Pick a good online flashcard app that makes cards from your notes
Upload a PDF, slide deck, set of notes or a photo of a page, and get flashcards scheduled for spaced repetition. Start free with no credit card.
What to look for in a flashcard app
When you compare good online flashcard apps, the useful differences are where the cards come from, how reviews are scheduled, and whether you can take your decks somewhere else.
- Cards generated from your own files, not only shared decks
- Spaced repetition that reschedules cards based on how well you recalled them
- Study access in a browser on any device
- Export options if you need to move cards to another tool
Cards from your own material
Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX files, plain text notes or images of pages. The flashcards come from what you actually need to learn.
Spaced repetition built in
Cards you miss come back sooner and cards you know fade out of rotation, so review time goes to the material that needs it.
Study in the browser
The free plan lets you study online on any device with a browser. Paid plans add exports for when you want your decks elsewhere.
How it works
Upload your material
Add a PDF, slides, notes or a photo of a page. Text in images is read with text recognition.
Review the generated cards
Check the flashcards against your source and edit any that are wrong or unclear before you start.
Study on a schedule
Work through the day's cards. Spaced repetition brings back the ones you struggle with.
Some apps rely on decks other people have made, which may not match your course. Others let you build every card by hand, which takes time you could spend studying. An app that turns your own notes into cards and schedules reviews for you covers both problems.
Check the free tier before you commit. Limits on generations, exports and features change what you can do in a typical week of studying.
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Frequently asked questions
How many flashcards should I make for one topic?
Start with the main terms, definitions and facts from one section, usually 15 to 30 cards. Add more only when a concept keeps coming back as a weak spot.
What makes a flashcard easier to remember?
Keep one fact per card and write the front as a specific question. Recall the answer from memory before you flip the card, rather than just reading it.
Is DeckOwl free to use?
The free plan includes 3 generations per month and studying in the browser. Exports and unlimited generations are part of the paid Plus plan.
Can I export my flashcards to Anki?
Yes, Anki export is included in the Plus plan, which costs $39 per year or $7.99 per month. Students with a school email get 40% off.
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