Best Flashcard App: A Review of Anki, Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, Cram, and Brainscape

Ed Tech Lab
29 Jun 202314:00

TLDRThis video reviews five popular flashcard apps—Anki, Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, Cram, and Brainscape—comparing their user experience, customization options, spaced repetition systems, and pricing. Anki offers the most customization but has a steep learning curve. Quizlet is intuitive and beginner-friendly. Flashcard Lab integrates well with Google Sheets and provides a simple SRS. Cram is easy to use but lacks advanced features. Brainscape has a unique SRS but minor usability drawbacks. Pricing models vary, with some offering freemium plans or one-time payments. The video concludes that Anki is the best for long-term learning, while Quizlet and Flashcard Lab are great alternatives depending on user preferences.

Takeaways

  • 🔍 Anki is incredibly powerful but has a steep learning curve and a complex user interface, making it difficult to use for beginners.
  • 👍 Quizlet has a user-friendly and intuitive interface, perfect for beginners, earning a 5 out of 5 rating for user experience.
  • 📊 Flashcard Lab is easy to use, especially for those familiar with Google Sheets, and offers a good balance between simplicity and functionality.
  • 📝 Cram is similar to Quizlet in ease of use but has slightly more cluttered flashcard displays.
  • 💡 Brainscape has a unique learning system with its own spaced repetition study method, though it has some minor drawbacks like frequent checkpoints.
  • 🎨 Anki provides unparalleled customization with the AI Flashcards Maker, enabling users to craft flashcards with HTML and CSS while integrating a variety of add-ons.
  • 🖼️ Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, and Brainscape offer limited customization options compared to Anki, with Cram having the least customization capabilities.
  • 🔄 Anki, Flashcard Lab, and Brainscape support spaced repetition study (SRS), while Quizlet and Cram do not.
  • 💰 Anki is free for desktop but costs $24.99 for the iOS app, while other apps offer freemium models with varying subscription fees.
  • 💡 If you are willing to invest time in learning Anki, it is the best system for long-term learning.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of the video?

    -The main purpose of the video is to review and compare various flashcard apps, including Anki, Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, Cram, and Brainscape, to help viewers choose the best one for their study needs.

  • How does Anki's spaced repetition system work?

    -Anki uses the Super Memo 2 algorithm (SM2). Users choose from options like 'again' or 'easy' after reviewing a card, which determines how frequently the card will be shown in the future. The system can be highly customized with settings like time intervals and maximum cards to review per day.

  • Why does the reviewer rate Anki's user experience as poor?

    -Anki has a steep learning curve and a complex user interface. It requires a significant amount of time and effort to learn how to use it effectively, and its options and settings can be difficult to understand without extensive reading of the manual.

  • What are the advantages of Quizlet's interface?

    -Quizlet's interface is user-friendly and intuitive, making it great for beginners. It has simple navigation controls, tooltips for guidance, and easy-to-use features like shuffling and sorting cards. The reviewer rates its user experience as 5 out of 5.

  • How does Flashcard Lab integrate with Google Sheets?

    -Flashcard Lab stores flashcard content in Google Sheets. With the AI Flashcards Maker, users can effortlessly create and organize flashcards in a spreadsheet and then study them through Flashcard Lab's intuitive interface. This makes it easy for those familiar with spreadsheets to use the app.

  • What is the main drawback of Brainscape's user experience?

    -One of the main drawbacks of Brainscape's user experience is the presence of checkpoints that interrupt the review process every 10 cards. These can be removed by purchasing the Pro version. Additionally, the inconsistency in editing interfaces and unnecessary features like a mobile preview page slightly steepen the learning curve.

  • Which app offers the most customization options for flashcards?

    -Anki offers the most customization options. Users can design flashcards using HTML and CSS, add images and audio, and enhance the app with add-ons. Its spaced repetition system is also highly customizable, making it the most flexible app for personalized study.

  • What are the pricing models for the reviewed flashcard apps?

    -Anki is free for the desktop version, but the iOS app costs $24.99 as a one-time payment. Quizlet has a freemium model with a Plus version costing $3.74 per month (paid annually) or $9.99 per month (paid monthly). Flashcard Lab charges a one-time fee of $10.99 for its premium version. Cram is free with ads, but removing ads and accessing additional features costs $5 per month. Brainscape offers Pro features for $7.99 per month (billed annually) or $19.99 per month (billed monthly).

