# Shovel Study Planner — user reviews > 82 indexed App Store user reviews of Shovel Study Planner by How To Study Smart, LLC, rated 4.10/5 from 195 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shovel-study-planner/id1467742357/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shovel-study-planner/id1467742357.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 119 · 4★ 29 · 3★ 15 · 2★ 8 · 1★ 24 ## What do users think of Shovel Study Planner? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - 📚 Excellent for student organization and time management - ⏱️ Unique time-blocking and scheduling features - 🎓 Course and assignment-focused organization system - 💻 Desktop/web version works reliably and comprehensively - 🎨 Clean, minimalist, and aesthetically pleasing interface - 👥 Responsive and helpful customer support team - 🔄 Syncs with Canvas assignments and courses - ✅ Effective for reducing procrastination and stress - 🧠 Particularly helpful for ADHD and anxiety management **Cons** - 🐛 Mobile app frequently crashes and becomes unresponsive - 📱 Mobile app significantly less functional than web version - ⚠️ App shows blank screens and fails to load content - 🔌 Requires constant internet connection, no offline access - 🛠️ Appears to be abandoned with no recent updates - 💰 Expensive pricing for student budget - ⚙️ Requires desktop setup before mobile use - 📲 Limited mobile editing and modification capabilities - 🔐 Widget authentication issues and login problems - 📊 Missing monthly calendar view on mobile - 🎯 Mobile app lacks key features from desktop version **Commonly reported bugs** - App crashes when attempting to edit task times - Blank white screen on app launch - Touch input not responding on iPad with Apple Pencil - Tasks and calendar items disappear after login - Tasks fail to save when entered - Widget shows 'log in' prompt despite being logged in - Notifications arrive at wrong times or not at all - Dropdown menus extend beyond screen on iPhone - App freezes when trying to resize tasks - SSL certificate lapsed, preventing login access - App crashes when typing in new task times - Duplicate notifications sent for single tasks - Calendar refresh is slow - Drag-to-reschedule functionality doesn't work properly - Free trial data disappears after trial ends without warning - App won't recognize password after web signup **Most requested features** - Push notifications for tasks and assignments - Dark mode for mobile app - Widget functionality that works reliably - Offline access and offline storage - Landscape mode for iPad - Monthly calendar view on mobile - Task repeat/recurring task options - Ability to edit and add tasks fully on mobile - Integration with Google Calendar - Pomodoro timer feature - Support for 6-day school cycles - Non-school related task/to-do list functionality - Downloadable desktop app for Mac - In-app purchase option for premium version - Better iPad optimization - Cushion feature on mobile app ## Newest reviews (14 of 82) ### 3/5 — Love Desktop App *2025-08-20, version 3.1.3* Like I said, the execution in browser is very good, I would love to be able to view my schedule on the go though so please put this app back in development!!! ### 3/5 — Crashing *2024-11-28, version 3.1.2* App is great for task list, crashes about every month with a plain white screen. Have to delete and reinstall, such a pain. Desktop app on computer works flawlessly and the program is great. ### 2/5 — App and website glitch *2024-10-14, version 3.1.2* So there have been a few times where the app has completely glitched for days. I have had to erase the app and redownload it. When you are in a hurry this can be a problem. Both the website and the app are not reliable. It is a great platform but needs many changes. ### 2/5 — The concept is amazing but: *2024-10-02, version 3.1.2* I have a lifetime membership because I love this concept so much but I am disappointed that the widgets disappeared with iOS 18. Considering that the phone app is always crashing it was nice to be able to at least see a weekly overview of classes and and assignments from widget view without going into the app especially in different focus modes. ### 3/5 — Really good app, but unusable due to developers not working on it anymore *2023-11-15* This app is so so good, I wish I could use it as there isn’t an app like it. However the developers have unfortunately stopped working on it (last update 2 years ago). It works fine on the web app, but this app crashes all the time, you can’t do anything and your schedule doesn’t load half the time. Also it seems notifications don’t work half the time, both in the app and on the web app. This is a requirement for me, and unfortunately I can’t use this because of it. ### 4/5 — A little bug *2023-11-10* Hi, so I love this app. It is really helping with my productivity. I want to mention something I noticed. When trying to schedule a last minute task through the phone- it is really difficult to click "plan". Like idk if being able to zoom in and out would help but it is impossible to click. And moving tasks to allot less time doesn't seem to help. Please ### 3/5 — Such a good planner I wish the app didn’t have bugs 😭 *2023-09-11, version 3.0.3* The shovel desktop app is literally amazing and so comprehensive but to take full use of its features like time tracking or to change my schedule on the go I need the mobile app. Unfortunately it literally crashes whenever I try to do anything that isn’t just checking data I already entered on the desktop site 😭 I’m actually devastated because it’s so inconvenient now to use such a great tool 😭 ### 3/5 — IOS review *2023-05-25, version 3.0.3* I love Shovel, however the IOS app has tons of bugs. Web app is also slow for me. ### 4/5 — Great concept that needs attention *2023-05-15* This app has a such a great concept behind it that really gives me, a grad student with a full time job, hope I can get everything done without any of my work suffering. But, there are a few tiny glitches that get annoying when they pile up. 1) The widget doesn’t work because it doesn’t stay “logged in” when the app is logged in. 2) There’s no way to add a widget to the Home Screen for the latest update. 