The digital age brings innovative AI tools to enhance students’ academic experience and performance. Compared to traditional study methods, AI technology is revolutionizing education and offers personalized learning experiences that transform how students acquire knowledge and engage with their studies.
Artificial Intelligence empowers learners with different AI tools such as writing aids, personalized tutoring, and task management solutions to improve their academic performance overall.
This blog explores the top 11 best AI tools for students across various disciplines and budgets.
Best AI Tools for Students: Free and Paid Tools
1. Listening
Listening is an AI-powered text-to-speech app designed to help students and researchers effortlessly convert academic papers into spoken audio. This tool is particularly helpful for those who prefer auditory learning or need to manage their time effectively by listening to audio materials while doing other tasks.
Listening allows users to upload their academic documents – research papers, e-books or lecture notes and convert them into high-quality audio files. Users can upload different document formats like PDFs, Word documents, even emails from both desktop and mobile.
Users can also use a Chrome extension to listen to web pages directly.
Listening Features
- Natural-sounding voice options to choose from
- High-quality audio output
- Supports multiple file formats (PDF, Word, Web page, etc)
- Compatible with various devices (desktop, mobile)
- Text highlighting and synchronization with audio playback
- Note-taking feature
- Skip unnecessary text
- Adjust audio speed
Listening Pricing
- Free trial for 1 week
- Unlimited Listening Monthly: $25 per month
- Unlimited Listening Annual: $119 per year
User Reviews of Listening
- iOS Apple Store: 4.4/5 (684 Ratings)
- Play Store: 4.2/5 (4.22K Reviews)
The Listening App has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from students across both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. Users have praised the app’s intuitive interface, high-quality audio output, and its ability to streamline their academic workflows.
Many have commended the app’s seamless bookmarking feature that allows for effortless notation of important passages in their academic journals or research papers while multitasking.
2. Gradescope
Gradescope is an advanced grading and analytics platform designed to streamline the grading process for educators. It utilizes artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and consistency across various types of academic assignments, whether these are submitted on paper, digitally, or as code.
Gradescope is especially useful for educators handling large volumes of student work, including exams, homework, and coding assignments.
Educators can set up assignments within Gradescope to be completed by students either remotely or in class. The platform can process various types of submissions, including handwritten and typed documents.
Educators can create assignments directly on Gradescope, specify details such as submission types and deadlines, and use the platform’s tools to grade assignments efficiently and provide detailed feedback.
Gradescope Features
- AI-powered automated grading and feedback
- Support for various submission types (handwritten, code, essays, etc)
- Creates rubric based on instructor’s grading criteria
- Analytics and data visualization for tracking progress
- Transparent grading process for students
- Collaboration tools for instructors and teaching assistants
Gradescope Pricing
- Basic Plan: Free
User Reviews of Gradescope
- iOs Apple Store: 1.6/5 (51 Ratings)
- Play Store: 1.4/5 (154 Reviews)
While Gradescope’s AI grading concept is promising, the low ratings suggest needs for improvement in usability, stability, and accuracy of AI algorithms. Gradescope has received relatively low ratings from users on both iOS and Android platforms.
One iOS user wrote, “This app is incredibly frustrating to use. The interface is clunky, and it frequently crashes or freezes when trying to upload or view assignments. The AI feedback doesn’t seem very reliable either.”
3. Grammarly: AI Writing Tool for Enhanced Writing Skills
Grammarly is an AI writing tool that helps users enhance their writing skills by checking for different types of errors, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, and style. It also provides suggestions for vocabulary enhancements and tone adjustments.
As an AI powered writing tool, Grammarly plays a crucial role in enhancing students’ academic work by offering features like grammar and spelling checks, plagiarism detection, and advanced editing tools.
Grammarly is a comprehensive AI writing assistant that utilizes advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to analyze text and provide real-time feedback on correct grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choice, sentence structure, writing style, and more.
It acts as a virtual proofreader and writing coach and helps users identify and correct mistakes on students’ written answers to improve writing skills.
Among various AI writing tools, Grammarly stands out for its benefits to students by assisting, enhancing, or streamlining their academic journey with personalized learning experiences.
Grammarly Features
- Real-time grammar correction
- Plagiarism detection (for premium accounts)
- Browser extensions (Chrome, Safari, Firefox)
- Goal-setting and performance tracking
Grammarly Pricing
- Free
- Premium: $12 per month
- Business: $15 per month
User Reviews of Grammarly
- iOs Apple Store: 4.6/5 (122.8K Ratings)
- Play Store: 3.9/5 (229K Reviews)
Grammarly’s user reviews on mobile platforms reflect a generally positive reception, although with some variation between iOS and Android users.
Users have praised the app’s accuracy in detecting grammar and spelling errors, as well as its ability to improve their writing skills over time.
