# Schwanki vs AnkiMobile (26.10, Nov 2026): Is $24.99 Worth It?

> AnkiMobile 26.10 is on the App Store (Nov 2026) with redesigned Browse and deck list. Still $24.99 one-time. What changed and when Schwanki fits.

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Schwanki · Schwanki vs AnkiMobile

# Schwanki vs AnkiMobile

Choose AnkiMobile if you want a native iPhone companion for desktop Anki and AnkiWeb sync. Choose Schwanki if you want to turn tutor materials into vocabulary cards and review due cards in a phone swipe feed.

You don't have to pick one today. Exporting a deck from Anki leaves your collection untouched, and Schwanki imports .apkg and .colpkg files with review history and scheduling intact, as long as you tick "Include scheduling information" and "Include media".

**Schwanki vs AnkiMobile, feature by feature (as of November 5, 2026; AnkiMobile facts from its US App Store listing and the Anki forums, Schwanki facts from schwankiapp.com)**

| Feature | AnkiMobile (iPhone/iPad) | Schwanki |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | “$24.99” on the [US App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ankimobile-flashcards/id373493387) · November 10, 2026. Family Sharing supported. | AI example sentences free. AI scene picture + native-voice audio: 1 Schwanki credit, or 0 credits with your own API keys. |
| Requirements | “Requires iOS 15.2 or later.” [US App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ankimobile-flashcards/id373493387) · November 10, 2026. | Runs in the browser; installable as a PWA (not App Store) |
| How you get it / platforms | Native iOS app from the App Store. Desktop Anki (free) and AnkiDroid (free, Android) are separate apps. | Runs in the browser and installs to the home screen as a PWA (not an App Store app). Swipe feed on phone, clean flashcard layout on desktop. |
| Review experience on phone | Classic Anki card review. 26.10 (Nov 2026) redesigned Browse and refreshed the deck list; its release notes don't describe review-screen changes. | Swipe-and-scroll, social-style feed. The queue ends when your due cards are done ("You out-scrolled your due cards"). |
| Scheduler | SM-2 and FSRS, same as desktop. FSRS6 added in 25.07. | FSRS v5 (tracks stability, difficulty, retrievability, reps, due date, last review). New cards 20/day by default, Anki order. |
| Sync | Free AnkiWeb sync with desktop Anki and AnkiDroid | Doesn't use AnkiWeb and never asks for your AnkiWeb password. |
| Bringing in existing Anki decks | Native: it's Anki | Imports .apkg and .colpkg from Anki Desktop, AnkiMobile and AnkiDroid. Keeps cards, scheduling, review history, suspended status, pictures and audio when exported with both boxes ticked. |
| Note types | Same note types as desktop, but they must be modified on the computer | For complex custom note types, Schwanki's own guidance is to stay on Anki. |
| Add-ons | Not supported | Not supported. Stay on Anki if you rely on add-ons or AnkiConnect. |
| Browsing / managing cards | 26.10 redesign: syntax or filter-chip search, saved and recent searches, sort by any field, Card/Note view, bulk Suspend/Bury/Flag/Tag/Move/Delete, Undo pill | — |
| Making cards on the phone | Supported. The developer said on Oct 28, 2026 that card creation, "especially mobile", "needs work". | Imports tutor notes: Google Docs, Google Sheets, class PDFs ≤10 MB (incl. Canva exports), PowerPoint ≤100 MB, Preply profile link autofill. Extracted words go to an Inbox you approve first. |
| Help with leech cards | Anki's standard leech handling. No AI tools listed. | Free AI example sentence. Ridiculous scene picture + native-voice audio for 1 credit (0 with your own keys). |
| Offline | Not stated | Review of loaded due cards works offline. Imports, note processing and AI need a connection. |
| Public update status | App Store: 26.10 (phased rollout announced Nov 3, 2026). Previous public version: 25.09 (Sept 8, 2025). | Web app (no App Store versions) |

AnkiMobile is a paid native app built to mirror desktop Anki. Schwanki is a phone-first web app built around a review feed. Many people use both.

