The best Anki mobile alternative in 2026 is Deckbase for iOS and Android — free download, native FSRS scheduling, AI card creation, and cloud sync without a desktop computer. AnkiMobile costs $24.99 on iPhone and iPad. AnkiDroid is free on Android. Other alternatives include Quizlet, RemNote, and Mochi.

Guide · Updated May 2026

Best Anki mobile alternative in 2026

AnkiMobile costs $24.99 on iOS. AnkiDroid is free on Android but has no AI. If you study primarily on your phone or tablet, the right mobile flashcard app depends on whether you need FSRS, AI card creation, and cloud sync without a desktop computer. This guide compares 5 apps head-to-head.

Deckbase Editorial Team10 min read

How we evaluate

Each app was assessed on mobile-specific criteria: iOS and Android availability and cost, scheduling algorithm quality (FSRS vs SM-2 vs none), AI card creation on mobile, cloud sync without desktop dependency, Anki deck import support, and free-tier scope on mobile. Pricing and features were verified from each product's official documentation and app store listings. Last verified: May 2026. Found an error? Contact us

Quick picks

Best iOS alternative (no paywall)

Deckbase

Free tier on iPhone/iPad, native FSRS, AI card creation, cloud sync without desktop.

Best Android alternative

AnkiDroid

Free, open-source, full FSRS support — but no AI and sync requires AnkiWeb.

Best for simple mobile study

Quizlet

Polished iOS/Android apps, huge shared set library, zero setup.

Best notes + cards on mobile

RemNote

PDF annotation and SRS-style review on iOS and Android.

Best minimalist FSRS on mobile web

Mochi

Native FSRS, clean markdown interface, works in mobile browser.

The AnkiMobile $24.99 problem

Anki is free on desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) and free on Android via AnkiDroid. But on iPhone and iPad, AnkiMobile is a separate $24.99 one-time purchase. That fee funds the entire Anki ecosystem — including the free desktop app and AnkiWeb sync servers — but it creates a real barrier for iOS-first learners.

Pay $24.99 when…

You need Anki add-ons on mobile, you already own AnkiMobile and are satisfied, or you rely on specific community decks (AnKing, Zanki, Lightyear) that are easiest to access through Anki.

Skip the fee when…

You rarely use desktop, you want AI card creation on your phone, you need cloud sync without configuring AnkiWeb, or you want a modern mobile UI out of the box.

All 5 apps at a glance

A quick-reference table focused on mobile — iOS cost, Android cost, sync model, and AI availability.

Deckbase

AI cards
Built-in
FSRS
Yes
Free tier
Yes (500 cards)
Paid from
Free · $5.99/mo
iOS
Free download
Android
Free download
Sync
Cloud-native

Anki

AI cards
Via add-ons (desktop)
FSRS
Yes (v23+)
Free tier
Desktop & Android free
Paid from
Free · $24.99 iOS
iOS
$24.99 one-time
Android
Free (AnkiDroid)
Sync
AnkiWeb (desktop needed)

Quizlet

AI cards
Limited (paid)
FSRS
No
Free tier
Yes (limited)
Paid from
Free · ~$7.99/mo
iOS
Free download
Android
Free download
Sync
Cloud-native

RemNote

AI cards
Limited
FSRS
SRS-style
Free tier
Yes
Paid from
Free · $6/mo
iOS
Free download
Android
Free download
Sync
Cloud-native

Mochi

AI cards
Basic
FSRS
Yes (native)
Free tier
Limited
Paid from
$5/mo
iOS
Web only
Android
Web only
Sync
Cloud-native

1. Deckbase — best mobile-first FSRS with AI

Pricing: Free tier on iOS and Android · Pro from $5.99/mo · no separate app purchase.

Pros

  • +Free download on iPhone, iPad, and Android with usable free tier
  • +Native FSRS scheduling — no desktop configuration needed
  • +AI generates cards from photos, PDFs, notes, and chat on mobile
  • +Cloud sync across all devices without AnkiWeb or desktop mediator
  • +Anki .apkg import directly on mobile for deck migration

Cons

  • −Smaller community deck library than Anki
  • −AI output needs review for precision-critical topics
  • −Full AI and advanced features require paid plan

Verdict: Best choice if you want a native iOS or Android flashcard app with FSRS, AI card creation, and cloud sync — without paying AnkiMobile's $24.99 or managing desktop sync. The free tier is genuinely usable for daily review.

2. Anki — best for power users who already paid

Pricing: Desktop free · AnkiDroid (Android) free · AnkiMobile (iOS) $24.99 one-time.

