Alternatives to SuperMemo
Where spaced repetition was invented
SuperMemo ranks #5 of 6 in Flashcard apps, with an Alt Score of 60. It is proprietary, sold by subscription from 35.99 PLN/month and available on iOS, Android and Web. 7 of 9 checklist rows are verified against a public source.
People who want to retain large amounts of material for years or decades — students, researchers, language learners, and knowledge workers building a long-term personal knowledge base rather than cramming for a single test.
A Windows application (also available via web/app) combining a spaced-repetition algorithm with incremental reading, so you can import articles, PDFs, and videos, extract key passages, and convert them into review items. SuperMemo schedules each item's review based on the SM algorithm family (which it originated), aiming to show it right before you'd forget it rather than on a fixed schedule. It also organizes extracted material into a structured, growing personal knowledge base rather than a flat flashcard deck.
You feed in source material, and incremental reading lets you read it in interleaved chunks, extracting key sentences or facts into flashcard-like items as you go instead of finishing each article in one sitting. Those items then enter the spaced-repetition queue, where the algorithm tracks your recall performance and increases the interval between reviews as your memory of the item strengthens.
Why people leave SuperMemo
Dashed reasons are sourced facts; the rest are opinions. Vendors can dispute.
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Ranked alternatives
Ordered by Alt Score. Click any score to see the breakdown.
Feature comparison
How SuperMemo compares with its alternatives, feature by feature.
| Flashcard apps checklist | SuperMemo | Anki | RemNote | Brainscape | Mochi | Quizlet |
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Every fact and feature listed for SuperMemo is verified against its own pages. Each alternative is sourced on its own page.
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Starts at 35.99 PLN/month verified 2026-07-08
Premium 1 month … 35.99 PLN/month … Includes 30 days free trial
https://supermemo.com/en/subscription -
License Proprietary verified 2026-07-08
No open-source license; commercially sold/subscribed.
In 1991, we became the first company in the world to start using spaced repetition to aid learners
https://supermemo.com/en/supermemo-method/ -
Pricing model Subscription verified 2026-07-08
Premium 1 month … 35.99 PLN/month … Premium 12 months … 359.00 PLN/year
https://supermemo.com/en/subscription -
Platforms iOS, Android, Web verified 2026-07-08
supermemo.com web/mobile product; classic Windows SuperMemo is a separate product.
from a computer program to an educational platform ... mobile apps, an online platform, AI features, language courses
https://supermemo.com/en/blog/35-years-of-supermemo -
Status active verified 2026-07-08
Modern SuperMemo uses the SM-20 algorithm … Live Mode (May 2026): Natural spoken conversations mimicking teacher interaction
https://supermemo.com/en/blog/35-years-of-supermemo -
Spaced repetition algorithm Yes verified 2026-07-08
the SuperMemo algorithm schedules the perfect moments for review – exactly when the knowledge is about to fade
https://supermemo.com/en/supermemo-method/ -
Media on cards (audio, image) Yes verified 2026-07-08
You can now set automatic playback of recordings for a single example or for all examples after the answer is displayed.
https://supermemo.com/en/blog/new-configuration-options-in-extreme-courses -
Shared deck library Yes verified 2026-07-08
Unlock access to nearly 300 courses and choose from 25 languages in the constantly expanding and updated SuperMemo catalogue.
https://supermemo.com/en/subscription -
Cross-device sync Partial verified 2026-07-08
Multi-device cloud access implies sync; explicit 'sync' wording not found.
Access available through 'desktop computers,' smartphones, and web platforms.
https://supermemo.com/en/blog/35-years-of-supermemo -
Offline Yes verified 2026-07-08
The SuperMemo mobile app allows users to download courses to their device and learn offline.
https://supermemo.com/en/blog/35-years-of-supermemo -
Open source No verified 2026-07-08
Proprietary; no open-source disclosure.
In 1991, we became the first company in the world to start using spaced repetition to aid learners
https://supermemo.com/en/supermemo-method/ -
Stats & heatmaps Partial verified 2026-07-08
Stats/summaries confirmed; heatmap format not verified.
SuperMemo provides all its users with learning summaries and a user ranking
https://supermemo.com/en/blog
FAQ
Yes. Anki, RemNote and Brainscape have a free tier or are fully free. Free-tier limits in the comparison table are verified and dated.
Anki — every license claim links its source.