3) The phone app is just kinda slow and lacks functionally (which I can accept if everything else worked perfectly). 4) My app sends two notifications for plans: one for the actual time duration and another for the time it starts up until 11:59pm. Again, not a huge issue but annoying. This app has so much potential and I really don’t want to see it stop getting the updates it needs. I’m on my free trial and I’m concerned about subscribing because it feels like this app will gradually lose more and more functionality. I know that it’s primarily for Desktop and I do it use it that way, but I’m on my phone WAY more than my computer. I’d love to see this app grow and continue using it over the next three years! ### 2/5 — Clunky *2023-04-10, version 3.0.3* Slow, clunky, widget always says I need to log in even though I am ### 4/5 — Better mobile version please *2023-03-31, version 3.0.3* Website version is 5/5, however there are some issues when using on mobile: 1. No week view 2. Refresh/updating the calendar is slow 3. Some functions are not available e.g., option to repeat a task I find myself just opening a web browser on my mobile rather than using the app. ### 2/5 — The website is GREAT! The app…not so much *2023-02-25* I use Shovel for my online college classes and most of the time it works great! However, the app has many glitches and it’s harder to organize and plan your class schedule through the app then on their website. The only reason I have the app is just so I can see what my schedule is on the go, that’s about all it’s good for. ### 3/5 — Great but has some issues *2022-09-18* I am super glad I found shovel. I’m only a few weeks into college, but Shovel has already been super helpful. It has been great on my MacBook Air but has some issues on the iPhone app. First, it’s super hard to adjust the time on a task or event on your phone. When I try to drag it, it doesn’t move well. When I try to type in the new times, it causes the app to crash. The app also crashes randomly. My other main issue is with the notifications. Despite the fact I have my settings set to notify me 15 minutes prior to the start of a task, it does not notify me until one minute after the start time. These problems are incredibly inconvenient. Other than that, I find this to be helpful. I don’t use the mobile app too much simply because of these issues, but the computer site seems fine for now. If the mobile app issues ever get fixed, I will change my rating, but for now, it will stay as it is. ### 1/5 — Shovel is great, app is not *2022-07-19, version 3.0.3* Sorry fellas, but the app is not good. Thoroughly recommend the browser based service though ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Is this thing on? *2026-01-23, version 3.2.0* I have this app on my computer and phone and figured I’d install on my iPad so I can work and track my studies whatever tool I’m using. I installed and the app opens to the calendar but doesn’t respond to any touch with my hand or pencil pro. What is the deal? ### 1/5 — app doesn’t work *2024-11-23, version 3.1.2* it worked in the beginning, when i bought the lifetime subscription everything stopped working. i emailed about the issue and was told to delete and reinstall. worked for a bit, then back to blank pages. i spent so much just for absolutely nothing. really disappointing ### 1/5 — App not working *2024-10-14, version 3.1.2* Just shows a blank screen when I open it. I still use the desktop app so I’m worried the same will happen to that ### 1/5 — really bad *2024-03-13* i love the shovel web app on mac, and i have the lifetime plan, but this app is awful. whenever i try to open it it is completely blank and doesn’t even attempt to load. i literally am only able to use it like 1/30 times i try because it’s so unreliable. would be really great to be able to see my schedule from my phone but i never can seem to. please fix this!!! ### 1/5 — non functioning app *2024-01-25, version 3.0.3* the app doesn’t not work all sections of the app are blank except for settings and adding a task. you can’t even see the task after you have added it though. widgets don’t work display “log into your account” even though it is already logged in. waste of a download. would give no stars if i could because it’s not even an app ### 1/5 — Lol it cost $449 to sign up then $198 yearly *2024-01-06, version 3.0.3* What student can afford that? ### 1/5 — Great website, horrible app *2023-08-08, version 3.0.3* The app keeps crashing and bugging. It’s frustrating because online, it works so week and is easy to use. I love the website, it’s so helpful but the app needs a lot of work. ### 1/5 — Beware: The app is dead *2023-04-12* I downloaded Shovel ages ago, but the weak mobile app lead me to trial other, better software. But, before I purchased the lifetime subscription, I made sure to ask whether the app was being continually developed, I was assured that it was — it was not. Further, I did my research before making this claim. A quick search on LinkedIn shows that all the team members, besides the founders no longer work at the company and stopped working there right around the time of