We’re going to review six top learning apps that you might find particularly useful. Honestly, a lot of people are running low on storage these days, like videos and random apps you don’t even use anymore, they all add up. So the question is simple: which niche apps are even worth keeping around?

The next options on the list are not only solid, but they don’t really eat up your storage. Some of them have desktop versions, and most of them use cloud options, so you don’t have to save everything on your phone. If you’re trying to learn a new language or make reading a bit easier, these are the ones we think that deserve your check.

 

1. Headway: How You Can Read Non-Fiction Books Without Filling Up Your Phone

This solution is basically for people who want to read but don’t really have the time, or the storage space, for full books. For example, instead of downloading a heavy e-book and audiobook, the Headway app offers you short summaries of non-fiction bestsellers. You can spend like 10-15 minutes per day on one piece, either reading or listening to it on the go. You get the key ideas without clogging up your phone memory.

What’s nice is that it feels very lightweight but still effective. As we mentioned, you can switch between text and audio, as well as:

• Get smart recommendations based on your interests
• Use reminders or streak trackers to keep the habit going
• Everything is stored in the cloud, so you don’t need to worry about giant file downloads

Why Keep It Around?

Headway is designed for flexible learning anytime and anywhere, and it is also available on iOS and Android. You can try the free version first, then unlock more features with the premium plan:

• The free plan offers limited book and audio summaries
• The premium subscription offers a full library and a wide list of features
• Monthly and annual subscription options are available

2. Duolingo: Just Try This Language App Once to See What the Hype Is About

So you probably opened this app once just to see what the hype was, or maybe the green owl chased you on TikTok. But the great thing about the Duolingo app is its tiny lessons. You don’t even notice how much you’re really studying. The app doesn’t take up much space either, which is good if your phone already feels full.

And it remembers where you left off, so you can switch between your devices and do not lose your progress. The lessons cover little bits of everything: reading a short sentence, saying a word out loud, listening to some phrases and trying to type them back. Nothing heavy. A week later, after using it, we realized that we could actually understand a menu in Spanish, which felt kind of encouraging.

Why Keep It Around?

The lessons are short and gamified:

• Works if you’re starting from scratch
• Courses in so many languages, something over 30 options
• Free to download on iOS and Android
• You can get offline access within a subscription plan

3. Khan Academy: It Really Feels Encouraging When You Start Learning With Real Tutors

What it does best is that it offers courses across different subjects. You get complex academic topics that are understandable. In 2025, Khan Academy is still one of the most trusted and totally free learning platforms that works on web, iOS, and Android. Other key features to check:

• Academic video lessons
• Exercises and quizzes right after lessons
• This excellent dashboard that keeps track of what you’ve done

Why Keep It Around?

Also, if you’re in school or teaching, you can link it with Google Classroom so everything syncs neatly. You just need to sign up and pick a subject like math, science, or whatever you like. It provides progress tracking so you actually see yourself improving.

4. Notion: Works As a Custom Learning Hub for Your Notes

Some people use it for to-do lists or work sync, but once you set it up for studying purposes, it will basically become your own custom learning dashboard. The Notion application isn’t a traditional learning app like Khan Academy, so it doesn’t teach you directly. However, it can absolutely be used as a powerful learning tool:

• You can organize all your study materials and lectures in it, ​​and memorize something you just highlighted in it
• You can create notes, build custom databases, track your goals, and add summaries
• You can share it with your team and check the processes

Why Keep It Around?

It’s simple, you can organize notes into a connected system and use it for building habits like journaling and reading logs on your phone. And because it syncs across phone, desktop, tablet, whatever, you don’t lose track of your stuff. You can start a draft on your laptop, then check it later on your phone.

5. Coursera: You Get Like College Classes but Without the Big Tuition Bill

You get proper university-level courses on your phone. You don’t have to pay crazy tuition fees, but you still get classes from places like Yale or Stanford. It’s the same lectures, the same professors, just online and you pick the rhythms you like with the Coursera dashboard. What you usually get is:

• Video lectures, then some assignments, you can submit when they are ready
• Peer discussions, if you want to see how others are thinking through the material
• Solid certificates: if you care about having proof, like something to show on your LinkedIn profile or during a work interview, you can pay and add certificates after finishing the course

Why Keep It Around?

If you want something quicker, the Guided Projects usually take a couple of hours, with an instructor walking you step by step through one specific skill. It runs on iOS, Android, and desktop, so basically anywhere, and it works for people who want to:

• Switch careers
• Level up in their current job
• Learn something they missed in school

6. Last but not least: Albus AI App for a Visual Approach to Learning

You can set up different whiteboards for each topic and drop your notes onto them. What makes it stand out is the automatic note generation. You just type in a subject you want to study, and Albus will prepare the key points for you. And it doesn’t create flashcards, but the strength of Albus is in how it shows connections between ideas. If you’re trying to understand the big picture or see how concepts link together, the visual layout helps here:

• The interface is simple to use
• It makes studying feel less like work

Finally, it’s not always about having a flashcard app. You need to find a tool that matches how you actually study. Some people need a space for brainstorming, where they can drop all their notes and connect them together. Others prefer straight flashcards for memorizing facts.

These six apps stand out because you don’t have to open different sites or copy everything into ChatGPT just to study cards. They provide ready exercises and methods that are focused on your real progress. You can also use YouTube reviews to double-check your choice before upgrading the subscription after the free trial. Remember, the best learning apps for adults are the ones that match your style.