Best Productivity Apps for Students: Top Tools Compared

As a college student, I’ve tested pretty much every productivity app out there. Some made my life way easier, others just took up space on my phone. If you want to actually stick to deadlines, organize your notes, and survive midterms, the right tool can make all the difference.

Here’s my hands-on guide to the best productivity apps for students. I’m breaking down what’s awesome, what’s annoying, and which one actually fits your study style. No corporate buzzwords—just honest reviews, real-life examples, and tips I wish I knew sooner.

Key Takeaways

• Productivity apps can seriously boost your study game and help you stay organized
• The best apps fit right into your daily routine, on any device you use
• Some apps are perfect for notes, others for managing to-dos—pick based on what you need most
• AI-powered features (like in Todoist, or with ApexVision AI) can save you tons of time
• Your ideal app depends on your goals, budget, and how you like to study

Top Productivity Apps Compared

Here’s a quick side-by-side to help you see what’s what:

App	Best For	Key Features	Price	Platforms
Notion	All-in-one organization	Notes, databases, templates, collaboration	Free/$8+/mo	Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac
Todoist	Task management	To-dos, priorities, integrations, AI suggestions	Free/$5/mo	Web, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac
Google Keep	Quick notes	Sticky notes, reminders, voice input	Free	Web, iOS, Android

How I Tested These Apps

I spent two weeks using each app with my actual coursework, daily to-dos, and group projects. I looked at:

• How fast I could get started
• How easy it was to use (even during a 10-minute study break)
• What features actually helped with classes, projects, and life stuff
• Cross-device syncing (because I’m not always at my laptop)
• Free features vs paid ones (nobody wants surprise paywalls)

I also paid attention to support resources, the quality of mobile apps, and which ones my classmates already liked.

Notion: My Digital Brain

Notion is basically my all-in-one command center for school. I store lecture notes, track assignments, and even plan group projects there. The first time I opened it, it looked a little intimidating—there are a ton of buttons. But once I started using student templates (like class planners and reading lists), it clicked.

What I use Notion for:

• Building a “dashboard” page for each semester, with links to all my courses
• Organizing notes with embedded YouTube videos, images, and even PDF readings
• Collaborating with classmates on group project outlines (real-time editing is a lifesaver)
• Creating a weekly study plan using Notion’s calendar and database features

Pros:

• Highly customizable workspace—you can build it exactly how you want
• Works great for solo AND group projects
• Loads of free templates for students (seriously, just Google “Notion student templates”)
• The free plan gives you pretty much everything you need

Cons:

• The learning curve is real—watch a few YouTube tutorials to start
• The mobile app is good but not as powerful as desktop
• Needs an internet connection for all features (offline mode is limited)

Pricing: Free for students with a .edu email. Personal Pro plan is $8/month if you want fancy extras.

Best for: All-in-one organization and knowledge management

Real-life example: I used Notion to track every part of my senior thesis—sources, drafts, deadlines. I shared a workspace with my advisor, so they could leave comments on my outline.

Todoist: Manage Your To-Do List (So You Don’t Forget That Essay)

If you just want to get stuff done and NOT forget deadlines, Todoist is a game changer. I love that I can type “Submit psychology essay Monday at 5pm” and it auto-magically sets the due date. The AI-powered suggestions are actually helpful, not annoying.

What I use Todoist for:

• Listing all my assignments, broken down by class
• Setting recurring reminders (“Read textbook every Wednesday”)
• Integrating with Google Calendar so everything’s in one place
• Prioritizing tasks so I don’t spend all day on busywork

Pros:

• Super simple, clean interface—great if you get overwhelmed easily
• AI-powered productivity tips (also works well with ApexVision AI for extra planning help)
• Recurring tasks and reminders are top-notch
• Works on every device I’ve tried (phone, laptop, even my old iPad)

Cons:

• Some features (like labels and reminders) are behind the paywall
• Not great for detailed notes, just short task descriptions
• No built-in calendar—relies on connecting to other apps

Pricing: Free basic plan. Premium is $5/month if you want extras.

Best for: Task management and to-do lists

Real-life example: During finals, I used Todoist to break down each exam into smaller study sessions. It helped me avoid cramming the night before.

Google Keep: For When You Just Need to Jot It Down

Sometimes you don’t need a full-blown system—just a place to drop ideas, grocery lists, or random reminders. That’s where Google Keep shines. It’s fast, it syncs instantly, and you can use your voice if your hands are full.

What I use Google Keep for:

• Quick checklists (“Print study guide,” “Buy highlighters”)
• Voice notes on the go (especially when I’m walking between classes)
• Color-coding notes for different classes or projects
• Setting location-based reminders (“Pick up lab notebook when near the library”)

Pros:

• Minimal and easy to use—no setup required
• Works offline and syncs as soon as you’re back online
• Totally free with your Google account

Cons:

• Not great for long notes or big projects
• Formatting options are super limited (no bold/italic, etc.)
• No folders—just labels, which can get messy

Pricing: Free

Best for: Quick note-taking and reminders

Real-life example: I used Google Keep to jot down ideas for my anthropology essay while waiting for a coffee. Later, I copied them into Notion for more detailed outlining.

How to Choose the Right Productivity App

Here’s what I learned after testing way too many apps:

• Start with your main need: Are you organizing everything or just keeping track of deadlines?
• Check for cross-device sync—does it work on your phone, laptop, and tablet?
• See how it integrates with stuff you already use (Google Drive, Calendar, etc.)
• Look for collaborative features if you do lots of group projects
• Try the free version first—most apps are super generous to students
• Double-check privacy: Are you cool with where your notes are stored?

Tip: If you’re into AI-powered tools, try connecting Todoist or Notion with ApexVision AI. It’s pretty good at helping you break down big assignments or map out a study schedule.

Other Tools Worth Checking Out

I couldn’t cover every app in detail, but you might like these:

• Evernote (good for long-form notes)
• Microsoft OneNote (excellent if you have a Surface or use Office 365)
• Trello (visual project boards, great for group work)
• Forest (gamifies focus time—plant trees as you study)
• ClickUp (another all-in-one option, but a bit more complex)

FAQ

Are these apps really free for students?

Most of them offer generous free plans. Notion even gives you a full Personal Pro account if you sign up with a .edu email. Always check for student discounts.

Which app is best for group projects?

Notion is hands-down the best for group work. You can create shared workspaces, edit in real time, and keep all your resources in one place. Todoist also lets you share projects, but Notion is way more flexible.

Can these apps help with time management?

Yes! Todoist is made for tracking deadlines and recurring tasks. Notion’s calendar and database features let you build your own study schedule. I even used ApexVision AI to generate a weekly study plan based on my class load.

Will these apps work offline?

Google Keep and Todoist both have solid offline modes. Notion works offline on desktop and mobile, but some features (like real-time collaboration) need the internet.

Is my data safe on these platforms?

All the apps I reviewed use encryption and standard security. Still, read their privacy policy and use a strong, unique password for your accounts.

My Final Advice

Don’t overcomplicate things. Pick ONE app and actually use it for a few weeks. If it stresses you out, try a different one. My productivity shot up once I stopped trying to use every tool at once.

And remember: there’s no single “best” app for everyone. The best one is the one you’ll actually stick with.

If you want smart suggestions or need help organizing your entire semester, it’s worth trying a tool with built-in AI (ApexVision AI works with Notion and Todoist). But even the basics will get you further than using nothing at all.

Happy studying! If you’ve got a favorite app I didn’t mention, drop it in the comments—I’m always looking for new ways to stay organized.