Many have commended the user-friendly interface and the seamless integration with various writing platforms.
4. Otter.ai
Otter.ai is an advanced AI-powered tool designed to capture and organize spoken conversations into easily accessible, searchable, and shareable notes.
This tool is highly versatile and is suitable for various users including professionals, high school or college students, journalists, and anyone who needs to manage detailed notes from their conversations or meetings.
Otter.ai provides real-time transcription of meetings and conversations and turns spoken words into written text that is synced with audio and can be edited or shared. It uses AI to identify speakers, integrate relevant images, and highlight key phrases within the transcription.
Users can access Otter.ai through a web browser or mobile apps available for both iOS and Android.
Otter.ai Features
- Real-time transcription of audio recordings
- AI-powered tool for accurate speech recognition
- Speaker identification and speaker labeling
- Integration with popular video conferencing tools (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.)
- Secure cloud storage for transcripts and recordings
- Offline transcription mode (premium)
- Automatic audio file importing from cloud storage (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive)
- Multi-speaker support for accurately transcribing group conversations
Otter.ai Pricing
- Basic: Free
- Pro: $9.17/month
- Business: $20/month
User Reviews of Otter.ai
- iOs Apple Store: 4.8/5 (35.8K Ratings)
- Play Store: 4.2/5 (19.1K Reviews)
Users have consistently praised the app’s accuracy in transcribing audio, even in challenging situations with multiple speakers or accents.
The real-time transcription feature and seamless integration with various productivity tools have been well-received.
One user shares a particularly impactful experience with Otter.ai, illustrating its value in professional settings. The user has relied on Otter across three different jobs, finding it consistently effective even in challenging recording environments involving various voices and accents.
Particularly noteworthy is the user’s struggle with a learning disability that affects short-term memory.
Otter.ai has been crucial in enabling them to conduct interviews for blog articles and simplifying the processing of information. This significantly aided their job performance.
This user credits Otter.ai with making their work process “much, much easier” and states that it “literally saved \[their] job.”
5. Quillbot
QuillBot is an AI-powered writing assistant that helps students rephrase, paraphrase, and summarize text. It’s designed primarily as a paraphrasing tool but includes functionalities like grammar checking, plagiarism detection, summarization, and citation generation.
QuillBot leverages advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning algorithms to rephrase and rewrite text. It analyzes the input text and generates multiple variations while maintaining the original meaning and context.
QuillBot’s AI powered tool allows it to understand the nuances of language and provide intelligent rephrasing options.
Quillbot Features
- AI-powered paraphrasing and rephrasing of text
- Grammar checking and error correction
- Summarization tool to condense lengthy text
- Citation generator for properly citing sources
- Plagiarism checker to ensure originality (premium)
- Contextual thesaurus for finding synonyms
- Built-in writing templates and guides
- Integration with popular writing tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Word
Quillbot Pricing
- Free
User Reviews of Quillbot
- iOs Apple Store: 3.1/5 (32 Ratings)
- Play Store: 3.6/5 (1.01K Reviews)
QuillBot has received mixed reviews from users across the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, with users praising its rephrasing capabilities.
While QuillBot’s core functionality of rephrasing and paraphrasing text has been well-received, the reviews suggest that the app could benefit from improvements in areas such as grammar checking, stability, and overall user experience.
6. ChatGPT
ChatGPT is an AI language model designed to generate human-like text responses based on the input it receives. It can comprehend and respond to queries in natural language which makes it versatile for different uses- from casual conversations to more complex problem-solving scenarios.
As an AI tool, ChatGPT exemplifies the capabilities of adaptive learning platforms that offer personalized learning experiences and adapt to individual student progress.
ChatGPT is a conversational AI model trained on a massive amount of textual data that allows it to understand and respond to natural language inputs with remarkable coherence and context awareness.
ChatGPT can enhance productivity by assisting with research, writing assignments, understanding complex concepts, and exploring new ideas.
ChatGPT Features
- Natural language processing and generation capabilities
- Contextual understanding and coherent responses
- Ability to engage in multi-turn conversations
- Broad knowledge base across numerous topics
- Task assistance (writing, coding, analysis, problem-solving, etc.)
- Customizable and controllable output generation
- Multilingual support for multiple languages
- API integration for developers to build applications
- Continuous learning and model improvement
- Potential for few-shot and multi-task learning
- Creative capabilities (storytelling, ideation, content generation)
- Explanatory skills for complex concepts and processes
ChatGPT Pricing
- Free
- Plus: $20/month
- Team: $25/user billed annually; $30/user billed monthly
- Enterprise: Contact Sales team of ChatGPT
User Reviews of ChatGPT
- iOs Apple Store: 4.9/5 (841.3K Ratings)
- Play Store: 4.8/5 (1.41M Reviews)
ChatGPT as an AI tool has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from users across both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. The reviews reflect the transformative impact it has had on various aspects of users’ lives.
