No matter how you try to learn something new, there will always be different ways that work better for you than others. Some people prefer using flashcards, and Anki is often the go-to flashcard app for those people, especially when it involves learning new languages.
Anki makes it easy to create and review flashcards, plus the app has an incredible number of features, and on top of that, it’s free. So why would anyone want to use a different flashcard app?
There are several reasons. For one, Anki is too assuming. The app tries to ensure that you use it every day, and it gives you many notifications to ensure you do.
If you decide that you want to take a day off, Anki will think that you forget everything and will keep a pile of reviews waiting for you the next time you open the app.
Another reason is that the app does not tie related cards together as well as some of the alternatives. When you are trying to learn a new subject, you will inevitably encounter related information.
It would be helpful if Anki could show you all of the related information at once so that you can make connections between the different pieces of information.
Additionally, Anki’s UI can be confusing and overwhelming, especially if you are just starting to use the app.
Don’t get me wrong, Anki is a great app, and it has helped a lot of people learn new things. But if you are looking for an alternative to Anki for the above reasons or more, here are some of the best options:
Best Anki Alternatives
1. Quizlet
Quizlet is one of the most popular flashcard apps and for good reason. It’s simple to use and has a ton of features. Like Anki, Quizlet was designed for people who want to learn new languages.
It has grown in popularity in recent years and now has 50 million users.
One of the best things about Quizlet is that it’s free to use. There are no subscription fees or in-app purchases. You can create an account and start using Quizlet right away.
Another great thing about Quizlet is that it has a huge database of user-created flashcards. This means that you can find cards for almost any topic imaginable.
As with Anki, you can create your own flashcard or use someone else’s.
Quizlet also has a feature of five different modes for learning that you can use to test yourself on the material. These modes are:
Flashcards mode: This is the traditional way of using flashcards. You can see the question on one side and the answer on the other.
Learn mode: In this mode, you are presented with multiple choice answers to a question, and the more questions you can answer, the more difficult it gets.
Write mode: In this mode, you are required to type in your answers. This is a great way to test your knowledge of the material. Once the first round is over, the questions are shuffled and you start again, but this time, the focus will be on the answers that you missed.
Spell mode: In this mode, you are presented with the answer and have to type in your answer. This mode is especially useful for learning vocabulary words.
Test mode: This is a variety mode. Here Quizlet creates questions on different categories like true or false, matching, writing, and multiple choice.
Quizlet Pricing
Quizlet’s free version includes creating an account and accessing all the features.
The Quizlet Plus version costs $35.99 per year and includes the ability to create an unlimited number of custom study sets. Adding audio and images to your flashcards is only possible with the premium version.
2. Memrise
Memrise describes itself as a platform that helps you to learn the languages that locals use. This means that Memrise is more focused on language learning than other subjects. And it certainly is fun – it uses game-like elements to make learning more engaging.
It also has a large community of users who create and share content, so you’re sure to find material for whatever you want to learn.
There are materials for more than 23 different languages and all you need is to have access to the internet.
Like Anki, Memrise adopts the spaced repetition learning method to help users retain information for longer periods of time.
However, learning is not solely based on flashcards here. They have different learning modes and give a lot of preference to video learning especially because it immerses the user in the language environment.
Language learning is made fun on Memrise with the use of different elements like planting virtual trees, watering them to monitor your progress, and collecting points as you complete stages.
Memrise Pricing
You can create a Memrise account for free. However, if you want to access some of the premium features, you need to sign up for a Pro account.
Pro accounts give users access to certain features like statistics, Chatbots, and priority customer support.
A Memrise Pro subscription costs $8.49 per month, or $5 per month when billed annually. You can pay an outright price of $119.99 for a lifetime subscription.
3. RemNote
There’s no better alternative to Anki than a program that was developed by Anki users who wanted to create something better.
RemNote is a note-taking app that isn’t just for flashcards but has a built-in flashcard feature that makes learning seamless. The app also allows you to embed multimedia in your notes which can be great for visual learners.
It is an AI-powered note-taking app that helps you organize your thoughts and improve your memory. It’s great for students, professionals, and anyone who wants to be more productive.
The app was built after a bunch of Anki users found the question-answer format that Anki adopted as one-dimensional and ineffective for long-term retention.
