Consider Learnalist if you want to keep words and ideas from your reading, then revisit them on the web or on iPhone. You create personal notes and choose whether each should return sooner or later. Reader for Chrome and Firefox helps you capture vocabulary beside the original page.
Anki is a strong choice when you want configurable decks, card templates, add-ons, and detailed control over studying. You can also use it for exactly the same personal vocabulary task. Changing tools is worthwhile only if the new workflow suits you better.
This comparison is written by Learnalist. Anki facts were checked against its official documentation on October 28, 2026. It is a workflow comparison, not a measured claim that either app teaches faster.
Compare the everyday workflow
| Task | Learnalist | Anki |
|---|---|---|
| Create vocabulary cards | Add a prompt and meaning as a note, or capture a word and sentence through Reader. | Create notes with fields and choose how those fields appear on cards. |
| Review later | Recall the note, reveal the answer, and choose Sooner or Later. | Reveal the answer, rate your recall, and let Anki schedule the next review. |
| Organise study material | Keep personal notes and use learning lists and practice lists. | Organise cards into decks and subdecks with their own study settings. |
| Customise the system | Use the supplied review and practice experiences. | Adjust card templates and review settings, and extend the desktop app with add-ons. |
| Study across devices | Web, iPhone, and iPad; Reader is a desktop browser extension. | Desktop, AnkiMobile for iOS, AnkiDroid for Android, and AnkiWeb sync. |
Sources: Anki’s product overview and getting-started manual. See Learnalist’s review experience and Reader workflow for the corresponding steps.
What about FSRS?
Both Learnalist and Anki support FSRS scheduling. Learnalist maps Sooner to Again and Later to Good; FSRS applies to notes with prepared review history. How Learnalist uses FSRS explains the implementation. Anki’s FSRS FAQ explains its options. Sharing an algorithm does not make the apps’ settings or everyday workflows identical.
Try the kind of note you would review
These two Norwegian examples keep a word and its sentence separate. Try recalling the meaning before showing the answer. You do not need an account for this round.
sannsynlig
Show answer
likely
Det er lite sannsynlig.
Show answer
It is unlikely.
In the sentence, lite changes the sense from “likely” to “unlikely”. The recorded session shows why both became notes.
When to choose each tool
Try Learnalist when you want to build a personal collection from things you encounter: an unfamiliar expression, a useful explanation, a quotation, or a fact. Start with a few new notes and see whether the capture and review flow fits your day.
Choose Anki when your study routine depends on its templates, deck settings, add-ons, or existing shared decks. Those are reasons to keep using it. You do not need to abandon a working collection to try a different approach for new reading notes.
Can you bring an Anki collection?
Learnalist does not offer a direct .apkg importer or a transfer of Anki review history. Do not assume your media, card templates, scheduling, or add-on behaviour will carry over.
Anki can export notes as tab-separated text. That export can contain extra fields and HTML. A prepared set of plain prompts and answers can be used as the starting material for Learnalist’s bulk-import workflow, but this page is not a tested Anki migration recipe. Keep your original collection and try a small sample first.
What does it cost to try?
Learnalist includes your first 200 created notes free. Deleting a note does not restore the creation allowance. Annual access allows unlimited note creation for one year and does not renew automatically. Check current pricing.
Anki’s desktop app is free; its official iOS app is a paid purchase. Check the official download links for your platform and local store price.
Start with one useful word
Follow the word-to-review walkthrough, or open an empty note. A Learnalist account is required to save it.