Last updated on 12 May 2026
Anki is free and open source software This allows you to create custom memory cards or flashcards to facilitate learning and memorisation. A timeless classic, created by Damien Elmes and made public for the first time in …2006.
Almost 20 years later, despite the explosion of educational technologies and artificial intelligence, Anki remains a reliable choice.
The software uses a unique spaced repetition algorithm to optimise learning efficiency.
In addition, it offers fantastic customization options and statistics to track students' progress.
Table of Contents
What is Anki?
Anki is a very popular software that will allow you to create online maps with questions on one side and answers on the other. It is mainly used for learning new information, reviewing knowledge and memorising.
Anki makes it possible to create textual flashcards or with images and sounds, which can be particularly useful to quickly develop a notion or to strengthen students' memorization over the long term thanks to spaced repetition.
Repeat to help memorize
Did you know that Anki is inspired by a spaced repetition system invented more than a century ago? Anki relies on this technique to optimize memorization. Every time a card passes, the software analyzes the answers and adjust the revision intervals accordingly.
The level of difficulty of the card and the student’s ability to retain it shall be taken into account. Thus, you revise the cards at the most convenient time to strengthen long-term memorization.
This promotes adaptation to the rhythm of each student and offers an effective and personalised revision.
The tool also provides detailed statistics on users’ habits and progress, which can encourage them to progress in their learning.
Share your memory cards, use those created by other users
Anki has an active community of users who share their card decks with the user community. This means that you can find decks already created on many different topics, which saves you time in creating your own cards.
You can share maps with your colleagues. You can also ask your students to create in a group their own cards. It is a good exercise in developing skills in research, synthesis and prioritisation of information.
Anki also offers a wide variety of community-created add-ons that add additional functionality and improve the user experience.
Synchronize your memory cards on all your devices
Anki is compatible with most platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, there is also a web version. The platform supports images, audio, videos and scientific language (via LaTeX). Beware of imitations on the blinds of mobile applications. Anki’s success has generated bad copies, sometimes for a fee.
You can sync your data between your different devices, allowing you to use it wherever you are. Anki has an online version to access your maps from any browser.
An easy-to-use flashcard platform
Anki is popular for its ease d“Use. With a simplified and intuitive user interface, you do not need to be a crack in Computer Science for create and manage effectively thes flashcards. In short, it is great.
It also has a large community of users who are always ready to lend a hand and answer questions from beginners – I know this from personal experience. This is a real advantage.
Anki stands out from other flashcard applications for its flexibility, open-source character and optimized spaced-memory method. Although other tools such as Quizlet or Memrise also offer the creation of flashcards, Anki has real assets to pose as an excellent free and free alternative.
If you have never tested Anki, get started.
Answers to any questions you may have:
Is Anki free?
Yes, Anki is free and open source software. You can download and use it free of charge. Be careful however only the software for PC is free and free. On mobile and especially on iOS it is paid and even quite expensive.
Can I use Anki on my phone?
Yes, Anki is available on iOS and Android. You can download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Can I synchronize my data between my different devices?
Yes, Anki offers a cross-platform synchronization function. You can sync your data between your computer, phone, and even an online version.
Can I share my memory card decks with other users?
Yes, Anki has a sharing feature that allows you to share your decks with other users. You can also download decks created by other people.
Can I use the offline platform?
Yes, Anki allows you to download your decks for offline use. You can view them even without an internet connection.
English
Attention, there is an image of AnkiApp in the article but this application has nothing to do with Anki. It is a company that stole Anki’s name to confuse and benefit from Anki’s popularity.
This is corrected. Thank you very much Mathieu for the alert and your vigilance.
I would add that unfortunately, it seems that Anki cannot install on all Android phones, some of my trainees cannot install it, I had to go through Quizlet (and it is worse, I find) … a pity!