Can you imagine the struggle of doing schoolwork without the internet? Thankfully, there are tons of websites, applications, and software just a few clicks away to help students with their research, essay writing, productivity, and more. We’ve chosen the 12 best Chrome extensions that will assist in automating your workload so you can make room for other tasks and activities (and it’s all free!). 📱
1. Grammarly
Ditch the hassle of searching for that elusive typo or awkward sentence. Grammarly streamlines the writing process with real-time feedback. As you type, the tool underlines errors and offers alternative vocabulary. Grammarly is also hailed as one of the best Chrome extensions for college students because it adjusts the tone of your writing and citations based on intent. 🔍
✅ What we loved:
- Fixes grammatical errors and mistakes in real-time
- Highly useful for non-native English speakers
- Excellent online grammar knowledge base
❌ What could be improved:
- Can be pricey for college students ($12 per month)
- May pick up errors that don’t exist
2. Dualless
Is a fancy dual monitor setup part of your college bucket list? An affordable approach would be to use Dualless, which allows you to split your browser windows into two. Use this Chrome extension to effectively multitask, like reading assigned materials or attending meetings while taking notes. 📝
Dualless is straightforward and easy to use. When installed, you can instantly choose to split your screen side by side or stack them on top of each other. 👌
✅ What we loved:
- Lets you multitask between different windows
- Can be adjusted in different ratios
- Easy to use
❌ What could be improved:
- Resets pinned tabs to normal tabs
- Extension bugs
- Random windows are resized when multiple windows are open
3. Kami Extension
Do you miss doodling on your handouts or adding notes in the margins? Kami Extension offers a similar fun way to fully engage with all your (digital) reading materials. You can easily annotate PDFs using a variety of tools and even incorporate media content like images or videos from your devices, drives, Google Images, or YouTube.
Students can collaborate on annotations, provide real-time feedback, and share resources on a Kami whiteboard, which promotes teamwork and creativity. What’s even better is that Kami can be used offline, allowing you to continue studying even with a spotty internet connection.
✅ What we loved:
- Easily upload and share files
- Has inclusive learning tools for special education needs
- Can be used as a digital whiteboard
❌ What could be improved:
- Interface is not intuitive
- Difficult to use on mobile
4. Cite This For Me
Complicated citation rules can be more stressful since professors are strict and detail-oriented, but this Chrome extension saves you time and gives you the confidence that the references are cited professionally. 🕒 Whether you need to follow APA format, MLA format, Chicago, or Harvard referencing, Cite This For Me has got you covered.
To reference a website, simply browse the webpage, then click the extension’s icon. Watch the magic happen as it generates a correctly formatted citation for you! You can then copy and paste the citation directly into your assignment or even easily generate a full list of all your sources for safekeeping until later. 📋
✅ What we loved:
- Has all the most popular reference citation formats
- Fast and easy to use
- Citations can be saved to an online account
❌ What could be improved:
- Too many in-app ads
- Auto-cite feature sometimes misses important details
5. Noisli
Looking for a way to enhance your focus, reduce stress, and create a soothing setting while you work, study, or relax? Noisli allows you to create and customize your sound environment. You can choose from a wide range of background sounds, such as rain, thunder, waves, or even a crackling fireplace, and let them mask any distracting noises around you. This helps you accomplish tasks faster without losing your cool. 🧘
The extension also offers a timer so that you can time the music to start and stop according to your study schedule, as well as a minimalist text editor for distraction-free essay writing.
✅ What we loved:
- Mix and match multiple background sounds to create the perfect ambiance
- Comes with a built-in timer for your study sessions
- Can share your sound combinations with friends and classmates
❌ What could be improved:
- Does not work offline
- Some features are locked behind a premium plan
6. StayFocusd
How often do you find yourself settling down at the computer with the aim of being productive, only to be entirely derailed by endless scrolling on social media, reading articles, or playing online games? 🙀
StayFocusd helps you avoid time-wasting temptations by allowing you to block entire websites, specific subdomains, paths, pages, and even in-page content such as videos, images, and forms. The Nuclear Option takes this to the extreme by severing access to everything except the websites you’ve permitted. Once you activate this option, there’s no way to disengage the blocking software until the countdown is over. ⛔
✅ What we loved:
- Completely restricts access to blocked sites
- Timespan for blocking can be adjusted
- Can be configured to restrict subdomains, paths, pages, and even images, forms, and games
- Developers have a great sense of humor — especially when you’re trying to cheat the extension!
❌ What could be improved:
- Nuclear Option can’t be canceled and is limited to a one-time slot
- Complicated user interface
7. Power Thesaurus
Are you tired of using the same words repeatedly? Power Thesaurus emerges as the best Chrome extension for those seeking to broaden their vocabulary and discover alternative terms to enrich their work.
