2025 Guide
Quizlet Alternatives That Don't Suck
Quizlet used to be the default. Then they paywalled Learn mode, added ads mid-session, and made canceling a nightmare. Here's what to use instead.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Quizlet Free | Quizlet Plus | FlashcardBuddy | Anki |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0 (limited) | $35.99/yr | Free or $14.99/sem | Free |
| Ad-free | ||||
| Real spaced repetition | ||||
| AI flashcard generation | Paywalled | |||
| AI tutor | ||||
| Easy to cancel | N/A | |||
| Mobile app | Web (mobile-friendly) | |||
| Learning curve | Low | Low | Low | High |
FlashcardBuddy
Recommended- Price
- Free or $14.99/sem
- Ad-free
- Yes
- Real SRS
- Yes
- AI Generation
- Yes
- AI Tutor
- Yes
- Easy to cancel
- Yes (one-time)
Quizlet Free
- Price
- $0 (limited)
- Ad-free
- No
- Real SRS
- No
- AI Generation
- Paywalled
- AI Tutor
- No
Quizlet Plus
- Price
- $35.99/year
- Ad-free
- Yes
- Real SRS
- No
- AI Generation
- Yes
- AI Tutor
- No
Anki
- Price
- Free
- Ad-free
- Yes
- Real SRS
- Yes
- AI Generation
- No
- Learning curve
- High
Why People Leave Quizlet
The paywall creep. Features that were free in 2020 now require Plus. Learn mode, practice tests, ad-free studying. All locked behind a $35.99/year subscription. It feels like a bait-and-switch: you build your study habits around a free tool, then suddenly the features you rely on disappear.
Ads that break your focus. The free tier shows ads between cards. You're deep into memorizing the Krebs cycle and get hit with a car insurance ad. One Reddit user compared it to Duolingo, saying Quizlet's ads make studying "inefficient." Even basic stats tracking requires payment now.
Learn mode isn't real spaced repetition. It's a quiz that repeats cards you miss. Actual SRS (like Anki uses) schedules cards based on memory science, showing them right before you'd forget. Quizlet doesn't do this. You're not actually learning efficiently. Users say Learn mode got worse after it was paywalled.
Cancellation is deliberately hard. One Reddit user described spending 45 minutes trying to cancel, eventually needing PayPal's help to get a refund on a surprise $35.99 charge. Another reported being double-charged without even creating an account. Support tickets get ignored. Auto-renewals sneak up.
Reliability issues when you need it most. The app crashes with large sets (70+ cards). AI features fail to load during exams. Interface updates keep burying settings in new places. When your flashcards won't load the night before a test, that's a real problem.
The Alternatives
FlashcardBuddy
Best for students who want AI features without the Anki learning curve
- Upload a PDF or photo, get flashcards instantly
- Real spaced repetition (same algorithm as Anki)
- AI tutor that quizzes you and checks understanding
- No subscriptions. Pay $14.99 for a semester or use the free tier forever
- No ads, ever
Anki
Best for power users willing to learn the interface
- Gold standard for spaced repetition
- Completely free on desktop, $25 one-time on iOS
- Steep learning curve, dated interface
- No AI features, manual card creation
- Massive community deck library
Knowt
Best for students who want Quizlet's vibe without the paywalls
- Free tier is more generous than Quizlet
- AI features included
- No real SRS algorithm
Brainscape
Best for certification and professional exam prep
- Confidence-based repetition
- Curated professional content
- Expensive for full access
What to Look For
Actual spaced repetition
Not just "repeat what you got wrong"
No ads during study
Breaks focus, defeats the purpose
Clear pricing
Know what you're paying. Easy to cancel.
Works on your device
Mobile matters for studying on the go
Make the Switch
Your flashcards aren't locked in Quizlet. Export them as a CSV or remake them with AI in 30 seconds.
Start Free with FlashcardBuddyMore tools: