Best Subscription Services for Students (With Discounts)

09/04/2025 · Tips & Guides

Being a student doesn’t mean settling for the free tier. Many of the tools you rely on—music, productivity, design, learning—offer real student pricing once you verify enrollment. Below is a carefully curated list of services students love, how the discounts typically work, and quick tips to claim your savings fast.

How to use this guide: Each pick includes what it’s best for, how student pricing is usually verified, and a “claim tips” line so you don’t get stuck at checkout. Exact discounts vary by region and time—always check the final price at signup.

How We Chose

  • Everyday usefulness: music, study, design, cloud, security, and learning.

  • Clear eligibility: partners like UNiDAYS, Student Beans, SheerID, ID.me, or school-portal login.

  • Good value: true student tiers or long free trials—not just tiny coupons.

  • Low friction: easy to cancel or pause during exams or breaks.

Music & Video

Spotify Student (often with extras)

Best for: all-in-one listening while studying or commuting.
Why it’s good: a dedicated student plan and frequent bundles (e.g., Hulu/Showtime in some regions in past years).
Verify via: SheerID.
Claim tips: If the email gate blocks you, look for “Verify another way” to upload an enrollment letter or use school-portal login.

Apple Music Student

Best for: iPhone/iPad users who want seamless Siri + Apple ecosystem.
Verify via: UNiDAYS.
Claim tips: If you don’t see your school listed, choose document upload. New admits can try with an offer letter.

YouTube Music / Premium Student

Best for: background listening without ads + picture-in-picture on mobile.
Verify via: SheerID.
Claim tips: Trials differ by country; set a calendar reminder before renewal.

Creativity & Design

Adobe Creative Cloud Student Plan

Best for: design majors, video editors, photographers.
Why it’s good: access to Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, Lightroom and more under a single student license.
Verify via: SheerID / school documentation.
Claim tips: If you won’t need all apps long-term, subscribe during project-heavy terms and pause later.

Canva for Students / Education

Best for: fast posters, presentations, social graphics.
Why it’s good: templates and team collaboration.
Verify via: education eligibility (varies by country and institution).
Claim tips: Pair with your group projects; brand kits save time on repeat assignments.

Autodesk for Students

Best for: engineering, architecture, 3D design (AutoCAD, Maya, Fusion).
Verify via: Autodesk Education (enrollment documents).
Claim tips: Licenses are time-limited—renew each academic year.

Writing, Notes & Productivity

Microsoft 365 Education (school-provided)

Best for: Word/Excel/PowerPoint/OneNote in classes that require .docx/.xlsx.
Verify via: your institution (many provide it free or at a deep discount).
Claim tips: If your school doesn’t provide email accounts, ask IT for portal access or a manual eligibility letter.

Notion for Students

Best for: one workspace for notes, tasks, and projects.
Why it’s good: pro-level features often unlocked for students.
Verify via: school email or documents via partners; availability varies.
Claim tips: Build a class hub—syllabus, deadlines, reading notes—in one page to avoid app-hopping.

Evernote / Obsidian / Craft (check student pricing)

Best for: personal knowledge bases.
Claim tips: Many note apps run seasonal student deals—search their help pages or contact support for manual verification.

Coding & Tech

GitHub Student Developer Pack

Best for: CS majors and side projects.
Why it’s good: a bundle of developer tools, credits, and courses from partner companies.
Verify via: GitHub Education (documents or school email).
Claim tips: Even non-CS students building personal sites can benefit from domain credits and hosting perks.

JetBrains Educational Licenses

Best for: IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm for coursework.
Verify via: JetBrains student verification.
Claim tips: Re-verify before the license expires; it’s typically renewable while enrolled.

Cloud Storage & Utilities

Dropbox / Google Drive / OneDrive (student offers vary)

Best for: big group projects and research data.
Claim tips: Before paying, check whether your school already provides generous storage through Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace.

1Password / Other Password Managers (student offers vary)

Best for: keeping school logins and internship accounts safe.
Claim tips: Many managers offer extended trials or student discounts—ask support for manual verification if you lack a school email.

Learning & Career

LinkedIn Learning / Coursera / Udemy (student access varies)

Best for: quick skills to boost internships and job-ready projects.
Claim tips: Some universities bundle access for free; check your library or IT portal before purchasing.

The New York Times / The Economist / Financial Times (student pricing)

Best for: staying informed for essays, debates, and interviews.
Verify via: SheerID or direct school ID.
Claim tips: Annual student plans can be far cheaper than monthly—compare before you click.

Security & VPN

Reputable VPNs with student pricing (varies)

Best for: campus Wi-Fi privacy and accessing course content while traveling.
Claim tips: Avoid free VPNs for coursework; look for transparent privacy policies and student verification via partners.

Fast Claim Checklist

  1. Pick the service and look for Student or Education pricing.

  2. If asked for a school email, click “Verify another way” (document upload or school portal).

  3. Prepare one clear document showing your name, school, and current term (student ID, enrollment letter, class schedule, or tuition receipt).

  4. Redact student numbers and billing info, keep dates visible.

  5. Save a “Proof Pack” folder (ID photo + enrollment letter) for quick reuse across services.

Where to Find Actual Deals (On Our Site)

We track student-only offers across categories. Start here:

Tip: If a checkout page won’t accept anything but a school email, message support and ask for manual verification with your enrollment letter. It works more often than you think.

Quick Picks by Situation

  • Design majors: Adobe Creative Cloud, Autodesk, Canva

  • Note-taking power users: Notion, Microsoft 365 (via school), plus a cloud drive

  • CS & data: GitHub Student Pack, JetBrains, cloud credits from your school

  • News and research: NYT/Economist/FT student plans, your library’s databases

  • Budget + focus: Music student plans (Spotify/Apple/YouTube) + a password manager

FAQ

Do I need to be full-time?
Not always. Many services accept part-time or continuing education with proof of current enrollment.

What if my school doesn’t issue email addresses?
Use document upload or school-portal login. An admission letter often works if your term hasn’t started.

Are international students eligible?
Yes—if your institution is recognized. Provide documents in English or attach a short explanation.

How do I avoid auto-renew surprises?
Use a dedicated “subscription” calendar and set reminders for renewal dates. Pause during exam periods if the service allows.