the last big update. That means no software engineers — it’s dead. At one point, the website’s SSL certificate had lapsed for months, and I wasn’t even able to log on. It’s back up now, but why on earth would I trust it to not happen again? Don’t waste your money. Although the app works, it won’t be updated. And it’s mobile app is very weak anyway. I’d only consider using the app if you are content with primarily using the web version and hoping the app stays stable enough to work for a couple more years. Here’s a list of other options that are somewhat similar to Shovel’s (very unique functionality): TimeFinder, SuperPlanner, Structured, Sorted 3, and TickTick. Do yourself a favor and use one of those actively developed apps. As for Shovel’s developers, consider taking the app off the App Store. Or correct me if I’m wrong, either way, users deserve better. ### 1/5 — SO DISAPPOINTED *2022-12-24, version 3.0.3* I was SO excited to use this app & I actually paid for it! Kicking myself now! There’s NO WAY to contact support to talk to them about this - either within the app or on the webpage that I can easily see anyway! It says “chat with us” in the app settings when you press on it it takes you to their website and there is no contact us or chat etc? Pointless! I loved the look of this app and the time blocking etc … I loved the idea of the cushion feature. I set it all up on my Mac and then logged into my phone and all it has is- a single page where you can only see today. You can’t scroll to any other day you can’t see your calendar as a whole you literally cannot see what you have planned for the rest of the week or month or year! It will only allow you to see today. That so stupid. And then it doesn’t have the cushion feature on the phone at all?! And that literally all you can do expect add tasks it appears but what’s the point when you can’t add anything that you can see and you can’t add tasks to a calendar you cannot see past one day into?! How do I know if when I try to add a task for next week it won’t be conflicting with something else because I can’t even see tomorrow yet alone next week. I feel like this could have been a great app. But all it is is extra software that only works on your computer and we live off our phones. Very very disappointed. Wish I had tested this during the trial but I’m heavily pregnant and sick with Covid while also trying to study I’ve the Xmas holiday period with a toddler and I was desperate to make this all work. So I paid for the app. I’ll be asking for a refund as it’s a lie. It shows in this app listing that you CAN see more than just today so it’s dishonest in the biggest way! It’s a totally false product. You had ONE job- to sell the same product you advertised. One job! *UPDATE*: I’ve just gone back into this ridiculous pointless app and tried so hard to do anything. It clearly shows you what you can see in the screenshots you have advertised but that’s not the truth at all! PEOPLE BE AWARE THOSE PHOTOS ARE NOT INDICATIVE OF WHAT THE APP IS OR LOOKS LIKE OR IS EVEN SLIGHTLY ABLE TO DO! I WISH I could upload the angering screenshots of this expensive app I bought - I’m a single mum studying medical subjects full time and I just don’t have the money to waste on apps that don’t work! But honestly I’ve never had an app sold to me that is so dishonest in what it can do and what it looks like! The differences are MASSIVE compared to the screenshots you sell! - I don’t know where the screenshots you use in this app listing from because that is NOTHING like what the actual app has. It is so basic and doesn’t have anything but one day view you can’t add tasks as the drop down menu is hidden when you open it as it’s too big for the iPhone. You can even delete or change a task cos the menu drops down way out the screen view?! - you can’t see your calendar like you show again on your screenshots on the App Store! - the settings are literally just “chat with us” and when you click on that to get some help it directs you to a video about how great your app is on your website but there is no contact us function/option/ability?! No wonder people leave negative reviews here we can’t contact you any other way about something you SOLD TO US and lied in the description/your videos and your clearly totally mocked-up screenshots on this App Store listing! Then it has settings to “customise” your notifications and I use customise VERY loosely here because the only customisation options are just to change how many mins before a task or event you want an alert?! Most free apps offer dar more customisation than this quite expensive for a student - and I’m also a single mum now - paid app! So saddening I wish I hadn’t been so sick with Covid and I had gone and checked the iPhone app after I set everything up on my Mac using your website as you clearly direct us to do in your videos etc -People said below you don’t warn us about this but you absolutely do so credit where credit is due but literally that’s where the credit stops unfortunately:( - the cushion feature is entirely non-existent on the mobile app?! That’s a deal breaker becayse that is one of the deciding factors in paying to use this app! But it’s not included on the iPhone?! Why? And why do you show fake screenshots of your app on an iPhone. When that is NOT what your app looks like or even is capable of doing even after you have set it up on your mac? I’ll be finding another software and app maybe even one I pay more for after I trial it. But this has really broken my trust in app developers - again. Sad to say “again” it’s the Wild West in the App Store and anyone can and WILL rip you off! PLEASE PEOPLE USE THE FREE TRIAL AND SET