**Quick pick: AnkiMobile, Schwanki, or both (based on how you study)**

| If you… | Pick | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Build decks on desktop Anki and want the same decks on iPhone | **AnkiMobile** | Free AnkiWeb sync, the same SM-2/FSRS scheduling, your note types |
| Rely on add-ons, AnkiConnect, LaTeX/math, or complex custom note types | **Anki + AnkiMobile** | Schwanki itself recommends staying on Anki for these |
| Want full manual scheduler control in a native app | **Anki + AnkiMobile** | Per Schwanki's own trade-offs |
| Review mostly language vocab on your phone and want a feed you can thumb through | **Schwanki** | Swipe-and-scroll feed, queue ends when due cards are done |
| Keep failing the same words (leeches) | **Schwanki** | AI example sentences, ridiculous scene pictures, native-voice audio |
| Get class notes from a tutor (Docs, Sheets, PDFs, slides, Preply) | **Schwanki** | Tutor-notes import into an approval Inbox |
| Already own AnkiMobile but want to try a feed | **Both** | Exporting leaves your Anki collection untouched. Import a copy into Schwanki. |
| Are on Android | **AnkiDroid (free)** or **Schwanki** | AnkiMobile is iOS-only |

## The Short Answer: Who Should Pay $24.99, and Who Should Try Schwanki

AnkiMobile is worth it for people already invested in desktop Anki. Schwanki is built for language learners who review mostly on their phone and want a feed instead of a deck screen.

- Desktop Anki users: AnkiMobile gives you the same decks, scheduling and sync on iPhone.
- Phone-first vocab learners: Schwanki turns your reviews into a swipe feed and adds AI help for stubborn words.
- Unsure? Try both. Exporting from Anki doesn't touch your collection.

See the quick pick table above for your exact situation.

**Try it with one deck**

[Export your deck with scheduling](https://schwankiapp.com/guides/export-anki-with-scheduling) from Anki, then import it into Schwanki. Your Anki collection stays exactly as it is.

## Is AnkiMobile Dead? No — 26.10 Shipped in November 2026

People started asking whether AnkiMobile was abandoned because the App Store version sat at 25.09 (September 8, 2025) for over a year. On October 14, 2026, one forum user asked outright: "Is iOS version dead…".

It wasn't. A 26.10 TestFlight beta opened around September 22, 2026, and on November 3, 2026 the team announced that **AnkiMobile 26.10 is rolling out on the App Store as a phased release**, reaching devices gradually over several days. The work was led by @ianankihub, with thanks to beta testers.

**If you don't see the update yet,** you're probably still in the phased rollout. Check App Store → Updates again later.

### What actually changed in 26.10

#### Browse, redesigned

- Search by typing queries in syntax mode or by building them with filter chips; saved and recent searches
- Rebuilt card rows with clearer flags and marks; customizable swipe and tap actions; tapping a card opens Preview by default (customizable)
- Sort by any field, switch between Card and Note view, and see a live result count
- Bulk Suspend, Bury, Flag, Tag, Move, Delete and Select All, with an Undo pill

#### Deck list

- Each deck shows New, Learning, Review and Total counts, like desktop. A compact, label-free mode is available.
- Clearer sync status icon (pending / needs attention)
- Refreshed icons, spacing and typography across Decks, Stats and Study Options

#### Also

- Notifications now has its own Preferences section, with New/Learning/Review toggles for the app icon badge
- The editor toolbar scrolls instead of clipping; long-pressing Cloze shows a labeled Next/Same menu
- Fixes: Browse preview no longer goes blank after editing; the flip control returns to the question side; several clipped labels and alerts fixed
- The per-app language setting is respected; the sync conflict dialog matches desktop; VoiceOver is improved in Browse and Decks

Source: [AnkiMobile 26.10 announcement, Nov 3, 2026](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/ankimobile-26-10-is-out/74202)

Editor's note: 26.10 does not claim a review-screen redesign or a card-creation overhaul.

### Is AnkiMobile still worth $24.99?

**Short answer (as of November 5, 2026):** Yes, if you already use Anki on a computer and want the same collection on iPhone or iPad. AnkiMobile is still **$24.99 one-time** (unchanged), supports **Family Sharing**, and requires **iOS 15.2+**. 26.10 shows it is actively maintained.

**It's the right buy if you:**

- want desktop-Anki fidelity on iOS with free AnkiWeb sync
- rely on the Browse screen to manage large decks (that's what 26.10 improved most)

**Keep in mind:** AnkiMobile is designed as a companion to computer Anki. Add-ons aren't supported on mobile, and note-type edits often need desktop.

**Where Schwanki fits instead or alongside:** if you mainly study language vocab on your phone and want a swipe-and-scroll feed, free AI example sentences, and optional AI scene pictures plus native-voice audio, Schwanki runs in the browser as a PWA and imports your .apkg/.colpkg. Exporting leaves your Anki collection untouched, so you can use both.

App Store rating shown on Nov 5, 2026: 4.0 from 2.4K ratings.

