There’s no denying that Macs are a popular choice among students—they’re reliable, user-friendly, and packed with features that support both learning and creativity. But to really make the most of your Mac, you need the right apps. Whether you’re juggling classes, collaborating on projects, or trying to stick to a tight budget, having a well-curated app lineup can seriously upgrade your academic game.
The best part? Many top apps offer free or discounted plans specifically for students. And if you’re watching your wallet, don’t worry—there are plenty of powerful and affordable alternatives out there, too.
Here are seven Mac apps we think every student should try this school year.
1. Miro – Your Digital Whiteboard
Best for: Brainstorming, mind mapping, and group projects
Miro is a dynamic digital whiteboard that makes it easy to visualize ideas and collaborate in real time. Perfect for group assignments or mapping out complex topics, M sure offers a range of templates including flowcharts and Kanban boards. It also integrates smoothly with tools like Slack and Trello. Students can use the free plan, which supports up to three team members.
Pricing: Free plan available / Paid plans start at $8 per month
2. Fantastical – All-in-One Scheduling
Best for: Time management and calendar organization
Fantastical is more than just a calendar—it’s a powerful scheduling tool that brings all your events, deadlines, and reminders into one clean interface. It syncs with your existing calendars and even includes a built-in task manager. One standout feature is the Focus Filter, which lets you toggle between views for school, work, or personal plans, helping you stay focused wherever you are.
Pricing: Free trial available / Subscription from $4.75 per month
3. DEVONthink – Smart Document Manager
Best for: Research and document organization
If you’re dealing with piles of PDFs, articles, and research notes, DEVONthink can help you keep everything in order. This app doesn’t just store files—it uses AI to learn how you work and can automatically tag and categorize content. There’s a bit of a learning curve, but it’s a game-changer for staying organized through long-term projects.
Pricing: Free trial / One-time purchase from $99
4. PDF Expert – Edit and Annotate PDFs
Best for: Working with PDFs
From highlighting textbooks to signing forms, PDF Expert makes dealing with PDFs quick and easy. It offers robust editing tools, annotation features, and smooth performance—all without the high cost of Adobe Acrobat. Students can get 50% off the annual plan, and there’s a fully functional free trial to test it out.
Pricing: Free trial / $79.99 per year (50% off for students)
5. Adobe Premiere Pro – Professional Video Editing
Best for: Video projects and presentations
When it comes to video editing, Premiere Pro is the industry leader. It offers advanced tools and effects that can help you create polished videos for class or even personal channels. Recent AI-powered features like Generative Extend and object removal make editing smarter and faster. Students also get a significant discount on Adobe Creative Cloud.
Pricing: Free trial / $29.99 per month (with student discount)
6. Scrivener – Long-Form Writing Assistant
Best for: Essays, research papers, and theses
Scrivener is built for writers. It helps you structure long documents, manage research materials, and organize your thoughts with features like a digital corkboard and outliner. Its flexibility and focus on writing make it ideal for term papers, capstone projects, or even that novel you’ve been meaning to write.
Pricing: Free trial / $59.99 (student discount available)
7. Grammarly – Write With Confidence
Best for: Grammar, style, and plagiarism checking
Grammarly is like having a proofreader on standby. It checks your writing for errors, improves clarity, and even helps adjust tone. The free version covers the basics, while Premium offers advanced style suggestions and a plagiarism detector—essential for making sure your work is always original and well-cited.
Pricing: Free version / Premium from $12 per month
Final Thoughts
Your Mac can be one of your greatest allies in college—especially when equipped with apps that simplify your workflow and enhance productivity. All the apps listed here offer free trials or versions, so you can test them out without commitment. Here’s to a more organized, creative, and successful school year!
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