An ACT prep app gives you practice questions, short lessons and practice tests on your phone, so you can study in small daily sessions. Some cover the ACT and SAT together, some focus on one section and some make practice feel like a game. Ten options follow, in no particular order.
The ACT rewards pace as much as knowledge, and pace comes from practice spread over weeks rather than crammed into a weekend. A phone app is the easiest way to get a few questions done every day without opening a heavy book.
The apps below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and each description comes from the provider's own App Store listing, read this week. If writing is part of your plan, my ACT writing prompts give you essays to practise.
ACT prep apps at a glance
I checked the free plan column on each provider's own App Store listing, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the page names a free plan, a free version, a free tier of questions, free membership or free listing. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the page I read named neither, even where there's a download button or a button inviting you to start, so check the provider's own page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ace: Digital SAT & ACT Prep | Daily lesson path app | Short daily lessons with no timers | Yes |
| ACT Exam Prep 2026 by Prepia | ACT practice test app | Adaptive practice and strategies | Not stated |
| ACT Math Prep by YourTeacher | ACT math study guide app | Students who only need math help | Trial only |
| ACT Prep & Practice by EZ Prep | Gamified ACT practice app | Badges, streaks and levels | Yes |
| ACT Prep & Practice by Magoosh | Official-question practice app | Practising with official ACT questions | Not stated |
| ACT Prep 2026 by Smartschool | Lessons and AI tutoring app | Expert lessons with AI tutoring | Yes |
| Dolphin: SAT Prep | Swipe-style practice app | A daily habit instead of scrolling | Not stated |
| Meela | Gamified SAT, ACT and PSAT app | Daily challenges across three tests | Yes |
| PerfectPrep | ACT and SAT study plan app | A plan built around your test date | Not stated |
| SAT & ACT Prep: AlphaTest | AI practice test app | Spotting weak areas with AI | Not stated |
Ten ACT prep apps worth a look
Ace: Digital SAT & ACT Prep
Best for: Anxious test takers who want short daily lessons with no timers anywhere, with the first unit of each path free.
ACT Exam Prep 2026 by Prepia
Best for: Test takers who want adaptive tools, practice tests and test-taking strategies written by educators for every section of the exam.
ACT Math Prep by YourTeacher
Best for: Students whose English and reading are fine but who want a focused study guide and practice tests for the math section.
ACT Prep & Practice by EZ Prep
Best for: Teens who need a little game to keep going, with badges, streaks and levels around ACT-style questions and a free version.
ACT Prep & Practice by Magoosh
Best for: Anyone who wants to work through thousands of official ACT questions and keep studying on the web with the same account.
ACT Prep 2026 by Smartschool
Best for: Students who'd like a free diagnostic and sample lessons first, then expert-led teaching and AI tutoring if it clicks.
Dolphin: SAT Prep
Best for: Phone-first teens who'd rather swipe through questions than scroll social media, with app blocking to protect study time.
Meela
Best for: Teens taking more than one test who want gamified daily challenges for the SAT, ACT and PSAT, with plans starting free.
PerfectPrep
Best for: Organised students who want a study plan built around their test date, with progress shared with up to 5 family members.
SAT & ACT Prep: AlphaTest
Best for: Data-minded students who want adaptive practice tests and an analysis of their weak areas across both college entrance exams.
Matching an app to the student
- Taking the SAT as well: SAT & ACT Prep: AlphaTest, Meela, PerfectPrep.
- Math is the problem section: ACT Math Prep by YourTeacher.
- Needs a game to stay motivated: ACT Prep & Practice by EZ Prep, Dolphin: SAT Prep.
- Wants official questions: ACT Prep & Practice by Magoosh.
- Gets anxious under time pressure: Ace: Digital SAT & ACT Prep.
Start with the free official practice tests
ACT, the organisation that makes the test, offers official full-length practice tests and other prep free of charge, in digital or paper form. That's the best starting point before any app.
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Take one full test under timed conditions and look at where you lost the most marks. That tells you whether you need a general app or one that focuses on a single section.
Daily practice beats weekend cramming
Fifteen to twenty minutes of questions on most days builds speed and confidence more reliably than one long session a week. Apps with streaks, badges and short lessons are built for that kind of habit.
Several listings say they've been updated for the enhanced ACT. If your test date is soon, check the app's questions match the format you'll sit.
A simple eight-week plan
- Week 1: take an official full-length practice test.
- Weeks 2 to 4: daily app practice on your two weakest sections.
- Week 5: a second full-length test to measure progress.
- Weeks 6 and 7: mixed daily practice with timed sets.
- Week 8: one final full test, then light review.
Questions parents often ask
- Should my teen use more than one app? One well-used app beats three opened once.
- Does it matter if an app also covers the SAT? It's handy if they're still deciding which test to take.
- Can an app replace a tutor? It can for daily practice; a tutor helps most with strategy and confidence.
Do you make test prep or study apps? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on ACT prep apps
Take an official practice test first, then pick one app that targets the sections where you lost marks and use it most days. Measure progress with another full test every few weeks, not with streaks or badges.
Writing essays as well? My ChatGPT prompts for student essay writing help with planning and feedback.
Frequently asked questions
Are there free ACT practice tests?
Yes, ACT offers official full-length practice tests and other prep free of charge, in digital or paper form.
Is there a free ACT prep app?
Several apps here name a free version, free sample lessons or a free first unit, so check the free plan column.
Can one app cover the ACT and the SAT?
Yes, several apps here cover both tests, which helps if you haven't decided yet.
How long should I study for the ACT?
Many students do best with short daily practice over several weeks plus regular full-length tests.
Do ACT apps cover the enhanced ACT?
Some listings say they've been updated for it, so check before you rely on an app.
Which ACT app is good for math only?
One app here offers a study guide and practice tests just for the ACT math section.
