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In this Anki app review, we will explore why Anki is one of the most effective memory tools ever created. Instead of endless re-reading or cramming, it uses scientifically backed spaced repetition to make knowledge stick fast.
Whether you are learning a language, revising for exams, or mastering technical concepts, Anki helps you remember more in less time.
This review breaks down how it works, why it is so effective, and whether it’s the right study tool for you.
What is Anki?
Anki is a digital flashcard app designed to help you memorise information efficiently using a proven technique called spaced repetition.
Instead of relying on rote memorisation or endless re-reading, Anki schedules each flashcard at the moment you’re most likely to forget it.
Definition and background of Anki
Anki (from the Japanese word for “memorisation”) is an open-source flashcard programme first released in 2006 by Damien Elmes.
Its purpose was simple: create a flexible tool that anyone could use to remember almost anything, from languages and medical terminology to exam content or professional knowledge.
Because it’s open-source, the community has shaped much of its evolution, contributing decks, add-ons, themes and performance upgrades.
Anki development and intended audience
Although originally adopted by language learners, Anki’s user base quickly expanded. Today, it’s used by medical students, engineers, pilots, musicians, and anyone who needs to retain large amounts of information with long-term accuracy.
Its development has focused on two core principles: adaptability and efficiency. Users can customise every aspect, which has made it one of the most powerful and devotedly used study tools worldwide.
Explanation of flashcards and the spaced repetition method
At the heart of Anki is the spaced repetition system.
Each flashcard appears based on your performance: press “Again” and it returns quickly; press “Good” or “Easy”, and you won’t see it for hours, days or even months.
This expanding interval mirrors how memory naturally works, reinforcing information right before it fades. Over time, this method dramatically improves retention while reducing total study time.
Key Features of Anki
Anki stands out because it gives learners complete control over how they study.
Whether you’re memorising vocabulary, scientific diagrams or entire question banks, the app offers a suite of powerful tools designed to make learning more efficient and personal.
Fully customisable flashcards (text, images, audio, and more)
Anki allows you to build flashcards exactly the way you want them.
You can create simple front-and-back cards or design complex templates with multiple fields, colour coding, and embedded media.
Images, audio clips, example sentences, diagrams, video snippets, and even LaTeX for equations can all be included.
Advanced spaced repetition algorithm
At the heart of Anki is its powerful spaced repetition algorithm, which automatically schedules each card based on how well you remember it.
When you rate your recall (Again, Hard, Good, Easy), Anki adjusts the interval until you see the card again. Over time, you review the hardest material more frequently and the easier material less often.
This method mirrors the brain’s memory patterns and dramatically boosts long-term retention.
Syncing across devices, including desktop and mobile
Anki lets you study anywhere. You can create decks on your computer, review them on your phone, and sync progress seamlessly across all devices through AnkiWeb.
Whether you have five minutes on the bus or an hour at your desk, your flashcards are always up to date and ready to review.
Add-ons, plugins, and strong community support
One of Anki’s biggest strengths is its community.
Thousands of add-ons have been created to extend functionality. This includes enhanced card editors and heat maps for better analytics, dark modes, image occlusion tools, and exam-style question generators.
The community also shares pre-made decks for dozens of subjects, offers troubleshooting support, and continually contributes improvements to the open-source codebase.
How Anki Works
Anki is built around a simple idea: you learn more effectively when information is reviewed at the exact moment you are about to forget it.
To make this possible, Anki uses a spaced repetition system and a flexible flashcard creator that allows you to learn anything, anywhere.
Step-by-step guide on creating flashcards and decks
- Create a new deck: Open Anki and click “Create Deck.” Give it a clear, simple name (for example: Spanish Vocab, Medical Terms, Coding Concepts).
- Add a card: Select the deck and click “Add.” Here you choose the card type: Basic, Basic (and reversed), Cloze, or Image Occlusion.
- Write the front and back of the card
- Front: the prompt or question.
- Back: the answer or explanation.
- Keep both sides short and clear.
- 4. Add optional media: You can insert images, audio clips, example sentences, or diagrams. This is especially helpful for language learners or visual subjects.
- 5. Save the card: Click “Add” again to save the card and continue creating more.
- 6. Start reviewing: Click “Study Now.” Anki immediately begins scheduling cards using its spaced repetition algorithm.
