Anki vs Recense

Do Anki and Recense use the same algorithm?

Yes. Both schedule reviews with FSRS, the Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler (an open-source project, open-spaced-repetition on GitHub). Anki added FSRS as a built-in scheduler option in version 23.10 (October 2023); before that its default was the older SM-2. Recense uses FSRS as well, enabled by default with no setup. So on the part that decides when you review, the two are on equal footing. The card you study today and the interval you get next are driven by the same model in both apps. The differences below are about everything around that scheduler, not the scheduler itself.

What does Recense do differently?

Recense is a web app that runs the same way on phone and desktop, not a desktop program with a separate mobile port. The interface is built to be opened daily: review what is due, rate the card, move on. A few things follow from that approach.

• One unified UI across web and mobile, so your session looks and behaves the same wherever you study.
• A built-in community Deck Hub for finding and sharing decks, instead of browsing an external shared-deck list.
• One-click .apkg import, so the decks you already have in Anki come across with their cards and media (images and audio).
• Sensible defaults, so you are reviewing within minutes rather than reading configuration guides.

Where does Anki still win?

Anki is the better choice for a real set of people, and it is worth being clear about who. Its add-on ecosystem is unmatched: thousands of community extensions cover note styling, statistics, image occlusion, automation, and much more. Its note types and card templates are deeply customizable, down to the HTML and CSS of each card. It runs fully offline as a native desktop application, with no account required, and it is free on desktop and Android. If you write your own scheduling tweaks, depend on specific add-ons, or have built a workflow around custom note types over years, Anki gives you control that a more opinionated app deliberately does not. For power users who live inside that flexibility, staying on Anki is the sensible call.

How do Anki and Recense compare at a glance?

Can I move my Anki decks to Recense?

Yes. Export any deck from Anki as an .apkg file and import it into Recense; your cards and media come across. Imported cards start fresh on FSRS rather than restoring Anki's exact intervals, so you keep all your decks and media even though the old review history itself does not carry over. You can also try Recense alongside Anki without committing: import a copy of one deck, study for a week, and see whether the interface fits how you actually review.

Which is better for beginners?

For someone new to spaced repetition, Recense is usually the gentler start: FSRS is on by default, the defaults are reasonable, and there is nothing to configure before your first session. Anki rewards patience and tinkering, which is part of its appeal for some people and a barrier for others. If your aim is to start reviewing today and keep a daily habit, the lower setup cost matters more than raw configurability. If you enjoy adjusting every setting and want maximum control from day one, Anki gives you more dials to turn.

Is Recense free like Anki?

Both have a free core. Anki is free on desktop and Android, while its iOS app (AnkiMobile) is a paid purchase. Recense core, including decks, FSRS study, the Deck Hub, and .apkg import, is free; paid features come later and sit on top of that core rather than gating it. Neither tool puts the basic study loop behind a paywall, so price is rarely the deciding factor between them. The decision usually comes down to interface and how much you want to customize, not cost.

Bottom line: Anki and Recense run the same FSRS scheduler, so the choice is about everything else. Pick Anki if you want deep customization, a vast add-on ecosystem, and a fully offline desktop tool, and you are happy to invest setup time to get it. Pick Recense if you want that same proven scheduling with a clean, unified web and mobile interface, a built-in Deck Hub, and sensible defaults that let you start in minutes. They are not enemies; many people import their Anki decks, keep both around, and use whichever fits the moment.