If you are a student or a developer, you already know the struggle. Students have assignments, research work, and presentations. Developers are always stuck between writing code, fixing bugs, and meeting deadlines. Honestly, there’s not enough time in the day.
That’s where AI tools come in. They save time, give instant results, and make your work 10x easier. I’m sharing the top 5 free AI tools that I personally think every student and developer should use in 2025.
1. ChatGPT – Best All-Rounder
ChatGPT is like your personal teacher + coding buddy.
Students can use it to explain tough topics, summarize notes, write essays, and even generate practice questions before exams.
On the other hand, developers can use it to debug code, get boilerplate code ready, learn new concepts step by step, and even generate documentation.
As an example, if you’re stuck on “Operating System Scheduling”? ChatGPT will break it down in simple words. Got an error in your JavaScript code? Just paste it, and ChatGPT will fix it.
2. Codeium – Free AI Coding Assistant (Integrated with VS Code)
Codeium is like Copilot, but the best part → it’s completely free.
When students are just starting with coding, Codeium feels like a supportive guide. It provides smart suggestions in more than 70 languages, meaning you don’t need to memorize every syntax.
Meanwhile, developers benefit from Codeium’s seamless integration with VS Code, JetBrains, and Jupyter. It auto-completes functions, reduces repetitive code, and suggests improvements in real time.
For instance, a beginner writing their first Python assignment will receive instant suggestions as they type. At the same time, a professional developer can speed up workflows by letting Codeium handle repetitive boilerplate.
3. NotebookLM – Research Made Simple
NotebookLM is one of the most underrated AI tools but very powerful for organizing and understanding information.
Students often spend hours revising notes and textbooks, but NotebookLM makes that process effortless. Simply upload PDFs, class notes, or study material, and it generates summaries, highlights, and even Q&A-style answers.
Developers also gain an edge by using NotebookLM with large technical documents. Instead of searching through hundreds of pages of API documentation, they can upload it and ask specific questions such as: “How do I authenticate in this API?”
For example, a student preparing for exams could ask NotebookLM to simplify “Normalization” into key points. Similarly, a developer working with Firebase documentation can request a login authentication example in React.js.
4. Canva AI – Fast Presentations & Designs
When it comes to presentations and designs, Canva AI is a lifesaver. No more wasting 3-4 hours making slides.
When deadlines are tight, Canva AI saves students hours of design work. By using the Magic Presentation feature, you only need to type your topic, and Canva will instantly create a well-structured presentation. It’s also useful for posters, infographics, and resumes.
Developers benefit just as much, especially during hackathons or client meetings. They can generate pitch decks, UI mockups, or quick app wireframes without needing a designer.
Take this scenario: a student preparing for a “Blockchain in Education” seminar can have 10–12 slides ready in minutes. Likewise, a developer building a food delivery app can design a demo UI directly in Canva.
5. Perplexity AI – Search with Citations
Perplexity AI is like Google, but smarter and more reliable because it gives answers with citations.
Students usually spend a lot of time verifying sources for their essays and research papers. With Perplexity AI, answers come structured with reliable citations, making it easy to include them in academic projects.
For developers, Perplexity functions as a smarter search engine. It provides the latest information about frameworks, coding solutions, and official documentation without the hassle of browsing multiple sites.
Consider this: a student working on “Impact of AI on Healthcare” can get trustworthy references instantly. Similarly, a developer curious about Deno can ask “How to set up REST API in Deno?” and receive a structured answer with links to official docs.
These 5 tools ChatGPT, Codeium, NotebookLM, Canva AI, and Perplexity AI cover everything:
• 📚 Learning & Notes → ChatGPT + NotebookLM
• 💻 Coding & Debugging → ChatGPT + Codeium
• 🎨 Presentations & Designs → Canva AI
• 🔍 Research & Reliable Info → Perplexity AI
If you’re a student, they’ll help you study smarter. If you’re a developer, they’ll help you code faster. And if you’re both (like many of us), these tools will literally save your time and energy every single day.
