You downloaded Anki because everyone on Reddit said it would change your life. Three hours later, you're watching your fourth YouTube tutorial on deck options, interval modifiers, and FSRS parameters. Your actual studying? Zero.
You're not alone. Anki is the most powerful flashcard tool ever built. It is also the most intimidating. And for many students, that gap between "powerful" and "usable" is where learning goes to die.
Notesmakr is a mobile study app built on the same spaced repetition science as Anki, but designed so you spend your time studying, not configuring. It imports your existing Anki decks, adds AI-powered card generation, and wraps everything in an interface you can figure out in minutes.
This post compares both apps honestly. Anki wins in some areas. Notesmakr wins in others. By the end, you'll know exactly which one fits how you actually study.
What Is Anki?
Anki is a free, open-source flashcard application that uses spaced repetition to schedule your reviews at the optimal time. Created by Damien Elmes in 2006, it has become the default tool for medical students, language learners, and anyone who needs to memorize large volumes of information.
Anki is free on desktop (Mac, Windows, Linux) and Android. The iOS app costs $24.99 as a one-time purchase. You can sync cards across devices through AnkiWeb, and the community has built over 10,000 add-ons that extend every aspect of the app.
In 2023, Anki introduced FSRS (Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler), a machine-learning algorithm that replaced the classic SM-2 system. FSRS learns your personal forgetting patterns and typically requires 15 to 20 percent fewer reviews to achieve the same retention rate (Ye, 2023).
What Is Notesmakr?
Notesmakr is a mobile-first study app built around the Feynman Technique: collect material from any source, simplify it in your own words, then reinforce it with flashcards, quizzes, and mind maps.
Where Anki is a flashcard engine you configure yourself, Notesmakr is an all-in-one study system. You feed it a PDF, an audio recording, a scanned document, or typed notes. The AI generates flashcards, quizzes, summaries, and mind maps from that material. Spaced repetition runs automatically using the SM-2 algorithm.
Notesmakr also offers features that Anki does not: cloze cards with diminishing cues (progressive letter hints based on your learning progress), AI quiz generation, mind map generation, and live multiplayer group study sessions.
Feature Comparison: Anki vs Notesmakr
Here is a direct comparison across the features that matter most.
| Feature | Anki | Notesmakr |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (desktop + Android), $24.99 iOS | Free tier + paid plans (Scholar/Scholar+) |
| Platforms | Desktop, mobile, web (AnkiWeb) | Mobile (iOS + Android) |
| SRS Algorithm | FSRS (ML-based) or SM-2 | SM-2 |
| Card creation | Manual only | Manual + AI generation from PDF, audio, scans, text |
| Cloze deletion | Basic fill-in-the-blank | Diminishing cues with progressive letter hints |
| Community decks | Millions of shared decks | No shared deck library |
| Add-ons/plugins | 10,000+ community add-ons | No plugin system |
| Card templates | Fully customizable (HTML/CSS) | Fixed card formats |
| Quiz mode | Via add-ons only | Built-in AI quiz generator |
| Mind maps | Not available | AI mind map generation |
| Group study | Not available | Live multiplayer quiz sessions |
| AI tutor | Not built-in | Pippy AI chat about your notes |
| Import/export | .apkg, CSV, many formats | Imports .apkg decks, CSV/TXT; exports Anki-compatible format |
| Learning curve | Steep (hours to configure) | Low (minutes to start) |
Anki gives you maximum control. Notesmakr gives you maximum speed. The right choice depends on whether you value configurability or simplicity.
Where Anki Wins
Let's be honest about where Anki is the better choice.
1. Total cost: Anki is free (mostly)
Anki costs nothing on desktop and Android. The $24.99 iOS app is a one-time purchase, not a subscription. If budget is your primary concern and you study on a computer, Anki is hard to beat.
Notesmakr's free tier includes manual flashcard creation, cloze cards, Anki .apkg import, spaced repetition, and handwriting notes. AI features (card generation, quizzes, mind maps, summaries) require a paid Scholar+ plan.
2. Desktop and web access
Anki runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, and the web through AnkiWeb. Notesmakr is mobile-only. If you do most of your studying at a desk with a full keyboard, Anki gives you more workspace.
3. Customization depth
Anki lets you build card templates with HTML and CSS. You can control fonts, colors, layouts, audio playback, and conditional fields. If you need cards that display chemical structures, musical notation, or complex formatting, Anki's template system is unmatched.
Notesmakr uses fixed card formats. You get standard front/back cards and cloze deletion cards. The tradeoff is simplicity: no template configuration means no template debugging.
4. Community decks and add-ons
Anki's shared deck library contains millions of pre-made decks. Medical students rely on AnKing for board exam preparation, which is why how to study in medical school recommends AnKing outright for anyone whose curriculum already runs on it, and why our guide to the best flashcard app for medical students treats board decks and lecture-specific cards as two separate jobs. Language learners use frequency-based vocabulary decks. This community content is a massive advantage.
Anki's 10,000+ add-ons let you extend every part of the app: image occlusion, heatmap tracking, automatic card generation, custom review modes, and more.
