In an increasingly digital world, learning apps are becoming more and more popular — especially among students who want to prepare efficiently for exams. But with so many options available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.

This blog post gives you an overview of the best free learning apps in 2025. By “free” we mean freemium apps that offer a free basic version and only charge for advanced features or extended use. We’ll compare five leading apps: Anki, Quizlet, Studysmarter, Notion, and Retain. Our comparison is based on the three criteria that matter most to students: learning efficiency, user-friendliness, and cost. This way, you can find the app that best fits your study needs.

Comparison

In the following section, we compare what we consider to be the five best learning apps for students in 2025: Anki, Quizlet, Studysmarter, Notion, and Retain. To help you find the app that best fits your needs, we evaluate them based on three main criteria: learning efficiency, cost, and user-friendliness.

Learning efficiency is our top priority, as students want to make the most of their study time. Apps that use innovative learning techniques like Spaced Repetition or personalized study plans help learners retain information faster and more effectively - enabling them to learn more in less time. Learning efficiency is further broken down into two areas: how efficiently you can create study material and how efficiently you can learn using the app (e.g., through modern techniques).

Cost is also a key factor: while all the featured apps offer a free version, they differ significantly in the pricing and value of premium features.

User-friendliness rounds out the evaluation criteria. A clean interface and intuitive usability allow you to stay focused on learning, without getting bogged down by complicated menus or confusing features.

To evaluate the apps objectively, each criterion is rated on a scale from 1 to 5 - 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest. This comparison will help you make an informed decision by clearly outlining the strengths and weaknesses of each app.

Anki

Anki is a popular learning app best known for helping users retain knowledge effectively through flashcards.

Learning Efficiency: Anki uses the Spaced Repetition algorithm and Active Recall to optimize learning. However, its standard algorithm is based on the outdated SM-2 model, which is nearly 40 years old. While Anki still delivers solid results using this method, the creation of flashcards is entirely manual and time-consuming, as there is no AI support. Score: 3/5

Cost: Anki offers its web, Android, and desktop versions completely free, making it an attractive option for many students. However, the iOS app costs a one-time fee of €29.99, which may be a barrier for some users. Still, Anki remains the most cost-effective app overall. Score: 5/5

User-Friendliness: Anki features an outdated and non-intuitive interface with a large number of configuration options that can be overwhelming for beginners. The steep learning curve often requires watching YouTube tutorials to use the app effectively. Score: 2/5

Quizlet

Quizlet is a widely used learning app, particularly popular among school students, and is especially suited for creating and studying flashcards.

Learning Efficiency: Quizlet allows users to create flashcards from various sources like PDFs or YouTube videos, making the creation process more convenient. However, the flashcard types are limited to basic formats, with no options for image overlays or fill-in-the-blank questions—features that can be helpful in certain learning scenarios. The app offers a range of study modes, but the effectiveness of its algorithms is unclear, and Spaced Repetition is only available in the premium version. Additionally, there is no way to rate or grade answers when using standard flashcards. Overall, Quizlet is more suitable for school students than university-level learners. Score: 3/5

Cost: The basic version of Quizlet is free but includes ads, which can disrupt focus. Access to advanced features like Spaced Repetition requires a premium subscription at €6.99 per month. Score: 3/5

User-Friendliness: Quizlet’s interface is user-friendly and focuses on the core functionality — flashcards. However, ads can be distracting, and the lack of features like progress tracking toward a specific exam date limits the user experience. Score: 3/5

Studysmarter

StudySmarter is a popular learning app tailored to students, offering a wide range of features to make studying more efficient.

