Quick answer: Yes — Anki is free on desktop (macOS, Windows, Linux) and on Android (AnkiDroid). The iOS app, AnkiMobile, is a paid one-time purchase at $24.99 (App Store, dated September 2026). AnkiWeb sync accounts are free.
“Is Anki free?” is one of the highest-intent questions in the flashcard internet — and the answers online are often outdated or incomplete. Here is the clear 2026 breakdown, what you actually pay for, and when a free modern FSRS app is the better buy than fighting iOS pricing.
All competitor and Neurako figures below are dated September 2026. Neurako Pro is $59.99/year (or $6.99/mo). Neurako does not sell a team plan and does not claim live AnKing sync.
Anki pricing by platform
| Product | Platform | Price (Sept 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anki | Desktop | Free | Full creator + review + add-ons |
| AnkiDroid | Android | Free | Community Android client |
| AnkiMobile Flashcards | iOS / iPadOS | $24.99 one-time | Official iOS client |
| AnkiWeb | Web sync | Free account | Sync + limited web review |
There is no Anki “Plus subscription” required to unlock spaced repetition on desktop. The controversial line item is almost always AnkiMobile.
Why AnkiMobile costs money
Anki’s desktop software is free and open source. The iOS app is a separate commercial product that funds development. Whether you agree with the pricing philosophy or not, the practical fact for students is:
- Android users can review for $0
- iPhone users need $24.99 once (unless they only review on desktop — awkward — or use another app)
That $24.99 is not a subscription. It is still a real barrier for some learners, especially if you are testing spaced repetition for the first time.
What “free Anki” still costs you
Even at $0 cash, Anki charges in:
- Setup time (note types, deck options, FSRS enablement)
- Card creation time (unless you import)
- Add-on maintenance (see best Anki add-ons)
- Willpower (the UI is utilitarian)
Free software with a steep learning curve is still expensive if you quit.
Free ways to get cards into Anki
You do not need to pay for third-party importers:
- quizlet-to-anki — paste Quizlet exports (no add-on)
- csv-to-anki — spreadsheets → .apkg
- apkg-to-csv — inspect/edit decks
- image occlusion — diagram cards → .apkg
- pdf path via anything-to-flashcards — BYOK generation
Guides: answers/quizlet-to-anki, answers/csv-to-anki.
Anki vs other “free” flashcard apps (honest)
Quizlet. Still has a free tier, but Learn and other modes are metered on paid plans — Plus and Unlimited pricing changed over 2025–2026. Do not believe headlines that “Quizlet is free again” as a blanket statement. See Is Quizlet free in 2026?.
Knowt. Markets free access with ads; Ultra is expensive relative to Neurako Pro ($149.99/year Ultra vs $59.99/year Neurako in public Sept 2026 figures — always re-check competitor pages).
Gizmo. Free study can hit hearts / wait walls and Magic Import caps (dated competitor help docs).
Noji (ex-AnkiPro). Free tier commonly discussed around 50 cards/day; Premium from roughly $4.99/mo — verify on Noji’s current help/App Store listing. Rebrand history matters for trust; see Neurako vs Noji.
Neurako. Free FSRS study within plan limits; Pro $59.99/year; AI units 25 free / 500 Pro monthly. iOS and Android apps included — no $24.99 AnkiMobile line item.
Is “free Anki” enough for medical school?
Yes for thousands of students — especially with shared decks. The costs shift to AnkiHub or other paid deck ecosystems if you want curated medical content and sync features. Neurako does not replace live AnKing sync; do not switch expecting that.
Who should pay $24.99 for AnkiMobile?
Pay if:
- You already live in Anki on desktop
- You need offline iOS review of a large collection
- Add-ons/desktop power are non-negotiable
Skip (or delay) if:
- You have not lasted two weeks of reviews yet
- You mainly need photo → cards
- You want a modern free iOS FSRS client first (Neurako free tier)
FAQ
Is Anki free on Mac?
Yes — desktop Anki is free on macOS.
Is Anki free on iPhone?
The official app is paid ($24.99 one-time as of Sept 2026). There is no official free AnkiMobile clone with full support.
Is AnkiWeb free?
Yes for sync accounts. Don’t confuse AnkiWeb with AnkiMobile.
Does Anki charge a subscription?
Not for core desktop/Android. Optional third-party services (deck hubs, etc.) may.
What’s the best free Anki alternative on iOS?
“Best” depends on whether you need shared mega-decks. For free FSRS + modern UI, try Neurako’s free plan and read best free Anki alternative plus /anki-alternative.
Next steps
- New user: how to use Anki
- Tuning: best Anki settings
- Leaving Quizlet: quizlet-to-anki or /quizlet-alternative
- Want free iOS FSRS without AnkiMobile? Try Neurako
Total cost of ownership scenarios
Scenario A — Android student: $0 software. Time cost only. AnkiDroid + desktop creation.
Scenario B — iPhone student committed to Anki: $24.99 once for AnkiMobile + time. Still cheaper than many annual subscriptions if you stay for years.
Scenario C — iPhone student testing SRS for two weeks: Paying $24.99 before you know you will review daily is risky. Trial the habit on desktop, AnkiWeb limited review, or a free modern client like Neurako’s free tier first.
Scenario D — Family / tutoring: Neurako has no team plan; Anki has no official classroom admin SKU either. Plan around individual accounts and shared exports (.apkg / CSV), not a mythical org dashboard.
Open source vs paid mobile
Desktop Anki’s open-source nature is why add-ons and community decks thrived. Mobile App Store realities are why AnkiMobile is commercial. Understanding that split prevents conspiracy theories (“Anki bait-and-switched me”) and focuses the real decision: do you need official iOS review of an Anki collection, or do you need spaced repetition in any competent app?
Free tool stack that complements Anki
You can keep Anki free on desktop and still avoid paid importers:
- Quizlet paste → quizlet-to-anki
- Spreadsheets → csv-to-anki
- Package inspection → apkg-to-csv
- Diagrams → image occlusion
- PDF drafts → anything-to-flashcards
That stack is how many people keep cash costs at $0 while still moving content quickly — until they choose AnkiMobile or a Pro FSRS app deliberately.
Frequently confused products
Anki (desktop) ≠ AnkiMobile ≠ AnkiWeb ≠ AnkiHub ≠ AnkiPro/Noji. People say “I bought Anki” when they bought AnkiMobile, or “Anki charged my subscription” when a third-party hub billed them. Read the publisher name on the App Store receipt. Official AnkiMobile is a one-time purchase at $24.99 in the Sept 2026 snapshot — not a vague recurring “Anki tax.”
Scholarships and fee waivers
Anki’s project has historically discussed hardship options for AnkiMobile in community channels — policies change, so check current official guidance rather than a random screenshot. If you cannot pay and cannot use Android/desktop, a free FSRS app (Neurako free tier) is a practical bridge so you do not delay learning for a store payment.
Bottom line
Is Anki free? Mostly yes on desktop and Android; iOS is paid once. The bigger cost is usually time and habit design. Spend money only when a specific client unlocks a habit you already proved on free tooling.