The best AI tools for students
Used well, AI can explain tricky concepts, quiz you before an exam and help you organise research, all without doing the learning for you. Here are the best free-to-start tools for students, and how to use them honestly.
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Our top picks
Gemini Notebook
Who it’s for: Students who want summaries, quizzes and flashcards grounded in their own lecture notes, readings and slides. It’s included free with a Google account.
Worth knowing: Source-grounded answers still need checking against the original document.
ChatGPT
Who it’s for: Explaining concepts in simpler words, working through problems step by step and practising with questions. Study mode is available on the free plan.
Worth knowing: Answers can sound confident and still be wrong. Check important facts.
Perplexity
Who it’s for: Starting research on a topic with answers that link to their sources, so you can read and cite the originals.
Worth knowing: A citation is a starting point, not proof. Read the source before relying on it.
Grammarly
Who it’s for: Checking spelling, grammar, clarity and tone in essays and reports, in Google Docs, Word and your browser.
Worth knowing: Some rewrites and advanced assistance are paid; keep your own voice.
QuillBot
Who it’s for: Rewording your own notes so you understand them, summarising long readings and formatting citations. Always check your course rules before paraphrasing anything you submit.
Worth knowing: Rewriting can change meaning. Review it and follow your school or work rules.
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Otter.ai
Who it’s for: Recording and transcribing lectures or study-group sessions (with permission) so you can search and review them later.
Worth knowing: Ask permission before recording. Check names, numbers and action items.
Side-by-side comparison
| Gemini Notebook | ChatGPT | Perplexity | Grammarly | QuillBot | Otter | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main job | Study your own sources | Tutor and explainer | Research with sources | Proofreading and clarity | Paraphrasing, summaries, citations | Lecture transcripts |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes: 300 min/month |
| Best moment to use | Revision and exams | Any time you’re stuck | Starting research | Before you submit | Making sense of readings | During lectures |
Pricing
| Tool | Free | Paid (as listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Gemini Notebook | US$0 with a Google account | More limits with Google AI Plus (US$4.99/month, US listing) and AI Pro (US$19.99/month) |
| ChatGPT | US$0 | Go: US$8/month; Plus: US$20/month |
| Perplexity | US$0 | Pro: US$17/month billed annually |
| Grammarly | US$0 | Pro: US$12/month |
| QuillBot | US$0 | Premium: AU$12.49/month billed annually (Australian listing; monthly and other plans also offered) |
| Otter | US$0 (300 min/month) | Pro: US$16.99/month, or US$8.33/month billed annually; .edu discount available |
Prices checked on 14 October 2026 from official pricing pages (gemini.google/subscriptions, chatgpt.com/pricing, perplexity.ai/pro, grammarly.com/plans, quillbot.com/premium and otter.ai/pricing. Student discounts change often and some (such as .edu offers) aren’t available to Australian university emails, so check eligibility before paying). Prices are in US dollars (USD) as listed. Australian prices, GST and app-store pricing can differ, and plans change often, so confirm on the provider’s site before you pay.
How to get started
Check your university or school’s rules on AI. Many allow AI for learning but not for writing assessed work.
Upload a set of lecture notes or readings to Gemini Notebook and ask for a summary, key terms and a practice quiz.
When you’re stuck, ask ChatGPT to explain a concept “as if I’m new to it”, then ask it to test you.
For research, use Perplexity to find sources, then open and read the originals before citing anything.
How we chose
We chose tools with genuinely useful free plans, because most students shouldn’t need to pay for AI. Each tool does one job well, and together they cover the whole study cycle: understanding, researching, writing and revising. We used official product and pricing pages and editorial judgement, not a formal benchmark.
Using AI honestly (and safely)
Universities and schools in Australia have different rules about AI, and they can differ between subjects. Using AI to explain, quiz or give feedback is often fine; submitting AI-written work as your own usually isn’t, and can count as academic misconduct. Always check your course rules, acknowledge AI use when required, and keep your drafts as evidence of your own work.
AI can also be wrong. It can misunderstand a question, give an out-of-date answer or invent a reference that doesn’t exist. Treat it like a helpful classmate, not a textbook. That’s why we recommend source-grounded tools like Gemini Notebook for revision and Perplexity for research, and why you should always check the original source.
A simple study workflow
- Before class: ask ChatGPT for a plain-English overview of the week’s topic.
- During class: with permission, record with Otter so you can focus on listening.
- After class: add notes and readings to Gemini Notebook and generate flashcards.
- Assignments: research with Perplexity, write in your own words, then polish with Grammarly.
Want to compare the main assistants? See ChatGPT vs Claude vs Gemini or Perplexity vs ChatGPT.
Do you need to pay?
Probably not. The free plans of these five tools cover most study needs. ChatGPT’s free plan includes study mode, Gemini Notebook is free with a Google account, and Grammarly’s free plan handles spelling and grammar. Consider paying only when a specific limit gets in your way, for example if you regularly run out of Otter’s 300 free minutes during a heavy lecture week, or you need longer research sessions in Perplexity. Before paying full price, check whether your university provides any of these tools through an institutional licence; many provide Microsoft or Google tools, and some provide Grammarly or Canva for Education.
Protect your privacy
Be careful about what you upload. Your own notes and published readings are usually fine, but avoid uploading other students’ work, private feedback or anything containing personal details. Check each tool’s privacy settings, including whether your chats can be used to train its models, and switch that off if you prefer.
Our verdict
Start with Gemini Notebook and ChatGPT: between them, they’ll help you understand and revise almost anything. Add Perplexity when you begin research, Grammarly when you start submitting work, and Otter if lectures move too fast to take notes. Most importantly, use AI to learn more, not to learn less.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free AI tool for students?
For most students, a combination of Gemini Notebook (to study your own materials) and ChatGPT (as an all-round tutor) covers the basics for free. Perplexity, Grammarly and Otter also have useful free plans.
Is using AI for university assignments cheating?
It depends on your institution and course. Many allow AI for learning and feedback but not for producing assessed work. Check your course rules and acknowledge AI use where required.
Can AI make flashcards and practice quizzes?
Yes. Gemini Notebook can create flashcards and quizzes from your own notes and readings, and ChatGPT can quiz you on a topic in conversation.
Are there student discounts on AI tools?
Some providers offer student pricing, but offers change and some require a US .edu email. Check each provider’s official pricing page for eligibility in Australia.
Can I trust AI answers for study?
Not blindly. AI can make mistakes and invent references. Check important facts against your course materials and original sources.