Anki is the most powerful spaced repetition tool on the market. But its steep learning curve, aging interface, and overwhelming plugin library make it a tool for only the most motivated learners. Memia offers the same algorithmic rigor — native FSRS — in a modern interface, with zero configuration and built-in AI generation.
An honest comparison between memia and Anki on the criteria that matter for serious learners.
| Feature | memia | Anki |
|---|---|---|
| SRS algorithm | Native FSRS | SM-2 by default, FSRS as plugin |
| AI flashcard generation | Built-in and integrated | Third-party plugins (unofficial) |
| User interface | Modern and intuitive | Complex, outdated design |
| iOS mobile app | Included (browser) | $24.99 (paid app) |
| Cloud sync | Native and automatic | AnkiWeb (sometimes unstable) |
| Configuration required | None | Many SRS parameters to set |
| Time to get started | 5 minutes | Several hours |
| Community deck library | Growing catalog | Huge (AnkiWeb) |
| Advanced customization | Standard | Total (cards, templates, CSS) |
Anki is the reference tool for serious learners — medical students, polyglots, competitive exam students. Its SM-2 algorithm is scientifically validated across decades, and its recent integration of FSRS marks a step forward: according to benchmarks from the FSRS team (Ye et al., 2024), FSRS reduces the number of reviews needed by 15 to 20% compared to SM-2 at equal retention. The problem with Anki isn't performance: it's accessibility.
Configuring Anki properly takes hours. Enabling FSRS requires understanding algorithm parameters. Syncing on mobile needs a separate subscription or AnkiWeb setup. Creating quality cards from your lecture notes requires either hours of manual work or unofficial third-party plugins.
Memia solves these friction points by natively integrating everything Anki offers via plugins: FSRS active by default, built-in AI generation, automatic sync, modern interface. If you're a power Anki user who needs total customization, stay on Anki. If you want FSRS rigor without the hassle, memia is built for you.
In Anki, go to File > Export. Choose 'Notes in Plain Text' for a specific deck, or export as .apkg to preserve your review history.
Use memia's import function to paste your CSV/TXT export. You can also regenerate your decks from original notes via the AI generator for better structure.
Your cards are automatically added to the FSRS algorithm. No interval parameters, no forgetting factor settings — memia handles it all.
Memia generates a daily review plan based on FSRS. Review your due cards each day and let the algorithm optimize your intervals over time.
Yes, since version 23.10, Anki includes FSRS as an option — but it's an option you need to manually enable and configure. By default, Anki still uses SM-2, the older algorithm. Memia uses FSRS by default, with no manual activation needed.
On the memorization algorithm, yes: both use FSRS, meaning review intervals are calculated the same way. The difference is in the ecosystem: Anki offers total customization (HTML/CSS templates, macros, plugins), memia offers a more guided and accessible experience.
Anki is free on PC/Mac/Linux and Android. On iOS, the AnkiMobile app costs $24.99 (one-time purchase). Cloud sync via AnkiWeb is free but can be unreliable. Memia is free on all platforms via browser.
Memia is an excellent option if you find Anki too complex to configure or want to quickly generate flashcards from your lecture notes. The FSRS algorithm is identical. If you already use specific Anki community decks (Zanki, AnKing), you can export and import them into memia.
AnkiWeb decks in .apkg format are not directly importable into memia today. You can export them as CSV from Anki then import, or use the AI generator to recreate an equivalent deck from official source materials.
SM-2 (SuperMemo 2) is the historical spaced repetition algorithm, developed in the 1980s. It calculates review intervals based on a fixed formula. FSRS (Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler) is a more recent research algorithm that models individual forgetting curves more precisely and adapts to your specific performance. In practice, FSRS reduces required reviews by 10-20% for the same retention level.
The current version of memia requires an internet connection. An offline feature is in development. Anki works locally and only needs internet for AnkiWeb sync.
Try memia for free and start studying with FSRS in under 5 minutes.
Try for free