A flashcard maker for Mac that turns your PDFs into study cards
Upload a PDF, DOCX, PPTX, notes file or a photo of a page. DeckOwl runs in any modern browser on your Mac, writes flashcards from your material and schedules reviews with spaced repetition.
How a flashcard maker for Mac fits into your study routine
Studying on a Mac often means switching between a PDF viewer, a notes app and a browser tab, which makes it hard to turn class material into something you can quiz yourself on. A flashcard maker for Mac that starts from the files you already have removes most of that work.
- Works in any modern browser on macOS, with no separate install required.
- Reads PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text and photos of pages.
- Schedules reviews with spaced repetition so repeat study targets weak cards.
- Free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser.
Built from your own files
Upload PDF, DOCX, PPTX, plain text or photos of pages, and the text is read and turned into question and answer cards.
Spaced repetition included
Cards return on a schedule timed to when you are likely to forget them, so review time goes to the material you need most.
Export when you need it
Plus adds PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV export so your cards can move into other tools.
How it works
Upload your material
Add a lecture PDF, slide deck, Word file, set of notes or a photo of a textbook page.
Check the cards
Read through the generated question and answer pairs and edit any that are unclear or too long.
Study on schedule
Review in your browser and let spaced repetition decide when each card comes back.
Upload the lecture slides or reading you need to learn, and DeckOwl drafts question and answer cards from the text. You review the drafts, fix anything inaccurate, and then study them with spaced repetition, so the cards you struggle with come back more often than the ones you already know.
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Frequently asked questions
How many flashcards should I make for a cell biology unit?
Aim for one card per key term or process, and split any answer that needs more than two sentences into two cards. Shorter cards are easier to review consistently.
Why does spaced repetition help with memorizing terms?
It shows each card again just before you would be likely to forget it, which strengthens recall more than rereading the same notes. Rating each card honestly lets the schedule adjust to what you actually know.
Can I use DeckOwl on my Mac without installing anything?
Yes, it runs in your browser, and the free plan includes 3 generations per month with studying in the browser.
Do I need a paid plan to export flashcards to Anki or CSV?
Yes, export to PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV is part of Plus, which costs $39/year or $7.99/month. Students get 40% off with a school email.
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