Comparison
A simpler Anki alternative for your phone
Looking for an Anki alternative? Flashcards uses five fixed Leitner boxes instead of decks, settings and add-ons. It is free on iPhone and Android, works offline and needs no account. Here is an honest comparison, including where Anki is the better choice.
Free · Works offline · No account needed
Flashcards vs Anki at a glance
Facts checked in October 2026 on Anki’s official website and in the App Store.
| Feature | Flashcards | Anki |
|---|---|---|
| Price on iPhone | Free; Plus optional (4.99 € a month or 29.99 € a year) | AnkiMobile is a one-time purchase (US$24.99 in the US, 29.99 € in many euro countries) |
| Price on Android and computer | Free on Android; no computer version | Free (AnkiDroid and the desktop app) |
| Scheduling | Five Leitner boxes with fixed intervals of 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days | Interval per card (SM-2-based by default, FSRS optional), many settings |
| Setup | None: open the app and add cards | Decks, note types and options to configure |
| Works offline | Yes | Yes |
| Account needed | No | Only for sync (free AnkiWeb account) |
| Sync between devices | YesWith Plus | YesFree with AnkiWeb |
| AI card creation | YesFrom voice memos (Plus) | NoNot built in |
| Study with partners | YesShared topics, each with own progress (Plus) | NoShared decks to download, no joint editing |
| Add-ons and custom card templates | No | Yes |
| Desktop and web | NoPhone and tablet only | YesWindows, macOS, Linux and AnkiWeb |
| Import Anki decks (.apkg) or CSV | No | Yes |
AnkiMobile prices differ by App Store country; check the AnkiMobile listing for yours. Flashcards is not affiliated with Anki.
When Anki is the better choice
Anki is the better choice if you study mostly at a computer, want to fine-tune your schedule, or rely on shared decks. It has desktop apps for Windows, macOS and Linux, a large add-on ecosystem, custom card templates, the FSRS scheduler, and a huge collection of shared decks you can import. If you already have years of reviews in Anki, staying there keeps that history.
When Flashcards is the better choice
Flashcards is the better choice if you study mainly on your phone and want to start without any setup. There are no decks, note types or options to configure: you rate a card Known or Again and the five boxes do the rest. The app is free on iPhone, works fully offline without an account, and shows exactly which box each card is in. With Flashcards Plus it turns voice memos into cards and lets you learn together with a partner. See all features or what Plus costs.
Leitner boxes vs Anki’s algorithm
Anki calculates an individual interval for each card from your answers, using an SM-2-based algorithm or FSRS. That can save some reviews, but intervals are hard to predict and depend on your settings. Flashcards uses fixed intervals of 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days: you always know when a card comes back and why. For many learners, studying regularly matters more than the exact interval. More in the Leitner system explained.
Switching from Anki
Flashcards cannot import Anki decks (.apkg) or CSV files today. If you switch, start with the topics you are actively learning and recreate the most important cards; writing them again is also a good review. You can keep Anki installed for your archive. Within Flashcards, you can export and import your own library as a file.
Questions about switching from Anki
Can I import my Anki decks?
No, not today. Flashcards cannot import .apkg files, CSV files or Quizlet sets. You can export and import a Flashcards library file, for example to move to a new phone.
Is Flashcards free on iPhone?
Yes. The full offline app with the five Leitner boxes, text and photo cards, reminders and streaks is free on iPhone, iPad and Android. Flashcards Plus is an optional subscription for sync, partners, the topic library and AI.
Does Flashcards use FSRS?
No. Flashcards uses five Leitner boxes with fixed intervals of 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 days instead of a per-card algorithm like FSRS or SM-2. The schedule is simple and predictable by design.
Is there a desktop version?
No. Flashcards is a native app for iPhone, iPad and Android. There is no desktop or web version.
More answers in the Flashcards FAQ.
Start your first box today
Flashcards is free on iPhone, iPad and Android. No account, no ads, and it works offline.