Learning Apps for University: Smarter Learning with Useful Study Apps

Written by: Helene Ausserwöger, 09.01.2001

Do you want to start studying with more motivation and better organisation but don’t know where to begin? Learning apps might be just what you need! These digital tools allow you to work on, practise, organise, and deepen your study materials anytime, anywhere on your smartphone or tablet. In this blog, we’ll introduce you to the best learning apps to help you master your studies as efficiently as possible.

Table of Contents:

Study Apps: Which One Is Right for You?
Top Study Apps for University: Our Recommendations
Useful Tips for Using Learning Apps
Conclusion: Smarter Studying with Learning Apps

Study Apps: Which One Is Right for You?

There are many different types of learning apps designed to meet the different needs of students. Whether you want to review facts with a flashcard app or organise your tasks with a study planner app, there’s a suitable solution for every learning style.

Flashcard Apps: Playfully Reviewing Knowledge

There are many flashcard apps today—and for good reason! Flashcards have been a proven learning method for years. Many of these apps use personalised repetition techniques which present content at suitable intervals to help you keep it in your long-term memory.

Flashcard apps are perfect for memorising hard facts, definitions, and vocabulary. They don’t only allow you to create your own flashcards but also give you access to existing study materials. Popular apps include StudySmarter, Simpleclub, ANTON, Anki, and Quizlet.

Study Plan Apps: Structure for Your Daily Study Routine

Study planner apps help you organise your daily routine by allowing you to create a clear plan with tasks and deadlines.

A well-thought-out study plan is essential for staying on top of things and preparing effectively for exams. A study planner app helps you manage your time, set goals, and schedule time for each subject efficiently. This helps you avoid stress and ensures you have enough buffer to achieve long-term goals. Useful apps include myStudyLife, Todoist, Easy Study, StudySmarter, and Studyflix.

STUWO Tip: Want to learn how short study intervals can make you more productive? Check out our post on the Pomodoro Technique!

Note-Taking Apps: Organising Everything in One Place

With notes apps, you no longer have to spend time searching for documents because everything you’ve written down and brainstormed is stored in one place. You can save your notes directly in the app, organise them by topic or project, and even share them with others.

The biggest benefit of notes apps is the ability to sync across devices, so you can access your notes anytime on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Popular options include Notion, Evernote, and GoodNotes.

The era of cluttered notes is over – apps like GoodNotes bring order to your daily life! ©Adobe Stock

Mind map Apps: Visualizing Complex Topics

Mind map apps make complex topics and connections easier to understand. They help you organise your thoughts, structure ideas, and see relationships more clearly.

Mind maps are especially useful for brainstorming, project planning, or organising complex content. Popular apps include MindMeister, XMind, SimpleMind, Miro, and Bubbl.us.

These apps make language learning fun, guaranteed! ©Adobe Stock

Language Learning Apps: Foreign Languages for Studying and Exchange

Why spend hundreds of euros on language courses? Language learning apps are a cost-effective and flexible way to learn a new language – on your own schedule and at your own pace.

On these apps you can find exercises for revising vocabulary and grammar, quizzes for playful learning, and language practice through speech recognition or exchanges with native speakers. They are especially helpful for students planning a semester abroad or needing to learn technical terms for their studies.

Great apps include Duolingo, Babbel, Rosetta Stone, Memrise, and Tandem.

Meditation Apps for Breaks

During all the study stress, don’t forget to take breaks! After an intense study session, plan 5–10 minutes of mindfulness to get back your focus and recharge your energy. Meditation apps like 7Mind, Headspace, or Calm are perfect for these small breaks. They offer guided meditations, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques that fit perfectly into a busy study routine.

9 Top Study Apps for University: Our Recommendations

The number of learning apps is endless, but which ones are really worth it? To save you the hassle of choosing, we’ve put together our top 9 recommendations. Whether you’re looking for flashcard apps or good planners, these apps will help you stay on top of your studies.

StudySmarter

StudySmarter is an all-in-one platform offering everything you need for your studies. From flashcards and notes to study plans, the app allows for easy organization and effective learning. You also have access to numerous pre-made learning materials to help you prepare for the exam.

Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
Best for: Students seeking an all-inclusive learning solution wanting to combine personal and pre-made materials.
Key feature: Gamification elements and community functions motivate you and promote both your learning progress and the exchange with other students.

Quizlet

Quizlet is one of the most popular apps for interactive flashcards and learning games, that convey knowledge in a playful and effective way. Whether you use pre-made study sets or create your own, Quizlet makes revising simple and enjoyable.

Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
Best for: Students who want to efficiently revise facts, definitions, and vocabulary.
Key feature: Multiple learning modes such as “Write Mode” and “Multiple Choice Quiz,” along with competitive features that make learning fun and engaging.

