Yes, Anki is free on Windows, Mac, Linux, the web and Android; the one exception is the official iPhone and iPad app, AnkiMobile, which costs a one-off $24.99 on the US App Store (checked 6 October 2026) and helps fund Anki's development.
Checked October 2026 · Anki price: Free on desktop, web and Android; iPhone app (AnkiMobile) $24.99 once (checked 2026-10-06 (US App Store))
Where Anki is free
Anki on your computer: free, with every feature. AnkiWeb, the website and sync service: free, and it keeps your cards in step across devices. AnkiDroid on Android: free. Shared decks, including thousands for French, are free to download from AnkiWeb.
Why the iPhone app costs $24.99
AnkiMobile is made by Anki's own developer and sold as a one-off purchase, with no subscription and no ads; the money funds the free versions. If you only have an iPhone, you can use AnkiWeb in the browser for free, but most people who review daily find the app worth it.
The refund problem
Anki had more one- and two-star reviews than any of the ten apps we checked: 215 of the 500 most recent on the App Store. The biggest group, 42, was about price and refunds, mostly from people who paid $24.99 expecting something else, such as an app that would make cards for them or teach them a language. Anki does neither: it shows you cards, at the right time, and you supply the cards.
Before you buy, try Anki free on a computer or on AnkiWeb for a week. Apps with similar names, such as AnkiApp, are not made by Anki's developer and have their own pricing. For an App Store purchase you regret, request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com.
Is it worth using for French?
For keeping the words you meet, yes, at any level: spaced repetition shows each card just before you would forget it, which is the most efficient way to memorise vocabulary. It teaches nothing on its own, and it is fiddly to set up. See Anki for French for decks worth using and how to make your own.
If you want ready-made French practice instead, Clozemaster is free with sentences already built, and Memrise has a free plan with native-speaker videos. Compare them on Anki vs Quizlet and Anki vs Memrise.
Who it's for
Disciplined learners at any level who want to remember the French words they meet, and are happy to spend ten minutes setting up a deck.
Who it's not for
Anyone who wants an app to teach them French, or to make cards for them. Anki is a memory tool; pair it with a course, a podcast or reading that gives you the words.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anki | Free on desktop, web and Android; iPhone app (AnkiMobile) $24.99 oncechecked 2026-10-06 (US App Store) | A1–C2 | No | The best free memory tool at any level; bring your own French. |
| Quizlet | Free; Quizlet Plus monthly or annual (App Store: $9.99 and $44.99) | A1–C2 | No | Quick flashcards for a class word list; not a way to learn French on its own. |
| Memrise | Free plan; Pro $61.99/yr or $329.99 lifetime; monthly plan $24.99checked 2026-10-09 (US App Store in-app purchases) | A1–B1 | Yes | Native-speaker clips for beginners; a supplement, not a course. |
| Clozemaster | Free; Pro €6.45/mo billed €77.34/yr, or €15.46/mo monthlychecked 2026-10-09 (clozemaster.com/pro) | A2–C1 | No | Thousands of fill-the-gap sentences, free, good for volume from A2. |
| French with Amélie | Free weekly lesson; Premium $24/mo or $240/yr | B1–C1 | Yes, with a slow version and a transcript | Real-speed dialogues by email and a private podcast. Not an app. Visit |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Questions
Is Anki free on iPhone?
No. AnkiMobile costs a one-off $24.99 on the US App Store. AnkiWeb in the browser is free.
Is Anki free on Android?
Yes. AnkiDroid is free, and syncs free with the desktop version through AnkiWeb.
Does Anki have a subscription?
No. The desktop version, AnkiWeb and AnkiDroid are free; AnkiMobile is a single purchase.
More on Anki
The full listing: Anki: price, levels and who it suits.