Notesmakr has no shared deck library and no plugin system. You build your own material (which is actually better for learning, but that's another discussion).
5. FSRS algorithm
Anki's FSRS algorithm uses machine learning to model your personal memory patterns. It adapts to how you actually forget, not just a fixed formula. Medical students report 20 to 30 percent fewer daily reviews while maintaining the same retention (MemoForge, 2025).
Notesmakr uses SM-2, the classic SuperMemo algorithm. SM-2 works well and has decades of research behind it, but it does not adapt to individual memory patterns. It also suffers from "ease hell," where cards rated "Hard" repeatedly get stuck in short intervals. FSRS eliminates this problem entirely.
Where Notesmakr Wins
Now the areas where Notesmakr has the edge.
1. Getting started in minutes, not hours
Open Notesmakr, create a note, and you are studying. There are no deck options to configure, no interval modifiers to tune, no debates about "learning steps" vs "graduating interval."
Anki's power comes from its configurability. But that configurability costs time. A common complaint across forums and Reddit threads: "I spent more time setting up Anki than actually studying." If you just want to study, Notesmakr removes the friction.
2. AI generates your cards
Upload a PDF, record a lecture, scan a textbook page, or paste your notes. Notesmakr's AI generates flashcards, quizzes with explanations, summaries, and mind maps from your material. No typing each card by hand.
Anki requires you to create every card manually (unless you install third-party add-ons). For a 50-page chapter, that means hours of card creation before you start a single review.
AI-generated cards are a starting point, not a finished product. Review and edit them to match your understanding. The generation saves you time; the editing deepens your learning.
3. Diminishing cues on cloze cards
This is a genuine differentiator. Standard cloze deletion shows you a sentence with a blank and asks you to fill it in. If you can't remember, you're stuck.
Notesmakr's cloze cards use diminishing cues: progressive letter hints that adapt to your learning progress. As you get better, fewer hints appear. As you struggle, more hints scaffold your retrieval.
This is based on the diminishing-cues retrieval practice research by Fiechter and Benjamin (2017), which found that this technique enhanced memory even in conditions where standard retrieval practice showed no benefit. Their study demonstrated a 44% improvement in retention.
Diminishing cues work where standard flashcards don't. When initial learning is weak, regular testing fails. Progressive hints scaffold retrieval until you can do it independently.
4. Group study with live quizzes
Notesmakr includes live multiplayer quiz sessions. One person hosts, others join with a code (no app download needed for participants). Questions come from your notes, scores update in real time, and a leaderboard tracks results.
Anki has no multiplayer or collaborative features. Quizlet discontinued Quizlet Live for free users. If you want to study with friends using your own material, Notesmakr fills a gap that few other apps address. Curious how Knowt compares on this front? See our Knowt vs Notesmakr comparison for a full feature-by-feature look. For another spaced repetition comparison, our Brainscape vs Notesmakr guide explains how confidence-based repetition differs from SM-2. And if you're weighing Google's AI study tool, our Notesmakr vs NotebookLM comparison covers source-grounded research versus spaced-repetition retention.
5. Import your Anki library
Already have months or years of Anki decks? Notesmakr imports .apkg files directly. Your cards, deck structure, and content carry over. You do not lose your existing work.
What does not transfer: review history, scheduling data, custom HTML/CSS templates (Notesmakr strips HTML to plain text), tags, and add-on configurations. Think of it as bringing your content, not your settings.
The Algorithm Question: SM-2 vs FSRS
This matters, so let's address it directly.
SM-2 (used by Notesmakr) is the original SuperMemo algorithm from 1987. It uses an ease factor that adjusts based on your ratings. It works. Decades of research confirm that spaced repetition with SM-2 significantly improves retention compared to massed practice.
FSRS (used by Anki since v23.10) is a machine-learning algorithm based on the Three Component Model of Memory. It tracks three variables per card: stability, difficulty, and retrievability. FSRS shows you a card when your probability of remembering it drops to your target retention level.
The practical difference: FSRS requires fewer reviews (typically 15-20% fewer) to reach the same retention rate. It also handles gaps in your study schedule better. If you take a two-week break, FSRS reschedules intelligently. SM-2 can struggle with that.
Is FSRS a dealbreaker? For most students, no. SM-2 still dramatically outperforms no spaced repetition at all. A 2024 study in pharmacy education found that students using spaced repetition with flashcards scored significantly higher (16.24 vs 11.89, p < 0.0001) than those using traditional methods (ScienceDirect, 2025). The algorithm matters less than consistently showing up to review.
Any spaced repetition algorithm beats no spaced repetition. The best algorithm is the one you actually use every day.
Who Should Choose Anki?
Anki is the right choice if you:
- Study primarily on a desktop and want a full-screen workspace
- Need total template control for specialized content (medical images, chemical structures, music theory)
- Rely on community decks like AnKing for board exam preparation
- Want free software with no subscription cost
- Enjoy configuring tools and want to tune every parameter
- Need add-on functionality for features like image occlusion or custom scheduling
Anki rewards investment. If you spend the time learning it, you get a tool that does exactly what you want.
