Anki

Education & research

Free open-source softwareEditorial overview
A CLOSER LOOK

What is Anki?

Anki is a flashcard application that schedules reviews using spaced repetition. Users create or import decks with text and media, making it useful for long-term study when information can be broken into clear prompts and recallable answers.

Spaced repetition

Custom flashcards

Media support

Deck organization

Is it a good fit?

Best suited to

Learners maintaining long-term recall

Before you choose

Poorly designed cards create review burden. Official iOS app is separately paid.

Editorial assessment based on the provider’s published information. Our method

Know what you're signing up for.

Anki’s desktop application is open source and free to use for creating and reviewing flashcards. The official iOS app, AnkiMobile, is sold separately; do not assume every mobile application using the Anki name shares the desktop terms.

Desktop application is free; the official AnkiMobile iOS app is a separate paid product.

Check current official pricing

The useful parts. The trade-offs.

Why consider it

Schedules review around retention

Flexible card content and templates

What to keep in mind

Poorly designed cards create review burden

Official iOS app is separately paid

How to use it well

Write cards that ask one clear question and make the expected answer unambiguous. Start with a small daily load, then adjust additions when the review queue becomes difficult to sustain. Prefer understanding a topic before memorizing details, and review imported decks for correctness instead of assuming shared material is reliable.

This is best suited to learners maintaining long-term recall. Before committing a larger project, account for these trade-offs: poorly designed cards create review burden; official iOS app is separately paid.

A few things you might be wondering.

Is Anki free?

Anki’s desktop application is open source and free to use for creating and reviewing flashcards. The official iOS app, AnkiMobile, is sold separately; do not assume every mobile application using the Anki name shares the desktop terms.

Is the official Anki iOS app free?

No. AnkiMobile is sold separately from the free desktop software.

Can flashcards contain media?

Yes. Cards can include supported images and audio alongside text.

Where can I check the latest prices?

Use the provider link on this page. Billing period, location, team size, promotions, taxes, and optional extras may affect the amount you pay.

How should I compare this tool with alternatives?

Choose tools for the same task, then compare their feature limits, platform support, and total cost for your team. The Compare button helps you keep a shortlist.

Are the user reviews moderated?

Yes. New reviews are submitted for moderation. We show published user reviews separately from the editorial overview and never assign a default user rating.

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