Best Anki alternatives for iPhone in 2026
Anki is the gold standard for spaced repetition flashcards. But on iPhone, the official app — AnkiMobile Flashcards — costs $24.99, making it one of the most expensive apps on the App Store. If you're looking for a more affordable way to study with SRS on iOS, here are the best alternatives.
What to look for in an Anki alternative
- Spaced repetition algorithm — the core feature that makes Anki effective
- .apkg import — so you can bring your existing decks
- Offline support — study anywhere without internet
- Cloze deletions — fill-in-the-blank cards for active recall
- Clean interface — Anki's UI is notoriously dated
The alternatives
1. sumi — best free Anki alternative
Price: Free (pro from £0.99/mo)
sumi is a lightweight flashcard app built specifically for iPhone and iPad. It reads .apkg files directly, has a built-in SRS algorithm, supports cloze deletions, and works completely offline with no account required. The interface is minimal and distraction-free — designed for focused study sessions.
Best for: Students who want Anki's core features in a modern, free iOS app.
2. AnkiMobile Flashcards — the official option
Price: $24.99 (one-time)
The official Anki client for iOS. Full sync with AnkiWeb, complete add-on compatibility, and every feature from the desktop version. The interface is functional but dated. If you're deeply invested in the Anki ecosystem with complex note types and add-ons, this is the safest choice.
Best for: Power users who need full Anki compatibility and AnkiWeb sync.
3. Quizlet — most popular, different approach
Price: Free (Plus from $7.99/mo)
Quizlet is the most widely used flashcard app, but it takes a different approach. It focuses on shared decks and multiple study modes (learn, test, match) rather than pure spaced repetition. The free tier now has ads and limited features. No .apkg import.
Best for: Casual learners who want pre-made decks and varied study modes.
4. Mochi — markdown-based
Price: Free (pro $4.99/mo)
Mochi combines note-taking with spaced repetition. Cards are written in Markdown, which appeals to developers and technical users. It supports Anki import and has a clean interface. Available on iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux.
Best for: Users who want to combine notes and flashcards in one tool.
5. Brainscape — guided learning
Price: Free (pro $9.99/mo)
Brainscape uses a confidence-based repetition system and has a large library of pre-made decks for professional certifications and academic subjects. The interface is polished but the free tier is limited.
Best for: Users who want curated, pre-made content for specific exams.
Quick comparison
Here's how the top options stack up for the features most Anki users care about:
- Free + SRS + .apkg import: sumi
- Full Anki compatibility: AnkiMobile ($24.99)
- Pre-made decks + social: Quizlet
- Notes + flashcards: Mochi
The bottom line
If you want Anki's core experience — spaced repetition, .apkg import, cloze deletions — without paying $24.99, sumi is the closest free alternative on iPhone. It won't replace Anki for power users with complex setups, but for most students it covers what matters.
Try sumi free
Import your Anki decks. Study with spaced repetition. No account required.