Let’s be honest — staying focused while studying is not easy, especially when your phone is just one swipe away from endless distractions. But what if the same phone could actually help you study better?
In 2025, there are hundreds of apps out there promising to boost your productivity, but which ones truly work for students? Whether you’re in school, college, or preparing for competitive exams like NEET, JEE, or UPSC, these free study apps can genuinely make a difference.
Here’s a hand-picked list of the best study apps in 2025 that are not only free but also easy to use — even if you’re not super tech-savvy.
📚 1. Notion – Your All-in-One Study Organiser
Think of Notion as your digital notebook, planner, and to-do list all rolled into one.
With Notion, you can:
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Create subject-wise pages
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Take class notes
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Make a daily study timetable
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Track your syllabus progress
I personally started using Notion last year, and now I can’t imagine studying without it. The best part? You can customise it however you want — add tables, images, timers, or even motivational quotes!
Platform: Android, iOS, Web
Price: Free (with optional paid plans, but not necessary for students)
🧠2. Anki – For Memory Power Boosting
Anki is a flashcard app that uses spaced repetition, which is a fancy way of saying “revising smartly over time.” Instead of reading the same notes 10 times, Anki helps you revise exactly when you're about to forget.
It’s especially helpful for:
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Formulas
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Vocabulary
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Important dates
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MCQ-style questions
You can create your own flashcards or download decks shared by other students. It’s a game-changer if you struggle with memorising.
Platform: Android, iOS, Web
Price: Free (iOS version is paid, but workarounds exist)
⏲️ 3. Forest – Stay Off Your Phone, Grow Trees
Here’s a fun idea: every time you want to focus on studying, you “plant” a tree in the Forest app. If you leave the app before time (to check WhatsApp or Instagram), the tree dies.
Sounds silly? Maybe. But this simple trick works like magic. You’ll feel guilty killing a virtual tree — and that guilt keeps your hands off distractions.
It also works like a Pomodoro timer (25 minutes focus, 5 minutes break).
Platform: Android, iOS
Price: Free (with optional upgrades)
✏️ 4. Google Keep – Sticky Notes on Your Phone
If you’re someone who forgets what chapter to revise or when the test is, Google Keep is your best friend.
You can:
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Write quick reminders
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Make to-do lists
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Colour-code your subjects
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Set alerts
It syncs across all your devices, so even if you write something on your laptop, it shows up on your phone instantly.
Platform: Android, iOS, Web
Price: 100% Free
📖 5. Khan Academy – Learn Anything for Free
This one needs no introduction. Khan Academy is a goldmine for Indian students — and it’s completely free.
You get video lessons, quizzes, and even progress tracking in subjects like:
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Maths
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Physics
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Chemistry
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Economics
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Computer Science
Their teachers explain concepts in such a simple way that you feel like a friend is talking to you. Perfect for clearing your basics!
Platform: Android, iOS, Web
Price: Free forever
📑 6. Microsoft Lens – Scan Notes and PDFs Instantly
Tired of taking blurry photos of the blackboard or textbook pages? Microsoft Lens turns your camera into a powerful scanner.
With just one click, you can:
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Scan notes and convert them into PDFs
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Digitise handwritten pages
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Share or save notes neatly in folders
Great for group studies or when your friend shares notes and you don’t want to carry 100 photocopies.
Platform: Android, iOS
Price: Free
🗂️ 7. Trello – Project Planner for Big Assignments
If you have group projects or want to plan your monthly goals, Trello is perfect. It lets you:
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Create boards and cards for tasks
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Set deadlines
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Collaborate with classmates
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Track your progress visually
It’s like a digital Kanban board — very popular among professionals, but students can use it too for exam planning, revision schedules, etc.
Platform: Android, iOS, Web
Price: Free (premium plans available but not required)
🎵 8. Lo-fi Radio & Brain.fm – Study Music Without Distraction
If you love background music while studying, skip Bollywood playlists and try Lo-fi Radio or Brain.fm.
Lo-fi beats are calm, soft instrumental tracks that help your brain focus without the distraction of lyrics.
Brain.fm even offers “neuroscience-backed” music that improves attention and productivity. You’ll feel like you’re in a study montage from a movie.
Platform: Web, Android, iOS
Price: Lo-fi Radio – Free | Brain.fm – Limited free version
✅ Bonus: CBSE & NCERT Apps (for Indian Curriculum)
If you're a school student following CBSE or state boards, don’t ignore official apps like:
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DIKSHA – Interactive lessons and textbooks
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ePathshala – Free access to NCERT books
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BYJU’S (basic version) – Videos and quizzes
These are especially helpful for exam revision when you don’t have your physical books with you.
📌 Final Thoughts: Use Your Phone for Studying, Not Against It
Let’s be real — our phones can be a huge distraction. But with the right apps, they can also become our biggest study partner.
You don’t have to use all of these apps at once. Pick 2 or 3 that suit your style. Maybe you use Anki for memory, Notion for organising, and Forest to stay off Instagram.
Remember, it’s not about downloading every app. It’s about building a system that helps you stay focused, motivated, and consistent.
📣 Share This With Your Study Group!
Found this article helpful? Then don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with your classmates or study buddies. Maybe they’ve been looking for the exact same tools.
And if you want more practical, student-friendly content like this — tips, hacks, free tools — subscribe to the blog and never miss an update.
Let’s make 2025 the year we study smart, not just hard. 💪📱
