Best Apps for International Students in Germany (2026): Apps I Actually Use

 

When you first move to Germany, everyday things like checking a delayed train, receiving a package, buying groceries, or finding affordable furniture can feel more complicated than expected.

After living in Germany for several years as an international student, I have found that having the right apps makes daily life much easier — and sometimes cheaper too.

These are not just popular apps I found online. They are apps that I actually use or have found useful while living in Germany.

Here are some of the best apps for international students in Germany in 2026.

1. DB Navigator – Essential for Public Transport

If you use public transportation in Germany, DB Navigator is one of the first apps I recommend downloading.

I use it to check:

• Train and public transport connections

• Departure and arrival times

• Delays and cancellations

• Platform changes

• ICE, IC, RE and regional train connections

• Ticket information

One important tip: check the app again shortly before your train leaves.

Delays and platform changes are quite common in Germany, so I often check DB Navigator even when I already know which train I am taking.

For international students who regularly travel between German cities, this is probably one of the most useful apps to have.

2. PayPal – Convenient for Payments and Sending Money

I also use PayPal quite often in Germany.

It is useful for online shopping, but many people also use it to send money to friends.

For example, if one person pays the restaurant bill or buys something for a group, it is easy to send your share through PayPal afterward.

Of course, you will still need a German or European bank account for many parts of everyday life, but PayPal is a convenient additional payment option.

3. PAYBACK – Collect Points and Find Coupons

If you are trying to save money as a student, PAYBACK can be worth having.

You can collect points when shopping at participating stores and sometimes activate additional coupons through the app.

At first, the savings may not seem very large. However, if you regularly shop at participating stores, the points can gradually add up.

My tip is simple: before paying, quickly check whether there is a coupon you can activate.

It only takes a few seconds.

4. Kleinanzeigen – Great for Second-Hand Furniture and Household Items

Kleinanzeigen is especially useful when you first move into a room or apartment in Germany.

You can find second-hand:

• Desks

• Chairs

• Shelves

• Lamps

• Kitchen items

• Electronics

• Bicycles

• Household items

Sometimes people even give furniture away for free if you can pick it up yourself.

This can be very helpful for international students who do not want to spend a lot of money furnishing a temporary room or WG.

However, be careful with unusually cheap offers and requests for advance payments. For expensive items, I personally prefer being cautious and checking the item properly before paying.

5. Too Good To Go – Save Money on Food

Too Good To Go is another interesting app for students who want to reduce their food expenses.

Participating bakeries, restaurants, cafés and supermarkets can offer unsold food at a reduced price instead of throwing it away.

You usually reserve a package through the app and pick it up during a specified time.

What you receive can vary, so I think of it more as a fun way to get discounted food rather than a replacement for normal grocery shopping.

It can be especially nice for bakery products or food that you are flexible about.

6. Lidl Plus, Kaufland and Other Supermarket Apps

One tip I learned from living in Germany is to download the app of the supermarket you regularly visit.

For example, I use or check apps such as:

• Lidl Plus

• Kaufland

Depending on the supermarket and current promotion, you may find coupons, special offers or app-specific benefits.

You do not need to download every supermarket app in Germany.

Instead, check which supermarkets are close to your home and install the apps for the places where you actually shop.

As a student, even small discounts can make a difference when you are buying groceries every week.

7. Mein dm and Müller – Useful for Drugstore Shopping

The same idea applies to German drugstores.

I recommend checking apps such as Mein dm and Müller if you regularly shop there.

German drugstores are places where students often buy much more than cosmetics. You can find shampoo, skincare, cleaning products, toiletries, household products and many other everyday essentials.

The apps can be useful for checking current promotions, products and available benefits or coupons.

Since these are things you have to buy regularly anyway, it makes sense to check the app before shopping.

8. Amazon – Convenient for Hard-to-Find Items

Amazon is not Germany-specific, but I still find it useful while living here.

Sometimes a product is difficult to find in local stores, or I simply do not know where to buy it in Germany.

In those situations, searching on Amazon can be much easier.

It is also convenient when ordering heavier household items that you do not want to carry home yourself.

However, I still compare prices because Amazon is not always the cheapest option.

9. DHL – Very Useful If You Shop Online

If you order things online in Germany, I recommend having the DHL app.

You can use it to track DHL packages and manage certain delivery options.

It is particularly useful if you use a DHL Packstation, where eligible parcels can be delivered for pickup instead of being delivered directly to your home.

This can be convenient for students who are often at university and cannot wait at home for a package.

After living in Germany for a while, package tracking becomes one of those small things that makes everyday life much easier.

Bonus: Google Maps

Google Maps may sound obvious, but I use it constantly in Germany.

It is useful for finding:

• Restaurants and cafés

• Supermarkets

• Doctors and pharmacies

• ATMs

• Shops

• Opening hours

• Public transportation routes

I especially recommend checking opening hours before going somewhere.

In Germany, many shops close earlier than you might expect, and most regular shops are closed on Sundays.

My Personal Tip: Don't Download Every App

You do not need dozens of German apps on your phone.

I recommend starting with the essentials:

DB Navigator for transportation, DHL for packages, PayPal for convenient payments, and the apps for the supermarkets and drugstores you actually visit.

Then add apps such as Kleinanzeigen, Too Good To Go and PAYBACK depending on your lifestyle.

This is what I have found most practical after living in Germany as an international student.

Final Thoughts

Moving to Germany becomes much easier once you learn which services people actually use in everyday life.

Some apps help you navigate the country, while others can save you money on groceries, make receiving packages easier or help you find inexpensive second-hand furniture.

For me, the most useful apps are not necessarily the ones with the most features. They are the apps that solve small everyday problems.

If you are moving to Germany for university, I recommend setting up a few of these apps before or shortly after you arrive. You can always add more once you know which shops and services you use most often.