Best apps for students

From budgeting and nailing a bargain, to sorting study time and planning parties. There are loads of apps that can help you smash student life. Here’s our pick of the best apps for students

Best Chrome apps for students
Best apps for student time management
Best student budgeting apps
Best student discounts apps
Best student apps for holiday destinations
Best apps for student jobs
Why your teen will love the new iPhone SE

Loads of us use Google Chrome to browse the internet, but there’s a lot more to get your teeth into. Chrome extensions are a great addition to your laptop or desktop and many of them work on Android or iOS too. They’re usually free to download from the Chrome Web Store and you just need a Google account to get started. Here are 3 of the best Chrome extensions for students:

Quizlet – iOS / Android / Chrome Web Store

This study tool is used by loads of students and has over 50 million study guides. There are 6 modes, depending on the style of study you prefer: flashcards, scatter, speller, learn, test, and space race. Your tutors and classmates are also able to create and share their own study guides with you. According to the app creators, over 90% of students who use Quizlet have reported receiving higher marks. Sold.

Grammarly Keyboard – iOS / Android / Chrome Web Store

This extension is all about helping you write more effectively. You don’t have to copy and paste your work into a website to get results, because it runs in the background. From writing a paper in Google Docs, to composing an email, Grammarly will give you instant feedback as you go. And Grammarly Keyboard is available on your phone too.

Memorize! – Chrome Web Store

This no-frills extension is a lifesaver when you’re cramming for exams but struggling to retain the info. And it can make your time online so much more productive – make sure you tell your mum. Just enter your questions and the interval between them, then hit start. Whenever you’re online and getting distracted, you’ll automatically get quizzed on the topics you’ve set. Perfect if you’re preparing for a test or learning a new language but can’t tear yourself away from Twitter.

Whether you’re still at home, or living on campus, your outgoings are usually higher than anything you earn as a student. And being skint sucks. These 4 budgeting apps are a must if you want to get on top of your finances:

Wally – iOS / Android

Are you getting through a lot of money, but don’t have a great deal to show for it? That’s where Wally comes in. It acts as a virtual spending diary and helps to track your spend. Save images of receipts and keep a closer eye on everything that’s going out, to help you cut out unnecessary splurges.

Splitwise – iOS / Android

No more uncomfortable conversations about splitting the bill for the food shop with your housemates. Splitwise makes it easy. Set up an expenses tab and avoid those awkward conversations when you’re out for a meal or a night out. And you can use it to settle up with people and record payments too. IOUs will never be a problem again.

You’ve got an essay deadline looming. You want to catch the gig. But you need to phone home before they think you’ve been finished off by Freshers’ Week. Managing your time can be tricky, but there are loads of apps designed to increase productivity. Check out these 3 time-management apps and start ticking off the to-do list.

StayFocusd – Chrome Web Store

StayFocusd might sound like the ultimate yawn-fest, but when the deadline is yesterday, this could save your butt. This Google Chrome extension restricts the amount of time you can spend on ‘time-wasting’ websites. So, it’s a total winner if you’re hooked on social media, but need to get stuff done. The time limit you set for each site is completely up to you.  Once you reach that time, that’s it for the day.

There are loads of these productivity apps around because digital distractions are a real issue. We think StayFocusd, and apps like it, are better than blocking software, because we all need a little online downtime.

Trello – iOS / Android

This online pinboard/to-do list helps you organise any projects you’re working on. You can organise stuff by ‘to-do’, ‘doing’ and ‘completed’ – so you know exactly where you are. And it’s great for group assignments. You can also share boards with your mates to organise the house party of the year. And it works on Apple Watch or Android Wear as well as your phone.

Coach.me – iOS

This is the perfect app for goal-setters and go-getters. It’s about being accountable and having a virtual network of supporters who have got your back. You join a community of people who are all working to achieve individual goals. The aim is to help you form good habits and become more productive. You also earn ‘props’, similar to Facebook ‘likes’, when you reach your goals and achieve stuff. This can be invaluable when you’re overwhelmed by that to-do list.

Everyone loves a bargain and there are plenty out there. These 5 apps will send the deals direct to you, so you can save on the stuff you need most:

Pouch – Chrome Web Store

This is a browser extension, rather than an app, but it deserves a place in your student-saving armoury. Simply download the Pouch plugin, and you’ll see all the valid discount codes for any website you browse. It works for over 3,000 of the most popular retailers in the UK, including Dominos, Topshop, ASOS, and Argos. So, no more scrolling through voucher code sites and Googling offers before you buy.

