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Products & Applications

Back-to-school season brings free and discounted software deals for students and beyond

TechRadar highlights ways to get free or discounted software this back-to-school season, from student offers to employer perks and free apps.

AI News Feed · 2026-08-23 00:41

Education discounts are among the most common. For instance, students can get free access to web-based Microsoft 365 apps, while educational institutions receive the same deal. Students with a valid education email address can also get 50% off Microsoft 365 desktop apps, and buyers of qualifying PCs can get a free year of Microsoft 365 along with a year of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and an Xbox Wireless Controller. Other services offering student discounts include Amazon Prime, Adobe Creative Cloud, Apple Music, Evernote, Headspace, and Spotify.

Beyond students, certain professions qualify for free software. Journalists can receive free access to 1Password and Proton Pass, as well as Proton’s entire suite of apps including VPN, office apps, encrypted cloud storage, and email. VPN provider Windscribe is free for reporters and charity workers. Microsoft offers discounts to nonprofits on office apps, security software, and AI tools, while Google for Nonprofits gives NGOs free or discounted access to Google services. Even in other jobs, employers may have partnerships with app developers, so asking about discount schemes is worthwhile.

Operating systems often provide free apps that users may overlook. Microsoft, Google, and Apple all include free password managers; Apple’s is standalone, while Microsoft’s and Google’s are built into Edge and Chrome, working across platforms. MacOS comes with office apps like Pages, Numbers, and Keynote, and Google offers cloud-based office apps. Users should check cross-platform compatibility, especially if they use devices on different systems.

For those who prefer not to rely on discounts, several fully free apps remain powerful. Video editor DaVinci Resolve, used professionally in the film industry, has a free version. LibreOffice is a robust Microsoft Office alternative without payment, and VLC plays nearly any video format at no cost. However, free apps may have limitations compared to paid ones, so users should verify they meet their needs.