Comparison

MyStudyPlan vs Shovel Study Planner

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

MyStudyPlan

This app helps students organize their study time for exams by creating personalized study plans. It allows users to input exam details, set study preferences, and then generates a customizable schedule. Users can track progress, set reminders, and share their plans.

Highlights
  • Personalized study plan generation
  • Customizable exam schedules
  • Study progress tracking
  • Exam and subject management
  • Printable calendar and list sharing
  • Study reminders
Features
Read full description

Do you need help organising your study time before important exams? Qualification Scotland’s MyStudyPlan app will automatically create your own personalised study plan based on your exam times, their importance and when you want to study. Once the study plan is generated you can view and edit it to customise it further to meet your needs. You can then share your plan as a printable calendar or list. You can track study progress using the study timer and get optional reminders on the days you plan to study. The app is ideal for learners of all ages from school pupils and college students to adult learners. Key features are: - Adding subjects and exams - Importing exams from QS MyExams - Setting your preferred study period for each subject - Prioritisation of subjects - Setting the times when you want to study - Automatic generation of study plan based on your preferences - Editing your plan - Share your plan - Print your plan as a calendar or list - Study reminders Qualifications Scotland is the national accreditation and awarding body in Scotland. Disclaimer ---------- This application and its content belongs exclusively to Qualifications Scotland, an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Scottish Government’s Learning Directorate. Qualifications Scotland makes no warranty or representation that the use of this application will improve examination performance. It is intended as a study aid and should be treated as such. Qualifications Scotland makes all reasonable efforts to ensure that all information provided through this application is accurate at the time of inclusion. Information may also be updated or changed at any time without notice.

About

Shovel Study Planner

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
Read full description

Become a STRESS-FREE student with TIME-BLOCKING and proper EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS. **This is only a companion app. Requires account setup on our web platform shovelapp.io** Shovel is a unique study planner that will help you build a solid foundation for life. Shovel is the only study planner that will tell you if you can get every task done on time or if you need to adjust your schedule, way before you run into trouble! SHOVEL FEATURES: TIME-BLOCKING • Plan exactly WHAT task you will work on, WHEN, and for HOW LONG. TIME CUSHION • Know if you have enough time to get your task done on time, continuously in REAL-TIME. EVERY TASK FROM EVERY CLASS IN ONE PLACE • Real-time information on every task • The Time You Have Available • The Time You Need to Complete Every Task • Time Cushion Information for Every Task YOUR IDEAL SCHEDULE • Build your dream week. Block out the times when you’re busy, including 'Me-Time' for fun and personal activities and see how it affects your study schedule going forward. Shovel will tell you if you can do it all, or if you need to adjust your plan. ROTATING CLASS SCHEDULE • Create events that repeat every XX weeks with ease. DETAILED TASK MANAGEMENT • Know how long each reading will take (we do the math for you!) • Estimate how long to study for each exam • Estimate how long you need for each assignment • See how changes affect your future study time • Track your progress on every task • Move tasks to Completed or Do-Later • Adjust on the go PLANNER ON STEROIDS • Assign tasks to specific study times • Know how long you’ll work on each task and when • See which tasks you haven’t planned or how much of a task you haven’t planned yet TIMELINE OF EVERY DAY • See how you use every minute • Classes, Activities, Meals, Me Time, and Events • Even the time you spend walking to and from • Unplanned Study Times • Planned Study Times (with the tasks you plan on doing) NOTIFICATIONS • Never miss a beat. Get notified about the things you have to do, and make sure you record the things you've done. TIME EVERYTHING • Use a built-in timer to track time spent on each task WEIGHTED GRADES • Know how you're doing in each class by putting in your grades properly weighted based on your grading rubric CREATE • Tasks • Weekly commitments • Events ADJUST ON THE GO • Adjust time needed based on your progress • Adjust estimated reading times with one click and instantly see how it affects your schedule • Adjust anything in your schedule COLLEGE IN YOUR POCKET • Your entire semester at your fingertips With Shovel, there are no surprises. You’ll be in complete control of your studies. You’ll know what’s next, how long it will take, if you have time to get it done, and when you’ll get it done. Get organized and become the best student you can be. *** REQUIRES SETUP IN WEB APP FIRST*** Because college syllabi have a lot of information, the fastest way for you to get started is to set everything up on your laptop in the Shovel web-app. Sign up at: https://shovelapp.io *** QUESTIONS*** Go to our website https://shovelapp.io and use the chat. We'll be more than happy to help.