IT UP ON THE WEBSITE AND IMMEDIATELY GO AND TRY TO USE ALL THE FEATURES ON IPHONE. YOU WILL BE BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED. I would suggest - do you don’t waste hours and hours of time like I have inputting all your data only to go to the app and realise it doesn’t do even 1/4 of what the listing states/advertises and their totally fake screenshots that are showing here in the App Store as their selling point. So just chick in a few things and then jump over and log into the App Store and you will see how bad it is for yourself and you won’t have wasted HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS breaking down your syllabi and inputting all that info into a useless app! This review has become way too long and I have a toddler with Covid to look after but I wanted to make sure that anyone else living in students income struggling to make ends meet doesn’t fall prey to a dishonest app developer if I can help it at all! Like I have just done! Cancelling my subscription and I’ll be trying to get a refund and I’m reporting them to apple and sending apple all the screenshots of what my app doesn’t do compared to what they promise and actually show what it’s supposed to do! ### 1/5 — Missing vital information *2022-09-18, version 3.0.3* You don’t say anywhere that I need a computer to set up. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Favourite app!! *2025-01-12, version 3.1.2* Shovel is definitely of my favourite apps out of many others I have tried. It helps me keep track of my timetable and schedule, as well as any deadlines for assignments. I love the idea and the aesthetics that are put behind this app, and the visuals help me understand exactly what I need to do today. Overall, great app for busy students, and anyone else who wants to conquer procrastination!! ### 5/5 — App Keeps Crashing *2024-12-03, version 3.1.2* I’m a lifetime member and i’m satisfied with The desktop version it works fine and the app has been very helpful in the past but this semester the App has been crashing all the time and wayy too buggy. needs to be fixed. ### 5/5 — Amazing tool! Amazing customer support. *2024-09-08, version 3.1.2* I’ve used this app for years. Its amazing. I had trouble on my iPad and iPhone thought but after convo with Petr, he suggested it might be a setting on my phone causing it. I hadn’t even considered that! If you have trouble on iPad or iPhone, check your app specific settings. I had the background app refresh turned off for all my apps, hoping to save battery life. Turned it back on and it works perfectly! I highly recommend this product and to be honest I very rarely do that. The customer service the offer is absolutely excellent! That’s so important because you know you’ll get help if there is an issue. I think I’ve been using this app for 4 or 5 years now and it’s honestly so helpful! ### 5/5 — Love it, but… *2023-07-27, version 3.0.3* This app has saved my life, as someone who gets overwhelmed by trying to mentally plan time for everything this is a godsend. I just wish the widget would work though! I have the widget on both my Ipad and Iphone but they just have blank screens with the shovel logo on top. I use this for Uni and would love to use the widget for easy viewing of my day! ### 5/5 — Great for school! *2022-10-19* The main reason I use shovel rather than Google Calendar is for the course/task focused way that things are organized. Helps a ton for super busy people where you need to be as efficient as possible when planning your schedule. There are problems with the app but the website is pretty good (and where I spend most of my time anyway). Devs are super responsive too! ### 5/5 — One of the apps for college students. *2022-10-07* Without a doubt, it’s one of the best planning/scheduling apps out there which are dedicated to students. I just wish they add more useful features (like dark mode and a pomodoro timer). ### 5/5 — Amazing *2022-05-10, version 3.0.3* If you make it accessible offline as well that would be nice ### 5/5 — Amazing for planning and organising *2022-04-27, version 3.0.3* I’ve stumbled across this by chance and it’s exactly what I’ve been searching for for years! You can plan and schedule your whole day by the minute with easy input including personal tasks and plan assignments around due dates. If you’re ADHD brain needs something to break down your days and tasks this is the calendar for you! Yes there’s a few after the trial but it’s minimal compared to others out there ### 5/5 — Lifesaver *2022-02-19* I actually don’t know what I would do without this app! I have ADHD and planners have NEVER worked for me. I end up forgetting about them and they don’t help, I’ve even tried notion which everyone raves about and other similar apps. The only thing I’ve EVER found that actually helps me not miss assignments and due dates is a combination of shovel and Google calendar. I’m currently a straight A student in college and have never missed a single assignment or been blindsided by an exam thanks to shovel. Forever grateful for this app ### 5/5 — Worth it *2021-12-06, version 3.0.3* I love it for the purpose of the grade & gpa tracker. I love the task, teacher contacts and scheduling and that it’s all in one place that said it’s not a great replacement for an entire calendar app. there’s no monthly view & it misses the mark on overall calendar capabilities so i don’t use this as a whole one life schedule but strictly for school. Those things are made up for tho with the first mentioned features. Think of this like notion but it’s setup is already pre made, that’s why I love it. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-07.*