Anki Alternative iOS: Free Flashcard Apps for iPhone
The best Anki alternative iOS users can switch to depends on what you can't live without. If you want real Anki for free on an iPhone, use AnkiWeb in Safari. If you want a proper app with a free tier, look at Quizlet-style apps like Knowt or confidence-based apps like Brainscape, and check they still schedule reviews for free. If you'd rather skip deck-building, a browser app like FlashDeck (ours) turns your notes into cards and shows only what you're about to forget.
If you just want spaced repetition on your iPhone without paying for an app first, FlashDeck runs in Safari and shows only the cards you're about to forget. Build my study plan
Why people look for an Anki alternative on iOS
Anki is free on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android, and on the web through AnkiWeb. Then you pick up your iPhone, search the App Store, and find that the official iOS app, AnkiMobile, is a paid one-time purchase.
That's the whole reason this search exists. Anki's creator has explained that AnkiMobile sales help fund development of the free versions, which is fair. But if you're 15 with no card on your Apple account, "just buy it" isn't really an option.
Other common reasons people want apps like Anki on iPhone:
- The Anki interface feels dated and fiddly on a small screen.
- Setting up decks, note types and options is a lot when you just want to study.
- You want something that makes cards for you instead of typing each one.
What you must not lose: spaced repetition
Here's the trap. Plenty of "free flashcard apps for iPhone" are just digital index cards. You flip through the whole deck, every time. That's not what makes Anki good.
What makes Anki good is spaced repetition: it decides when each card comes back, showing hard cards soon and easy cards later. That's how people keep thousands of facts in their heads with 20 minutes a day.
So when you're comparing Anki alternatives, the key question is: does the free version schedule reviews for me? If it doesn't, it's not really an Anki alternative. It's a notes app with extra steps.
If you want the paper version of this idea, the Leitner system flashcards guide explains how the box method does spaced repetition with no app at all.
Free iPhone options compared
These are the main options people land on. Free tiers change, so treat this as a guide and check the current plan in the App Store before committing.
| Option | Cost on iPhone | Schedules reviews? | Setup time | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnkiMobile | Paid one-time app | Yes | Long | Existing Anki users who can pay |
| AnkiWeb in Safari | Free | Yes | Medium | Real Anki without paying |
| Knowt | Free tier | Yes, per its free plan | Short | Quizlet-style users |
| Brainscape | Free tier, paid extras | Yes, by confidence rating | Short | People who like rating cards |
| Quizlet | Free tier, paid Plus | Limited on free | Short | Sets you already have |
| FlashDeck (ours) | Free check-in, then paid unlock | Yes | Very short | Turning notes into cards fast |
Knowt
Knowt feels a lot like Quizlet and advertises free spaced repetition and Learn mode. If you came to Anki from Quizlet and bounced off the complexity, Knowt might be your middle ground.
Brainscape
Brainscape uses confidence-based repetition: you rate each card from 1 to 5 and it uses that to schedule the card. It's simpler than Anki's settings and still does the "decide for me" job. Some decks and features are paid.
Quizlet
Quizlet is still free for making and flipping through sets, but its Learn and Test modes are limited on the free plan. We break down that paywall and the alternatives in Quizlet alternatives free with Learn mode.
Browser options that work in Safari
Here's the underrated move: skip the App Store completely.
AnkiWeb in Safari
AnkiWeb is Anki's free web version. You can log in on your iPhone's browser, review your decks and add cards. It syncs with the desktop and Android versions. It's not as smooth as the app, but it's real Anki, with the real scheduling, for free.
Pro tip: in Safari, tap the Share button and choose "Add to Home Screen". It'll sit on your home screen like an app.
FlashDeck in Safari
Full disclosure: FlashDeck is ours. It runs in the browser on your phone or laptop, with no download and no account needed to try. You paste your class notes, it turns them into flashcards, and each day it shows only the cards you're about to forget. It starts with a free check-in, and if you unlock the full app, the price is on the unlock screen before you pay. Same Add to Home Screen trick works.
Why browser apps are handy for students
- They work on school Chromebooks and laptops too.
- Nothing to install, so no App Store age or payment settings in the way.
- Your iPad, iPhone and laptop all use the same thing.
Importing your Anki decks
Already got a big Anki deck? Here's how to not lose it.
- Keep using AnkiWeb. The easiest route. Sync from desktop, review in Safari.
- Export as text. In Anki desktop, you can export notes as plain text. That gives you question and answer pairs you can bring elsewhere.
- Check the new app's import. Some apps can import Anki's deck files directly, others take plain text or a spreadsheet. Look for "import" in the app's help pages before you commit.
- Paste into FlashDeck. Paste the exported text in like notes and let it build cards.
Heads up: when you move decks, your review history usually doesn't come with you. The new app will start fresh on what you know. Annoying for a week, fine after that.
Here's the bit most people underestimate: even with the perfect app, remembering which cards are due, across biology, French and maths, is a daily grind.
FlashDeck handles that part for you. It turns your notes into flashcards and each day brings up only the ones you're about to forget, so opening it is the whole plan. Build my study plan
Our pick for students
- Already deep into Anki and can't pay: AnkiWeb in Safari. Keep your decks and history.
- Coming from Quizlet: Knowt.
- Want something simple and phone-first: Brainscape.
- Don't want to build cards at all: FlashDeck, since it turns your notes into cards.
- Just starting and not sure yet: try a browser option first. Zero cost to test, zero install.
If you're in the middle of exam season, pair whichever app you pick with a proper plan, like our guide on how to revise for A levels effectively.
Spaced repetition on your iPhone in the next minute
The best Anki alternative on iOS is the one that still schedules your reviews and that you'll actually open every day. FlashDeck works in Safari right now: paste your notes, get flashcards, and only review what you're about to forget. No download, no account needed to try.
FAQ
Is there a free version of Anki for iPhone?
The official iOS app, AnkiMobile, is paid. But AnkiWeb, Anki's web version, is free and works in Safari on iPhone and iPad, and it syncs with desktop Anki. It's the best way to use real Anki on iOS without paying.
What is the best Anki alternative on Reddit?
Student threads often suggest AnkiWeb for people who want to keep Anki, and Quizlet-style apps like Knowt for something simpler. The consistent advice is to pick an app that still schedules reviews, not one that just shows cards.
What is the best free flashcard app for iPhone?
It depends on what you need. For real spaced repetition for free, AnkiWeb in Safari; for a friendlier app, check free tiers of Knowt or Brainscape. If you want cards made from your notes, try a browser app like FlashDeck.
Leitner system vs Anki: which is better?
Both use spaced repetition. The Leitner system is simple fixed boxes you can do on paper, and Anki uses an algorithm with finer intervals. Anki suits big decks; Leitner is easier to start.