Both apps use spaced repetition. The key difference: Esli generates flashcards with AI so you never spend hours making cards manually. Anki has a larger community and deeper customization. Here's the honest breakdown.
Choose Esli if you want AI to create your cards — type a topic and study in 30 seconds. Choose Anki if you need a massive pre-made deck library or advanced card formatting with LaTeX and custom templates.
Side-by-side breakdown of Esli vs Anki.
| Feature | E Esli | Anki |
|---|---|---|
| AI flashcard generation Esli generates cards from any topic or PDF in seconds | ||
| Spaced repetition (SM-2) Both use the same core algorithm | ||
| PDF upload → flashcards Unique to Esli | ||
| Browser extension Save words/passages while browsing | ||
| Free on iOS & Android AnkiMobile costs $24.99; Esli is free everywhere | ||
| 14 language AI translations Esli translates card backs to 13+ languages | ||
| Community deck library Anki has thousands of community decks | ||
| Deep card customization Anki supports HTML, CSS, LaTeX, custom templates | ||
| Desktop app (offline) Anki has native desktop apps; Esli is web-based | ||
| No account required Both support guest/local use | ||
| Free to use Anki desktop + Android are free; iOS is paid |
Comparison based on publicly available feature information as of April 2026.
With Anki, you spend hours making cards. With Esli, type a topic and your deck is ready in seconds. The AI does the work.
Upload any textbook chapter, lecture notes, or study guide and Esli extracts the key concepts into cards automatically.
AnkiMobile costs $24.99. Esli is free on web, iOS, and Android — no hidden costs.
Same spaced repetition science. Zero card-creation time. Free on every device.
Get Started with Esli — Free