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Head-to-head · Study Planner Apps

Sylly vs Shovel

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Sylly #6 in Study Planner Apps 7.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Sylly
Shovel #7 in Study Planner Apps 7.4/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Shovel

Sylly 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 scoreSylly · 7.5/10
  • Free planonly Sylly
  • Free trialonly Shovel

Sylly scores higher on our rubric for study planner apps: 7.5 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

Sylly offers free plan; Shovel doesn't.

Sylly is the better fit for students wanting AI notes and study materials. Shovel is the better fit for students wanting time-blocking with LMS imports.

  • Sylly fits best

    Students wanting AI notes and study materials

  • Shovel fits best

    Students wanting time-blocking with LMS imports

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Sylly 7.5/10 Visit ↗ Shovel 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.5 7.4
Ranking #6 in Study Planner Apps #7 in Study Planner Apps
Best for Students wanting AI notes and study materials Students wanting time-blocking with LMS imports
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $39/yr
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — 7 days
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Web, iOS Web, iOS, Android
Support Email Live chat
Integrations 1 integrations 7 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Sylly 4/5 · Shovel 4/5
Assignment tracking ✓ ✓
Exam planning ✓ ✓
Revision scheduling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Recurring study sessions Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Calendar sync ✓ ✓
Specs
Available platforms web, ios web, ios, android
Our review
Pros
  • Parses syllabi into deadlines, grade weights, and study sessions
  • Generates notes, flashcards, practice tests, and grounded study chat
  • Combines lecture transcription, grade tracking, and Apple Calendar export
  • 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
  • Available only on the web and iOS
  • Free Plan limits classes, AI generations, chat, and recording time
  • Calendar integration is limited to Apple Calendar
  • 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

Sylly is a study-planning workspace for university and post-secondary students who want course organization and AI study support in one place. It brings classes, syllabi, assignments, exams, lectures, notes, flashcards, practice tests,…

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. SyllyStudy Planner Apps 7.5Free plan
  2. ShovelStudy Planner Apps 7.47-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Sylly — where it wins

    • Parses syllabi into deadlines, grade weights, and study sessions
    • Generates notes, flashcards, practice tests, and grounded study chat
    • Combines lecture transcription, grade tracking, and Apple Calendar export

    Where it doesn't

    • Available only on the web and iOS
    • Free Plan limits classes, AI generations, chat, and recording time
    • Calendar integration is limited to Apple Calendar
  • 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
  • Sylly7.5/10 · Free plan

    A broad AI study workspace that brings planning, notes, revision, and grades together.

    Visit SyllyFull 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

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update