Pick AnkiMobile for Anki continuity, Quizlet for shared sets, RemNote for notes plus flashcards, Brainscape for confidence ratings, and Mochi for local-first Markdown. Smort is the publisher's voice and text recall option when its availability fits.
Publisher disclosure: Smort publishes this guide and appears in it. We recommend other apps when their workflow is a better match. Smort is currently Coming soon and requires an iPhone with iOS 18 or later.
The best app depends on the workflow
Start with what you already have and what you want to do on your phone every day.
- Existing Anki collection
- Choose AnkiMobile for the closest continuity. See the AnkiMobile alternatives guide before migrating.
- Voice or typed recall
- Smort is our upcoming voice or text recall option, but it is not available as a current winner yet.Coming soon
- Ready-made shared sets
- Choose Quizlet when finding and sharing existing material is the main job.
- Notes, PDFs, and cards together
- Choose RemNote when flashcards should grow directly from a knowledge base.
- A simple confidence scale
- Choose Brainscape when rating recall from 1 to 5 feels most natural.
- Markdown and local files
- Choose Mochi for local-first cards, offline use, and optional paid sync.
Six iPhone flashcard apps compared
This table compares the daily mobile workflow. For Anki import depth and switching risk, use the separate alternatives guide.
| App | Create cards | Review method | Offline and sync | Price model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AnkiMobileiPhone and iPad | Edit on mobile, with deeper setup and add-ons on desktop | Anki scheduling with tap-based self-grading | Offline study with optional AnkiWeb sync | $24.99 one-time purchase in the US App Store Checked August 22, 2026 |
| SmortComing sooniPhone with iOS 18 or later | Manual cards, .apkg imports, or optional Smort AI creation | Recall by voice or text, then self-grade or request AI feedback | Offline text review; sync, voice answers, and Smort AI need internet | Free core study loop; paid plans add Smort AI allowances Checked August 22, 2026 |
| QuizletiPhone and iPad | Create sets or use a large library of shared study sets | Flashcards plus guided modes such as Learn | Account-based sync; feature access varies by plan | Free download with optional subscriptions Checked August 22, 2026 |
| BrainscapeiPhone and iPad | Make cards or study public and expert-created content | Rate confidence from 1 to 5 to schedule repeats | Mobile study with account sync; plan access varies | Free basic study with optional Pro Checked August 22, 2026 |
| RemNoteiPhone and iPad | Build flashcards inside linked notes and PDFs | Spaced repetition connected to a knowledge base | Offline use and cloud sync are advertised | Free plan with optional Pro Checked August 22, 2026 |
| MochiiPhone and iPad | Write Markdown notes and flashcards | Spaced repetition in a local-first workspace | Local offline use with optional paid sync | Free offline use; Pro adds sync Checked August 22, 2026 |
Choose in four questions
The app with the longest feature list is rarely the one you will open every day.
- Are you protecting an existing collection? If yes, compatibility outranks novelty. Start with AnkiMobile, then verify any import before switching.
- Where will cards come from? Pick Quizlet for shared sets, RemNote for notes and PDFs, Mochi for Markdown, or Smort for manual, imported, and optional AI-created cards.
- How do you want to answer? AnkiMobile uses familiar self-grading, Brainscape asks for confidence, and Smort centers voice or typed recall.
- What must work without a connection? Read each app's offline and sync posture carefully. In Smort, voice answers and Smort AI require internet.
Four tradeoffs hidden by a single ranking
A useful comparison explains what each choice costs, not just which logo sits first.
Compatibility or a new review style
Exact Anki continuity and voice-first recall are different product goals.
Shared library or personal ownership
Public sets save setup time, while local files offer more control over your material.
Focused app or knowledge system
A card-first tool is quicker to enter, while linked notes can hold more context.
Upfront price or subscription features
Compare the study loop you need, not only the price shown on the download button.
Availability matters: Coming soon is not the same as a generally available App Store app. Choose an installable option for current study needs, then reassess Smort after public release.
Methodology and sources
Scope:This is an iPhone guide, not an Android market survey. Each published third-party app has a current iOS listing. Smort's separate status shows whether it is on the App Store, in TestFlight, or coming soon.
Criteria: Card creation, review method, offline and sync posture, price model, best use case, and the most important tradeoff. We use first-party product pages and App Store listings, with dates beside volatile facts.
What we did not do:We assigned no score, fabricated no rating, and made no claim that we personally tested every app. Smort's voice category is the publisher's framing, and traditional tap grading can be faster for many reviewers.
Primary sources: Anki websiteAnkiMobile manualUS App StoreSmort websiteSmort Anki Deck AnalyzerUS App StoreQuizlet import helpBrainscape pricingUS App StoreBrainscape Anki import helpRemNote pricingUS App StoreRemNote Anki import helpMochi websiteAnki import documentationUS App Store