How to choose the best back-to-school apps according to Profeco

With technology increasingly present in classrooms, choosing the right apps can make the difference between smooth learning and unnecessary distractions. Ahead of the start of the 2025-2026 school year, authorities have issued their key recommendations.

The Consumer Magazine of the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) has developed a practical guide for parents and students to select useful, safe apps tailored to their needs for this return to school season .

Profeco classifies applications into six categories:

• Classroom : Free, although its interface is not the most intuitive.
• Notion : Highly customizable, with advanced paid features.
• Todoist : Works offline; some options require a subscription.

• Moodle : Free and adaptable to different study styles.
• Canvas : Paid. Easily integrates with other tools.
• Anki : Paid. Ideal for visual and interactive learning.

• Khan Academy : Free videos and exercises for all ages.
• Jade Autism : Paid; supports the development of social skills in children with autism.
• Kids AZ : Secure digital books; requires an institutional account and is paid.

• Duolingo : Free, interactive and varied.
• Babbel and Memrise : Paid, with customizable lessons.

• Forest , Calm, and Focus@Will : All paid, focus and stress management techniques; only Forest is available in Spanish.

• Zoom and Google Meet : Free versions with limited time.
• Microsoft Teams : Free but limited to the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Profeco recommends following these steps before downloading any back-to-school app:

• Set up the device before your child uses it.
• Make sure the links come from official sites.
• Read and understand the privacy policies.
• Activate parental controls if necessary.
• Use strong, different passwords for each app.
• Try the free version before paying.
• Avoid apps with excessive advertising or suspicious external links.
• Turn off auto-renewal if you're not going to use it constantly.
• Always check the terms and conditions.

Beyond functionality, choosing a good school app means protecting personal data and ensuring the content is safe and age-appropriate for the student. Technology used properly can be a great ally, but adult supervision is still important.