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Education · head to head

Anki vs Wakelet

Anki logo

Anki

Education

Free open source spaced repetition flashcard app, free everywhere except iOS where it is a paid one-time purchase

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wakelet logo

Wakelet

Education

Save, organize, and share content for learning

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Anki the interface is functional rather than polished, and new users often find the initial setup, deck creation and add-on ecosystem confusing compared with a guided app like Memrise.; Wakelet free Starter plan caps at 3 collections, 250 items and 1GB storage
  • They diverge on capability: Anki covers Spaced repetition scheduling, Wakelet covers Content curation.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Anki and Wakelet actually diverge.

Attributes where Anki and Wakelet differ
AttributeAnkiWakelet
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence fee except a paid iOS appfreemium
PlatformsWindows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, WebWeb, IOS, Android, Chrome Extension
FoundedUnknown2012

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Anki

  • Spaced repetition scheduling
  • Cross-platform sync
  • Shared deck library
  • Custom card types
  • Add-ons
  • Open file format

Only in Wakelet

  • Content curation
  • Collections
  • Collaboration
  • Embedding
  • PDF export
  • Customization
  • Spaces
  • Comments

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Anki

  • A medical student using a large shared deck to memorise anatomy or pharmacology facts on a fixed exam timelinenot Wakelet
  • A language learner building custom vocabulary decks with audio and images tailored to their own study materialnot Wakelet
  • A self-directed learner who wants full control over the scheduling algorithm and does not want a subscriptionnot Wakelet
  • An iPhone-only user deciding whether the one-time AnkiMobile price is worth it versus using the free web interface insteadnot Wakelet

Wakelet

  • Teachers and schools curating multimedia collections and student portfoliosnot Anki

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Anki

  • The interface is functional rather than polished, and new users often find the initial setup, deck creation and add-on ecosystem confusing compared with a guided app like Memrise.
  • iOS users pay a one-time fee of around $24.99 to $29.99 for AnkiMobile while every other platform is free, which is an unusual asymmetry that surprises new users comparing app store prices before they understand it funds development.
  • Anki has no content of its own; a new user gets an empty deck and either has to build cards manually or trust the quality of a community-shared deck of unknown accuracy.
  • The default scheduling algorithm requires understanding concepts like ease factor and interval to tune effectively, and default settings are not optimal for every subject or workload.
  • Shared decks, especially large medical school decks, can carry factual errors or become outdated, and there is no editorial review process verifying their accuracy.

Wakelet

  • Free Starter plan caps at 3 collections, 250 items and 1GB storage
  • Education Group plan is billed annually at $160/year for only 1 teacher and 30 students, with extra teachers at $40/year and extra students at $4/year
  • Group plan requires a minimum of 2 seats at $119.99 per seat per year
  • Enterprise plan is yearly billing only

Pricing, plan by plan

Anki

Free
  • AnkiFree
    • Desktop apps for Windows, Mac and Linux are free and open source
    • AnkiDroid on Android is free and open source, built by a separate volunteer team
    • AnkiMobile on iOS is a one-time purchase, commonly $24.99 to $29.99, funding development

Wakelet

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited collections
    • Collaboration
    • Embedding
  • Pro$4.99/month
    • Custom branding
    • Advanced analytics
    • Priority support
  • EducationFree
    • All Free
    • Spaces
    • Rostering

Which should you pick?

Choose Anki if

  • You need spaced repetition scheduling.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want cross-platform sync.
Anki review

Choose Wakelet if

  • You need content curation.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, Chrome Extension.
  • You also want collections.
Wakelet review

Questions people ask

Is Anki or Wakelet better?
Neither clearly leads. Anki starts at Free and Wakelet at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Anki or Wakelet?
Anki starts at Free and Wakelet at Free.
Does Anki or Wakelet run on more platforms?
Anki runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Web. Wakelet runs on Web, IOS, Android, Chrome Extension.
Can I use Anki for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Anki best used for?
Anki is most often used for a medical student using a large shared deck to memorise anatomy or pharmacology facts on a fixed exam timeline, a language learner building custom vocabulary decks with audio and images tailored to their own study material, a self-directed learner who wants full control over the scheduling algorithm and does not want a subscription, an iphone-only user deciding whether the one-time ankimobile price is worth it versus using the free web interface instead. Of those, a medical student using a large shared deck to memorise anatomy or pharmacology facts on a fixed exam timeline and a language learner building custom vocabulary decks with audio and images tailored to their own study material are not what Wakelet is typically brought in for.
What can Anki do that Wakelet cannot?
Anki covers Spaced repetition scheduling, Cross-platform sync, Shared deck library, Custom card types. Wakelet covers Content curation, Collections, Collaboration, Embedding.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Anki: Why is the iOS app not free when everything else is?

AnkiMobile is a paid one-time purchase, commonly around $24.99 to $29.99, that the developer states directly funds ongoing development of the free desktop apps, AnkiWeb sync and infrastructure used by every platform.

Wakelet: Does Wakelet offer a free plan?

Yes, Wakelet provides a complimentary plan to begin creating collections. "Paid plans are available for individuals, groups, schools, and organizations that need more space and features."

Source
Anki: Is Anki really free on Android?

Yes. AnkiDroid, the Android app, is free and open source, built and maintained by a separate volunteer development team from the desktop project.

Wakelet: What types of content can I save in Wakelet?

You can capture "links, files, images, videos, notes, and content" from various platforms and organize them into visual collections for easy access and sharing.

Source
Anki: Do I need to pay for sync?

No. AnkiWeb, used to sync decks and review history across devices, is free.

Wakelet: Is there customer support available?

Yes, support resources are provided including a Help Centre and the ability to contact support directly through their ticketing system for assistance with account or product questions.

Source
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