Software Students Should Use
8 min read Comparison Updated 2026-03-14
Best Note-Taking Apps for University Lectures
Taking effective notes during fast-paced lectures requires software that can handle text, audio, and images seamlessly. According to 2024 research published in the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, 65% of students now take notes digitally.
OneNote
Microsoft OneNote organises your modules into digital notebooks, sections, and pages. It syncs across all your devices and allows you to drop lecture slides directly onto the page to annotate over them.
Best for typing notes and organising multiple modules in one place.
✓ Pros
- Completely free with your university Microsoft account
- Infinite canvas layout lets you place text and images anywhere
- Records audio linked to your typed notes
✗ Cons
- Syncing between desktop and mobile can occasionally lag
- Interface feels cluttered on smaller screens
GoodNotes
GoodNotes dominates the tablet market. If you use an iPad and an Apple Pencil, this software replicates the feeling of writing on physical paper while offering digital perks like handwriting search.
The superior choice for visual learners and tablet users.
✓ Pros
- Exceptional handwriting recognition and search
- Highly customisable templates and digital planners
- Easy export to PDF for sharing with course mates
✗ Cons
- Requires a paid subscription or one-off purchase
- Primarily designed for the Apple ecosystem
Always back up your note-taking software to a secondary cloud service. Hardware failure is the leading cause of lost coursework.
Essential Word Processing Software for Coursework
Writing essays and formatting dissertations requires robust word processing software. You need tools that handle complex formatting, word counts, and collaborative editing.
Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
The industry standard for academic writing. Most UK universities require you to submit assignments in .docx format.
The mandatory choice for final submissions and complex formatting.
✓ Pros
- Free for UK students via the A1 plan using an
.ac.ukemail - Advanced formatting tools required for dissertations
- 1TB of free OneDrive cloud storage included
✗ Cons
- Desktop apps require significant hard drive space
- Collaboration features are clunkier than Google’s
Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
Google’s cloud-native suite excels at group projects. Multiple students can edit the same document simultaneously without creating conflicting versions.
The best option for drafting group work before final formatting.
✓ Pros
- Flawless real-time collaboration for group presentations
- Saves automatically to the cloud with every keystroke
- Accessible from any web browser without installation
✗ Cons
- Formatting often breaks when exporting to Microsoft Word
- Requires a constant internet connection for full functionality
Top AI and Proofreading Software for Students
Artificial intelligence has transformed how students research and edit. A 2025 Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) report shows that 92% of UK students now use AI tools to support their studies.
Grammarly
Grammarly acts as an advanced proofreader. It catches spelling errors, suggests vocabulary upgrades, and flags passive voice.
A vital final check before submitting any assignment.
✓ Pros
- Integrates directly into your web browser and word processor
- Explains why a grammar rule was broken to improve your writing
- Free tier covers all basic spelling and punctuation checks
✗ Cons
- Premium version is expensive on a student budget
- Can strip the academic tone if you accept every suggestion
ChatGPT
Generative AI is a powerful brainstorming partner. Use it to explain complex theories, generate essay outlines, or test your knowledge before exams.
Never paste sensitive or unpublished research data into public AI tools, as this breaches university academic integrity policies.
A powerful study aid when used strictly for brainstorming and comprehension.
✓ Pros
- Rapidly explains difficult concepts in simple terms
- Excellent for generating study schedules and flashcards
- Free access to highly capable language models
✗ Cons
- Prone to “hallucinating” fake academic citations
- Submitting AI-generated text is academic misconduct
Best Reference Management Software for Dissertations
Manually formatting citations is a massive waste of time. Reference management software automates your bibliography, ensuring you never lose marks for incorrect Harvard or APA formatting.
Zotero
Zotero is an open-source tool that extracts citation data directly from your web browser with a single click.
The most efficient way to capture research online.
✓ Pros
- Completely free and open-source
- Browser extension saves PDFs and metadata instantly
- Integrates smoothly with Microsoft Word and Google Docs
✗ Cons
- Free cloud storage is limited to 300MB
- Interface looks slightly dated
Mendeley
Owned by Elsevier, Mendeley doubles as a PDF reader and annotation tool. You can highlight and add notes directly to journal articles within the app.
