Best Windows Apps for Students in 2025 (100% Free)

January 13, 2026 8 views

Being a student in 2025 means juggling classes, assignments, online research, group projects, and deadlines—often all at once. A Windows laptop can be a powerful study companion, but only if it’s equipped with the right software.

This guide covers the best 100% free Windows apps for students in 2025, focusing on productivity, learning, organization, and everyday academic needs. Every app listed here is free to use and genuinely helpful for students at school, college, or university.

1. Microsoft Edge – A Smarter Study Browser

Microsoft Edge has evolved into one of the best browsers for students. It’s lightweight, fast, and integrates well with Windows.

Why it’s great for students:

Built-in PDF reader for textbooks and lecture notes
Vertical tabs for research-heavy workflows
Collections feature to organize sources and references
Lower battery and memory usage than many alternatives

For research and online classes, Edge is an excellent starting point.

2. LibreOffice – Free Alternative to Microsoft Office

LibreOffice is a full office suite that covers everything students need for coursework.

It includes:

Writer (documents & essays)
Calc (spreadsheets & data)
Impress (presentations)

It supports Microsoft Office formats, making it easy to submit assignments without compatibility issues.

3. Notion – All-in-One Student Workspace

Notion helps students organize their entire academic life in one place.

You can use it for:

Class notes
Study schedules
Assignment tracking
Group project planning

Its flexibility makes it perfect for both structured planners and creative thinkers.

4. Obsidian – Smart Note-Taking for Deep Learning

Obsidian is ideal for students who take a lot of notes and want to truly understand what they study.

Key benefits:

Markdown-based notes
Offline access
Linked notes for concept mapping
Excellent for exam revision

It encourages learning by connection, not memorization.

5. Zotero – Free Reference & Citation Manager

Zotero is essential for students writing essays, reports, or research papers.

With Zotero, you can:

Save research sources automatically
Generate citations in multiple formats
Organize academic references efficiently

This alone can save hours during assignment deadlines.

6. Anki – Powerful Flashcard Learning

Anki uses spaced repetition to help students remember information long-term.

Best for:

Language learning
Medical and science students
Exam preparation

It adapts to how you learn, focusing more on what you forget.

7. VLC Media Player – Study Media Without Limits

Students often deal with video lectures, recordings, and downloaded media. VLC plays almost every format without extra downloads.

Why students love VLC:

No ads
No codecs needed
Lightweight and fast

It just works—every time.

8. ShareX – Screenshots, Screen Recording & More

ShareX is a powerful productivity tool that’s surprisingly free.

Useful student features:

Capture lecture slides
Record presentations
Annotate screenshots
Create quick tutorials

Perfect for remote learning and presentations.

9. Focus To-Do – Pomodoro for Better Concentration

Focus To-Do combines task management with the Pomodoro technique.

It helps students:

Study in focused intervals
Avoid burnout
Track study time

Ideal for improving concentration and managing exam stress.

10. Google Drive – Free Cloud Storage for Students

Google Drive remains one of the most reliable free cloud storage solutions.

Student-friendly advantages:

Easy file sharing for group work
Automatic backups
Access files from any device

It’s especially useful for collaboration and remote classes.

Why These Apps Matter for Students

The right software can reduce stress, improve learning efficiency, and help students stay organized. These free Windows apps cover every essential area—from note-taking and research to focus and collaboration—without adding financial pressure.

Installing them early in the academic year can make a noticeable difference in both productivity and grades.