Our verdict: Anki is the standard tool for long-term memorization, from vocabulary to medical exams. It shows each card right before you are likely to forget it, which saves a lot of review time. The interface looks dated and takes some learning, but the method works.
About Anki
Anki is developed by Ankitects and a community of contributors under the AGPL. You create decks of flashcards, review them, and rate how well you remembered each answer; Anki then schedules the next review for when you are most likely to forget it.
Cards can contain audio, images, video and scientific markup, and card layouts and review timing are fully customizable. The free AnkiWeb service syncs your collection between the desktop app, the web and mobile apps, and it handles collections of 100,000+ cards.
What it does well
- Spaced repetition. Schedules each card based on how well you remembered it.
- Rich media cards. Audio, images, video and scientific markup on any card.
- Free AnkiWeb sync. Keeps your cards in sync across desktop, web and phone.
- Shared decks. Download decks other users have shared or share your own.
- Add-ons. Extend Anki with community add-ons for new features.
Who it is for
Good fit
Students, language learners and anyone memorizing large amounts of facts.
Look elsewhere
People who want a polished, game-like learning app with ready courses.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and open source
- Proven spaced repetition scheduling
- Free sync through AnkiWeb
- Huge library of shared decks and add-ons
Cons
- Dated interface with a learning curve
- The official iOS app, AnkiMobile, is paid
How to install Anki
The direct link downloads the 64-bit Windows installer from the official GitHub release; it needs Windows 10 or later. Create a free AnkiWeb account only if you want to sync with your phone. Back up your collection before installing add-ons, and check that an add-on supports your Anki version.
Questions about Anki
Is Anki free?
Yes. The desktop app is free and open source, and AnkiWeb sync is free. Only the official iOS app, AnkiMobile, costs money.
How does Anki decide when to show a card?
You rate how well you remembered each answer, and Anki schedules the next review for when you are most likely to forget it.
Can I use Anki on my phone?
Yes. AnkiDroid is a free Android app and AnkiMobile is a paid iOS app; both sync through AnkiWeb.
