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What the iOS app costs and what to use instead

Whether Anki is free on iOS depends on which version you mean. The desktop program and AnkiWeb sync cost nothing, but AnkiMobile, the iPhone and iPad app, is a paid download from the App Store. Many students want spaced repetition without that purchase.

Anki desktop and AnkiWeb sync are free, while AnkiMobile on iOS is a paid app.
DeckOwl's Free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study.
Plus costs $39/year or $7.99/month and adds PDF, DOCX, Anki and CSV export.
Students get 40% off with a school email, and no credit card is needed to start.

Example spaced repetition flashcards for any course

What is spaced repetition?A review method that spaces out repeat studying, with each review scheduled just before you would forget the material.

What does AnkiMobile refer to?The paid iOS app from the Anki project, used on iPhone and iPad.

What is active recall?Pulling an answer from memory before checking it, which strengthens retention more than rereading notes.

What is the forgetting curve?Ebbinghaus's observation that newly learned information fades quickly unless it is reviewed again.

What is a cloze deletion card?A card that hides a word or phrase in a sentence, so you recall the missing term from context.

Generate the full set

Turn your own material into cards

Upload PDFs, DOCX, PPTX, plain notes or photos of pages and get flashcards built from that text.

Spaced repetition built in

Cards return on a schedule so you review material just before you would be likely to forget it.

Study in the browser

The Free plan runs in your browser, so you can start studying without installing a separate app.

How it works

Upload your material

Add a PDF, slide deck, notes file or a photo of a page from your class.

Generate your flashcards

DeckOwl reads the text and writes question and answer cards from it.

Review on a schedule

Study in the browser and let spaced repetition bring each card back when it is due.

If you mainly need flashcards from lecture slides or a textbook chapter, you can generate them from that material instead of typing each card by hand. DeckOwl reads PDFs, DOCX and PPTX files, plain notes and photos of pages, then builds cards you can review on a schedule.

Cards are only useful if you answer them from memory before checking the back, so write your own notes into the upload and review the cards regularly.

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Frequently asked questions

Does the Anki app on iOS cost money?

Yes, AnkiMobile on iPhone and iPad is a paid download from the App Store. The desktop program and AnkiWeb sync are free.

How often should I review flashcards with spaced repetition?

Review a little each day and let the schedule decide when each card returns. Short, regular sessions usually work better than long cramming sessions.

Can DeckOwl export my cards to Anki?

Yes, Anki export is included with the Plus plan, along with PDF, DOCX and CSV export. The Free plan lets you study in the browser without exports.

Is DeckOwl free to start?

Yes, the Free plan includes 3 generations per month and browser study. No credit card is needed to begin.

Generate free flashcards

Keep exploring the topic

Review the main ideas visually or practice recalling them.