Anki Discount: How To Actually Save Money On Flashcards (And A Better Alternative Most People Miss) – Before you waste hours hunting for promo codes, read this and see if paying for Anki even makes sense for you.
Anki discount almost never happens on iOS. Here’s why the app costs $25–30, what you’re really paying for, and when a free‑to‑start Flashrecall setup makes m...
How Flashrecall app helps you remember faster. It's free
So, you’re looking for an Anki discount? Short answer: there usually isn’t a real, ongoing Anki discount for iOS—AnkiMobile is a one‑time paid app, and sales or coupons are extremely rare. Anki on desktop is free, but the iOS app almost never goes on sale, which is why people keep searching for hacks, student deals, or promo codes. The bigger question is whether it’s worth paying full price, or if a cheaper (or free-to-start) alternative like Flashrecall actually gives you more for less. Flashrecall uses the same spaced repetition idea as Anki, but with a modern design, automatic card creation, and a free start on iPhone and iPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
What’s The Deal With Anki Discount Searches?
Alright, let’s talk about why “Anki discount” is even a thing.
- AnkiDesktop (Windows/Mac/Linux) – Free
- AnkiDroid (Android) – Free
- AnkiMobile (iOS) – One‑time paid app, usually around $25–30, and it almost never goes on sale
So when people search for “Anki discount,” they’re usually hoping for:
- A student discount
- A promo code
- A Black Friday deal
- Or some secret hidden sale
In reality:
- There’s no official student discount
- No ongoing coupon codes
- Sales are very rare and not something you can plan around
That’s why a lot of iPhone and iPad users end up asking, “Is there something cheaper that still gives me spaced repetition?”
Short answer: yes—Flashrecall does that, and starts free.
Why Anki Costs Money On iOS (And What You’re Actually Paying For)
Anki’s developer has said that the iOS price:
- Helps fund development of Anki overall
- Supports the free desktop version
- Covers ongoing maintenance and updates
So you’re not just buying an app—you’re kind of donating to the project.
But from your perspective as a student or learner, you’re probably thinking:
> “Cool, but I just want a good flashcard app that doesn’t destroy my wallet.”
Totally fair.
If you’re on a tight budget, that one‑time price can feel heavy, especially when:
- You’re not sure if you’ll stick with flashcards
- You’re testing if spaced repetition even works for you
- You want something that feels modern and easy, not clunky
That’s where alternatives like Flashrecall start to make way more sense.
Why Most People Look For Anki Discount (But Are Actually Looking For Something Else)
When people say they want an Anki discount, they usually mean one of these:
1. “I want spaced repetition without paying a lot.”
2. “I want something like Anki, but easier to use.”
3. “I don’t want to spend money before I know I’ll use it.”
If that’s you, it’s worth asking:
> Do you actually need Anki, or do you just need a good flashcard app with spaced repetition?
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
Because if it’s the second one, then apps like Flashrecall give you:
- Free start
- Spaced repetition built‑in
- A much smoother, more modern experience
Instead of hunting for a coupon that doesn’t exist, you can just… start studying.
Flashrecall vs Anki: Which Is Actually Better Value?
Let’s compare this in real “what do I get for my money” terms.
1. Price & Access
- Desktop: Free
- Android: Free
- iOS: Paid, usually full price, no real discount
- Free to start on iPhone and iPad
- You can try it properly before committing to anything
- Download here: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
If you’re on iOS and trying not to overspend, Flashrecall is basically your “built‑in discount” option.
2. Ease Of Use
- Powerful, but honestly… kinda clunky
- Lots of settings, add‑ons, and options that can overwhelm new users
- Making cards can feel slow and manual
- Fast, modern, and simple—feels like a 2025 app, not a 2010 one
- Clean interface, easy to figure out in minutes
- Great if you don’t want to spend a weekend watching “How to Use Anki” tutorials
If you want to spend your time studying, not configuring, Flashrecall wins hard here.
3. Card Creation Speed (This Is Huge)
This is where Flashrecall really pulls ahead.
- Mostly manual card creation
- You can import decks, but making your own can be time‑consuming
- Great if you love full control, less great if you’re busy
You can make cards instantly from almost anything:
- Images (e.g., take a photo of your textbook page)
- Text
- Audio
- PDFs
- YouTube links
- Typed prompts
- Or just make cards manually if you like control
Example:
- Snap a photo of a biology diagram → Flashrecall turns key parts into flashcards
- Paste a YouTube lecture link → generate cards from the content
- Drop in a PDF of your lecture notes → get cards without rewriting everything
That’s like getting an “effort discount” on your study time.
