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Apps to learn something new every day, sorted by how much time you have

Start with how much time you have, and the list shortens fast. We make one of these apps, and we say so where it comes up.

two minutes

When you have two minutes

One Good Thing hands you one written idea a day from one of 12 fields, and the whole visit is under two minutes: read it, carry it or let it go. Nothing to complete and no quiz. How it works.

Imprint has chapters of about two minutes too, as illustrated lessons with daily quizzes, drawn from a catalog of topics from psychology to finance. Imprint and us, side by side.

at your own pace

When you set the pace

Deepstash is made of short swipeable cards of key ideas from nonfiction books, articles and podcasts. You set the pace, so a session takes as long as you let it. Deepstash next to us.

about 15 minutes

When you want the gist of a book

Blinkist condenses nonfiction books and podcasts into summaries of about 15 minutes, to read or listen to. Headway does the same for bestsellers in under 15 minutes, with flashcards to help you review. Blinkist and Headway each have a page.

a course

When you want to get properly good at something

Brilliant is for math, computer science, coding, data and science, taught through interactive problems you work through. It is a course platform, so it asks for sessions rather than a minute. Brilliant next to us.

your own reading

When you already read, and keep losing it

Readwise collects the highlights you make in Kindle, Apple Books and other places, then brings them back for review. It needs something to have been read first. Readwise next to us.

how we checked

Where the other apps' facts came from.

What we say about each app comes from its own site or App Store listing, read on October 28, 2026. We describe how each one is paid for and skip the prices, because they move. If something is out of date, tell us at hi@onegoodthing.space.

questions

What is the best app to learn something new every day?
For under two minutes, One Good Thing or Imprint. For about 15 minutes, Blinkist or Headway. For real skills in math and coding, Brilliant. Pick the time you have first, then the app.
Is there a free app that teaches you one new thing a day?
One Good Thing gives you one idea a day for free, for good, with your whole collection included. The other apps here are mostly paid by subscription. Each comparison page says how.
What is micro learning?
Learning in very short sessions, from a couple of minutes to about 15. The apps here sit at different points on that range.
Can I use more than one?
Yes. A two-minute idea in the morning and a longer summary or course on a free evening do not get in each other's way.
What is One Good Thing?
The daily idea app for curious people. Each day you get one good idea from one of 12 fields, at your quiet minute. You read it in under two minutes, carry it or let it go, and close the app. What you carry builds your house of thought, and the margin connects today's idea to one you kept weeks ago.
Is One Good Thing free?
Yes. The daily idea, everything you carry and your house of thought are free for good. Membership adds up to 10 Ask questions a day, every margin, the full bed of what you let go and a written portrait of how you think.

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one good thing

Tomorrow’s idea arrives at your quiet minute.

Download on theApp StoreWhich of the 12 thinkers are you?