# Shovel Study Planner vs Study Planner & Exam Countdown

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Shovel Study Planner at 52% against Study Planner & Exam Countdown's 0%. Shovel Study Planner also leads on rating (4.1 vs 1.5) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 9 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Shovel Study Planner sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Study Planner & Exam Countdown sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Shovel Study Planner holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 1.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Shovel Study Planner has 195 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Shovel Study Planner's written reviews are positive against 0% of Study Planner & Exam Countdown's.

Shovel Study Planner ships an update every 5 weeks, Study Planner & Exam Countdown every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Shovel Study Planner | Study Planner & Exam Countdown |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.1 (195 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shovel-study-planner/id1467742357/reviews)** | [1.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/study-planner-and-exam-countdown/id1616012006/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **195** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | **52.3% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 9 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 28 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.5 | **14.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [How To Study Smart, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1467742356) | [Mikhail Chugaev](https://appshunter.io/developer/1569970466) |

## What reviewers say

### Shovel Study Planner

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shovel-study-planner/id1467742357)

This app helps students manage their academic workload through time-blocking and executive functioning skills. It predicts if tasks can be completed on time and allows for flexible schedule adjustments. It requires initial setup on a web platform.

**Highlights:** Time-blocking for tasks, Real-time time cushion estimates, Consolidated task management, Ideal schedule building, Rotating class schedule support, Detailed task progress tracking, Weighted grade calculation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lifetime plan | $13.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime plan | $46.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 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

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 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

**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

**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


### Study Planner & Exam Countdown

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/study-planner-and-exam-countdown/id1616012006)

This app helps students improve academic performance and develop effective study habits. It offers challenges, checklists, and date tracking to enhance motivation, focus, and organization. Achieve your academic goals with this comprehensive study companion.

**Highlights:** 30-day productivity challenges, Time management and focus skill development, Goal setting and organization tools, Important date and holiday tracking, Checklists for learning and focus, Motivation and academic goal achievement

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly PRO Account | $0.99 | per month |
| Monthly Premium | $0.99 | per month |
| Weekly Premium | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $4.99 | per month |
| Yearly Premium | $5.99 | per year |
| Annual PRO Account | $9.99 | per year |
| Yearly Premium | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Shovel Study Planner free?

Shovel Study Planner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Study Planner & Exam Countdown free?

Study Planner & Exam Countdown is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Shovel Study Planner or Study Planner & Exam Countdown?

Shovel Study Planner is rated higher. Shovel Study Planner averages 4.1 out of 5 from 195 ratings, while Study Planner & Exam Countdown averages 1.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do Shovel Study Planner or Study Planner & Exam Countdown have ads?

Neither Shovel Study Planner nor Study Planner & Exam Countdown shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Shovel Study Planner or Study Planner & Exam Countdown?

Shovel Study Planner ships an update every 5 weeks, and Study Planner & Exam Countdown every 9 months. Most recently, Shovel Study Planner was updated on October 18, 2026 and Study Planner & Exam Countdown on October 9, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*