4. Spaced Repetition & Active Recall
Both apps are built around the same basic science:
- Very customizable review settings
- You choose how often cards show up, intervals, etc.
- Great for power users who want full control
- Built‑in spaced repetition with automatic scheduling
- You don’t have to tweak a million settings—just review when the app tells you
- Study reminders so you actually remember to open the app
So if you just want the system to handle the timing for you, Flashrecall feels smoother and less stressful.
5. Extra Features That Make Studying Less Painful
Here’s where Flashrecall adds stuff that Anki doesn’t really do out of the box.
- Chat with your flashcards
- Stuck on a concept? You can literally chat with the card to get more explanation
- Super useful for tricky topics in medicine, law, or complex theory
- Works offline
- Study anywhere—train, plane, bad Wi‑Fi, whatever
- Great for anything you’re learning
- Languages
- Exams (SAT, MCAT, USMLE, bar, etc.)
- School subjects
- University courses
- Business, tech, whatever you’re into
It’s kind of like having Anki + a tutor + a modern UI in one place.
“But I Really Want Anki. Any Legit Ways To Save Money?”
If you’re absolutely set on Anki and still hoping for some kind of Anki discount, here’s what’s realistic (and what’s not):
What Doesn’t Really Exist
- No official student discount
- No permanent promo codes
- No consistent holiday sales you can rely on
If you see random “Anki coupon code” websites, be careful—most are just clickbait.
What You Can Do
1. Use Anki Desktop For Free
- If you have a laptop, you can start there and see if you even like the system
- Later, decide if you really need iOS sync
2. Start With A Free Alternative On iOS
- This is where Flashrecall makes a lot of sense
- You get spaced repetition, flashcards, reminders, and more without paying upfront
- Download it here and try it: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
3. Only Buy AnkiMobile If You’re 100% Sure
- Use desktop + Flashrecall for a while
- If after that you’re like, “I live in Anki and I want that exact ecosystem,” then buying it might feel more worth it
When Flashrecall Is Just Straight-Up The Better Deal
If any of these sound like you, Flashrecall is probably the smarter move than paying full price for AnkiMobile:
- You’re on iPhone or iPad and don’t want to drop $25–30 right now
- You want something that’s fast and easy, not overly technical
- You like the idea of:
- Auto‑generated flashcards from PDFs, images, YouTube, etc.
- Built‑in spaced repetition and reminders
- Being able to chat with your cards when you’re confused
You can literally download Flashrecall, make a few decks, test the reminders, and see if spaced repetition works for you without spending anything:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
That’s honestly better than spending hours hunting for an Anki discount that doesn’t exist.
How To Start Studying Smarter Today (Without Waiting For A Sale)
If you’re still reading, here’s a simple plan:
1. Stop refreshing Google for “Anki discount”
- There’s no secret permanent deal you’re missing
2. Decide what you actually want:
- A specific app (Anki), no matter the price
- Or a good spaced repetition flashcard app that’s affordable and easy
3. If it’s the second one, grab Flashrecall:
- Download on iPhone/iPad: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
- Import or create a small deck (10–20 cards)
- Let the app handle the spaced repetition and reminders
- Try making cards from a PDF, a photo of your notes, or a YouTube video
4. Give it 7 days
- Use it a little every day
- Notice how much you remember without cramming
If after that you still feel like you need Anki specifically, cool—you’ll at least know that spaced repetition works for you. But most people realize what they really wanted wasn’t an Anki discount… it was just a smart, affordable way to study.
And Flashrecall already gives you that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anki good for studying?
Anki is powerful but requires manual card creation and has a steep learning curve. Flashrecall offers AI-powered card generation from your notes, images, PDFs, and videos, making it faster and easier to create effective flashcards.
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
How do I start spaced repetition?
You can manually schedule your reviews, but most people use apps that automate this. Flashrecall uses built-in spaced repetition so you review cards at the perfect time.
Related Articles
- Anki 2.1: The Complete Modern Alternative Guide (And The One App Most Students Don’t Know About) – Before you sink hours into tweaking Anki, read this and see how a newer app can do the hard work for you.
- Anki 2022: Is It Still Worth Using Or Are There Better Flashcard Apps Now? – Most People Stick With Old Habits…But Here’s How To Actually Learn Faster In 2025
- Anki For Windows 7: The Complete Guide (And A Better Flashcard Alternative Most Students Don’t Know)
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

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