Best AI Tools for Students: Free and Affordable Options for School (2025)
Best AI Tools for Students in 2025
AI tools can help with research, writing, studying, math, and presentations. Most offer free tiers perfect for student budgets. Here are the best AI tools organized by what students actually need.
TL;DR: Claude free for writing and analysis. ChatGPT free for math and coding. Perplexity for research with citations. Quizlet for studying. Canva for presentations. All free or have student discounts.
Best AI by Student Task
Research and Citations
- Perplexity AI (Free) — Answers questions with cited academic sources. 5 free Pro searches per day. Best for finding and citing sources.
- Consensus (Free) — Searches 200M+ academic papers. Perfect for literature reviews.
- Google Scholar + Gemini — Free academic search with AI summaries.
Essay Writing
- Claude (Free) — Best writing quality among free AI tools. Use for outlines, feedback on drafts, and improving your writing. Do not submit AI-generated text as your own.
- Grammarly (Free) — Grammar, spelling, and style checking. Essential for any student.
Academic integrity note: Use AI as a writing tutor, not a ghostwriter. Ask AI to explain concepts, improve your outlines, and give feedback on your drafts — but write the final paper yourself.
Math and Science
- ChatGPT (Free) — Explains math problems step by step. Great for calculus, statistics, and physics.
- Wolfram Alpha ($5/mo student) — Solves complex math with detailed steps. More reliable than ChatGPT for advanced math.
- Photomath (Free) — Scan math problems with your phone camera for instant solutions.
Studying and Memorization
- Quizlet (Free) — AI-generated flashcards and practice tests from your notes.
- Anki (Free) — Spaced repetition flashcards for long-term memorization.
- NotebookLM (Free) — Google’s AI notebook. Upload your course materials and ask questions.
Presentations
- Gamma (Free) — AI-generated presentations from text descriptions.
- Canva (Free for students) — Design presentations, infographics, and posters. Free Pro for students through GitHub Student Pack.
Coding (CS Students)
- GitHub Copilot (Free for students) — AI autocomplete in VS Code. Free through GitHub Education.
- Windsurf (Free) — AI-powered code editor with generous free tier.
Free Student AI Stack
| Need | Tool | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Research | Perplexity AI | Free |
| Writing help | Claude + Grammarly | Free |
| Math | ChatGPT + Photomath | Free |
| Studying | Quizlet + NotebookLM | Free |
| Presentations | Canva (student) + Gamma | Free |
| Coding | GitHub Copilot (student) | Free |
Total cost: $0
See also: AI tools for teachers and all free AI tools.
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