Who Should Choose Notesmakr?
Notesmakr is the right choice if you:
- Study mostly on your phone and want a clean mobile experience
- Hate creating cards manually and want AI to generate them from your materials
- Want multiple study modes (flashcards, quizzes, mind maps, summaries) in one app
- Study with friends and want live quiz competitions from your own notes
- Prefer simplicity over configurability
- Already use Anki but feel overwhelmed by the setup and want a simpler alternative that imports your decks
How to Switch from Anki to Notesmakr
If you're ready to try Notesmakr with your existing Anki library, here's how:
In Anki, click File, then Export. Choose "Anki Deck Package (.apkg)" as the format. Select the deck you want to export (or "All Decks" for everything). Click Export.
Send the .apkg file to your phone via email, cloud storage (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox), or AirDrop.
Open Notesmakr, go to Flashcards, tap the import button, and select your .apkg file. Notesmakr parses the Anki package, extracts your cards, and organizes them into decks.
Your cards are ready for study immediately. If you have a Scholar+ plan, you can also generate AI quizzes and mind maps from the same material to reinforce what you already know.
Anki stores cards as HTML. Notesmakr strips HTML formatting during import, so cards display as plain text. Complex card templates with custom CSS will lose their visual styling. Check your imported cards and edit any that need adjustment.
Watch: Spaced Repetition and Flashcard Strategies
Understanding the science behind both apps helps you use whichever one you choose more effectively.
Evidence-Based Spaced Repetition
Ali Abdaal explains the science behind spaced repetition and how to use it for exams
This video walks through the research behind spaced repetition and why reviewing at the right intervals beats cramming every time. Key insight: the spacing effect is one of the most replicated findings in cognitive psychology.
The Honest Bottom Line
Neither app is "better." They solve different problems for different people.
If you want maximum control and free desktop software, choose Anki. If you want AI-powered card generation, modern mobile design, and multiple study modes without hours of configuration, choose Notesmakr.
And if you're an Anki user who's curious? Your .apkg decks import in under a minute. You can try Notesmakr without losing anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Notesmakr and Anki together?
Yes. Many students use Anki on desktop for heavy review sessions and Notesmakr on mobile for AI-generated flashcards and quizzes. You can export from Notesmakr in Anki-compatible format and import .apkg decks into Notesmakr.
Is Notesmakr free?
The free tier includes manual flashcard creation, cloze cards with diminishing cues, Anki .apkg import, spaced repetition (SM-2), handwriting notes, and study streaks. AI features (flashcard generation, quizzes, mind maps, note simplification) require a Scholar+ plan. The free plan has a 5-note limit for AI features.
Does Notesmakr use the same algorithm as Anki?
Notesmakr uses SM-2, the classic SuperMemo algorithm that Anki originally used. Anki now offers FSRS as a more advanced alternative. Both algorithms implement spaced repetition. SM-2 is simpler. FSRS adapts to your personal memory patterns and typically requires 15-20% fewer reviews.
Will my Anki cards look the same in Notesmakr?
Card text content transfers fully. However, custom HTML/CSS templates, media formatting, review history, and scheduling data do not transfer. Cards display as clean plain text in Notesmakr's interface. If your Anki cards rely heavily on custom templates, you may need to adjust some cards after import.
Is Anki really that hard to learn?
Anki's basic functions (create a card, review it) are simple. The complexity comes from optimizing it: understanding deck options (new cards/day, learning steps, graduating interval, ease factor), choosing between SM-2 and FSRS, installing and configuring add-ons, and building custom card templates. Many students spend hours configuring before they do a single review.
Start Studying Today
If you choose Anki: Download it free from apps.ankiweb.net. Watch a setup tutorial before configuring anything. Start with the default settings and adjust later.
If you choose Notesmakr: Download the app and start creating notes. Turn your PDFs into flashcards or create cards manually. Your first review session is minutes away.
If you're switching from Anki: Export your decks as .apkg files and import them into Notesmakr. Your cards are ready immediately.
The best flashcard app is the one that gets you studying. Pick one and start today.
"The person who says he knows what he thinks but cannot express it usually does not know what he thinks."
— Mortimer Adler
Research and Citations
- Fiechter, J.L. & Benjamin, A.S. (2017): "Diminishing-cues retrieval practice: A memory-enhancing technique that works when regular testing doesn't." Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 25, 1868-1876.
- Ye, L. (2023): "Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler." Open-source algorithm for Anki based on the Three Component Model of Memory.
- ScienceDirect (2025): "Spaced repetition and active recall improves academic performance among pharmacy students." Intervention group scored 16.24 vs control group 11.89 (p < 0.0001).
- Frontiers in Medicine (2025): "Implementation of a spaced-repetition approach to enhance undergraduate learning and engagement in paediatrics."
- MemoForge (2025): "FSRS vs SM-2: The Complete Guide to Anki's New Algorithm." Medical students report 20-30% fewer daily reviews with FSRS.