- AI Study Tool Free
- AI Study Tool for Students
- AI Flashcards
- Best Study Apps
- Free Study Tools
Best Free AI Study Tools for Students in 2026 (Ranked by Reddit)
Qlipify Team
Education & Learning
Searching Reddit for the best AI study tool for students? We did the research so you don't have to. Here's our ranked list of free AI study tools based on what students actually recommend.
The Top Free AI Study Tools (2026)
1. Qlipify - Best All-in-One Study Tool
What it does: Turn any YouTube video, PDF, or webpage into summaries, flashcards, and quizzes automatically.
Why students love it:
- Works with videos, PDFs, and transcripts
- Generates AI flashcards instantly
- Creates practice quizzes for exam prep
- Free tier available
Best for: Students who learn from YouTube lectures, need to summarize PDFs, or want flashcards without the manual work.
👉 Try Qlipify free
2. ChatGPT - Best for Explanations
What it does: Answer questions, explain concepts, generate practice problems.
Why students love it:
- Great for understanding difficult topics
- Can create custom study plans
- Free tier is generous
Best for: Getting explanations in your own words, working through problem sets.
3. Google NotebookLM - Best Free PDF Analyzer
What it does: Upload documents and ask questions about them.
Why students love it:
- Completely free
- Cites page numbers in answers
- Good for research papers
Best for: Students who need to analyze multiple documents for research.
4. Otter.ai - Best for Live Lectures
What it does: Transcribe lectures in real-time with AI summaries.
Why students love it:
- Records and transcribes automatically
- Generates highlights and action items
- Free tier includes 300 minutes/month
Best for: Students who want to focus on listening instead of note-taking.
5. Photomath - Best for Math
What it does: Scan math problems and get step-by-step solutions.
Why students love it:
- Works with handwritten problems
- Shows every step
- Free for basic features
Best for: STEM students struggling with problem sets.
Quick Comparison Table
| Tool | Free Tier | Best For | Flashcards | Quizzes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qlipify | âś… | Videos, PDFs, All-in-one | âś… | âś… |
| ChatGPT | ✅ | Explanations | ❌ | ❌ |
| NotebookLM | ✅ | PDF Research | ❌ | ❌ |
| Otter.ai | ✅ | Live Lectures | ❌ | ❌ |
| Photomath | ✅ | Math Problems | ❌ | ❌ |
How to Actually Use These Tools
The mistake most students make: using AI to avoid studying instead of studying better.
Wrong approach: "Summarize this chapter so I don't have to read it."
Right approach:
- Read the material first
- Use AI to generate practice questions
- Test yourself with flashcards
- Review what you got wrong
This uses active recall—the most effective study technique according to research.
Our Recommendation
If you want one tool that does everything—summaries, flashcards, and quizzes from any content—try Qlipify. It's free to start and works with YouTube videos, PDFs, and web content.
For specific needs:
- Math help: Photomath
- Live lecture transcription: Otter.ai
- Document research: NotebookLM
- General questions: ChatGPT
Qlipify transforms YouTube videos, PDFs, and web content into AI-powered study materials. Create flashcards and quizzes in seconds. Try it free →
Related Articles
- notebooklm vs qlipify
- ai study tool
NotebookLM vs Qlipify: Which AI Study Tool is Better for Students?
Comparing Google’s NotebookLM and Qlipify. Which AI study tool is better for students? We break down the differences in features, use cases, and study modes to help you choose the right one for exams.
- AI Study Tool from Transcript
- AI Study Tool from PDF
How to Turn Lecture Transcripts and PDFs into Flashcards with AI (Free)
Learn how to use free AI tools to convert lecture transcripts and PDFs into flashcards and study notes automatically. Step-by-step guide for students.