Microsoft OneNote offers a digital notebook experience that lets you organise notes by subject, insert images, audio recordings, and even draw diagrams. It syncs across devices so that you can access your notes on your laptop, tablet, or phone.
This app is particularly useful for students who prefer handwritten notes but want the convenience of digital storage. It also supports collaboration, allowing group members to share notes easily.
App Store Rating | 4.7/5 |
Cost | – Free with Microsoft account- Included with Office 365 subscription |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web |
Benefits:
- Digital notebook for organising notes, drawings, and audio recordings
- Supports multi-device syncing and collaboration
- Integrates with other Microsoft Office apps
- Flexible layout ideal for lecture notes and brainstorming
7. Evernote
Evernote is ideal for capturing ideas, to-do lists, and research notes on the go. Its powerful search function helps you find information quickly, even within scanned documents and images. You can clip web pages, attach files, and organise notes into notebooks.
For international students adjusting to new academic systems, Evernote provides a handy way to keep track of important information, from lecture highlights to administrative tasks.
App Store Rating | 4.5/5 |
Cost | – Free basic plan- Premium $7.99/month |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web |
Benefits:
- Organise notes, to-do lists, and web clippings in one place
- Powerful search and tagging system for easy retrieval
- Syncs across devices with offline access
- Supports multimedia notes including images, audio, and PDFs
8. Duolingo
Duolingo offers an interactive and fun way to build language skills for international students or anyone interested in learning a new language. The app breaks lessons into bite-sized exercises that fit easily into a busy schedule.
Duolingo supports dozens of languages and adapts to your progress, making it one of the best apps for students who want to improve language proficiency alongside their studies.
App Store Rating | 4.7/5 |
Cost | – Free with ads- Duolingo Plus $6.99/month |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Web |
Benefits:
- Fun, gamified language learning for over 30 languages
- Short daily lessons fit easily into busy student schedules
- Tracks progress and adapts difficulty to learner’s level
- Helps improve reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills
Also read: List Of Best Language Learning Apps Today
9. MyStudyLife
Keeping track of classes, deadlines, and exams can be overwhelming. MyStudyLife is a planner designed specifically for students. It lets you input your timetable, assignments, and exam dates and sends reminders so nothing slips through the cracks.
Its cloud sync feature means you can access your schedule from any device, which is especially helpful for international students managing different time zones and academic calendars.
App Store Rating | 4.6/5 |
Cost | – Free |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Web |
Benefits:
- Organises class schedules, assignments, and exams in one app
- Provides reminders and notifications for deadlines
- Syncs across devices for access anytime, anywhere
- Designed specifically to meet student needs for academic planning
10. Slack
Slack is a communication platform that many student groups and university clubs use to stay connected. It organises conversations by channels, making it easy to keep track of different topics or projects. You can share files, schedule meetings, and integrate other apps like Google Drive. Slack streamlines communication for group projects and student organisations and keeps everyone on the same page.
App Store Rating | 4.2/5 |
Cost | – Free basic plan- Paid plans start at $6.67/user/month |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web |
Benefits:
- Streamlines team communication with channels, direct messaging, and file sharing
- Integrates with over 2,000 apps including Google Drive and Trello
- Supports video and voice calls for remote collaboration
- Helps manage group projects and stay organised with searchable message history
11. Spotify
Music plays a big role in many students’ study routines. Spotify offers curated playlists for concentration, relaxation, or energising breaks. You can create your own playlists or explore those made by others, including podcasts and audiobooks.
Many students find that the right playlist helps improve focus and reduce stress during intense study sessions.
App Store Rating | 4.6/5 |
Cost | – Free with ads- Premium subscription $9.99/month (student discount available) |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web |
Benefits:
- Access millions of songs, podcasts, and playlists for study or relaxation
- Offline listening and ad-free experience with Premium
- Curated playlists to boost focus, motivation, or unwind after classes
- Student discount offers significant savings on Premium plan
12. Mint
Budgeting is crucial for college students, especially those living away from home for the first time. Mint helps you track your spending, set budgets, and receive alerts when you’re close to overspending. It connects to your bank accounts and categorises expenses automatically.