Detailed explanation of how the spaced repetition system schedules reviews
Anki uses a scheduling algorithm that adapts to your memory performance. Each time you answer a card, you choose one of four buttons:
- Again: you did not remember it (card repeats soon)
- Hard: you barely remembered it
- Good: you remembered it with some effort
Easy: you remembered it effortlessly
Anki then adjusts the interval before you see that card again:
- A card you know well appears days, weeks, or months later
- A difficult or forgotten card returns within minutes or hours
- Over time, the intervals grow longer as your memory strengthens
Benefits of Using Anki
Anki is designed to make learning more efficient, more flexible, and far more durable than traditional study methods.
Whether you are learning a language, preparing for professional exams, or mastering complex academic subjects, Anki gives you a structured yet adaptable system that fits your goals.
Here are the core benefits that make it one of the most powerful learning tools available.
Improved long-term retention and recall
Anki strengthens your memory by showing information right before you are likely to forget it.
This timing is key. It reinforces the material at the exact moment your brain needs it.
The result:
- Stronger recall
- Longer retention
- Dramatically reduced forgetting over time
Instead of relearning the same information over and over, you build a solid, permanent memory base.
Flexibility to study any subject
Anki is not limited to vocabulary or simple facts. You can use Anki for almost anything:
- Languages
- Medicine and anatomy
- Law and case memorisation
- University exams
- Coding concepts
- Geography and diagrams
- Historical facts
- Professional certifications
Because you can create cards with text, audio, images, cloze deletions, or diagrams, Anki adapts to any field of study.
Highly efficient learning over time
Spaced repetition saves hours of study time by focusing only on what you need to review.
Anki ensures:
- Less time wasted on material you already know
- More attention on weak points
- Consistent progress with short sessions
Even 10 minutes a day can produce long-term improvement when the system is used consistently.
Access to community-made shared decks and resources
Anki has a massive global community that creates and shares high-quality decks for free. You can access shared decks on topics such as:
- Common language vocab
- Medical school flashcards (e.g., anatomy, pathology)
- Law and bar exam content
- Geography, history, maths, and science
- Prep decks for standardised tests
These decks can save you countless hours, and you can still edit or customise them to suit your learning style.
Potential Drawbacks
Although Anki is one of the most powerful learning tools available, it is not perfect for every learner.
Its limitations help you set realistic expectations and avoid common frustrations, especially when you are just getting started. Here are the main drawbacks to consider:
Steep learning curve for beginners
Anki can feel unintuitive at first. New users often struggle with:
- Understanding card types
- Figuring out the spaced repetition settings
- Navigating the interface
- Knowing how many cards to add per day
Because Anki offers so much flexibility, it takes time to learn how to use it effectively. Once the basics click, however, it becomes one of the most efficient study tools available.
Overwhelming customisation options
Anki lets you customise nearly everything. This includes card templates, fonts, add-ons, scheduling, deck structure, tags, and more. This is powerful, but it also means:
- You may spend too much time trying to “perfect” your setup
- Beginners might feel lost in the settings
- Add-ons can complicate the experience if you install too many
The best approach is to start simple, use default settings, then optimise once you’re comfortable.
Possible dependency on digital tools for studying
Anki requires consistent use on a laptop or phone, which may not suit everyone. You may experience some of the following:
- Screen fatigue from long sessions
- Difficulty studying when you are offline
- A reliance on devices to manage your learning
For some learners, physical flashcards or written notes feel more natural. However, once balanced, digital tools like Anki often save significant time and increase retention.
User Experience and Interface
Anki’s interface is designed with function over aesthetics in mind. While it may not be the most visually polished study app, its layout and workflow prioritise speed, efficiency, and flexibility.
Once you understand the structure, the design becomes an advantage rather than a limitation, enabling you to move quickly through reviews and customise the experience to fit your learning style.
Anki app’s design, layout, and functionality
Anki uses a clean, minimal layout built to help you focus on flashcards without distractions. Key elements of the interface include:
- Deck List: Your home screen shows all of your decks, their due cards, and daily review counts.
- Study Screen: When reviewing cards, the display is intentionally simple. You see the question, reveal the answer, and choose how well you remembered it.
- Card Editor: A robust editor allows you to add text, audio, images, cloze deletions, and custom templates.
- Browser Tool: This powerful section lets you filter, tag, edit, and reorganise your entire collection of cards.