RemNote adopts a more structured way of learning. For starters, the app is a note-taking app first, and the flashcard feature is secondary. This means that you can take well-organized notes and then convert them into effective flashcards if you need to.
The layout of the app is also more conducive to learning. It has an index card layout with your main topics on the left and the details on the right. This is great for seeing the big picture and then drilling down into the details.
You can also embed multimedia in your notes which is great for visual learners.
The app also has a spaced repetition feature that will help you review your notes at just the right time so you don’t forget what you’ve learned.
RemNote Pricing
Like the other apps above, RemNote has a free and premium version. The free version is great for getting started but the premium version has more features that can be helpful for serious learners.
The premium version costs $6/month or $300 for life. It includes some awesome features like templates, PDF annotation, graph view, and more.
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4. StudyStack
StudyStack is a learning website that offers flashcards, diagrams, and other tools to help you learn. It’s free to use and is composed of user-generated content. Like with Anki, you can also create your own flashcards and diagrams to use on the website.
StudyStack relies on the tried-and-true method of flashcards, but with a digital twist. With StudyStack, you can create digital flashcards and then share them with others. The app also has a built-in community where you can find flashcards for just about anything.
The app has playful elements like badges and points to keep you motivated, and it even says so on its website.
Its different learning modes help you learn in a way that works best for you, whether that’s through active recall, spaced repetition, or just plain old studying.
Patterns are an important part of learning, and StudyStack helps you find them. When you’re stuck on a question, the app will show you how other people have answered it. This can help you see a pattern and eventually get the answer yourself.
StudyStack Pricing
StudyStack is mostly free, although they offer a premium version for tutors that want to create and provide students with their own flashcard decks.
5. Mochi
Mochi is a flashcard app that is very similar to Anki. The app is focused on spaced repetition, but unlike Anki, it uses markdown language to create cards. This makes Mochi more flexible and allows for a lot of customization.
For example, you can add images, videos, and audio to your cards. Mochi also has a feature that allows you to share your cards with others, which is great for studying with friends or for finding new material to study.
One of the biggest advantages of Mochi is that it has a built-in dictionary. This means that you can look up words without having to leave the app. Mochi also has a customizable study schedule, so you can study at your own pace.
You can also link flashcards from Mochi to each other. This is a great way to create a study system that is tailored to your needs and large knowledge base.
Offline learning is also possible with Mochi. This means that you can study without an internet connection, which is great for when you are on the go. You can even start using the platform without signing up for an account
The data will be stored locally on your device, so you won’t have to worry about it being synced with any servers.
The best part is that Mochi is compatible with Anki so you can easily import your existing cards.
Mochi Pricing
Mochi has a free and a premium version. The free version includes all the features mentioned above including the ability to share cards and use the app offline.
The premium version costs $5 per month and gives you access to more features such as in-app translation, text-to-speech, sync between devices, and more.
6. Flashcards Deluxe
Flashcards Deluxe is another great alternative to Anki. The app uses a spaced repetition algorithm to help you learn new material quickly. It also allows you to create custom cards with images, audio, and videos.
One of the best features of Flashcards Deluxe is that it allows you to create card decks from PDFs. This is a great way to study for exams or learn new material.
You can also share your decks with others, which is great for studying with friends or finding new material to study.
The app also has a built-in dictionary so you can look up words without having to leave the app.
Flashcards Deluxe also has a customizable study schedule, so you can study at your own pace.
The app is available for both iOS and Android.
Flashcards Deluxe Pricing
Flashcards Deluxe has a free and a premium version. The free version includes all the basic features you need, while the premium version gives you more customization privileges. The premium version costs $3.99 per month.
7. Brainscape
Brainscape is a flashcard app that is very similar to Anki. It has many of the same features, including the ability to create and review flashcards.
Like Anki, it adopts the spaced repetition method too, however, Brainscape has a few features that Anki does not, such as the ability to import images into your flashcards. This can be very helpful for learning new things, as it can make the process more visually engaging.
It also has a more modern interface than Anki, which some people may prefer.
The learning model is also similar. They use the question-answer review model as well, and with Brianscape, the questions are tailored to be more difficult as you get them right and easier if you get them wrong.
