The Easiest Anki Alternative for Students
Get Anki-level spaced repetition without the steep learning curve. Scholarly uses AI to create and organize your flashcards automatically.
Scholarly vs Anki: Feature Comparison
Both platforms use spaced repetition. Here's how they differ.
| Feature | Scholarly | Anki |
|---|---|---|
| AI flashcard generation | ||
| Create cards from PDFs | ||
| Create cards from YouTube | ||
| Spaced repetition | ||
| Works in browser | Limited (AnkiWeb) | |
| Mobile app | Responsive web | Free Android / $25 iOS |
| Setup required | None | Significant |
| Custom card templates | ||
| Add-on ecosystem | ||
| Export to Anki | N/A | |
| Export to Quizlet | ||
| Open source | ||
| Free plan | Fully free (desktop) |
Where Anki Still Shines
Anki is a powerful tool with real advantages worth recognizing.
Advanced SRS Algorithm
Anki's spaced repetition algorithm is one of the most battle-tested in the world, refined over 15+ years by millions of users.
Highly Customizable
Anki supports custom card templates, add-ons, and deep configuration. Power users can tailor every aspect of their study experience.
Completely Free
Anki's desktop and Android apps are free and open-source. The community has built thousands of shared decks and add-ons at no cost.
Why Students Switch to Scholarly
No Setup Required
Anki requires downloading software, configuring settings, and learning its interface. Scholarly works in your browser from day one with zero configuration.
AI Creates Cards for You
Anki requires you to create every card manually. Scholarly's AI generates complete flashcard sets from your PDFs, notes, lectures, and videos in seconds.
Modern, Intuitive Interface
Scholarly has a clean, modern design that's easy to navigate. No need to learn complex menus or memorize keyboard shortcuts to get started.
Export to Anki Anytime
Use Scholarly to generate cards quickly, then export them to Anki if you prefer Anki's SRS for review. Best of both worlds.
How Scholarly Works
Step 1: Add Your Content
Upload PDFs, paste notes, add images, or link YouTube videos. No manual card writing needed.
Step 2: AI Generates Cards
Our AI analyzes your material and creates accurate, comprehensive flashcards automatically.
Step 3: Study or Export
Study with built-in spaced repetition, or export to Anki, Quizlet, or PDF. Use whatever works best for you.
Scholarly vs Anki: A Closer Look
Anki is one of the most powerful flashcard tools ever built. Its spaced repetition algorithm is backed by decades of cognitive science research, and its open-source nature means a thriving ecosystem of add-ons and shared decks. For power users willing to invest time in setup and customization, Anki is genuinely hard to beat.
The challenge with Anki is the learning curve. Setting up card templates, configuring scheduling parameters, and creating cards from scratch takes real effort. Many students try Anki, feel overwhelmed by the interface, and give up before experiencing the benefits of spaced repetition.
Scholarly takes a different approach: get students studying as fast as possible. Upload your material, let the AI create your cards, and start reviewing immediately. You still get spaced repetition, but without the setup overhead. And if you decide you want Anki's advanced features later, you can export your Scholarly-generated cards directly to Anki.
Looking for more study tools? Try our Flashcard Maker, PDF to Flashcards converter, or explore all Flashcard Features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Scholarly easier to use than Anki?
Yes. Scholarly is designed to be intuitive from the start. There's no software to download, no card templates to configure, and no add-ons to install. Sign up and start studying in under a minute.
Does Scholarly have spaced repetition like Anki?
Yes. Scholarly includes a built-in spaced repetition system that schedules reviews at optimal intervals. While Anki offers more granular control over scheduling parameters, Scholarly's SRS works well for most students without any configuration.
Can I export my Scholarly cards to Anki?
Yes. Scholarly lets you export your flashcards in Anki-compatible formats. You can use Scholarly for fast card creation and Anki for review if you prefer.
Is Scholarly free like Anki?
Scholarly has a free plan with generous limits. While Anki's desktop app is completely free, Scholarly's free tier covers most students' needs. Premium plans unlock unlimited usage.
Should I use Scholarly or Anki?
If you want to create flashcards quickly from existing study materials with minimal setup, try Scholarly. If you prefer deep customization and don't mind a learning curve, Anki is excellent. Many students use both: Scholarly for card creation and Anki for review.
Ready to Study Smarter?
Spaced repetition without the setup. Start studying in seconds.
Free
- 3 AI messages per day
- 1 file upload per day (8MB)
- 10 flashcard study sessions per day
- 1 AI podcast, video lecture & slide deck per day
- 1 exam attempt per day
- 20-page PDF to flashcards
Ultimate
$144 billed yearly
Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited AI messages & autocomplete
- Unlimited file uploads (up to 300MB)
- Unlimited study sessions
- Unlimited podcasts, video lectures & slide decks
- Unlimited exams & quizzes
- 1,000-page PDF to flashcards
- Export to Anki
- Priority support
Pricing in USD. Local currency available in app.
Compare plans
Feature
Free
Ultimate
AI Messages
3/day
Unlimited
File Uploads
1/day (8MB)
Unlimited (300MB)
Study Sessions
10/day
Unlimited
PDF to Flashcards
20 pages
1,000 pages
Podcasts & Videos
1/day
Unlimited
Exams & Quizzes
1/day
Unlimited
Autocomplete
500 words/day
Unlimited
Export to Anki
—
Included
Support
Standard
Priority
Trusted by students worldwide
Scholarly has been a valuable tool for my studies. The AI-generated flashcards and intuitive features make organizing and retaining information much easier.
Briana
Student
This app is great for studying for big test. Drop your PDF's in the system and it'll do the trick. You can organize it specifically for your needs.
Kelvin
Student
I am currently preparing for a test that covers a substantial amount of material, and I've found that not having to physically write out my flashcards has been incredibly beneficia...
Isabelle
Student
Scholarly is great for students. I am enrolled in online university and my classes are all PDF based. All I do is upload the PDF and it creates flashcards decks for me. The greate...
Alexandra
Student
Your questions, answered
Is Scholarly free to use?
Yes! Our free plan includes all core features with daily limits. You can create flashcards, use AI chat, upload files, and study — all without paying. Upgrade to Ultimate for unlimited access.
Can I cancel anytime?
Absolutely. There are no contracts or commitments. You can cancel your subscription at any time from your account settings, and you'll keep access until the end of your billing period.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept all major credit and debit cards through Stripe. Pricing is displayed in USD by default, but local currency is available in the app.
Do you offer discounts for educators?
Yes, we offer special pricing for educators and educational institutions. Contact us at [email protected] for details.
What happens when I hit a free plan limit?
You'll see a prompt to upgrade. Your existing work is never lost — limits only apply to new daily actions like AI messages, uploads, and study sessions. Limits reset every day.
For Educators or Schools
Contact us for special pricing at [email protected].