AnkiDroid Flashcards App Review

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  • Our Rating: 4 / 5

Updated 07-14-2021

Version Varies
Google Play Downloads 11,930,944
Developer AnkiDroid Open Source Team
Screenshot From Our AnkiDroid Flashcards Review

Overview

For those who are looking for a powerful flashcard app to improve their learning, AnkiDroid Flashcards for Android is one that's worth checking out. This app, with its ID com.ichi2.anki and genre Education, is designed to help users memorize and retain information using an evidence-based spaced repetition algorithm. The app has a lot of features, both free and paid, that can make it stand out from others in the market.

Features

Card Creation

AnkiDroid allows users to create custom flashcards with easily accessible editing tools. This lets you add images, audio, and videos to help you remember abstract concepts. Users can also import pre-made flashcards from the app library, allowing access to more study materials.

Spaced Repetition Algorithm

The app's algorithm employs quality schedules with intervals tailored according to your retention rate - this method ensures a higher chance of remembering what you're studying. Spaced repetition algorithms have consistently shown to be effective in improving long-term memory and retention.

Manual Adjustments

Users can manually adjust the intervals of their cards by choosing whether a card was easy to remember or is still challenging. With this feature, AnkiDroid adjusts the schedule to focus more on the challenging cards so they are reinforced until they can be remembered with ease.

Customizable Options

The app offers different customization options, including over a dozen built-in card templates and the ability to download user-created templates. These templates allow you to create different types of flashcards such as phrase-completion, cloze deletion, and audio flashcards, among others. You can even adjust the card background, text color, and format.

Sync and Integration

AnkiDroid offers cloud-sync across all your devices, including desktop and web-based versions, giving you the freedom to study anywhere. Users can also import shared decks from other users from various sources like Quizlet, AnkiWeb, and StudyStack.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Suite of Customizable Options: Users can tweak fonts, colors, intervals or choose from many pre-set templates.
  • Spaced Repetition: An evidence-based spaced repetition algorithm has been proven to work effectively in building long-term memory retention and recall.
  • Integration: Users can share and import decks with other users from other popular services like Quizlet and AnkiWeb.

Cons:

  • Steep Learning Curve: The app offers so much flexibility and complexity that it may feel overwhelming to new users.
  • Paid Functionality: Some of the app's powerful features require purchase, such as the ability to synchronize across multiple devices or download third-party decks.

Comparison to Similar Apps

Compared to similar apps like Quizlet and Memrise, AnkiDroid stands out for its extensive customization options, data management features, and a more refined spaced repetition algorithm. While Quizlet and Memrise have large user bases and shareable pre-made flashcards, they lack the range of templates, integration options, and the control over spaced repetition algorithms that AnkiDroid offers.

Tips for Using the App

When using AnkiDroid, it's best to create your own flashcards, so you can take advantage of the full-range of customization options available. The app allows card organization by subject and deck, so it's best to group cards thematically for efficient and effective memorization. You can also format text in HTML within cards. It's also essential to work regularly to maintain progress with the spaced repetition algorithm-always aiming for a higher retention rate.

Conclusion

Overall, AnkiDroid Flashcards for Android is an excellent app for memorizing information, particularly if you need to study frequently or learn difficult topics. Despite the learning curve and the paid features, the app's customization options, capacity for data management, and powerful algorithm make up for these drawbacks. If you're looking for a flashcard app that helps you achieve long-term memory retention and recall, AnkiDroid is worth checking out.