You rarely have to pay full price for software during your studies. Free software for students includes many programs that are free permanently (LibreOffice, GIMP, Thunderbird). Your university provides others through a campus licence, and paid providers such as Adobe charge students less. Your most important point of contact is your university’s computing centre, before you buy anything yourself.
Quick answer
You rarely pay full price for software as a student. Open programs such as LibreOffice, GIMP and Thunderbird are permanently free, universities often provide campus licences, and providers such as Adobe charge students less. Ask your university’s computing centre first, before you buy anything.
The most important points at a glance
- Open programs such as LibreOffice, GIMP, Thunderbird and VLC cost nothing and run on all common systems.
- You can often get office, statistics and development tools through your university. Ask there using your university email address.
- Student prices usually require proof, such as an enrolment certificate, and are often time-limited.
- Prices and terms change. Check the provider’s offer page before every order.
Where do you get free software for students?
Three routes combine well. The first is freely available programs that anyone may use at no cost. The second is your university’s offer, and the third is student discounts from manufacturers.
| Route | Examples | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Free software | LibreOffice, GIMP, Thunderbird, VLC, Sumatra PDF | Download only from the developer’s website |
| University offer | Microsoft 365, statistics software, campus licences | Access usually via your university email address or software portal |
| Student discount | Adobe Creative Cloud, Prezi | Proof required, check the price after the discount period |
If you are setting up a new device, start with the first two routes. Only if nothing suitable turns up there is it worth looking at student prices. You will find more money-saving tips beyond software in the article on student discounts (in German).
Which licence can I get through the university?
Many universities hold campus licences. You then get the programs free of charge or for a small contribution, as long as you are enrolled. Which ones are available differs from university to university.
Search the website of the computing centre or IT department for terms such as “software portal”, “campus licence” or “software for students”. Typical examples are Microsoft services, statistics programs such as SPSS or mathematics software such as MATLAB, and sometimes reference management software such as Citavi. Access usually runs through your university login. When your enrolment ends, the licence usually ends too, so save your files in open formats.
Is Office free for students?
Yes, in two ways. Many universities provide Microsoft 365 with Word, Excel and PowerPoint through your university email address. The computing centre can tell you whether and to what extent this is available. If you want to work independently of the university, use LibreOffice.
LibreOffice is a complete office suite with word processing, spreadsheets and presentations, and it also opens Word and Excel files. For complex formatting or your university’s templates, check the result as a PDF before you submit it, so that nothing shifts.
What does Adobe cost for students?
Adobe offers discounted Creative Cloud plans for students, for example for Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. Adobe sets the exact prices and the duration of the discount and changes them from time to time. Therefore, check the offer page for what applies after the discount period, and note the date in your calendar so the subscription does not become more expensive unnoticed.
If you only edit images occasionally, GIMP is often enough. The program is free, offers layers, masks and many filters, and copes well with posters and presentation graphics. It takes some getting used to, but it saves money permanently.
Which free programs are worth it for everyday use?
Operating system and development
Linux distributions such as Linux Mint, Debian or Ubuntu are free and popular in technical degree programmes. Some universities offer Windows to students at a reduced price or through the IT department, so ask there. For programming projects, several manufacturers provide development environments for students, for example JetBrains.
Email, PDF and media
Thunderbird manages university and private mailboxes in one place. If you communicate confidentially, you can encrypt your messages with GnuPG. Sumatra PDF opens scripts and e-books quickly, and VLC Media Player plays lecture videos and podcasts in almost any format.
Presentation, learning and organisation
Prezi has a free basic version, and paid plans offer extended features. We collect suitable helpers for planning and learning in the best apps for students (in German), and compare note-taking tools (in German). If you want to build knowledge in addition, you will find free learning resources on the internet (in German) and podcasts for studying (in German).
How do I recognise trustworthy downloads?
Download programs only from the manufacturer’s website or from your university’s software portal. Sites with many adverts and several download buttons often bundle programs with unwanted additional software.
- Check the address: Does the browser show the developer’s domain, for example libreoffice.org or gimp.org?
- Do not use “crack” or “keygen” offers. They are legally problematic and a frequent source of malware.
- When installing, untick additional offers and confirm only the software you want.
Can I claim software and a laptop for tax?
Costs for a laptop and software you need for your studies can be claimed in your tax return. In a first degree, they count only as special expenses up to €6,000 per year (section 10 EStG, in German), and this only has an effect if you have taxable income in the same year. If you have already completed a first training or a bachelor’s degree, for example in a master’s or a second degree, work-related expenses without an upper limit may be possible. This also applies if your studies take place within an employment relationship, such as a dual study programme (section 9 para. 6 EStG, in German). A recognisable link to your studies is required, and you should keep your invoices. Whether and to what extent this affects you is for the tax office or a tax adviser to clarify.
Frequently asked questions
Which software can I get free as a student?
Open programs such as LibreOffice, GIMP, Thunderbird and VLC are permanently free. In addition, your university may offer campus licences, often for Microsoft 365 and for statistics or development software. The exact offer is listed in the software portal or with your university’s computing centre.
Do I need proof for student discounts?
As a rule, yes. Common forms are an enrolment certificate, the university email address or a confirmation through the provider’s verification service. Which option applies is stated in the terms and conditions. Also check how long the discount runs.
Is LibreOffice enough for term papers?
For most term papers, yes. You can create tables of contents, footnotes, tables and literature references, and export to PDF. If your university prescribes a Word template, test the file before submission and export a PDF as a precaution.
Can I keep using the university licence after my studies?
Usually not. Campus licences are tied to your status as a student and expire when you are unenrolled. Secure your files in open formats in good time, and check whether the provider offers a transition.
How to proceed now
- Search the website of your university’s computing centre for software portal or campus licences.
- For everything else, install free programs directly from the developer.
- Compare student discounts only after that, and note the duration and the price that follows.
- Save your work in open formats such as PDF and ODT, so that you stay independent of any licence.
Sources
- Section 10 EStG, special expenses (para. 1 no. 7, in German), retrieved on 25.10.2026
- GIMP, developer’s project page, retrieved on 25.10.2026
- JetBrains, offers for students, retrieved on 25.10.2026
Related reading
- Student discounts: This is how you really save (in German)
- Apps for student life: The best helpers for your studies (in German)
- Digital notes during studies: The best tools compared (in German)
- Where to find free courses? The best learning platforms (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