With learning apps, you can review your material anytime, anywhere! ©Adobe Stock

Anki

Anki is a flashcard app designed to help you store knowledge for the long term. It uses a spaced repetition system that adjusts based on your learning progress and repeats cards at optimal intervals.

Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
Best for: Students preparing for exams or wanting to memorise complex facts, vocabulary, or terminology long-term. It’s especially popular among medical students and language learners.
Key feature: The app is very customisable, allowing you to create your own flashcards or access public card collections.

SimpleMind

SimpleMind is a mind map app for planning projects, structuring ideas, and brainstorming. It lets you quickly create and customise mind maps to better understand connections between concepts.

Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
Best for: Students who want to organise complex topics, brainstorm ideas, or visually plan projects.
Key feature: SimpleMind is very flexible and allows you to create mind maps in various layouts, add colors, symbols, and images, and synchronize them across devices. Ideal for creative thinkers!

MindMeister

MindMeister is another versatile mind mapping app that helps you structure and visually present your ideas online. You can also share your mind maps and collaborate in real-time with others – ideal for both individual and team projects.

Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
Best for: Students who need to organise their thoughts, brainstorm, or efficiently plan group projects.
Key feature: Practical collaboration features and cloud synchronisation, allowing you to access your mind maps anywhere. You can also easily export completed maps as PDFs or images.

Studyflix

On Studyflix, you’ll find short, easy-to-understand learning videos – ideal for quick exam preparation. The videos cover a wide range of topics, from mathematics and science to business and languages.

Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
Best for: Students who want to quickly dive into a topic or better understand difficult concepts.
Key feature: In addition to videos, Studyflix offers summaries and practice exercises to deepen what you have learned. Best of all, the content is completely free!

GoodNotes makes digital note-taking a breeze! ©Adobe Stock

GoodNotes

GoodNotes is a handy app for those who enjoy handwriting but still want the benefits of digital organisation. It’s perfect for organising lecture notes, sketches, and to-do lists in a clear and structured way.

Platforms: iOS, macOS
Best for: Students who prefer taking handwritten notes but want to store, organise, and search them digitally.
Key feature: Allows you to annotate PDFs and organise notes into digital folders. You can also sync your notes via iCloud, making them accessible across all your Apple devices.

HelloTalk

HelloTalk is a language learning app that allows you to communicate directly with native speakers worldwide through chats, voice recordings, and video calls. The app connects you with people who can help you learn their language, while you teach them yours in return.

Platforms: Android, iOS
Best for: Students learning foreign languages for an exchange program or semester abroad, or anyone wanting to improve their conversational skills.
Key feature: The app includes built-in translation and correction tools to help you with learning. You can also ask your conversation partners about their culture and language – perfect for practicing real-life conversations and making new connections.

Headspace

Headspace is a great app for meditation and mindfulness, helping you clear your head for your studies. Through guided meditations and breathing exercises, it helps reduce stress, improve focus, and integrate mindful breaks into your daily routine.

Platforms: Android, iOS, Web
Best for: Students who want to boost concentration, reduce stress, or simply unwind.
Key feature: Headspace offers specific courses for productivity and focus, designed to meet the needs of student. Whether you have just 5 minutes or need a longer break, the app adjusts to fit your schedule.

STUWO Tip: For more tips on bringing mindfulness into your everyday life, check out the resources available here!

Useful Tips for Using Learning Apps

To make the most out of your learning apps, here are some practical tips:

Set and track learning goals: Use the features of your apps to set clear learning objectives and track your progress. This will keep you motivated and help you assess how close you are to reaching your goals.
Efficient integration into your routine: Plan fixed times for using your learning apps and study in small, daily sessions. Short, regular study intervals are often more effective than long study marathons.
Combine different apps: combine different apps – organise your to-dos with a learning planner app and revise vocabulary or facts with a flashcard app.
Weigh costs vs. benefits: Consider whether a premium version offers real value. Many apps provide advanced features like offline access, extra content, or personalised learning plans – but an upgrade is only worthwhile if you truly need these features.
Utilize synchronization: Make sure your apps are synced across multiple devices, so you can switch between your smartphone, tablet, and laptop without losing progress.
Keep apps updated: Ensure your apps are up-to-date to be able to use all functions and new features.
Test what works for you: Not every app is suitable for every learning style. Experiment with different apps and find the ones that best meet your needs.

Conclusion: Smarter Studying with Learning Apps

Learning apps make studying more efficient, flexible, and often more motivating. Whether it’s for organisation, exam preparation, or language training – there’s an app for every type of learner.

With these apps, you can shape your learning to your own pace and structure your student life practically. Try them out and find the ones that suit you best to make your studies more organised and stress-free!

For more practical apps that you shouldn’t miss as a student, check out this list here!

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