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Is Anki free? Desktop, AnkiDroid, AnkiWeb and iPhone explained
Which versions of Anki cost nothing, why the iPhone app is paid, how to avoid look-alike apps and what to compare if you want another iPhone option.
The free versions
Anki for Windows, Mac and Linux is free and open source, downloaded from the official AnkiWeb apps page. AnkiDroid, the Android app, is also free, and AnkiWeb, the sync and web review service, costs nothing to use.
That means many people study Anki completely free: they create cards on a computer, sync through AnkiWeb and review on an Android phone or in a browser. Shared decks on AnkiWeb are also free to download.
Why the iPhone app costs money
AnkiMobile Flashcards is the official iPhone and iPad app. On 28 October 2026 the US App Store listed it at US$24.99. Its listing explains that sales support Anki’s development and that it is designed as a companion to the desktop program.
The price is a one-off purchase rather than a subscription. You can still review on iPhone without it by using AnkiWeb in Safari, although the experience is closer to a web page than a native app.
Watch for look-alike apps
The official AnkiMobile listing warns about apps with similar names. Before paying, check that the developer and app name match the link on the official AnkiWeb apps page.
If you choose a different flashcard app instead, that is a separate product, not a version of Anki. Confirm it can import your .apkg or .colpkg packages and export them again, so your cards are not locked in.
Choose based on how you study
If your phone is Android, the free AnkiDroid app is the natural choice. On iPhone, the options are AnkiMobile, AnkiWeb in a browser, or another app that reads Anki packages.
Ronri is one iPhone option: dictionaries and selected exercises are free, flashcards sync through your RubricMark account and supported Anki packages can be imported with their scheduling. Compare its saved-card allowance and plans with your deck size before moving a large collection.
Try it yourself
Which three parts of the Anki ecosystem can you use without paying?
Show the answer and explanation
Anki desktop, AnkiDroid and AnkiWeb.
AnkiMobile for iPhone and iPad is the paid part. Shared decks downloaded from AnkiWeb are also free.