Learning Efficiency: StudySmarter allows users to create flashcards from PDFs, although user feedback on this feature is somewhat mixed. The app only supports very basic flashcard types—mainly simple text-based cards—and lacks options like image overlays or fill-in-the-blank formats, which could benefit certain learners. A standard Spaced Repetition algorithm runs in the background, but it's not based on the latest scientific research. On the plus side, StudySmarter also offers practice tests, which can help learners assess their level of knowledge more effectively. Score: 4/5

Cost: The basic version of StudySmarter is free and includes essential features. However, advanced features like AI-generated flashcards require a premium subscription. The premium plan costs around €5.80 per month and grants unlimited access to AI-created cards. StudySmarter only offers annual subscriptions, which may be a financial barrier for some users. Score: 3/5

User-Friendliness: StudySmarter features a clean and intuitive user interface that makes navigating and studying easy. Like Quizlet, it includes ads, though they are less intrusive. Despite the ads, the app offers a pleasant user experience, especially for students seeking a straightforward and accessible learning platform. Score: 4/5

Notion

Notion is a versatile app widely used by students as a powerful tool for organizing notes, projects, and study materials. It is especially helpful for creating structured summaries and managing learning content.

Learning Efficiency: Notion excels at helping users create summaries and organize study content. The app offers many customization features and helps present complex topics in a clear, structured way. The integrated Notion AI can also support faster content creation and organization. However, Notion is not a specialized learning app and lacks key features like learning algorithms or Spaced Repetition, which are crucial for targeted review and retention. As a result, Notion is often used as a complementary tool alongside other dedicated learning apps. Score: 2/5

Cost: The free version of Notion already includes many useful features and is sufficient for most students. However, if you frequently upload images or rely heavily on the AI assistant, you’ll need to upgrade to the premium plan, which costs €9.50 per month. While it’s not the most expensive option, the extra cost may be a factor for more intensive users. Score: 3/5

User-Friendliness: Notion is known for its user-friendly and intuitive interface. It is easy to use and offers a clean layout that makes navigation and workflow smooth. With a wide range of templates and customization options, Notion allows users to tailor their workspace to their exact needs—making it one of the most accessible apps on the market. Score: 5/5

Retain

Retain is an innovative learning app that stands out through its integration of cutting-edge technology and user-friendly features. It provides students with an efficient and modern way to prepare for exams.

Learning Efficiency: Retain excels in advanced flashcard creation. With its Co-Pilot Mode, flashcards can be generated using state-of-the-art models, speeding up the process while maintaining user trust in AI-generated content. Unlike many other apps, Retain supports advanced flashcard types, including image occlusion and cloze deletions, allowing for more targeted and flexible learning. The app also offers the best Anki integration on the market, enabling seamless import of Anki decks. Retain uses the most efficient learning algorithms available, including Spaced Repetition and Active Recall, which, according to studies, result in 20% time savings compared to apps like Anki. A standout feature is the ability to view your predicted knowledge level on the day of the exam—helping students plan and prepare more effectively. Score: 5/5

Cost: The free version of Retain includes many features, including unlimited imports of Anki flashcards, and is comparable to Anki’s free tier in many respects. For users looking to accelerate their learning and track progress, an affordable upgrade is available at €3.99 per month. Additional AI-generated flashcards are available with an extended subscription for €6.99 per month. Score: 3/5

User-Friendliness: Retain features a clean, Notion-inspired design that offers an intuitive and modern user experience. The app avoids unnecessary clutter and focuses on what matters, making it easy to use and helping learners stay focused. The interface is well-structured, making it easy to navigate between features and ensuring an enjoyable learning experience. Score: 4/5

Conclusion

Here’s the final result at a glance:

After a detailed comparison of the best free learning apps in 2025, Retain emerges as the winner with a total of 12 out of 15 points. With its combination of cutting-edge learning algorithms, an intuitive interface, and flexible pricing, Retain offers the best balance of efficiency, user experience, and cost.

While other apps like Anki, Quizlet, StudySmarter, and Notion each have their own strengths, Retain stands out with its advanced features and the ability to precisely plan and track learning progress. For students who want to make the most of their study time, Retain is the ideal choice.

Try Retain today and take your learning to the next level!