Anki is the better app overall, scoring 8.8 to 8.4. Anki wins on 3 of the 5 scores, Jotter on 1, with 1 tied.
Med students, language learners and anyone memorizing large volumes of facts
iPhone and iPad users who want a quick, private notepad with handwriting
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Anki | Jotter |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Learning | Productivity & Notes |
| Category rank | #3 of 8 | #8 of 10 |
| Developer | Damien Elmes and AnkiHub | The Big Head |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | — |
| Mac | ✓ | — |
| Windows | ✓ | — |
| Linux | ✓ | — |
| Web | ✓ | — |
Strengths and weaknesses
Anki
- Smart scheduling means less review time for the same recall
- Free and open source on desktop, Android and the web
- Fully customizable cards, decks and study settings
- Dated interface with a steep learning curve
- The iPhone and iPad app, AnkiMobile, is a paid download
Anki is the most effective flashcard tool you can use, if you are willing to put in the work. Its spaced repetition scheduler, including the newer FSRS option, shows each card just before you would forget it. It is free and open source everywhere except iPhone, where AnkiMobile is a one-time purchase. The catch: the interface is dated and setup takes effort. Ideal for med students and serious language learners.
Full Anki review
Jotter
- No titles, folders or save buttons to slow you down
- Handwriting and voice notes are searchable on the device
- Free, no account, synced through your own iCloud
- Apple devices only, with no Mac or web app
- No backlinks, plugins or collaboration
Jotter is built around one idea: open it and start typing. The first line names the note and it saves as you go. Checklists, Apple Pencil handwriting, scans and voice notes live in the same note, and search reads the text inside pictures and handwriting on the device. It lacks the linking and plugins of Obsidian, but as a free, private everyday notepad it is quick and pleasant.
Full Jotter review
