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Want an open source flashcard maker? Turn your own notes into cards

DeckOwl is a hosted AI tool, not an open source project. Upload your PDFs, slides, notes or photos of pages and get flashcards with spaced repetition.

Create flashcards nowFree · No credit card required

Drop files here or browsePDF, DOCX, PPTX, text or photos of your notes · several files with Plus

Free · First set needs no signup · Creates flashcards in seconds

Open source versus hosted flashcard tools

If you want an open source flashcard maker, it helps to know what that label guarantees: the code is published under a license that lets you read, change and run it yourself. DeckOwl is a hosted service and is not open source, but it can turn your own PDFs, slides, notes or photographed pages into flashcards.

Check the license before you rely on any tool you plan to modify or host.
Self-hosting gives control over data, but it also means setup and maintenance.
Hosted tools start faster and usually need no installation.
Export options matter most if you plan to move cards into Anki or another app.

Example open source license flashcards

What does a permissive license such as MIT allow?Use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute and sell the software, as long as the copyright and license notice are kept.

What is copyleft?A licensing approach where derivative works must be distributed under the same license terms, as with GPL.

What is a fork in open source development?A separate copy of a project's repository that is developed independently, often after a disagreement over direction or governance.

What does the Apache 2.0 license add beyond basic permissive terms?An express patent license from contributors, and a clause stating that it does not grant trademark rights.

How do free software and open source differ?Free software emphasizes user freedom as an ethical goal, while open source emphasizes the practical benefits of open collaboration. Many licenses meet both definitions.

Generate the full set

Upload what you already have

Send PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain text notes or photos of pages. Images are read with text recognition.

Spaced repetition built in

Reviews are scheduled so cards you miss come back sooner and cards you know come back later.

Export when you need it

Paid plans export to Anki and CSV, plus PDF and DOCX, so your cards can move to other tools.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a PDF, slide deck, set of notes or photos of a textbook page.

Review the generated cards

Check each front and back, then edit or delete any card that needs work.

Study on a schedule

Study in the browser with spaced repetition, and export to Anki on a Plus plan.

Open source licenses differ mainly in what they require from people who share or modify code. MIT and Apache 2.0 are permissive, so modified versions can stay closed. GPL is copyleft, so anyone distributing a modified version must also release its source under GPL.

Hosted tools trade self-hosting for convenience. If you need full control over the code or your data, check the license and hosting options first. If you mainly want cards from your own lecture notes, a hosted generator is usually faster to start with.

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Frequently asked questions

Is DeckOwl open source?

No. DeckOwl is a hosted web tool and its source code is not published under an open source license. You can start on the free plan without a credit card and study in the browser.

What is the difference between the MIT and GPL licenses?

MIT is permissive and lets people use, modify and sell code with only a copyright notice required. GPL is copyleft, so anyone who distributes a modified version must release its source under GPL as well.

How many flashcards should I make for one open source license topic?

Aim for one card per distinct term or obligation, and keep each answer to a single idea. Ten to twenty well-chosen cards per session is usually easier to review than a long list.

Can I export flashcards to Anki?

Yes, but exports are paid features. Plus at $39/year or $7.99/month includes Anki, PDF, DOCX and CSV export.

Generate free flashcards

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.