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Head-to-head · Study Planner Apps

Adapt vs Shovel

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Adapt #2 in Study Planner Apps 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Adapt
Shovel #7 in Study Planner Apps 7.4/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Shovel

Adapt leads on 1 check, Shovel on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAdapt · 7.9/10
  • Free planonly Adapt
  • Free trialonly Shovel
  • Most featuresShovel · 4 of 5

Adapt scores higher on our rubric for study planner apps: 7.9 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

Adapt offers free plan; Shovel doesn't.

Adapt is the better fit for exam students wanting lessons and feedback. Shovel is the better fit for students wanting time-blocking with LMS imports.

  • Adapt fits best

    Exam students wanting lessons and feedback

  • Shovel fits best

    Students wanting time-blocking with LMS imports

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Side by side

Feature Adapt 7.9/10 Visit ↗ Shovel 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.9 7.4
Ranking #2 in Study Planner Apps #7 in Study Planner Apps
Best for Exam students wanting lessons and feedback Students wanting time-blocking with LMS imports
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price £24.99/mo $39/yr
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Docs Live chat
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business
Features Adapt 3/5 · Shovel 4/5
Assignment tracking ✓ ✓
Exam planning ✓ ✓
Revision scheduling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Recurring study sessions Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Calendar sync Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Available platforms web, ios, android web, ios, android
Our review
Pros
  • Revision timetables update as students progress and availability changes.
  • Teacher-written lessons, audio content and past-paper questions support revision.
  • Instant examiner feedback, task tracking and Parent Portal add accountability.
  • Imports syllabus PDFs and connects with Canvas, Moodle, and Google Classroom
  • Combines workload estimates, time blocks, timers, grades, and progress tracking
  • Works across web, iOS, and Android with calendar integrations
Cons
  • The Free plan limits revision content and practice questions.
  • Ads appear on the Free plan.
  • Premium Monthly costs £24.99 per month.
  • No free plan is available
  • Desktop setup is required before using the mobile experience
  • The monthly plan costs $9.79, while the annual plan uses annual billing
Our verdict

Adapt is a revision planning and assessment app for GCSE, A Level and other supported qualifications. Students choose their subjects and receive a personalised timetable that automatically updates as they progress. The platform combines…

Read the review →

Shovel is a study-planning application for college students who need more than a basic task list. It brings coursework, assignments, exams, classes, activities, and available study time into one schedule. Students can import syllabus PDFs…

Read the review →
  1. AdaptStudy Planner Apps 7.9Free plan
  2. ShovelStudy Planner Apps 7.47-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Adapt — where it wins

    • Revision timetables update as students progress and availability changes.
    • Teacher-written lessons, audio content and past-paper questions support revision.
    • Instant examiner feedback, task tracking and Parent Portal add accountability.

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan limits revision content and practice questions.
    • Ads appear on the Free plan.
    • Premium Monthly costs £24.99 per month.

  • Shovel — where it wins

    • Imports syllabus PDFs and connects with Canvas, Moodle, and Google Classroom
    • Combines workload estimates, time blocks, timers, grades, and progress tracking
    • Works across web, iOS, and Android with calendar integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • Desktop setup is required before using the mobile experience
    • The monthly plan costs $9.79, while the annual plan uses annual billing
  • Adapt7.9/10 · Free plan

    A focused study planner pairing adaptive timetables with lessons, questions and feedback.

    Visit AdaptFull verdict →
  • Shovel7.4/10 · 7-day trial

    A focused planner for turning coursework, deadlines, and study time into a workable schedule.

    Visit ShovelFull verdict →

More comparisons

All study planner apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update