Pros

  • +AnkiDroid on Android is completely free with full FSRS support
  • +30,000+ community decks — unmatched library for med school and languages
  • +FSRS scheduling on mobile when synced from desktop
  • +True offline-first review once decks are downloaded

Cons

  • −AnkiMobile is $24.99 on iOS — no free iPhone/iPad option
  • −Mobile UI is dated compared to modern apps
  • −AI card creation requires desktop add-ons, not available on mobile
  • −Sync depends on AnkiWeb; setup typically requires desktop first
  • −No cloud-native experience — sync is manual and can conflict

Verdict: Still the gold standard for Android users (free AnkiDroid) and iOS users who already paid the $24.99. If you are iOS-first and have not bought AnkiMobile yet, a modern alternative saves money and setup time.

Head-to-head comparison: Deckbase vs Anki.

3. Quizlet — best for simple mobile study sets

Pricing: Free (limited) · Plus ~$7.99/mo. Free download on iOS and Android.

Pros

  • +Polished, modern iOS and Android apps
  • +500M+ shared sets — instant access to study material
  • +Zero setup; works immediately after download
  • +Collaborative features for classroom use

Cons

  • −No FSRS or SM-2 — study modes are cram-oriented
  • −AI features locked behind paid tier
  • −Not designed for long-term retention over months
  • −Cannot import Anki decks

Verdict: Great for quick set creation and classroom sharing on mobile. Not suitable for serious spaced repetition — the lack of FSRS is a hard limit for med students and language learners targeting long-term retention.

See also: Deckbase vs Quizlet.

4. RemNote — best for notes and flashcards on mobile

Pricing: Free tier · Pro from $6/mo. iOS and Android apps available.

Pros

  • +Notes and flashcards in one document — no context switching
  • +PDF annotation generates cards in context on mobile
  • +SRS-style scheduling built into the note editor
  • +Cross-platform with native iOS and Android apps

Cons

  • −Complex interface — flashcards are secondary to note-taking
  • −Can feel slow with large knowledge bases on mobile
  • −Free tier limits AI and storage
  • −No Anki deck import

Verdict: Ideal if your workflow is note-taking first, flashcards second, and you want both on mobile. For a dedicated mobile review loop with FSRS, a flashcard-first app is stronger.

5. Mochi — best minimalist FSRS on mobile web

Pricing: Limited free plan · $5/mo for full access. macOS, Windows, and Web (mobile browser).

Pros

  • +Native FSRS scheduling — one of the earliest implementations
  • +Clean, distraction-free markdown interface
  • +$5/mo is the lowest price for a serious FSRS app
  • +Works in mobile browser for on-the-go review

Cons

  • −No native iOS or Android app — mobile web only
  • −No AI card generation
  • −No community deck library
  • −Smaller user base means fewer tutorials and support resources

Verdict: A strong pick for minimalists who want clean FSRS on a budget and do not mind using a mobile web app. Not ideal if you need native iOS/Android apps or AI card creation.

Best Anki alternative on iPhone and iPad

The iOS flashcard landscape is shaped by one fact: AnkiMobile costs $24.99. For iPhone and iPad users who have not yet purchased it, that fee is often the trigger to look for an alternative.

Stay on AnkiMobile when…

You already paid the $24.99, you rely on specific add-ons that sync from desktop, or you need access to the full AnKing/Zanki deck library on iOS.

Switch to Deckbase when…

You want a free iOS app with FSRS, AI card creation from photos and PDFs, and cloud sync without desktop dependency.

Key difference: AnkiMobile assumes you have (or will have) a desktop Anki setup. Deckbase is cloud-native: sign up on your iPhone, create cards, and they sync to web and Android automatically.

Best Anki alternative on Android

Android users have a different calculus. AnkiDroid is free, full-featured, and supports FSRS. So the question is not about cost — it is about workflow and AI.

Stay on AnkiDroid when…

You are satisfied with manual card creation, you use desktop Anki for add-ons, or you want the deepest FSRS customization available on mobile.

Switch to Deckbase when…

You want AI card generation on your phone, you never use desktop, or you want a more modern Android UI with built-in cloud sync.

Mobile pricing at a glance

iOS download

Deckbase
Free
Anki
$24.99 one-time
Quizlet
Free
RemNote
Free
Mochi
Web only

Android download

Deckbase
Free
Anki
Free (AnkiDroid)
Quizlet
Free
RemNote
Free
Mochi
Web only

Free tier cards

Deckbase
500
Anki
Unlimited (desktop/Android)
Quizlet
Limited
RemNote
Unlimited
Mochi
Limited

Monthly Pro

Deckbase
$5.99
Anki
N/A
Quizlet
~$7.99
RemNote
$6
Mochi
$5

AI generation

Deckbase
Included (free tier)
Anki
Add-ons only (desktop)
Quizlet
Plus plan only
RemNote
Limited
Mochi
No

Cloud sync

Deckbase
Native
Anki
AnkiWeb (desktop setup)
Quizlet
Native
RemNote
Native
Mochi
Native

Key takeaway: Anki is cheapest long-term on Android (free). On iOS, Deckbase avoids the $24.99 upfront cost and includes AI generation in the free tier. Quizlet and RemNote are also free to download but lock advanced features behind paid plans.

