AnkiMobile is still the best choice for the closest Anki ecosystem continuity. Switch only when voice recall, shared sets, linked notes, confidence ratings, or a local-first Markdown workflow matters more than exact compatibility.
Publisher disclosure: Smort publishes this guide and appears in the comparison. We made the voice and text recall category, so treat it as our disclosed product framing, not an independent award. Smort is currently Coming soon.
The quick answer
Start with the capability you refuse to lose. No app in this set is the best at every part of the Anki workflow.
- Closest Anki match: AnkiMobile
- Keep native Anki scheduling, note types, AnkiWeb sync, and desktop continuity.
- Voice or text recall: Smort
- No generally available voice-first pick in this set. Smort is coming soon for iPhone with iOS 18 or later.Coming soon
- Shared study sets: Quizlet
- Choose it for a large public set library and guided modes such as Learn.
- Notes plus flashcards: RemNote
- Choose it when cards should stay attached to linked notes and PDFs.
- Confidence ratings: Brainscape
- Choose it for a direct 1 to 5 confidence scale that controls repetition.
- Local-first Markdown: Mochi
- Choose it for Markdown cards, offline use, and an evidenced .apkg import path.
AnkiMobile and five alternatives compared
This table focuses on switching risk. It separates documented import behavior from assumptions and dates every volatile claim.
| App | Price model | Anki move | Best fit | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnkiMobileiPhone and iPad | $24.99 one-time purchase in the US App Store Checked August 22, 2026 | Native continuity with the Anki ecosystem | The closest Anki ecosystem match | The iPhone app has an upfront cost, and some workflows still need desktop Anki. |
| SmortComing sooniPhone with iOS 18 or later | Free core study loop; paid plans add Smort AI allowances Checked August 22, 2026 | .apkg import with supported progress or a fresh start | Voice or text recall in an iPhone-first workflow | It is not a full Anki renderer. Unsupported templates, media-only cards, and oversized content can be omitted. |
| QuizletiPhone and iPad | Free download with optional subscriptions Checked August 22, 2026 | Structured text import is documented; no native .apkg path was verified | Finding and sharing ready-made study sets | Its workflow and subscription model are not designed for exact Anki continuity. |
| BrainscapeiPhone and iPad | Free basic study with optional Pro Checked August 22, 2026 | Anki export can move through CSV; this is not native .apkg import | Confidence-based repetition with a simple rating scale | It uses its own confidence workflow rather than preserving the Anki ecosystem. |
| RemNoteiPhone and iPad | Free plan with optional Pro Checked August 22, 2026 | .apkg import can preserve review history, scheduling information, and media | Combining notes, PDFs, and flashcards | It is a broader knowledge system, so it asks for more structure than a focused card app. |
| MochiiPhone and iPad | Free offline use; Pro adds sync Checked August 22, 2026 | .apkg import can include review history; styling can change | Local-first Markdown notes and cards | Imported Anki styling can change, and sync is part of the paid plan. |
Where each app wins and gives something up
These are recommendations by use case. We did not assign scores or pretend we personally tested every workflow.
AnkiMobile
The closest Anki ecosystem match
Choose AnkiMobile when keeping Anki note types, scheduling, AnkiWeb sync, and desktop workflows matters more than changing how you review.
Tradeoff: The iPhone app has an upfront cost, and some workflows still need desktop Anki.
Sources checked August 22, 2026: Anki websiteAnkiMobile manualUS App Store
Smort
Voice or text recall in an iPhone-first workflow
Coming soonChoose Smort when speaking or typing an answer matters more than exact Anki template compatibility. Import is designed for supported study content, not a byte-for-byte clone.
Tradeoff: It is not a full Anki renderer. Unsupported templates, media-only cards, and oversized content can be omitted.
Smort is not a generally available recommendation today. Use AnkiMobile for exact continuity or Mochi for a currently documented .apkg alternative.
Sources checked August 22, 2026: Smort websiteSmort Anki Deck Analyzer
Quizlet
Finding and sharing ready-made study sets
Choose Quizlet when a large shared-set library and guided study modes matter more than preserving an existing Anki collection.
Tradeoff: Its workflow and subscription model are not designed for exact Anki continuity.
Sources checked August 22, 2026: US App StoreQuizlet import help
Brainscape
Confidence-based repetition with a simple rating scale
Choose Brainscape when rating confidence from 1 to 5 feels clearer than Anki's answer buttons and ecosystem depth is not the priority.
Tradeoff: It uses its own confidence workflow rather than preserving the Anki ecosystem.
Sources checked August 22, 2026: Brainscape pricingUS App StoreBrainscape Anki import help
RemNote
Combining notes, PDFs, and flashcards
Choose RemNote when your flashcards should live inside linked notes and PDFs and you want a documented .apkg migration path.
Tradeoff: It is a broader knowledge system, so it asks for more structure than a focused card app.
Sources checked August 22, 2026: RemNote pricingUS App StoreRemNote Anki import help
Mochi
Local-first Markdown notes and cards
Choose Mochi when Markdown, local files, and an evidenced .apkg migration path matter more than exact Anki styling.
Tradeoff: Imported Anki styling can change, and sync is part of the paid plan.
Sources checked August 22, 2026: Mochi websiteAnki import documentationUS App Store
How to switch without risking your Anki collection
Migration is a copy and verification process. It is not a reason to delete the collection that already works.
- Export an .apkg from Anki desktop. Include scheduling information when you want an importer to preserve supported study progress. See the official Anki export guide.
- Keep the original export and collection. Leave Anki desktop and AnkiWeb intact until the new app has passed your checks.
- Inspect before importing. The free Anki Deck Analyzer reads .apkg and .colpkg in your browser. Smort's app importer accepts .apkg only.
- Choose progress or a fresh start. Smort can use supported study progress or reset imported cards for a clean schedule.
- Verify what arrived. Compare card counts and inspect media, cloze cards, custom templates, and a sample of mature cards before relying on the new copy.
Do not delete your Anki collection or export yet. Smort can omit unsupported templates, media-only cards, and oversized content. Keep your source until the imported deck is complete enough for your use.
When AnkiMobile is still the better choice
Switching is not automatically an upgrade. Stay with AnkiMobile when any of these constraints is central to your study system.
Your templates are the product
Complex note types, card templates, and styling need the closest Anki renderer.
You depend on desktop add-ons
Mobile alternatives do not replace the desktop add-on ecosystem.
Your sync flow already works
AnkiWeb continuity can be worth more than a different mobile review interface.
You want exact scheduling continuity
Supported progress import is not the same as preserving every Anki behavior.
How we made this comparison
Scope: iPhone apps with a clear flashcard or spaced-repetition use case and a current first-party source. We compared price model, study workflow, documented Anki migration, sync or offline posture, and the most important limitation.
Evidence: Product websites, current US App Store listings, and documented import behavior. A missing import claim is labeled as unverified rather than treated as a negative fact. The $24.99 AnkiMobile price is the US storefront price checked August 22, 2026 and can differ by country.
Anki names: AnkiMobile is the official iPhone and iPad app. AnkiDroid is the separate Android client; desktop Anki and AnkiWeb are other parts of the broader ecosystem. See the official Anki site.
Bias control: Smort is the publisher. We recommend AnkiMobile for exact ecosystem continuity and do not treat TestFlight or Coming soon as general availability. We use no ratings, affiliate links, or paid placements.