  • Which app is recommended for users who prioritize ease of use?

    -Quizlet is recommended for users who prioritize ease of use due to its intuitive interface and simple learning curve. It offers a good balance of functionality and user-friendliness.

  • What is the unique feature of Brainscape's spaced repetition system?

    -Brainscape has its own proprietary spaced repetition system. Users rate their confidence in their answers on a scale of 1 to 5 after each card, and the app adjusts the frequency of card repetition based on this input.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Flashcard Apps and Anki Overview

The video script begins with an introduction to the topic of flashcard apps, noting the difficulty in choosing the best app due to the numerous options available. The narrator explains that they have compared five popular apps: Anki, Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, Cram, and Brainscape. They will evaluate each app based on user experience, learning curve, customization, spaced repetition study, and price. The script then delves into a detailed overview of Anki, highlighting its powerful features and robust customization options. However, it also notes that Anki has a steep learning curve and a complex user interface, which can be overwhelming for beginners. The narrator demonstrates how to use Anki's spaced repetition system, explaining how users can set time intervals and review cards based on their difficulty. Despite its complexity, Anki is praised for its extensive capabilities and flexibility.

05:02

😀 User Experience and Learning Curve of Flashcard Apps

This paragraph focuses on comparing the user experience and learning curve of the five flashcard apps. Anki is described as having a steep learning curve and a difficult-to-use interface, earning it a rating of one out of five. Quizlet, on the other hand, is praised for its user-friendly and intuitive interface, making it ideal for beginners and earning it a perfect rating of five out of five. Flashcard Lab is noted for its simplicity and ease of use, especially for those familiar with Google Sheets, and it receives a rating of four out of five. Cram is also described as user-friendly with a rating of four out of five, though the narrator points out that its flashcard display is slightly cluttered. Brainscape has a good user experience but a slight learning curve due to its unique learning system. It is criticized for its inconsistent interfaces and annoying checkpoints, resulting in a rating of 3.5 out of five.

10:03

😀 Customization and Spaced Repetition Study Capabilities

The final paragraph discusses the customization capabilities and spaced repetition study features of the five apps. Anki is highlighted for its extensive customization options, including the ability to use HTML and CSS, add-ons, and a highly customizable spaced repetition system. It is rated five out of five for customization. Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, and Brainscape are noted for having more limited customization options compared to Anki, with each receiving a rating of three out of five. Cram has the least customization, earning it a rating of 2.5 out of five. The script also covers the spaced repetition study capabilities of Anki, Flashcard Lab, and Brainscape, explaining their respective systems and how they help maximize retention. Finally, the narrator provides a summary of the pricing models for each app, concluding with a recommendation based on individual needs and willingness to invest time and money.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Flashcard Apps

Flashcard apps are digital tools used for learning and memorization. They function by displaying a prompt or question on one side of a virtual card and the answer on the other side. In the context of this video, flashcard apps are the central theme, as they are being reviewed and compared to determine which one is the best fit for different study needs. The script mentions several flashcard apps, including Anki, Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, Cram, and Brainscape, each with its own features and benefits.

💡User Experience

User experience refers to the overall interaction a person has with a product, including how easy it is to use and how enjoyable it is. In the video, user experience is a key factor in evaluating the flashcard apps. For example, Anki is described as having a steep learning curve and a complex interface, resulting in a lower user experience rating. On the other hand, Quizlet is praised for its user-friendly and intuitive interface, which makes it easier for beginners to use and results in a higher user experience rating.

💡Learning Curve

The learning curve represents the amount of time and effort required to become proficient in using a particular tool or system. In the context of this video, the learning curve is an important aspect of evaluating the flashcard apps. Anki, for instance, has a high learning curve due to its extensive features and complex settings, which require significant time to master. In contrast, Quizlet has a low learning curve, making it accessible to users with little to no prior experience.