Utilize the toolbar button to explore synonyms, antonyms, definitions, example sentences, and other results. Additionally, enjoy swift copy functionality with just a click! You can write with confidence, knowing you have the right words at your disposal, thanks to Power Thesaurus’s compatibility on platforms like Medium, Facebook, and X, formerly known as Twitter. ✅
✅ What we loved:
- Clean and minimalist interface
- Compatible with Google Dictionary
❌ What could be improved:
- Pop-up on word selection sometimes does not work
8. Evernote Web Clipper
Why limit yourself to collecting links to web pages when you can save entire articles, captivating images, and helpful descriptions instead? The Evernote Web Clipper allows you to gather all your related content in one convenient location, ensuring everything you need is easy to find. 🔒
You can clip web pages, articles, or PDFs and have them safely stored in Evernote. Say goodbye to distractions like ads and sidebars, as you can choose to capture the entire page or just the parts that interest you the most.
You can even tag the clippings you save with relevant keywords, making it a breeze to locate your research, photos, ideas, and more later on. 🏷️
✅ What we loved:
- Plenty of annotating tools
- Automatic sync with Evernote
- All the content you clip is searchable
❌ What could be improved:
- Premium version pricing is quite high
- Some sites cannot be clipped
9. Todoist
With Todoist, click the extension icon on any website or page (think class lectures, research articles, even Facebook events) and instantly turn it into a task. You can even set a due date if it’s for a specific class.
As one of the best Chrome extensions, Todoist helps students with its “add, prioritize, and schedule” features — conquer your daily tasks without ever leaving their browser. And the best part? Todoist integrates with over 60+ apps, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Zapier, Evernote, and Slack. ✔️
✅ What we loved:
- “Karma Trend” score keeps your to-do lists fun
- Saves backups of your notes for use across multiple devices or in case of emergencies
❌ What could be improved:
- Location-based notifications are only available in the paid version.
10. Postlight Reader
Say goodbye to distractions and upgrade your reading experience with Postlight Reader. Disable all the surrounding webpage noise and clutter in a single click, so you can focus solely on the text and images that matter to you. 🔊
It allows you to tailor your reading experience to suit your preferences. Adjust the typeface and text size to ensure optimal readability, and switch effortlessly between light and dark themes to reduce eye strain in any lighting condition. If you need to print an article for later reference, this is the best Chrome extension to optimize printing, ensuring that you get a clean and neatly formatted printout. 🖨️
✅ What we loved:
- Adjustable typeface and text size
- Toggle between light or dark modes according to your preference
❌ What could be improved:
- May not work with websites with interactive content or complex layouts
11. 6sense
While 6sense is a marketing and sales tool, college students can also benefit from using this Chrome extension for research, making connections, and applying for jobs.
Just click on any website, use this Chrome extension, and instantly discover company details like its size, revenue, and even employee count. No more digging through multiple (often speculative) sources! 💻 You can also use 6sense to create personalized study plans: filter study resources like articles, videos, and practice questions based on your specific topics and goals.
✅ What we loved:
- Reliable data compared to competitors
- Access to a network of professionals and potential employers
❌ What could be improved:
- Asks users to log in multiple times a day
12. Screencastify
Looking for a simple and powerful screen recorder for Chrome? With Screencastify, you can easily record your desktop, browser tab, and/or webcam and even narrate your videos using your microphone’s audio. 🎬
This is the best Chrome extension for students who want to create tutorial videos explaining complex concepts that can be shared with classmates for collaborative learning. This tool can be used to cultivate a professional portfolio by showcasing academic achievements, presentations, or project demonstrations in various export formats. 📹
✅ What we loved:
- Simple to edit videos
- Easy-to-use screen recorder
- Multiple export formats (MP4, animated GIF, or MP3)
❌ What could be improved:
- Sometimes the audio is not captured properly
- Requires users to sign up for an account
Between juggling deadlines, research mountains, and social lives, college can feel like an intricate balancing act. But with the best Chrome extensions, you can transform your browser into a powerful ally, boost your productivity, and conquer academic hurdles with ease. 💯
Best Chrome Extensions for College Students in 2024: Frequently Asked Questions
Are Chrome extensions risky?
Most Chrome extensions are safe, but there’s a risk with some. Stick to the Chrome Web Store for downloads, be cautious with permissions, and choose well-reviewed extensions to minimize potential issues.
Where can students find Chrome extensions?
Students can find Chrome extensions on the Chrome Web Store. Simply go to the store by typing “Chrome Web Store” in the Chrome browser, then use the search bar to find and explore a wide variety of extensions.
You can also browse different categories or access the “Extensions” section directly from the Chrome menu. Always ensure that the extensions you choose are reputable and have good reviews to ensure their reliability and security.
What are the best Chrome extensions for student productivity?
The best Chrome extensions for student productivity include Grammarly for real-time grammar checks, while StayFocusd limits time spent on distracting websites. Cite This For Me simplifies citation generation, and Evernote Web Clipper aids in saving online content.
Are Chrome extensions virus-free?
Extensions from the Chrome Web Store are usually safe but stick to reputable ones to avoid viruses. Don’t download from unofficial sources, and keep your extensions updated for added security.
What are good Chrome extensions for students?
For students, useful Chrome extensions include Grammarly for writing and Google Keep for saving notes. StayFocusd limits distracting websites, while Todoist allows seamless integration of web tasks. These are some of the Chrome extensions that collectively enhance organization and efficiency for college students.