Top pick
Kitestack Software
View on the App Store ›$4.99 once·4.8★ (883)·Updated Aug 27, 2025
Verdict
Flashcard Hero is a straightforward flashcard maker whose iCloud sync between iPhone and Mac is what people actually praise, though a handful describe sync breaking or failing outright. It works offline too, which matters for the syncing being a bonus rather than a requirement.
Best for
Someone who makes flashcard decks on a Mac and studies them on an iPhone, and wants that sync to just work most of the time without a subscription.
The catch
A minority of reviewers report iCloud sync failing or being unreliable, and importing from other tools like CSV files or a Windows version is described as clunky or unsupported.
One-time purchaseTracks what you knowWorks offline
Infinite Wave Media, LLC
View on the App Store ›$4.99 once·4.6★ (1,101)·Updated Jan 26, 2021
Verdict
A straightforward flashcard maker praised mainly for being simple to build and study cards in, with iCloud sync as a bonus feature — though that sync isn't universally reliable.
Best for
Someone who wants to type up their own flashcard decks quickly on an iPhone or iPad without fussing over settings, and doesn't need to import from a spreadsheet or printer.
The catch
Some users report the iCloud sync between devices breaking, and at least one reviewer got no response after contacting support about it.
One-time purchaseFast to make cardsiCloud sync
$4.99 once·4.5★ (335)·Updated Sep 16, 2026
Verdict
Flashcards Deluxe leans on import/export power and cross-device sync rather than flashy design, and long-time users say it's held up for years without adding a subscription. The interface trades polish for depth, which a chunk of reviewers find confusing.
Best for
Someone building large decks from spreadsheets or existing files who wants sync across an iPhone and iPad without worrying about a monthly fee creeping in later.
The catch
Several reviewers call the interface confusing and unintuitive, and the removal of direct Quizlet importing has frustrated people who relied on it.
One-time purchaseImports decksText to speech
$24.99 once·4.0★ (2,335)·Updated Sep 8, 2025
Verdict
The serious spaced-repetition system, and the one medical students actually use. Buying it funds the free desktop version rather than unlocking anything.
Best for
Someone already using Anki on a computer who needs the same decks on a phone.
The catch
Sixteen of the last two hundred reviews describe syncing destroying their decks, ten call it overpriced and nine call the interface baffling. It is the dearest app here by five times and the lowest rated.
One-time purchaseSpaced repetitionFunds free Anki