7. Brainly
Brainly is a comprehensive educational platform that functions as a social learning network where students interact, ask questions, and receive answers from peers and experts.
Students can use Brainly by posting their academic questions on the platform and receiving answers from other students or experts. This can be done through the Brainly website or mobile app, which supports devices like Android, iPad, and iPhone.
The platform is empowering students by encouraging collaboration and sharing of knowledge across a wide range of subjects from elementary through college levels.
Brainly Features
- Interactive learning
- Community-driven Question and Answer
- Multi-platform support (Accessible via web, Android and iOs devices)
- Multilingual support
- Expert involvement
Brainly Pricing
- Free
- Premium: $7/user, billed monthly
User Reviews of Brainly
- iOs Apple Store: 4.7/5 (251.7K Ratings)
- Play Store: 4.4/5 (3.65M Reviews)
Brainly has received highly positive user reviews on both the iOS Apple Store (4.7/5, 251.7K ratings) and Google Play Store (4.4/5, 3.65M reviews). These ratings show the app’s popularity and effectiveness in helping students across various grades and subjects.
Deepak, a user from Nepal, praised Brainly’s ability as an AI tool to provide suitable answers to a wide range of questions. He highlighted the app’s reliability and comprehensiveness which sets it apart from other AI tools for students that may not be as trustworthy.
8. Answer.AI: Your AI Tutor
Answer.AI is an AI-powered tutoring app designed to help students with their homework across a wide range of subjects, including math, biology, history, physics, and chemistry. It’s a question-answering platform designed to provide users with quick, accurate, and comprehensive answers to academic questions.
It is particularly noted for its effectiveness in handling math and science-related problems due to its capability to interpret and solve complex questions presented in images or text formats.
Unlike other intelligent tutoring systems, this platform exemplifies personalized learning by adapting its resources and feedback to meet the individual needs of users, offering a more customized and effective learning experience.
AnswerAI.pro is an AI tool that is suitable for students from elementary levels up to college and offers them a tool to tackle homework problems and prepare for exams. It is also beneficial for teachers and parents who can use the app to support their teaching or tutoring efforts.
Answer.AI Features
- AI-powered question-answering
- Vast knowledge base across multiple domains
- Quick and accurate responses
- User-friendly interface
- Voice input functionality
- Follow-up questions for deeper understanding
- Sharing and saving answers
- Multilingual support
- Personalized experience based on user interactions
- Integration capabilities with other applications and systems
Answer.AI Pricing
- Free
- Answer.AI Pro Weekly: $2.99/week
- Answer.AI Pro Monthly: $9.99/month
- Answer.AI Pro Yearly: $71.90/year
User Reviews of Answer.AI
- iOs Apple Store: 4.7/5 (37K Ratings)
- Play Store: 4.6/5 (29.8K Reviews)
AnswerAI has received highly positive reviews on the iOS Apple Store (4.7/5, 37K ratings) and Google Play Store (4.6/5, 29.8K reviews). These ratings show the app’s effectiveness and user satisfaction.
One user shared their positive experience with AnswerAI over the past year. They mentioned the app’s limit of 10 questions per day for free users but found upgrading to the paid version for unlimited questions “100% worth it.”
The user enjoyed the ad-free experience after upgrading.
9. Gauth: AI Study Companion
GauthMath is an AI-powered tool for math problem-solving. It’s designed to assist students, educators, and professionals in tackling a wide range of mathematical challenges. The platform utilizes advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to provide step-by-step solutions and explanations for various math problems, from basic arithmetic to complex calculus.
GauthMath aims to make math more accessible and understandable for users of all skill levels. The tool can handle problems from numerous mathematical disciplines, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics.
It offers 24/7 access to over 50,000 live tutors and provides step-by-step solutions to enhance student understanding. The app features a user-friendly interface and is available in multiple languages, making it accessible globally.
Gauthmath offers both free and subscription-based services, with the subscription offering features like unlimited answers and an ad-free experience.
Gauth Features
- AI-powered math problem-solving
- Step-by-step solutions and explanations
- Multiple input methods: typing, image upload, or handwriting
- Covers various mathematical disciplines
- User-friendly interface
- Save and organize problems
- Pre-solved examples library
- Community engagement through forums and discussion boards
- Visual aids and graphics for enhanced understanding
- Accessible across devices via web browsers
Gauth Pricing
- Free
- Monthly: $11.99
- Gauth Plus: $31.99
User Reviews of Gauth
- iOs Apple Store: 4.8/5 (217.5K Ratings)
- Play Store: 4.7/5 (263K Reviews)
Gauthmath is highly rated on both iOS and Android platforms. One user praised GauthMath as one of the best homework helpers available. They highlighted the app’s ability to provide step-by-step solutions. The user shared that they had missed two weeks of school but quickly caught up using GauthMath, restoring their grades to an A+.
