Lexica vs Anki for language learning
Lexica makes flashcards for language learners: it schedules your reviews with FSRS, like Anki, and it also writes the cards for you. Give it a topic, your notes or a word list, and each card arrives with a translation, IPA and an example sentence.
The short answer
Anki is more flexible: it works for any subject, has a large library of shared decks and add-ons, and is free on computers and Android. Lexica is built only for languages and takes care of the slowest part, which is making good cards. If you spend more time building cards than reviewing them, Lexica gives you that time back.
Lexica and Anki side by side
| Lexica | Anki | |
|---|---|---|
| Making cards | AI writes them from a topic, your notes or a word list; you can also add cards by hand | You make them by hand, import them or download shared decks; some add-ons help |
| IPA and audio | IPA on every card, and a natural voice for the word and the example, one tap per card | Reads cards aloud with your device's voices; IPA only if you add it |
| Scheduling | FSRS-6, on for every card | FSRS, turned on in deck options as an alternative to the classic SM-2 algorithm |
| Platforms and sync | Web and iPhone, one account | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iPhone, synced through AnkiWeb |
| Shared decks and add-ons | Share any deck with a link | A large library of shared decks and add-ons |
| Cost to start | Free plan: 2 decks, 100 cards, 20 AI actions a day and unlimited reviews | Free on computers and Android; the iPhone app is a one-time purchase |
| Your AI assistant | Lexica Pro connects your decks to it | No official connector |
Checked on 18 October 2026 against apps.ankiweb.net and the Anki manual.
Where Lexica saves you time
In Anki, a good vocabulary card is made by hand: you look up the translation, the gender, the pronunciation and a sentence that shows how the word is used. In Lexica you type a topic or paste your word list, pick the words you want, and Lexica writes the cards, leaving out the ones already in your library.
Reviews work the way they do in Anki with FSRS turned on: each word comes back just before you'd forget it. In Lexica, FSRS-6 spaced repetition is always on, and there's nothing to set up before you start.
When Anki is the better choice
- You study more than languages, like medicine or law. Lexica only makes language cards.
- You want to design your own card templates, with fill-in-the-blank cards or fields of your choosing.
- Your routine is built around a particular shared deck, or add-ons you already rely on.
- You need a native app for Android, Windows, macOS or Linux. Lexica runs on the web and on iPhone.
- You want to make cards with no daily limit and without paying. Lexica's free plan has 20 AI actions a day, although reviews are unlimited.
Coming from Anki
Lexica can't import Anki decks yet. If you switch, the simplest way is to start your next topic in Lexica and keep reviewing your existing decks in Anki until you know those words. Your Anki history stays where it is, and you don't have to redo anything at once.
Questions about Lexica and Anki
Does Lexica use the same algorithm as Anki?
Both use FSRS. In Anki you turn it on in the deck options, as an alternative to the classic SM-2 algorithm. In Lexica, FSRS-6 schedules every card from day one.
Can I use Lexica and Anki at the same time?
Yes. You can start new topics in Lexica and keep going with the decks you already have in Anki. Each app keeps its own history.
Does Lexica have audio like Anki?
Anki can read cards aloud with your system's voices. Lexica adds a natural voice for the word and the example, one tap per card, and saves it with the card. There's more on the page about IPA and audio.
What does it cost to start?
Lexica is free to start: 2 decks, 100 cards, 20 AI actions a day (a card or an audio clip each) and unlimited reviews. Anki is free on computers and Android, and its iPhone app is a one-time purchase.
Lexica launches on 1 November. Leave your email to get notified, or see everything Lexica does.