Student Beans – iOS / Android

When it comes to saving money on all the stuff you love, this app is a must. The hottest deals are all in one place. You can filter by genre, like travel, health and beauty, fashion, food and drink and loads more. Go see what’s on offer right now.

Shopmium – iOS / Android

It’s not all about food, but it’s right up there on our list of priorities. That’s why we love the cashback app, Shopmium. It basically pays you to pay more attention when you go food shopping. Just download the app and then browse the selection of supermarket offers. Pick the ones you want and buy them. Then take a picture of the receipt and the items and load them onto the app. The cashback will go into your account within a few days.

Too Good To Go – iOS / Android

The self-professed ‘Waste Warriors’ are on a serious mission to make the world a better place. And they’re starting with grub. Pick your location and you’ll find restaurants and retailers who have surplus food to offer. Order a ‘magic bag’ of surplus food at a discount and then collect it from the store during a preset collection window. Download this one and you’ll be helping save the planet while you save money.

Taking a well-earned break? Studying overseas? There are apps that can ease you into new cultures at the tap of a finger. Learning a new language? Trying to find a cheap flight? Check out our pick of the best student apps for going abroad.

And with Go Roam on Three, you can use your data without paying a penny more. That means you can download and use as many new apps as you like, without ending up with a huge bill.

TripLingo – iOS / Android

No matter what the reason for your travels, this app’s a must for experiencing somewhere new. The phrasebook feature gives you common phrases for everything. If you’re ordering local cuisine, chatting with locals, looking for the loo, you’ll never be lost for words.

Citymapper – iOS / Android

There are always challenges when you’re negotiating your way around a new city in a new country. This free app gives you public transport options, map details for walking, cycling, and driving. Plus you get subway maps and cycle routes. You can save these offline too, so if you’re charged for using data abroad you don’t have to worry. When you’re walking or cycling, you can see how many calories you’ve burned and how many trees you’ve protected. Plus how much money you’ve saved by walking. If you love exploring the local area, then this is a great travel companion.

For earning some money on the side, or planning your first career move, these apps are just what you need. From networking and building a profile, to getting work experience, these apps will get you one step ahead:

Snag – iOS / Android

Snag is an easy job finder and career builder app. You can search for part-time jobs or full-time entry level positions. And you’ll be able to find work with flexible hours – perfect for during term time. It’s quick and easy to apply for roles, and you get great career advice too. There are personality quizzes to help get you matched with the right job and the right company. And you can impress employees with a profile video.

Switch – Android

If you’re used to showing your likes and dislikes with a swipe, then you’ll love Switch. While browsing job postings, you can swipe right if interested and left if not. While you’re doing that, hiring managers are swiping left and right on potential candidates. If you show interest in a position and the employee does the same with your profile, then you match. You can directly chat with the hiring manager using the app’s messaging feature.

LinkedIn – iOS / Android

It’s never too early to start networking. LinkedIn can connect you with professionals in whichever field you want to go into. You can create an awesome profile to act as your CV and get notifications when suitable jobs come up.
LinkedIn is perfect for students. You can use the Alumni tool to help you choose which uni to attend or what to study. Just look at what other professionals have done before. You can also find out which companies have hired graduates specific to your university or your field of study. Then you just have to get in touch. This one is a must if you want to stay ahead of the competition.

OK, so there are loads of apps that cater for students

And picking the right ones could really help you make the most of student life. Use them to manage your finances and your time, plan well-earned breaks, and even plot your career path. Oh, and if you want to make the most of all these apps, get truly Unlimited Data on Three.  And with our student discounts, you can get up to 20% off phone, SIM and Broadband plans.

What’s the best phone for students?

If we had to pick just one, we’d go with the latest iPhone SE. Why? It’s powered with the incredible A13 chip – the fastest chip ever in a smartphone.  And that means you get incredibly smooth performance for all your apps and games.

It’s just 4.7 inches big, but packs in a 12 mega-pixel camera that’s been called the best-ever for iPhone. And it captures dazzling 4K footage, at 60 frames per second, using cinematic video stabilisation. Basically, your videos will be super smooth with incredible res.

Best of all, order iPhone SE now, you can get it for just £49 upfront and £29 a month.