Our 5 Favorite Online Flashcards of 2024

Ramp up your study habits with these flashcard apps

By
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Scott Orgera
Writer
    Scott Orgera is a former Lifewire writer covering tech since 2007. He has 25+ years' experience as a programmer and QA leader, and holds several Microsoft certifications including MCSE, MCP+I, and MOUS. He is also A+ certified.
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    Updated on August 27, 2024
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    A tried-and-true study aid, flashcards are still effective in the age of apps and social media. You don't need a marker and a stack of index cards to create these handy study aids because digital flashcards are available in all shapes and sizes.

    Most of the options listed in this guide allow you to design and use flashcards on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. If you prefer the old-fashioned way, some also provide the ability to print.

    The flashcard providers on this list support all major web browsers, as well as iOS and Android.

    01
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    Best Premium Online Flashcards: Brainscape

    The Brainscape Android app
    What We Like

    • Learns along with you.

    • Focuses on problem areas in future sessions.

    What We Don't Like

    • Daily card limit for non-paying users is limited.

    • Can't do subject dives without subscription.

    With a sleek interface and millions of subscribers, Brainscape is one of our favorite options on this list. Their color-coded flashcards span a huge array of subjects, and you can easily track your progress through Brainscape's sensible class structure.

    While the free version has a lot to offer, you'll need to upgrade to a paid membership for unlimited flashcards, bookmarking, and the ability to add images and audio to your cards.

    Download For:

    02
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    AI-Driven Flashcards: Anki

    Anki app iOS
    What We Like

    • Uses artificial intelligence and Spaced Repetition.

    • Focused on maximizing learning potential.

    What We Don't Like

    • Has limited scope; focused on memorization.

    • Rigid schedule also may limit usefulness for some users.

    With a focus on efficiency, Anki leverages cognitive science and artificial intelligence to trick your brain into remembering just about anything. The app uses an evidence-based learning technique called Spaced Repetition to maximize the amount of learning that is possible within a given study session.

    Anki tracks and delivers the flashcards that the AI has determined you need to work on, providing you with your own study buddy.

    Download For:

    03
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    Flashcards for All Subjects: Chegg

    Chegg Android app
    What We Like

    • Power to refine searches.

    • Can narrow search to particular school and class.

    What We Don't Like

    • Not useful if you aren't currently in school.

    In addition to subject-specific guides and class notes, Chegg (formerly StudyBlue) provides access to millions of solved flashcards crowdsourced from countless students spread out across the globe.

    Decks are recommended based on your profile data and user-configured filters, making it easy to jump right in.

    Download For:

    04
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    Premade and Custom Flashcards: Cram

    Cram app for Android
    What We Like

    • Member base of over three million users.

    • Huge library of flashcards constantly growing.

    What We Don't Like

    • The controls aren't always intuitive.

    • Your work can be erased if you aren't careful.

    Offering an immense flashcard library with over 195 million to choose from, Cram allows you to search by keywords or from hundreds of predefined subjects, including computer science, language, education, and medicine.

    It also offers the ability to create your own flashcard sets or to import existing cards from Google Drive.

    05
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    Best Flashcard Reader: Quizlet

    Quizlet app for Android
    What We Like

    • Spot-on audio pronunciations.

    • Over a dozen dialects.

    What We Don't Like

    • Monthly subscription required for some advanced features.

    Quizlet's study sets contain several learning tools, including basic flashcards that have text and audio readings of each. As a student, choose from a large library of topics or create your own set from scratch.

    Teachers can construct classroom plans with custom study cards and collaborate with other educators to compile an ideal deck.

    Download For:

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