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Alternatives · Daily Planners

Shovel alternatives

Shovel compared with 5 alternatives: MyStudyLife, Power Planner, School Assistant, FlowSavvy and Motion.

Shovel is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $39 per year ($3.25 per month), or $9.79 billed monthly. 4 of the 5 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.

5 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 9, 2026 · Where the facts come from

At a glance

ToolPriceFree planRuns on
ShovelThis toolFree trial · from $39/yrTrial onlyWeb, iOS, Android
MyStudyLifeFree plan · from $6.99/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
Power PlannerFree plan · from $4.99 one-timeYesWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android
School AssistantFreeFreemacOS, iOS
FlowSavvyFree plan · from $10/moYesWeb, iOS, Android
MotionFree trial · from $19/moTrial onlyWeb, macOS, Windows, iOS, Android

How each one differs from Shovel

  1. MyStudyLife

    Student planner for classes, homework, exams and grades

    • MyStudyLife starts at $6.99 per month, or $39.99 per year. Shovel starts at $39 per year ($3.25 per month), or $9.79 billed monthly.
    • MyStudyLife has a free plan. Shovel does not, though it has a free trial.
    • MyStudyLife also covers Pomodoro timer.
    • Shovel also covers time blocking.

    Suits: School and university students with rotating or block timetables

  2. Power Planner

    Homework planner with class schedules and GPA calculation

    • Power Planner starts at $4.99 one-time purchase (Premium, unlocks every platform). Shovel starts at $39 per year ($3.25 per month), or $9.79 billed monthly.
    • Power Planner has a free plan. Shovel does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only Power Planner lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Power Planner can be bought with a one-time purchase.
    • Shovel also covers time blocking.

    Suits: Students who want grades and GPA worked out next to their homework list

  3. School Assistant

    Free school planner for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch

    • School Assistant is free. Shovel starts at $39 per year ($3.25 per month), or $9.79 billed monthly.
    • School Assistant has a free plan. Shovel does not, though it has a free trial.
    • Only School Assistant lists a macOS app.
    • Only Shovel lists a web app.
    • Only Shovel lists an Android app.

    Suits: Students on Apple devices who want a planner at no cost

  4. FlowSavvy

    Calendar that auto-schedules tasks and replans when things change

    • FlowSavvy starts at $10 per month, billed yearly. Shovel starts at $39 per year ($3.25 per month), or $9.79 billed monthly.
    • FlowSavvy has a free plan. Shovel does not, though it has a free trial.
    • FlowSavvy also covers auto-scheduling.

    Suits: Individuals who want tasks placed on the calendar without manual time blocking

  5. Motion

    AI work planner that auto-schedules tasks on your calendar

    • Motion starts at $19 per seat / month on team plans, billed annually (individuals from $29). Shovel starts at $39 per year ($3.25 per month), or $9.79 billed monthly.
    • Only Motion lists macOS and Windows apps.
    • Motion also covers meeting notes, auto-scheduling and booking links.
    • Shovel also covers time blocking.

    Suits: People who want tasks placed on the calendar automatically

Limits worth knowing in Shovel

  • There is no free plan. Access needs a paid subscription once the 7-day trial ends.
  • The phone apps are companions: an account has to be set up in the web app first, and the vendor says not to use the mobile app on tablets.
  • On computers and tablets Shovel is installed from the browser as a progressive web app, not as a native desktop program.
  • The US App Store lists two "Lifetime plan" in-app purchases, at $13.99 and $46.99, that the website's pricing page does not mention.
Shovel pricing and details

Common questions

What are the alternatives to Shovel?

The alternatives to Shovel in this directory are MyStudyLife, Power Planner, School Assistant, FlowSavvy and Motion. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Shovel.

Is there a free alternative to Shovel?

Yes. School Assistant is free to use. MyStudyLife, Power Planner and FlowSavvy have a free plan alongside paid ones.

Which Shovel alternatives work on Windows?

The Shovel listing does not include a Windows app. Power Planner and Motion list one.

Which Shovel alternatives work on macOS?

The Shovel listing does not include a macOS app. Power Planner, School Assistant and Motion list one.

When were these prices checked?

Each listing shows its own date. On this page they run from Oct 4, 2026 to Oct 9, 2026. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.

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