For international students managing finances in a new country, Mint provides a clear overview of where their money goes, helping them stay financially responsible.
App Store Rating | 4.5/5 |
Cost | – Free- Ad-supported |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Web |
Benefits:
- Tracks spending, budgets, and bills all in one place
- Provides personalised financial insights and alerts
- Helps students manage money, avoid overdrafts, and save smarter
- Syncs with bank accounts and credit cards for real-time updates
13. Sleep Cycle
Good sleep is essential for academic success and overall well-being. Sleep Cycle tracks your sleep patterns and wakes you up during your lightest sleep phase, helping you feel refreshed and ready for the day. It also provides insights and tips to improve your sleep habits.
Students who maintain healthy sleep routines often experience better focus, memory, and mood throughout the semester.
App Store Rating | 4.5/5 |
Cost | – Free basic version- Premium subscription $29.99/year |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android |
Benefits:
- Smart alarm clock that wakes you during light sleep for refreshed mornings
- Tracks sleep patterns and provides detailed analysis
- Helps improve sleep quality, essential for student focus and wellbeing
- Integrates with Apple Health and Google Fit
14. Cold Turkey
Cold Turkey is a powerful app that helps you stay focused by blocking distracting websites and apps during study sessions. You can customise blocking schedules to suit your needs, ensuring you stay on track without interruptions.
This tool is especially useful for students who struggle with procrastination and want to maximise their study efficiency.
App Store Rating | 4.5/5 |
Cost | – Free basic version- Pro version $39 one-time fee |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android |
Benefits:
- Blocks distracting websites and apps to boost productivity
- Customisable schedules and focus sessions for study periods
- Helps students maintain discipline and avoid procrastination
- Offline functionality ensures focus even without internet
15. Trello
Trello uses boards, lists, and cards to help you visually organise assignments, deadlines, and group projects. It’s simple to use and supports collaboration, making tracking progress and prioritising tasks easy.
Many students rely on Trello to keep their academic and personal projects organised, reducing stress and improving time management.
App Store Rating | 4.5/5 |
Cost | – Free basic plan- Business Class $12.50/user/month |
Platforms Available | iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Web |
Benefits:
- Visual project management with boards, lists, and cards
- Ideal for organising assignments, group projects, and deadlines
- Integrates with apps like Slack, Google Drive, and Calendar
- Collaborative features support teamwork and task tracking
College life is demanding, but the right apps can make managing your studies, social life, and personal responsibilities much easier. From staying focused with Forest to organising your schedule with MyStudyLife, these are the best apps for students that cover the essentials every student needs. Whether you’re a local or searching for the best apps for international students, these tools will help you navigate college with confidence and ease.
Ready to make student life easier? Find your perfect student accommodation with UniAcco and focus on what truly matters – your studies and success!
FAQs
1. Are there any apps for international students?
Yes, there are several best apps for students to navigate their studies and life abroad. Popular ones include Duolingo for language learning, AroundMe for exploring local amenities, and Vesti for visa and financial support. Other useful apps are Grammarly for writing help, Uber for safe transportation, and Google Maps for easy navigation.
2. Which app can help me with my studies?
If you need help with your studies, Quizlet is an excellent app that lets you create personalised flashcards and practice tests to study smarter and retain information better. Another great option is Forest, which helps you stay focused by encouraging you to avoid phone distractions during study sessions.
3. Are all apps free to use for college students?
Most of the recommended apps offer free versions with essential features, while some provide premium plans with advanced tools. Many also offer student discounts or education-specific plans to make them more affordable.
4. Can student apps help improve my productivity and study habits?
Yes, these apps are designed to enhance organisation, focus, collaboration, and learning efficiency, helping students manage their time better, stay motivated, and perform well academically.
5. What is the most popular language learning app?
The most popular language learning app in 2025 is Duolingo. It offers a gamified, engaging experience with bite-sized lessons across 40+ languages, making it ideal for beginners and casual learners worldwide. Duolingo’s free version, interactive exercises, and wide language selection have earned it millions of users and the top spot in revenue among language apps.
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