10. SmartSparrow
SmartSparrow is an adaptive learning platform that empowers educators to create engaging and personalized online learning experiences for their students.
The platform utilizes AI and machine learning technologies to provide real-time feedback, adaptivity, and analytics, to enable educators to create dynamic and interactive courseware that caters to the unique needs of each learner.
SmartSparrow supports students through their academic journey by offering personalized and adaptive learning paths that enhance and personalize their educational experiences.
SmartSparrow offers a comprehensive suite of tools and features designed to help educators create rich, interactive learning content. The platform supports a wide range of content types, including text, images, videos, simulations, and assessments.
Educators can use SmartSparrow’s intuitive drag-and-drop authoring interface to design adaptive learning paths that respond to individual student performance and engagement.
SmartSparrow Features
- Adaptive learning technology
- Intuitive authoring tools
- Wide range of content types
- Customizable learning paths
- Real-time feedback and analytics
- Collaboration and sharing
- Integration with existing systems
- Customizable branding
- Accessibility features
- Mobile compatibility
SmartSparrow Pricing
- Free
- Up to 100 Learners: $15 per user
- Up to 500 Learners: $12 per user
User Reviews of SmartSparrow
Despite SmartSparrow’s impressive features and potential benefits for educators and learners, there are limited user reviews available online for this platform. The lack of user feedback makes it challenging to gauge the overall user experience and satisfaction with SmartSparrow’s adaptive learning tools.
11. Mendeley
Mendeley is a comprehensive reference management and academic collaboration platform designed to assist researchers, students, and academics in organizing their research materials, generating citations and bibliographies, and collaborating with peers.
The platform combines the functionality of a desktop application with the accessibility and convenience of a web-based tool. This makes it an essential resource for individuals and teams engaged in research and scholarly work.
Mendeley offers a wide range of features to streamline the research process and enhance academic productivity. At its core, the platform serves as a centralized repository for storing and organizing research papers, articles, and other documents.
Users can easily import documents from various sources, including online databases, PDFs, and web pages, and organize them into folders and subfolders for easy access and retrieval.
In addition to document management, Mendeley provides powerful citation and bibliography tools. The platform supports over 7,000 citation styles, allowing users to generate accurate citations and bibliographies in their preferred format.
Mendeley also offers a built-in PDF viewer and annotation tools that enables users to highlight, add notes, and comment on their research materials directly within the platform.
Mendeley Features
- Reference management
- Citation and bibliography tools
- PDF viewer and annotation
- Collaboration and sharing
- Research discovery
- Cross-platform accessibility
- Customizable user interface
- Institutional support
- Research data management
Mendeley Pricing
- Plus Price/month: $4.99
- Pro Price/month: $9.99
- Max Price/month: $14.99
User Reviews of Mendeley
- Capterra: 4.1/5 (66 Ratings)
- Trustpilot: 1.9/5 (18 Ratings)
Mendeley has received mixed reviews on different platforms. On Capterra, the platform has a rating of 4.1/5 based on 66 ratings, indicating a generally positive user experience.
However, on Trustpilot, Mendeley has a lower rating of 1.9/5 based on 18 ratings, suggesting some users have encountered issues or been dissatisfied.
One long-time user, who has used Mendeley for 10 years, expressed disappointment with the platform’s declining functionality since its acquisition by Elsevier. The user felt compelled to switch to alternative tools, such as Zotero or Endnote, due to ongoing issues.
Enhance Your Learning Experience with AI Tools
The digital age has brought forth various innovative AI tools to enhance the academic experience for students across disciplines and skill levels. Text-to-speech tools, writing assistants, personalized tutoring platforms, audio transcription, and grading solutions, AI powered chatbot, harness artificial intelligence to provide students with the necessary support and resources for academic success.
These best AI tools for students revolutionize the learning process and offer personalized and enhanced educational experiences that adapt to diverse learning needs and improve student engagement.
They play a pivotal role in language learning, tailoring lessons to each student’s strengths and weaknesses, making the learning journey to fluency more effective and enjoyable.
Additionally, the integration of a project management tool into students’ academic lives helps them stay organized, prioritize tasks, and collaborate more efficiently on group assignments.
As the educational landscape evolves, AI tools will play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of learning. However, it is crucial for students and educators to carefully evaluate each tool’s features, pricing, and user reviews to determine which ones best suit their individual needs and goals, as some tools have faced criticism or have room for improvement.
The key to success is finding the right balance between the power of AI and maintaining a human touch in education.
By combining the best of both worlds, students can enjoy a more personalized, engaging, and effective learning experience that paves the path to academic excellence and prepares them for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
