Flashi is the best free iOS flashcard app for language learning in 2026. It is free on iPhone, generates vocabulary decks with AI, uses SM-2 spaced repetition, works offline, and imports existing Anki decks. If you want the full comparison before downloading, read on.
Quick answer
If you want free + iPhone + spaced repetition + AI generation + offline + no account: download Flashi. If you already have large Anki decks on desktop and primarily study there, stick with Anki. If you need collaborative decks or classroom integration, Quizlet works despite the paywall.
Comparison table
| App | Price (iOS) | Platform | AI generation | SRS algorithm | Offline | Language support |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flashi | Free | iOS only | Yes | SM-2 | Yes | Any language |
| AnkiMobile | $24.99 one-time | iOS, Android (free), Desktop (free) | No (add-ons only) | SM-2 / FSRS | Yes | Any language |
| Quizlet | Free tier (limited) / $35.99/yr | iOS, Android, Web | Yes (paid) | Proprietary (not SM-2/FSRS) | Limited (paid) | Any language |
| Knowt | Free | iOS, Android, Web | Yes | Proprietary | Partial | Any language |
| MintDeck | Free tier / paid | iOS, Web | Yes | SM-2 | Yes | Any language |
Notes on the table: Anki's FSRS algorithm is available as an add-on on desktop; AnkiMobile uses SM-2 by default. Quizlet's "spaced repetition" is not SM-2 or FSRS and does not publish its scheduling algorithm. Knowt uses its own scheduling system. MintDeck is a small competitor with a limited user base; deck library is thin for less common languages.
Flashi
Best for: iPhone users who want free, AI-powered vocabulary study with no setup friction.
The catch: iOS only. If you study across Android, desktop, and iPhone, Anki's cross-platform sync is better.
Flashi was built specifically for vocabulary memorization. The AI generator creates a deck from any text input in seconds: paste a Spanish vocabulary list, describe a topic ("N5 JLPT verbs"), or type individual words. The app applies SM-2 scheduling automatically so every word in your deck gets surfaced at the optimal review interval.
Key facts for language learners:
- Free to download on iPhone
- No account required
- Imports .apkg Anki deck files
- Works offline after initial setup
- AI generation supports any language input
For a detailed look, see flashi.app/flashcards-for-languages.
AnkiMobile
Best for: Serious language learners with large existing Anki decks who study on multiple devices.
The catch: $24.99 on iPhone. The desktop app and AnkiDroid (Android) are free, but iPhone users pay once.
Anki is the gold standard for spaced repetition. Its scheduling algorithm (SM-2, with FSRS available as an add-on on desktop) is the most studied and trusted in vocabulary research. The shared deck library has hundreds of pre-built language decks for every major and many minor languages.
The tradeoffs: manual card creation is slow, the mobile UI is dated, and AnkiMobile's $24.99 price is the top complaint from language learners switching apps. There is no built-in AI generation.
Quizlet
Best for: Students in courses where teachers share Quizlet class sets.
The catch: Most useful features are behind a $35.99/year subscription. The free tier is limited, and the "spaced repetition" mode does not use SM-2 or FSRS. AI generation requires a paid plan.
Quizlet's deck library is the largest of any flashcard app, and teacher-shared class sets make it valuable in educational settings. For self-directed language learners, the paywall and non-standard scheduling algorithm are significant drawbacks. Trustpilot reviews reflect user frustration: many long-time users left when key free features moved to paid tiers.
Knowt
Best for: Students who need quick AI-generated decks from uploaded notes or PDFs.
The catch: No named SRS algorithm. The scheduling system is proprietary and not as proven as SM-2 or FSRS for long-term retention. Offline study is limited on the free tier.
Knowt is a strong option for generating flashcards from uploaded class notes quickly. For language learning specifically, where long-term vocabulary retention across months matters, the lack of a proven SRS algorithm is a meaningful gap compared to Flashi or Anki.
MintDeck
Best for: Users who want a polished UI and SM-2 scheduling with some AI generation.
The catch: Smaller app with a thin deck library and limited community. The free tier restricts AI generation. Not purpose-built for language learning.
MintDeck uses SM-2 scheduling and has AI generation, which puts it closer to Flashi on the algorithm side. The user base is small, which means fewer pre-built language decks and a less active community. Worth watching as it grows, but Flashi is the better free starting point for iOS language learners today.
What matters for language vocabulary specifically
Generic flashcard apps treat all card types equally. Language vocabulary has specific requirements that change which features matter most:
SRS algorithm quality. Language vocabulary is cumulative. You are not just reviewing 50 cards for an exam next week; you are building a 2,000-word vocabulary over 12 months. The spacing algorithm determines whether you retain words long-term or just recognize them briefly around review time. SM-2 and FSRS have the most research behind them. Apps that do not name their algorithm should be treated skeptically.
AI generation speed. Language learners encounter new words constantly. An app that makes adding new cards frictionless means you actually add them. An app that requires manual entry means you procrastinate.
Offline access. Language study happens on commutes, in cafes, and on planes. If the app requires internet for review, you will miss sessions.
No account barrier. Creating an account before you can study a single card adds friction at the highest-motivation moment. The best language apps let you start immediately.
Recommendation
For iPhone language learners in 2026, the clearest choice is Flashi: free, SM-2 scheduling, AI generation, offline, no account, and .apkg import for anyone bringing Anki decks over.
Download free: https://apps.apple.com/app/flashi-ai-flashcards/id6755940544