Differences between the desktop and mobile experience
Anki’s functionality varies across desktop and mobile, with each platform offering strengths suited to different parts of the learning process.
| Feature / Experience | Desktop Version | Mobile Version (AnkiDroid / AnkiMobile) |
| Best for | Creating, editing, and organising cards | Fast daily reviews on the go |
| Card Browser | Full access for filtering, tagging, batch edits | Limited filtering and editing |
| Add-on Support | Yes – extensive customisation possible | No add-ons (mobile apps do not support them) |
| Editing Efficiency | Ideal for long or complex card creation | Suitable for minor edits only |
| Deck Management | Strong tools for organisation and structure | Basic tools, focused on review |
| Ease of Use | More complex but powerful | Very simple and review-focused |
| Offline Use | Yes | Yes, excellent for commuting or downtime |
| Best Use Case | Building and maintaining your entire system | Keeping your daily streak and reviewing anywhere |
Anki vs. Other Flashcard Apps
Anki stands out in the flashcard world because of its power, flexibility, and evidence-based learning system.
While other apps offer polished interfaces or simplified workflows, Anki gives you total control over how you learn.
This section highlights how Anki compares to popular alternatives, what makes it unique, and when it’s the best tool for the job.
Comparison with popular alternatives
Here is how Anki stacks up against other well-known flashcard apps:
| Feature / App | Anki | Quizlet | Memrise | Brainscape |
| Pricing | Free on desktop; paid on iOS | Mostly paid; limited free use | Freemium with paid features | Subscription-based |
| Spaced Repetition | Advanced algorithm with custom intervals | Basic or locked behind paywall | Uses SRS but less customisable | Yes, but not user-configurable |
| Customisation | Complete control: card types, templates, add-ons | Limited templates | Moderately customisable | Less flexible |
| Media Support | Full support: images, audio, video, LaTeX | Yes, but with upload restrictions | Yes | Yes |
| Add-ons & Extensions | Thousands of community add-ons | None | None | None |
| Deck Sharing | Huge community library, editable | Large library, mostly locked | Contains courses, less editable | Limited |
| Offline Access | Yes | Limited | Yes | Yes |
| Best For | Serious, long-term learners | Casual learners | Vocabulary and basic language courses | Structured repetition with simplicity |
Unique advantages that set Anki apart
Anki’s biggest strengths come from its open-source nature and user control.
1. Full Customisation
You can design cards, templates, and entire study systems exactly how you want them.
2. Advanced Scheduling Algorithm
Anki’s spaced repetition is more precise than most competitors, giving better long-term retention.
3. Community Add-ons
No other flashcard app has an ecosystem like Anki’s. Add-ons unlock:
- Heatmaps
- Advanced analytics
- Image occlusion
- Automatic difficulty sorting
- Custom themes
- Enhanced editors
4. Completely Offline Capability
Unlike subscription apps that lock content behind logins, Anki works anywhere, anytime.
5. Longevity and Reliability
Anki has been used for over a decade by medical students, polyglots, and academics — people with heavy, high-stakes memorisation needs.
Situations where Anki is the more effective choice
Anki is the best tool when:
- You need to memorise large amounts of information reliably
- You want a long-term system, not quick revision
- You prefer full control over your study material
- You are preparing for high-pressure exams
- You are learning a language seriously and want durable vocabulary retention
- You benefit from consistency and incremental progress
- You want to integrate images, audio, diagrams, or custom templates into your learning
Anki App Review FAQs
1. Is Anki good for complete beginners?
Yes. While Anki can look technical at first, beginners can start using simple cards immediately. Most learners become comfortable after a few sessions, especially with pre-made decks or basic card types
2. How often should I use Anki to see results?
Using Anki consistently is more important than studying for long periods.
Ten to fifteen minutes a day is enough to build strong recall and keep your review workload manageable.
3. Do I need the mobile version if I already have Anki on desktop?
You do not need it, but it is extremely helpful.
Mobile access allows you to review cards in short bursts throughout the day, which improves retention and consistency.
4. Are shared decks worth using, or should I make my own?
Shared decks are useful for saving time and getting started quickly. However, cards you write yourself are usually remembered better because they reflect your understanding and phrasing. Many learners use both approaches.
5. Does Anki work for subjects other than language learning?
Yes. Anki is used across medicine, law, engineering, programming, humanities, and exam preparation. If something can be turned into a question and answer format, Anki can help you learn it.