Anki is free on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and syncing through AnkiWeb is free. The official iPhone app is a one-time purchase that funds development, and AnkiDroid is the Android app.
At Chalkbox, we build free study tools for teachers and students, so pricing is the first thing we check on any study app we recommend.
The desktop software includes the full spaced-repetition scheduler without subscription fees or locked features. Students can create cards, import community decks, and install add-ons directly on their personal computers. Your flashcards synchronize across devices through the free companion service hosted at AnkiWeb.
Anki distributes its software across four primary environments that carry different pricing terms.
| Platform | Cost | What It Does |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) | Free and open source | Card creation, full spaced-repetition scheduling, community add-ons |
| AnkiWeb (Browser) | Free | Cloud sync, shared deck hosting, card reviews in the browser |
| AnkiDroid (Android) | See the Google Play listing | Flashcard reviews on Android |
| AnkiMobile (iOS) | $24.99 one-time purchase | Native iPhone and iPad app (purchases fund Anki development) |
Computer users download the desktop client directly from Anki's official download page without entering any billing details. The cloud server at AnkiWeb coordinates synchronization between your computer and mobile devices at zero cost. For Android devices, Anki's documentation points learners to AnkiDroid, and users should verify listing details on Google Play.
The official iOS application costs twenty-five dollars because sales of that single mobile app fund the ongoing development of the broader Anki project. According to Anki's official site, purchases of AnkiMobile support the maintenance of the free desktop software and synchronization servers.
On the United States Apple App Store, AnkiMobile is sold by Anki Software LLC for $24.99. The $24.99 is a one-time payment. There is no monthly subscription. You pay once and retain access to the mobile application across your Apple devices. App store prices and exchange rates vary by region, so buyers should verify current terms on the Apple App Store before completing a purchase.
Students can use Anki on an iPhone or iPad without paying by opening the free AnkiWeb browser client in mobile Safari. Create a free account on AnkiWeb. Sync your desktop card collection to it. You can then open your mobile web browser, log in to your account, and review scheduled cards anywhere you have an internet connection.
The browser approach covers basic review. It has real limits compared to the native app. AnkiWeb requires an active internet connection, which prevents studying on subway commutes, flights, or areas with inconsistent cellular service. The browser version has fewer features than the native apps. Anki does not promise parity. Students who construct their decks on a laptop can still use this free web method to keep daily review streaks intact on an iPhone.
The free desktop release of Anki delivers the complete spaced-repetition algorithm without gating advanced capabilities behind premium tiers. Learners receive the full scheduling engine, which calculates optimal study intervals based on individual recall ratings. The desktop program also supports community add-ons.
Account synchronization through AnkiWeb remains free for all registered users regardless of collection size. Learners can browse and download shared decks uploaded by other students on AnkiWeb without paying a dime. The main tradeoff of this free model is the absence of dedicated customer support. There is no call center or live chat. Backups, maintenance, and database troubleshooting are on you.
Investing twenty-five dollars in the official AnkiMobile app makes sense for high-volume learners who conduct reviews away from their desks every single day. Medical trainees, nursing students, and intensive language learners frequently review several hundred cards daily during hospital rotations and transit rides. For those power users, a native app they can open between rounds or on a train justifies the one-time price.
This purchase is not for casual learners or students who do most of their coursework at a computer. If you only review vocabulary for a weekly classroom quiz, purchasing the mobile application is unnecessary when the desktop software costs nothing. Our recommendation would change if Anki moved AnkiMobile to a recurring subscription. A monthly charge would make the native app difficult to justify for budget-conscious students who can already review cards for free through a mobile browser.
Learners who need straightforward digital flashcards without a spaced-repetition scheduler can turn to simpler options. At Chalkbox, our free flashcard maker allows teachers and students to generate printable and on-screen study cards in seconds without creating an account. That generator does not calculate spaced repetition intervals, but it eliminates software installation steps entirely.
Students exploring digital study platforms can read our guide to Anki alternatives to compare alternative study programs. Our detailed breakdown of Quizlet vs Anki also explains how different flashcard platforms handle deck collaboration and pricing models.
Getting started with Anki at zero expense requires downloading the desktop client and registering an online synchronization account. First, install the software on your personal computer directly from Anki's official site. Next, open a free account on AnkiWeb to ensure your card decks back up automatically after every study session.
Review your cards on your laptop for two weeks before deciding whether your daily routine requires the paid mobile application. To decide whether the free version covers your schedule, download the desktop software today and run your first week of card reviews at zero cost.
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Anki is completely free on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and the AnkiWeb sync service is free. The one paid piece is AnkiMobile for iPhone and iPad, a one-time purchase. AnkiDroid is the Android app; check its Google Play listing for terms.
You can use Anki without paying by downloading the free desktop software on a computer. On Android, AnkiDroid is the official app (see its Google Play listing). If you use an iPhone or iPad, you can review your cards for free by visiting AnkiWeb in your mobile web browser instead of purchasing the iOS app. While the browser version requires an active internet connection, it allows you to complete daily reviews at zero cost.
Anki is only 25 dollars if you purchase the official AnkiMobile app on the Apple App Store for iPhone or iPad. That price is a one-time charge rather than a monthly subscription, and Anki uses the proceeds to fund development across the entire project. All computer versions for Windows, Mac, and Linux remain free and open source.
Reviewing 200 due cards in a day is a normal load for a student with a large deck. Adding 200 new cards in one day is usually too much, because every new card comes back for review several times over the following days. Keep the daily new-card limit low and let the review count follow from it.
This guide provides general educational software information; pricing and app store availability change, so verify current terms on official provider sites before purchasing.