Best for students who need to read and annotate dozens of PDFs.
✓ Pros
- Excellent built-in PDF viewer and annotator
- 2GB of free cloud storage
- Strong community features for discovering related research
✗ Cons
- Slower to extract data from non-academic websites
- Owned by a major publisher, raising data privacy concerns for some
Best Software for Managing Student Finances
Managing your maintenance loan requires strict oversight. Moving out into the student housing section means handling rent, bills, and groceries simultaneously.
Monzo
While technically a banking app, Monzo’s software features make it the ultimate budgeting tool. It categorises your spending automatically and lets you split bills with a tap.
The easiest way to track daily student spending.
✓ Pros
- “Pots” feature allows you to ring-fence rent money instantly
- Instant notifications for every transaction
- Fee-free spending abroad for international trips
✗ Cons
- Cash deposits are difficult and incur fees
- Overdraft rates can be high if you slip into the red
Splitwise
If you live in a shared house, Splitwise eliminates arguments over who bought the toilet roll. You input shared expenses, and the software calculates exactly who owes what.
A lifesaver for shared student households.
✓ Pros
- Keeps a running total of household debts
- Supports multiple groups (housemates, course mates, societies)
- Sends automated reminder emails to people who owe you money
✗ Cons
- Free version limits how many expenses you can add daily
- Does not facilitate the actual bank transfer
Essential Student Discount Apps for Software Deals
Never pay full price for software, hardware, or subscriptions. Before you start your university applications, set up these verification apps.
| Discount App | Verification Method | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNiDAYS | .ac.uk email or portal login | Apple hardware, Adobe software | Free |
| Student Beans | .ac.uk email | Tech accessories, mobile contracts | Free |
| TOTUM | University registration | Groceries, physical ID card | Free / £14.99 for Pro |
UNiDAYS
The biggest student discount platform in the UK. You need this software installed on your phone to access Apple’s education pricing and Adobe Creative Cloud discounts.
Mandatory for buying a new laptop or tablet.
✓ Pros
- Exclusive access to Apple’s student store
- Huge discounts on subscription software
- Simple verification process
✗ Cons
- App notifications can be spammy
- Deals rotate frequently and expire without warning
Student Beans
The primary rival to UNiDAYS. It secures exclusive partnerships with different brands, meaning you need both apps to guarantee the best price.
Download it alongside UNiDAYS to cover all your bases.
✓ Pros
- Often features better deals on broadband and mobile data
- Clean interface with a map showing nearby in-store discounts
- Free to use and verify
✗ Cons
- Overlaps heavily with UNiDAYS on fashion brands
- Search function can be temperamental
To keep your finances on track while paying for premium software subscriptions, use our student budget calculator to map out your monthly outgoings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get Microsoft Office for free as a student?
You can access Microsoft Office 365 for free by signing up for the A1 Education plan on the Microsoft website. You must provide a valid .ac.uk email address provided by your university to verify your student status. This grants you access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 1TB of OneDrive storage for the duration of your course.
Which note-taking app is best for university?
Microsoft OneNote is the best all-round option because it is free, syncs across all devices, and handles typed text, images, and audio recordings seamlessly. If you prefer handwriting your notes on an iPad, GoodNotes is widely considered the superior choice due to its advanced handwriting recognition and customisable templates.
Is Grammarly Premium worth it for students?
For most students, the free version of Grammarly provides enough support by catching basic spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. However, if English is your second language or you are writing a massive dissertation, the premium version offers advanced structural suggestions and vocabulary enhancements that can genuinely improve the flow of your academic writing.
Can universities detect if I use ChatGPT?
Yes, universities use advanced detection software like Turnitin, which includes AI-flagging capabilities. Submitting AI-generated text as your own work is considered academic misconduct and can result in severe penalties, including expulsion. You should only use AI tools for brainstorming, understanding complex topics, and structuring your initial research.