Migrate from Anki to a mobile alternative

If you are leaving AnkiMobile or AnkiDroid, the biggest concern is deck transfer. Deckbase supports .apkg import directly on mobile, so you can move your decks without touching a computer.

Pick your app by mobile workflow

iOS-only, never use desktop

Best pick
Deckbase
Why
Free app, native FSRS, AI, cloud sync

Android-only, want free FSRS

Best pick
AnkiDroid
Why
Free, full-featured, deep customization

iOS + Android, need AI on both

Best pick
Deckbase
Why
Cross-platform AI and FSRS out of the box

Study simple sets with friends

Best pick
Quizlet
Why
Best sharing and social features on mobile

Notes + flashcards together

Best pick
RemNote
Why
Integrated knowledge system on mobile

Minimalist, budget-conscious

Best pick
Mochi
Why
$5/mo, clean FSRS, works in browser

Try Deckbase free on mobile

Download on iPhone, iPad, or Android. Import one Anki deck and review for a week before deciding.

Download iOS/AndroidStart Free on Web

Frequently asked questions

What is the best Anki alternative for iPhone and iPad?

For iOS users who want FSRS scheduling without paying AnkiMobile's $24.99 fee, Deckbase offers a free iPhone and iPad app with native FSRS, AI card creation, and cloud sync. If you already own AnkiMobile and rely on add-ons, staying on Anki may still make sense. For simple study sets, Quizlet has a polished iOS app with a large shared library.

Is there a free alternative to AnkiMobile on iOS?

Yes. Deckbase, Quizlet, and RemNote all offer free iOS apps with usable free tiers. Deckbase includes FSRS scheduling and AI card generation in its free tier. Quizlet's free tier is limited but functional for basic sets. RemNote offers note-taking and SRS-style review for free on iOS.

What is the best AnkiDroid alternative for Android?

AnkiDroid remains the best free Android option for FSRS purists. For Android users who want AI card creation and a more modern UI, Deckbase is the strongest alternative — it offers native FSRS, AI generation from files and chat, and cross-platform sync. Quizlet is a simpler option for basic flashcard needs on Android.

Can I use Anki on mobile without paying?

On Android, AnkiDroid is completely free with full FSRS support. On iOS, AnkiMobile costs $24.99 as a one-time purchase. There is no official free Anki app for iPhone or iPad. Some users work around this by using AnkiWeb in Safari, but the experience is limited compared to a native app.

Do Anki alternatives sync without a desktop computer?

Deckbase, Quizlet, and RemNote all sync natively across mobile and web without requiring a desktop app. Anki's sync depends on AnkiWeb, which is typically configured through the desktop application first. For users who never open a laptop, a cloud-native alternative removes that dependency.

Can I import Anki decks into a mobile flashcard app?

Deckbase supports direct .apkg import on mobile and web, so you can transfer Anki decks without touching a desktop computer. Other apps like Quizlet and RemNote do not support Anki deck import. If migration without desktop is a priority, check each app's import capabilities before switching.

Is FSRS available on mobile flashcard apps?

Yes. Deckbase and Mochi use FSRS natively. Anki supports FSRS on desktop and AnkiDroid (Android), and AnkiMobile (iOS) inherits FSRS settings synced from desktop. Quizlet and Brainscape do not use FSRS. If you want FSRS without desktop configuration, Deckbase is the most straightforward mobile option.

Why does AnkiMobile cost $24.99 on iOS?

Anki's desktop app and AnkiDroid (Android) are free and open-source, maintained by volunteers. AnkiMobile is the only paid product in the ecosystem; its revenue supports the entire project, including AnkiWeb sync servers. The one-time purchase funds ongoing development of the free desktop and Android versions.

How does Deckbase compare to Anki on mobile?

Deckbase is built mobile-first with a free iOS/Android app, cloud sync, AI card creation, and native FSRS. Anki on mobile is split: AnkiDroid is free and full-featured on Android, while AnkiMobile is a $24.99 iOS purchase that relies on desktop sync for optimal configuration. For mobile-only learners, Deckbase removes the desktop dependency and setup overhead.

What is the best flashcard app for studying on the go?

For studying exclusively on phone or tablet, the best app depends on your workflow: Deckbase for AI-generated cards and FSRS on mobile; Quizlet for simple sets and a polished social experience; AnkiDroid for free FSRS on Android; AnkiMobile if you already paid and need add-on compatibility on iOS.

Written and maintained by the Deckbase editorial team. Pricing and features verified from official product documentation and app store listings as of May 2026. We update this page when pricing or features change materially. For corrections, contact Contact us. Deckbase is listed in this comparison because it is our product — all competitor information is sourced from public documentation.