The best apps to learn biology on your iPhone, from cells and genetics to ecology
Knowverse is first for learning biology from scratch: it is one of 17 subject categories, and each idea is taught step by step and then brought back as flashcards and quizzes. Khan Academy is the pick if you want free biology videos and exercises.
The other three apps are built for drills, glossaries and exam practice, which suits quick review or test prep more than a first read.
Knowverse is our own app. We rank it first for this need and explain why. Details about the other apps come from their App Store listings, checked on 2026-11-07.
We ranked apps by how well they teach biology concepts, whether they let you review material over time, and the breadth of topics covered. Priority went to apps that explain ideas step by step, include spaced recall, and span cells, genetics, ecology, and more.
1
Knowverse - Learn in minutes
Thomas Rossi Mel · Free download · New app, no ratings yet
Knowverse leads because it teaches biology step by step and reinforces ideas with spaced flashcards and quizzes.
Knowverse breaks biology into step-by-step lessons, presenting one idea at a time with guided visual flows and interactive reveal cards. Flashcards and knowledge-check quizzes then make you recall the key ideas and revisit them over time, and daily streaks encourage a habit. It runs on iPhone and iPad. The download is free, the app is English only, and it is new with no ratings yet. It suits learning biology for beginners.
Good
Step‑by‑step courses across 17 subjects
Flashcards and quizzes for active recall
Daily streaks encourage consistency
Less good
New app, no ratings yet
English only, iOS only
Best for: Adults and students wanting structured biology learning
Khan Academy · Free download · 4.6 ★ (113,031 ratings)
Khan Academy is the best free choice for video lessons and practice exercises across the biology curriculum.
Khan Academy offers a free library of expert‑created videos, interactive exercises, and articles that cover biology, chemistry, and physics. Practice questions give instant feedback with step‑by‑step hints, and a mastery system recommends which skills to tackle next. Videos can be downloaded for offline viewing. The app lacks some website features such as community discussions and teacher tools. It works well as a biology study app.
Biobrain Learning Pty Ltd · Free download · paid plan in listing · 4.7 ★ (211 ratings)
Biology Answers suits exam‑focused students with graded quizzes, diagrams, and a large glossary.
Biology Answers, also known as Biobrain, delivers learning material with detailed diagrams, topic quizzes with thousands of questions, and a glossary defining thousands of key terms. Content is organized in three graded levels, and you can repeat any quiz to improve your score. Previous quiz results are stored so you can track progress. The app targets NGSS, AP, high school and university courses. The listing describes a subscription for all the content.
Good
Diagrams and graded quizzes
Tracks quiz results
Glossary with thousands of terms
Less good
The listing describes a subscription for all content
Biology Knowledge Quiz is a broad quiz tool that tests knowledge across major biology topics.
Biology Knowledge Quiz covers eight major areas including cell biology, genetics, ecology, and human anatomy through multiple‑choice quizzes. Correct answers turn green, incorrect red, giving immediate feedback. A multiplayer mode lets you compete with others, and the app predicts a Biologist score based on performance. The focus is on testing rather than teaching, and minimal ads appear between rounds. It serves as a solid biology quiz app.
Ali Umer · Free download · paid plan in listing · 4.5 ★ (82 ratings)
Biology Pro offers extensive lessons with offline study and smart review for self‑paced learners.
Biology Pro provides hundreds of biology lessons in English, from beginner to advanced, for people starting from scratch and for exam preparation. Offline access lets you study without internet, and a review mode reinforces your learning through smart repetition. Basic content is free, while all lessons and premium features need a one-time purchase or subscription. The app works on iPhone and iPad. It suits self-paced study.
Good
Hundreds of lessons from beginner to advanced
Offline access and smart review mode
Free basic content
Less good
Full content requires purchase or subscription
Best for: Self‑paced learners wanting offline study
Which app works best for someone starting biology from scratch?
Knowverse teaches one idea at a time and brings it back with flashcards and quizzes, which suits beginners. Khan Academy also offers free videos and exercises, and Biology Pro says no prior knowledge is needed.
Can I study biology offline?
According to their listings, Khan Academy lets you download videos to watch without an internet connection, and Biology Pro offers offline access to its content.
Which of these apps ask for a subscription or purchase?
The Biology Answers listing describes a subscription for all content, and Biology Pro needs a one-time purchase or subscription for full lessons. Check each app's App Store page for current prices.
Pick the app that matches how you like to study. If you want guided lessons that bring ideas back over time, start with Knowverse. For free video instruction, Khan Academy covers the core curriculum. The other three apps excel at drills, glossaries, or exam‑style practice, so they work well as supplements or quick review tools.
Sources: Apple App Store listings, checked 2026-11-07. Prices, ratings and features come from each app’s App Store listing on that date and can change.