Screenshots

MyStudyPlan4 screens
Shovel Study Planner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: MyStudyPlan at none against Shovel Study Planner's 2. MyStudyPlan also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.5). Shovel Study Planner's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Shovel Study Planner sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. MyStudyPlan asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MyStudyPlan ships an update every 4 months, Shovel Study Planner every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
MyStudyPlan versus Shovel Study Planner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMyStudyPlanShovel Study Planner
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.1 (195 ratings) — better
Positive reviews48.6% of reviews52.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—195 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.5
Further details — not scored
Size27 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperScottish Qualifications AuthorityHow To Study Smart, LLC

Customer experience

MyStudyPlan

Written reviews70 reviews
Positive48.6%
Neutral15.7%
Negative35.7%

Shovel Study Planner

All ratings195 ratings
Positive75.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative16.4%
Written reviews107 reviews
Positive52.3%
Neutral17.8%
Negative29.9%

User reviews

MyStudyPlan

From App Store reviews

What we love

  • 👍 Great for organizing revision
  • 👍 Helps manage time effectively
  • 👍 Tailored timetables based on priority
  • 👍 Free and easy to use
  • 👍 Useful timer function

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Lost progress after updates
  • 🐛 Confusing new UI
  • 🐛 Unpredictable study session lengths
  • 🐛 Inability to add/edit study sessions

Shovel Study Planner

From 195 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 📚 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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

Bugs and requests

MyStudyPlan

Reported bugs

34 issues
  • App crashes when changing study time
  • App crashes and deletes progress
  • Study plan shows no plan even after setting availability
  • Progress deleted after UI update
  • Cannot add study time to subjects not on the plan
Show 29 more
  • Study time is not broken down well
  • Cannot add hours manually
  • No 45-minute study block session
  • Study plan generates unrealistic session lengths
  • Progress wiped out after upgrade
  • Lost all progress after app update
  • App stops at one hour, doesn't record longer sessions
  • Tracking feature is terrible, changes subjects and times
  • Study history put into wrong days
  • App crashes frequently, requires manual setup
  • Timer resets when phone is locked
  • Schedule resets when free time/priorities are changed
  • Timer sometimes resets
  • Timer doesn't work correctly, progress disappears
  • Update cleared all recorded revision
  • Hard to work with, changing one thing changes others
  • Cannot add anything to a set schedule
  • Adding another exam rearranges study plan and progress
  • Blocks studying as straight day sessions of one subject
  • Timer sometimes resets
  • Timer keeps resetting
  • Timer doesn't work, progress disappears
  • Update cleared revision history
  • Cannot add topics within subjects
  • Cannot add sessions to a set schedule
  • App crashes after setting timer
  • Timer will reset
  • Timer resets
  • Timer doesn't work!

Requested features

34 requests
  • Revert to the old version
  • Fix bugs and crashes
  • Improve UI/UX
  • Allow manual editing of study sessions
  • Export timetable as PDF/image
Show 29 more
  • View schedule in list or calendar form
  • Export timetable to device calendar
  • Increase maximum study time per session
  • Add a 45-minute study block option
  • Automatically program missed sessions
  • Easier recording of missed sessions
  • Add topics within subjects
  • Undo time added to wrong subject
  • Allow voluntary revision timer for unplanned subjects
  • Optional account for data syncing across devices
  • Add quizzes or study material within the app
  • Improve handling of rotating weekly schedules
  • Add notifications/reminders for daily tasks
  • Integrate with iOS calendar
  • Improve statistics tracking
  • Add interactive checklist
  • Add alarm for timer completion
  • Make the app more colorful
  • Separate subjects by topic areas
  • Add a button to input completed revision
  • Fix timer resetting issue
  • Allow adding topics within subjects
  • Add mini-games for distraction
  • Remove negative feedback for not sticking to timetable
  • Add group chat functionality
  • Allow users to input specific time slots for activities
  • Add notifications for when it's time to revise
  • Recalculate schedule if sessions are missed
  • Add a proper alarm for break timers

Shovel Study Planner

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • 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
Show 11 more
  • 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

Requested features

16 requests
  • 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
Show 11 more
  • 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

In-app purchases

None

MyStudyPlan

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Shovel Study Planner

One-time2
  • Lifetime plan$13.99
  • Lifetime plan$46.99

Questions

Is MyStudyPlan free?
MyStudyPlan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Shovel Study Planner free?
Shovel Study Planner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MyStudyPlan or Shovel Study Planner have ads?
Neither MyStudyPlan nor Shovel Study Planner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MyStudyPlan or Shovel Study Planner?
MyStudyPlan ships an update every 4 months, and Shovel Study Planner every 5 weeks. Most recently, MyStudyPlan was updated on September 29, 2026 and Shovel Study Planner on October 1, 2026.

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