With Brainscape you can share decks as you could with Anki, but the difference is that the latter lets you keep a copy of the shared deck on your own account.
This is a very user-friendly feature, as it means that the shared decks are not exactly linked to the person who made them, so you can keep using them even if that person stops using Brainscape.
Also, Brainscape’s available downloadable decks are beautifully organized in various categories for different topics, so you can find what you’re looking for more easily. Plus they are verified.
Brainscape Pricing
Brainscape has a free and pro version. The free version only lets you create, share, and study your cards.
The pro version gives you access to more features, such as the ability to add images and audio, import and export CSV, reset learning stats, and more. It costs $9.99 per month, or $4.99 per year when you pay for the whole year.
8. iDoRecall
iDoRecall is a flashcard app that is very similar to Anki. It has many of the same features, and it is also a great option for people who want to learn a new thing.
It uses repetitive learning to help you remember the information, and it also has a lot of different customization options.
In fact, the app calls its flashcards “linked spaced-repetition flashcards” because they are based on the principle of spaced repetition and they are linked to underlying materials such as MS Word or PDF files.
This means that you will see the same card more frequently if you don’t answer it correctly the first time.
Before you create your cards, you will first upload your materials. The app will automatically create cards based on the information in your notes. You can also manually create cards and add images, audio, and video to them.
The app relies on the “less is more” principle, which means that it only shows you the information that you need to know. This makes it very efficient for learning.
Another great feature of the app is that it allows you to share your cards with other people. This is great if you are studying for a test with friends or if you want to create a deck of cards for a class.
iDoRecall Pricing
You can use iDoRecall for free, but there are some limitations. For example, you can only create 200 cards, and you can only upload 10 learning materials.
If you want to remove these limitations, you can upgrade to the premium version of the app, which costs $16/month or $8/month if you pay for the full year at once.
The premium version removes the card limit and the learning material limit, and it also allows you to create private decks. It also gives you access to premium features, such as the ability to use the desktop app.
Also Read: Best QuizUp Alternatives
9. The Mnemosyne Project
The Mnemosyne Project is a free flashcard app with a simple design and an emphasis on learning efficiency. It uses a spaced repetition algorithm to help you review cards at just the right time, so you don’t waste time on cards you already know.
The app was named after the Greek goddess of memory, and it’s one of the most popular flashcard apps that are completely free.
Its user interface is not as polished as some of the other options on this list, but it is very intuitive and easy to use.
The app gives room for customization, and you can specify how often you want to be reminded of each card. You can also use external plugins to add features and it is compatible with other flashcard apps like Anki so you can easily import your deck.
There are different learning modes that you can choose from, including a traditional mode and a memory game.
The Mnemosyne Project Pricing
The Mnemosyne Project is completely free to use.
10. Cram
As the name suggests, Cram is all about helping you cram for exams. It has a simple and straightforward interface that makes adding new material to your flashcards quick and easy.
One of the great things about Cram is that it allows you to share your flashcards with other users, so if you’re struggling with a particular topic, you can get some help from someone who knows what they’re doing.
When you create your card, you can add information to the front and back of the card, as well as an image or audio clip if you want. You can also add tags to your cards so you can easily find them later.
You can also create hints for yourself so you can remember the answer to a particular card. This feature lets you emulate a real exam situation, where you might not be able to see the full question on the card.
Cram also has a spaced repetition feature, which is similar to Anki’s. This feature shows you cards more frequently if you’re struggling with them, and less frequently if you’re doing well.
Aside from the basic flashcard mode, there are also other modes of learning like multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank. These modes can be helpful if you want to introduce a little bit of variety into your studying.
Cram Pricing
Though Cram is free to use, there are some features that are only available in the premium version. You can contact them to know about the price. The complimentary premium version is available to members of National Tutoring Association (NTA).
To Wrap it Up
Most of these Anki alternatives are more comprehensive learning platforms that also happen to have flashcard features.
Some are better for certain subjects, like language learning, while others offer a more well-rounded approach.
Our top pick is Quizlet because it offers a variety of learning modes and features, plus it is very user-friendly.
However, all of the apps on this list are great in their own way, so it’s really up to you to decide which one is best for your needs.
