Anki Alternatives
Anki alternatives compared for 2026: price, .apkg import, scheduler and offline study, from each app's own listing — plus when plain Anki is still the right answer.
People look for an Anki alternative for three reasons: the desktop app feels dated, making cards by hand is slow, or the official iPhone app costs $24.99. Those are different problems, and they have different answers — so the table below compares what actually differs: what you pay, whether your existing .apkg comes across with its scheduling, which algorithm runs afterwards, and whether it works offline.
GuruOwl is our app, so weigh this accordingly: it exists for the second problem. You upload a PDF or your notes, it drafts structured cards you edit before they reach a deck, and everything exports back to a standard .apkg. If your problem is only the price of AnkiMobile, one of the free iOS apps below may suit you better, and if you like writing your own cards, plain Anki is still the most capable option on the list.
If the problem is writing cards by hand
Upload a PDF or notes and edit the draft cards against the source. That is what GuruOwl automates; the deck still ends up as a standard .apkg.
If the problem is $24.99 on iPhone
MintDeck, Mochi and Guru all import .apkg files and review offline on a free plan, with different limits. AnkiWeb reviews free in the browser, but online only.
If the problem is leaving Anki behind
Check that the app keeps your scheduling on import and exports back out. AlgoApp imports card content only, so every card restarts from zero.
When plain Anki still wins
Add-ons, custom note types and exact template control. If you already have a workflow you like, an alternative is a downgrade.
Anki alternatives compared (US prices, September 2026)
| App | Price | Imports .apkg | Scheduler | Offline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anki (desktop) | Free, open source | Native format | SM-2 and FSRS | Yes |
| AnkiMobile (iOS) | $24.99 one-time, iPhone and iPad | Native format | SM-2 and FSRS | Yes |
| MintDeck | Free; AI credits $2.99 / $4.99 | Yes, with scheduling and media | FSRS | Yes |
| Mochi | Free; Pro $5/month billed yearly for sync | Yes, with review history; HTML becomes Markdown | Own algorithm, FSRS optional | Yes |
| Noji | Free (50 cards a day); Premium from $4.99/month | Yes, uploaded at noji.io | Not stated | Premium only |
| AlgoApp | Free; Unlimited $29.99/year | Cards only — review history does not import | FSRS | Yes |
| GuruOwl | Free for up to 5 decks; Pro $4.99/month, $39.99/year, $24.99 lifetime | Yes (.apkg and .colpkg), FSRS state preserved | FSRS | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free Anki alternative?
On iPhone, MintDeck has the most generous free plan today: studying, your own cards and Anki imports cost nothing, and it keeps scheduling and media. Mochi is free forever for offline use but charges for sync. Guru is free for up to 5 decks. AnkiWeb is free in any browser but needs a connection. Prices and limits here come from each app's own listing and pricing page, checked September 2026.
Is GuruOwl a full Anki replacement?
Not for everything. Anki add-ons, custom note types and exact template control stay on Anki. GuruOwl covers the part most people find slow — turning source material into structured, reviewed cards — and exports a standard .apkg so your collection stays portable.
Why not just use Anki plus ChatGPT?
That works for a section at a time. It breaks down on a full chapter: no page references to check against, cloze syntax you fix by hand, and an import step every time. A converter does the whole document and hands you one file.
Can I move my existing decks?
Yes. Import your .apkg or .colpkg — on iPhone the scheduling state comes across, so due dates continue instead of resetting. See the Quizlet and import guides in Related below for the step-by-step.
Keep exploring
Turn your PDF into a deck you’ll actually review
Web signup includes 50 credits. Estimated generation: 1 credit/page for Standard or 3 for Expert; check the estimate before confirming. No card required.
Review your Anki decks on iPhone
Import .apkg and .colpkg decks for free. Daily review is free, too.
Editing and cross-device sync require Pro.
Get Guru for iPhone