Why German Apps are Essential for Students

Efficient and Reliable

German apps are designed with efficiency and reliability, reflecting the country’s commitment to technological innovation. From streamlining daily tasks to enhancing academic productivity, these apps are tools that help you stay organized and connected, crucial for international students adjusting to life in Germany.

Localized Features

Many German apps cater specifically to the needs of students, offering features to simplify university life, access public transportation, find local events, and more. These localized features make it easier for international students to integrate into German society and stay informed.

Affordable and Often Free

The majority of the apps mentioned in this blog are either free or offer reasonably priced premium versions. They are accessible and seamlessly integrate into your daily routine without straining your student budget.

Top German Apps for Daily Life

DB Navigator (Deutsche Bahn)

Overview: A must-have for anyone traveling within Germany, the DB Navigator app offers real-time updates on trains, buses, and other forms of public transport.

Key Features:

• Real-time schedules for trains, buses, and trams across Germany.

• Booking tickets for travel within Germany and across Europe.

• Access to discounts, including the BahnCard, for students and frequent travelers.Why It’s Useful for Students: Whether commuting to university or taking weekend trips, DB Navigator simplifies your travel, helping you avoid delays with up-to-date information.

Lidl Plus

Overview: The Lidl Plus app helps you save money when shopping at Lidl, providing digital coupons, discounts, and access to weekly offers.

Key Features:

• Personalized coupons offering discounts on various items.

• Access to Lidl’s weekly flyers to plan shopping ahead.

• Loyalty program with rewards for every purchase.Why It’s Useful for Students: Groceries can take up a significant portion of your student budget. Lidl Plus helps save money with weekly discounts and rewards on food and essentials.

Too Good To Go

Overview: This app connects you with local stores and restaurants selling unsold food at discounted prices, helping you save money and reduce food waste.

Key Features:

• Find discounted food near you, including meals, pastries, and drinks.

• Collect food from partner restaurants and stores.

• Help reduce food waste by buying food that would otherwise be thrown out.Why It’s Useful for Students: Too Good To Go is a great way to grab affordable, fresh food while contributing to sustainability by preventing food waste.

Klarna

Overview: Klarna is a fintech app that provides various payment options, including the popular buy now, pay later service, which is ideal for managing finances and shopping.

Key Features:

• Buy now, pay later options to split payments into installments.

• Instant payments and budget tracking.

• Special offers and discounts for app users.Why It’s Useful for Students: Klarna helps students manage payments without stressing over upfront costs, offering budget management and installment plans for easier financial control.

Finanzguru

Overview: Finanzguru is a finance management app that helps you track spending, manage your bank accounts, and create budgets to stay on top of your finances.

Key Features:

• Link your bank accounts to track income and expenses automatically.

• Get insights into spending habits and potential savings.

• Set personal budget goals and track progress.Why It’s Useful for Students: With a limited budget, managing money efficiently is crucial. Finanzguru helps track spending, set savings goals, and provide a clear overview of your finances.

Mensa App

Overview: The Mensa app provides students with daily menus from university cafeterias (Mensas), helping you choose meals in advance based on price and nutrition.

Key Features:

• Check daily menus for various university cafeterias.

• View prices and nutritional information for meals.

• See reviews and leave feedback on meals.Why It’s Useful for Students: This app helps students plan meals at affordable prices, saving time and money by allowing you to choose what to eat in advance.

Wunderlist (now Microsoft To Do)

Overview: Microsoft To Do, previously Wunderlist, is an essential app for organizing tasks, setting reminders, and tracking deadlines.

Key Features:

• Manage multiple to-do lists and set deadlines.

• Add recurring tasks and reminders.

• Sync across all devices to stay organized.Why It’s Useful for Students: Staying organized is vital for managing academic and personal tasks. Microsoft To Do lets you set reminders for assignments and track tasks across all devices.

Vagabond

Overview: For students looking to travel affordably within Germany and Europe, Vagabond is an excellent app for finding budget-friendly travel options.

Key Features:

• Search for affordable travel routes and transportation (trains, buses, flights).

• Compare prices and book directly through the app.

• Explore student deals on accommodation and activities.Why It’s Useful for Students: Vagabond helps you plan budget-friendly travel, which is perfect for students who want to explore Europe without overspending.

Tips for Using Apps Efficiently in Germany

Stay Organized

Many of these apps can be integrated into your daily routine. Use Microsoft To Do to organize tasks, Finanzguru to track spending, and DB Navigator for travel updates. Synchronizing these apps will streamline your tasks, saving time and keeping you organized.

Always Check for Discounts and Promotions

Apps like Lidl Plus and Klarna frequently offer student discounts and promotions. Check these apps regularly for exclusive offers to help save money on groceries, shopping, and other services.

Download Local Apps

Many German cities have local apps for specific services such as bike-sharing, waste management, and city events. These apps offer real-time information that can be extremely helpful as you adjust to life in a new city.

Use Apps for Learning German

Language learning apps like Duolingo, Babbel, and Busuu are great tools to improve your German skills. They complement university courses and make daily activities—such as navigating menus or public transport—easier.

Final Thoughts

The array of German apps available to students offers tools to simplify daily life, improve organization, save money, and enhance productivity. By using apps for travel, finance, groceries, and study, you can streamline your student experience and make the most of your time in Germany. From managing your budget with Finanzguru to discovering affordable meals with Too Good To Go, these apps help you live more efficiently while focusing on what matters most—your studies!