Looking for the best flashcard app in the UK, or a Quizlet or Anki alternative that suits how you learn? Start with why flashcards work. Then you'll know what to look for in an app.
Disclosure: Booost Education makes Luna. We've compared each app on the same criteria so you can pick the one that fits you.
Why do flashcards work?
Flashcards use two of the best-tested revision methods: active recall and spaced repetition. Active recall means pulling an answer from memory instead of re-reading notes. Spaced repetition means reviewing at growing intervals, just before you forget.
The evidence is strong. In a 2006 study, students who tested themselves remembered more a week later than students who re-read the same text (Roediger and Karpicke). A 2013 review of ten study techniques rated practice testing and spaced practice as the only two with high usefulness. Highlighting and re-reading rated low (Dunlosky et al.).
Want to see why you forget so fast? Read our guide to the forgetting curve.
Are flashcards better than otherrevision techniques?
For learning facts, yes. Highlighting and re-reading are passive, so less sticks. Mind maps help you understand how ideas connect but don't train recall. Flashcards make you produce the answer with no clues. Flashcards work best for definitions, vocabulary, formulas, dates and key concepts. Languages, sciences, law and medicine suit them well.
How do you make effective flashcards
Stick to one idea per card - short cards are quicker to review and easier to remember.
Write a clear question on the front - you should know exactly what you're being asked.
Add images and colour where they help you remember.
Mix your subjects - switching topics in one session, called interleaving, has been shown to improve test scores (Rohrer and Taylor, 2007).
Review frequently - making cards is the start. The learning happens when you test yourself.
Paper or digital flashcards?
Paper cards work, and writing them helps some people remember. However, digital cards save time and do the scheduling for you.
Make cards faster, so you start reviewing sooner.
Revise anywhere, on your phone, tablet or laptop.
Let the app decide what to review and when, using spaced repetition.
Track what you've mastered and what needs more work.
What is the best flashcard app in the UK?
The best app is the one you'll use every day. Here's how the three most-asked-about options compare.
App | Best for | Makes cards for you? | Spaced repetition | Cost model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Anki | Large card decks, medicine and languages | No | Yes, highly adjustable | Free on desktop and Android, paid on iPhone |
Quizlet | Ready-made sets and games | Some AI features | Limited on the free plan | Free with ads, Quizlet Plus for more modes |
Luna | Neurodivergent learners who want less setup | Manual option, or will make cards from your study materials | Yes, based on card confidence and assessment date | Free trial, then subscription. Also available through DSA |
Looking for a Quizlet alternative?
Students often look for a Quizlet alternative because more study modes now sit behind Quizlet Plus, or because ready-made sets don't match their course. Choose Anki if you want full control and don't mind setting things up. Choose Luna if you want cards made from your own notes and a review schedule built for you.
Looking for an Anki alternative?
Anki is free and flexible, but the settings and interface put many people off. If you spend more time setting up Anki than revising, try an app that makes and schedules cards for you. Luna turns your notes, slides or handouts into cards and plans your reviews.
Revising with ADHD or dyslexia?
Long setup and cluttered screens make revision harder if you have ADHD or dyslexia. Look for an app that makes cards for you, keeps sessions short and shows your progress. Our guide on how to revise with ADHD may be helpful in tailoring your revision to what you need.
Tips to get more from your flashcards
Study in short bursts (for example, try 25 minutes on, 5 minutes off, in line with the Pomodoro technique).
Combine flashcards with practice papers and peer quizzing.
Plan revision into your week, ensure you are not sacrificing time for sleep, eating well and getting outside. Your memory works better when you look after yourself.
Try Luna free
Upload your notes and Luna makes your flashcards and plans your reviews. Start your free trial today.