Mnemosyne
Free open-source flashcard program with an adaptive scheduler
- #6 of 10 in best flashcard and spaced repetition apps
- Free and open source
- Free to use
- Open source
- WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid
Ranked 6 of 10 in best flashcard and spaced repetition apps
Free, open-source flashcard program with an adaptive scheduler and syncing between Windows, Mac, Linux and Android. Its code is under AGPL-3.0 with an added attribution term, and its README lists no AI study tools.
Best for Free desktop and Android flashcards with sync
About Mnemosyne
Mnemosyne is a flashcard program with two aims, as its homepage puts it: a free tool that optimizes the learning process, and a research project into long-term memory. Its algorithm schedules each card for review at the best time, so difficult cards come up more often and well-known cards less often. Cards can hold images, video and audio, and the README lists Google text-to-speech and translate support.
The clients run on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android, and the README lists bi-directional syncing between several devices. Anonymous learning statistics can be uploaded to a central server for research, but that option is off by default. The source is on GitHub under AGPL-3.0 with an added attribution term, and the master branch has commits from April 2026. Mnemosyne suits people who want a free flashcard program across desktop and Android.
Key features
- Adaptive scheduler
- Syncing between devices
- Plugins and external scripting
- Premade cards
- Google text-to-speech
Strengths
- Free and open source, with a public repository
- Schedules difficult cards more often
- Clients for Windows, Mac, Linux and Android
- Syncing between several devices
Limits
- Derived works must show the Mnemosyne name
Where Mnemosyne ranks
How Mnemosyne compares
| Product | Score | Price | Platforms | Study method | Where cards are kept | Ready-made content | AI study tools |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#4 AnkiDroid | 83.0 | Free and open source | Android | Spaced repetition with FSRS | On device, syncs with AnkiWeb | Shared decks and imported Anki files | No |
#5 Brainscape | 81.5 | Free | WebiOSAndroid | Spaced repetition algorithm | Brainscape's service | Subject libraries of prebuilt decks | Yes |
| #6Mnemosyne | 80.0 | Free and open source | WindowsmacOSLinuxAndroid | Spaced repetition with an adaptive algorithm | On device, with syncing between devices | Premade cards and your own decks | No |
#7 Knowt | 79.0 | Free | WebiOSAndroid | Learn mode with review | Knowt's service | Shared flashcard sets | Yes |
#8 Quizlet | 77.5 | Free plan, paid upgrades | WebiOSAndroid | Learn, test and games modes | Quizlet's service | Shared study sets | Yes |
The full comparison table for best flashcard and spaced repetition apps has all 10 products.
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Questions about Mnemosyne
- Is Mnemosyne free?
- Mnemosyne can be used without paying: Free and open source; license adds an attribution term. Check the vendor’s pricing page for current limits.
- Is Mnemosyne open source?
- Yes. Mnemosyne publishes its source code under the AGPL-3.0 with an attribution term license.
- Which platforms does Mnemosyne support?
- Mnemosyne is available on: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android.
- What is Mnemosyne best for?
- Free desktop and Android flashcards with sync. In our ranking of flashcard and spaced repetition apps it is number 6 of 10 with a score of 80.0.
Show this ranking on your site
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