💡Customization

Customization refers to the ability to modify and tailor a product to fit specific needs and preferences. In the video, customization is a key feature that differentiates the flashcard apps. Anki is highlighted as having the highest level of customization, allowing users to design flashcards using HTML and CSS, add media, and adjust the spaced repetition system. This level of customization makes Anki a powerful tool for users who want to create highly personalized study materials.

💡Spaced Repetition

Spaced repetition is a learning technique that involves reviewing information at increasing intervals over time to improve long-term retention. The video discusses spaced repetition as a core feature of some flashcard apps. For example, Anki uses a spaced repetition system based on the SuperMemo 2 algorithm, which allows users to set intervals for reviewing flashcards based on their difficulty. Flashcard Lab also uses a simpler version of spaced repetition, where users can set time intervals in days to review cards.

💡Freemium Model

A freemium model is a business strategy where a basic version of a product is offered for free, while additional premium features are available for a fee. In the context of the video, several flashcard apps use this model. Quizlet offers a free version with basic features, while the Plus version provides additional benefits like unlimited study material and custom formatting for a monthly or annual fee. Flashcard Lab also uses a freemium model, charging a one-time fee for premium features like ad-free use and unlimited spaced repetition study.

💡Flashcard Design

Flashcard design refers to the layout, formatting, and appearance of the flashcards in an app. In the video, flashcard design is discussed as an important aspect of customization. Anki allows users to create highly customized flashcards using HTML and CSS, enabling them to add images, audio, and other media. Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, and Brainscape also allow some level of customization, such as adding media and changing the format of the flashcards, but to a lesser extent than Anki.

💡Study Efficiency

Study efficiency refers to how effectively a tool or method helps users learn and retain information. In the video, study efficiency is implied through the evaluation of each app's features. For example, Anki's spaced repetition system is designed to maximize retention by reviewing difficult cards more frequently. Brainscape also uses a proprietary spaced repetition system to track progress and repeat difficult cards more often, aiming to improve study efficiency.

💡Mobile Version

The mobile version of an app refers to its availability and functionality on mobile devices. In the context of the video, the mobile versions of the flashcard apps are mentioned as an important consideration for users. Anki has a mobile version, but it requires a one-time payment for the iOS app. Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, and Brainscape also have mobile versions, each with their own pricing and features, allowing users to study on the go.

💡Price

Price refers to the cost associated with using a particular app or service. In the video, price is a significant factor in evaluating the flashcard apps. Anki is free for the desktop version but costs $24.99 for the iOS app. Quizlet offers a freemium model with a Plus version priced at $3.74 per month annually or $9.99 per month monthly. Flashcard Lab charges a one-time fee of $10.99 for its premium version, while Brainscape offers Pro features for $7.99 per month annually or $19.99 per month monthly. The price is an important consideration for users when choosing an app that fits their budget.

Highlights

Comparison of five flashcard apps: Anki, Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, Cram, and Brainscape.

Anki is powerful but has a steep learning curve and complex interface, rated 1 out of 5 for user experience.

Quizlet has a user-friendly and intuitive interface, perfect for beginners, rated 5 out of 5 for user experience.

Flashcard Lab is easy to use if you're familiar with Google Sheets, rated 4 out of 5 for user experience.

Cram is similar to Quizlet but has a slightly cluttered display, rated 4 out of 5 for user experience.

Brainscape has a good user experience but its unique learning system adds a slight learning curve, rated 3.5 out of 5.

Anki offers extensive customization options, including HTML/CSS editing and add-ons, rated 5 out of 5 for customization.

Quizlet, Flashcard Lab, and Brainscape offer limited customization compared to Anki, rated 3 out of 5.

Cram has the least customization options among the five apps, rated 2.5 out of 5.

Anki uses the SuperMemo 2 algorithm for spaced repetition study (SRS).

Flashcard Lab employs a modified Leitner system for SRS, simpler than Anki's.

Brainscape has its own proprietary SRS system.

Anki is free for desktop but costs $24.99 for the iOS app.

Quizlet offers a freemium model with a Plus version for $3.74/month (annually) or $9.99/month (monthly).

Flashcard Lab charges a one-time fee of $10.99 for premium features.

Cram is free with ads, but removing ads and adding features costs $5/month.

Brainscape offers Pro features for $7.99/month (annually) or $19.99/month (monthly).