When you move to Germany as an international student, you don’t just enter a new academic system — you enter an entirely different culture, lifestyle, and way of navigating everyday life. Thankfully, in the digital age, there’s an app for almost everything. But with so many options out there, it can be hard to figure out what’s truly useful.
So, what apps do students in Germany use the most?
In this blog, we explore the must-have apps that help students stay organized, save money, travel efficiently, and integrate smoothly into German life.
Let’s break it down into categories — from transport to academics, housing to food — and give you practical tips along the way.
🚆 Transport & Navigation Apps
Getting around in Germany is easy — but only if you use the right tools.
1. DB Navigator
- What it does: Real-time train, tram, and bus schedules.
- Why students use it: You can plan trips, check platforms, buy tickets, and even track delays.
- Bonus: Works for both regional and long-distance trains (like ICE, IC, and RE).
📲 Pro Tip: If your university provides a Semesterticket, you can use the app to check train routes included in your zone.
2. Google Maps & Moovit
- What they do: Real-time public transport routes, walking and cycling directions.
- Why students use them: Essential for navigating German cities where U-Bahn (subway), S-Bahn (city rail), trams, and buses all work together.
- Moovit is especially popular in cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg due to its live transport updates.
🏠 Housing & Flatshare Apps
Finding and managing accommodation is one of the biggest hurdles for students — these apps help make it easier.
3. WG-Gesucht
- What it does: Helps you find rooms in shared flats (Wohngemeinschaften) or apartments to rent.
- Why students love it: It’s the #1 platform for student housing in Germany. You can apply directly to roommates or landlords.
- Features: Advanced filters, messaging options, map-based searches.
🏡 Bonus: Want to live with Germans and improve your language? This is the app for you.
4. ImmoScout24
- What it does: Larger housing portal for full apartments and flatshares.
- Why it’s useful: Good if you’re moving with family, a partner, or want private space.
🧑🎓 Academic & University Apps
Staying organized is half the battle. These apps help you manage your studies efficiently.
5. Studo / UniNow
- What they do: Integrate your timetable, exam schedules, university email, campus news, and grades in one app.
- Why students use them: Many German universities officially support these platforms.
- Bonus: You can set notifications for class changes or exam results.
6. Moodle / ILIAS
- What they do: Digital learning management systems used by most German universities.
- Why they’re essential: Course materials, assignments, lecture slides, and sometimes even quizzes are all uploaded here.
7. Notion / OneNote / Evernote
- What they do: Note-taking and productivity.
- Why students use them: Helps you structure lecture notes, create revision plans, and manage semester-long projects.
💬 Social & Communication Apps
Connecting with classmates and new friends is vital. Here’s what most students use:
8. WhatsApp
- Why it’s popular: Germany doesn’t rely much on SMS or iMessage — almost everyone uses WhatsApp, even professors in informal contexts.
- Use it for: Group chats for classes, roommates, clubs, or university events.
9. Telegram / Signal
- Why students use them: For uni-wide event groups, announcements, club activities, and sometimes political or student movements.
- Privacy-conscious students often prefer Signal.
📚 Language Learning Apps
If you’re not fluent in German (yet), these are absolute lifesavers.
10. Duolingo
- Why students love it: A fun, game-like way to build vocabulary and basic grammar.
- Best for: Beginners (A1–A2 level).
11. Babbel / DW Learn German
- Why they’re useful: More structured than Duolingo, focused on real-life German situations — ideal for academic or daily life vocabulary.
- DW (Deutsche Welle) also offers a free, student-friendly course with videos and exercises.
12. DeepL Translator
- What it does: Highly accurate translator — better than Google Translate for German-English translations.
- Why students use it: Perfect for translating academic articles or understanding official letters from your university.
🍕 Food & Budgeting Apps
Eating on a budget? There’s an app for that.
13. Too Good To Go
- What it does: Lets you buy leftover food from cafés, bakeries, and restaurants at massive discounts.
- Why students love it: Delicious surprise meals for €3–5. Also reduces food waste.
14. Lieferando
- What it does: Food delivery platform (like Uber Eats).
- Why students use it: Quick access to local food when you’re too busy to cook — or during exam season!
15. Rewe / Lidl Plus / Kaufland Apps
- Why useful: Online shopping lists, deals, digital coupons.
- Great for: Weekly grocery budgeting and price comparison.
💶 Finance & Banking Apps
Managing your student finances in Germany can be easy — if you’re using the right apps.
16. N26 / Vivid / Revolut
- What they are: Online mobile banks with English interfaces and student-friendly features.
- Why students love them: Free accounts, instant transfers, budget tracking.
17. Splitwise
- What it does: Helps you split bills with flatmates or friends.
- Why it’s helpful: No awkward conversations — especially if you’re living in a WG.
🧘 Mental Health, Wellness & Integration
Balancing academics, social life, and cultural transition can be tough — take care of yourself with these apps:
18. Headspace / Calm
- Why students use them: Meditation and mental clarity during stressful exam weeks.
19. Meetup / Bumble BFF
- What they do: Help you find local meetups and make new friends in your area.
- Why it’s important: Many international students use these platforms to build their social network outside of campus.
🗺️ Bonus: Apps for Exploring Germany
20. Komoot / DB Ausflug
- Why fun: These apps suggest hikes, nature trails, and regional trips based on your location and train route.
- Perfect for: Weekend adventures on a student budget.
✅ Final Thoughts: Make Your Phone a Smart Student Toolkit
So, what apps do students in Germany use the most?
From catching the right train to finding cheap food, staying organized, and learning German — these 20+ apps are essential to student life in Germany.
🎯 Pro Tip: Download your key apps before you arrive, create accounts, and play around to get familiar. That way, once you land in Germany, your phone becomes your personal assistant, guide, translator, and budget manager — all in one.