Anki has been the go-to flashcard app for years—powerful spaced repetition, huge flexibility, and a loyal user base. But it's not for everyone. If you want an Anki alternative that automates card creation, works great with handwritten notes, or feels less overwhelming, here are the best options in 2025.
Why Look for an Anki Alternative?
Anki excels at spaced repetition and customization. The tradeoff: you build every card yourself. There's no AI that turns your lecture notes into flashcards, no OCR for handwritten pages, and a steep learning curve for new users. Many students want the same learning science (spaced repetition, active recall) with less manual work and a simpler interface. That's where Anki alternatives come in—especially AI-powered ones that generate flashcards from your own notes.
What to Look For in an Anki Alternative
Spaced repetition. The best alternatives keep what makes Anki effective: reviewing cards at the right intervals so you remember long-term. Look for built-in spacing, not just static flashcard decks.
Automated card creation. The biggest time-saver is generating flashcards from your notes (or PDFs, transcripts) instead of typing each card. AI that understands your material and turns it into Q&A or fill-in-the-blank is a major upgrade over manual entry.
Handwritten notes support. If you take notes by hand, an app that can scan and convert them to text—then to flashcards—saves hours. Anki doesn't do this natively; several alternatives do.
Ease of use. Anki's power comes with complexity. Alternatives that are easier to pick up can get you studying faster, especially during busy semesters.
Best Anki Alternatives in 2025
1. NoteFren — Best Anki Alternative for Your Own Notes
NoteFren is built for students who learn from their own material. You add notes (typed or scanned with OCR), and the app turns them into flashcards, summaries, and quizzes. Spaced repetition is built in, and the interface is designed to get you studying in minutes, not hours. If you want Anki-style recall without manual card creation—and especially if you have handwritten notes—NoteFren is one of the strongest Anki alternatives. For a direct comparison, see Anki vs NoteFren.
- Auto-generate flashcards from notes
- OCR for handwritten notes
- Spaced repetition + quiz mode
- Summaries and study guides
2. Quizlet — Best for Pre-Made and Shared Decks
Quizlet offers millions of user-created decks, games, and study modes. It's less about building from your personal notes and more about finding or sharing existing content. Great if you want quick access to shared class decks or prefer a more social, game-like study experience. For a head-to-head with an AI note-based app, see Quizlet vs NoteFren.
- Huge library of shared decks
- Multiple study modes (match, test, etc.)
- Quizlet Plus for AI features
3. RemNote — Best for Connected Knowledge and Outlines
RemNote combines note-taking with flashcards and spaced repetition. You build a knowledge base (outlines, concepts) and turn parts of it into "rem" cards. It suits users who think in hierarchies and want everything linked. More complex than NoteFren or Quizlet but powerful for heavy note-first studiers.
4. Stay on Anki If...
Anki is still the best choice if you want maximum control, use mostly typed/digital content, and don't mind the learning curve. Many med and law students stick with Anki for that reason. The best "alternative" might be using Anki alongside an app that generates cards from your notes, then importing those into Anki—though that adds steps. A dedicated Anki alternative that does both (create from notes + spaced repetition) is often simpler.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | NoteFren | Quizlet | Anki |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flashcards from your notes (AI) | — | Manual | |
| Handwritten notes (OCR) | — | — | |
| Spaced repetition | Limited | ||
| Pre-made / shared decks | Focus on your notes | Community decks |
Bottom Line
The best Anki alternative for you depends on how you study. If you want to turn your own notes (including handwritten) into flashcards with minimal effort and keep spaced repetition, NoteFren is a strong fit. If you rely on shared or pre-made content, Quizlet is worth considering. For more on picking an AI study tool, see our best AI study app for students guide.