**AnkiMobile 26.10 timeline**

| Date | Event | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Sept 8, 2025 | AnkiMobile 25.09 released on the App Store | [App Store listing](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ankimobile-flashcards/id373493387) |
| Sept 22, 2026 | AnkiMobile 26.10 TestFlight beta opened | [Anki forums](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/ankimobile-26-10-beta/71167) |
| Oct 8, 2026 | Beta tester: "the ui looks beautiful" | [Anki forums](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/ankimobile-26-10-beta/71167) |
| Oct 14, 2026 | User asks: "Is iOS version dead or will it get updates?" | [Anki forums](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/mobile-version-card-scheduling-out-of-sync/71449) |
| Oct 27, 2026 | Developer: final QA started (historical; 26.10 released Nov 3) | [Anki forums](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/ankimobile-26-10-beta/71167) |
| Oct 28, 2026 | Developer: "Card creation—on all platforms but especially mobile—needs work, and we're aware." 26.10 notes include editor fixes but don't describe a card-creation overhaul. | [Anki forums](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/ankimobile-26-10-beta/71167) |
| Nov 3, 2026 | AnkiMobile 26.10 announced on the Anki forum as a phased App Store release | [Anki forums](https://forums.ankiweb.net/t/ankimobile-26-10-is-out/74202) |
| Nov 5, 2026 | App Store Version History shows 26.10; price still $24.99 | [App Store listing](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ankimobile-flashcards/id373493387) |

Takeaway: If you're buying AnkiMobile today, you're buying an app that's maintained and about to get a visual refresh.

## What You Get for $24.99 with AnkiMobile

AnkiMobile gives you desktop Anki's scheduling and decks on iPhone and iPad for a one-time $24.99, with free AnkiWeb sync and Family Sharing.

### Strengths

- Same SM-2 and FSRS scheduling as desktop Anki (FSRS6 added in version 25.07, released July 21, 2025).
- Free AnkiWeb sync with desktop Anki and AnkiDroid.
- One-time $24.99 payment, no subscription. Family Sharing supported.
- Requires iOS 15.2+.
- 4.0 stars from 2.4K ratings on the US App Store (as of November 5, 2026).

### What it's designed *not* to do

From the [App Store listing](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/ankimobile-flashcards/id373493387), the developer describes AnkiMobile as "a companion to the computer version of Anki, rather than a complete replacement."

- Note types must be modified on the computer.
- Add-ons aren't supported.

## Where Schwanki Is Different

Schwanki turns your due cards into a swipe-and-scroll feed on your phone, schedules them with FSRS v5, and adds tools aimed at language learners: AI help for leech words and tutor-notes import.

### A review feed instead of a deck screen

Swipe-and-scroll on phone, clean flashcard layout on desktop. The queue ends when due cards are done ("You out-scrolled your due cards"). Installs to the home screen as a PWA, not from the App Store.

### FSRS v5 scheduling that keeps your Anki history

Imported fields: stability, difficulty, retrievability, reps, due date, last review. New cards 20/day by default, in Anki order.

### Fixing leech words

Free AI example sentence. Ridiculous scene picture + native-voice audio for 1 Schwanki credit, or 0 with your own API keys (pipeline: DeepSeek sentences, fal pictures, ElevenLabs / Fish Audio s2.1 Pro audio).

### Turning tutor notes into cards

Google Docs, Google Sheets, class PDFs ≤10 MB (incl. Canva exports), PowerPoint ≤100 MB, Preply tutor profile link autofill. Words land in an Inbox you approve first.

### Offline

Loaded due cards can be reviewed offline. Imports, note processing and AI need a connection.

## Feature-by-Feature: Schwanki vs AnkiMobile

AnkiMobile wins on Anki fidelity and sync. Schwanki wins on phone-first review and language-learning tools.

- **Review UX:** AnkiMobile is classic Anki on iPhone (26.10 will look better). Schwanki is a thumb-friendly swipe feed.
- **Sync:** AnkiMobile syncs free through AnkiWeb. Schwanki doesn't use AnkiWeb. You import a file once.
- **Note types and add-ons:** AnkiMobile mirrors desktop Anki's note types but requires editing on the computer and doesn't run add-ons. Schwanki recommends staying on Anki for complex note types, LaTeX, or add-ons.
- **Leeches:** AnkiMobile has Anki's standard leech tagging. Schwanki adds AI sentences, scene pictures and native audio.

See the full comparison table above for every detail.

## Use Both: Try Schwanki Without Giving Up AnkiMobile

Exporting from Anki leaves your original collection untouched, so you can keep AnkiMobile and try Schwanki with a copy of your decks.

1. Sync AnkiMobile with AnkiWeb.
2. Export a deck (.apkg) or your collection (.colpkg).
3. Tick **Include scheduling information** and **Include media**.
4. Import the file into Schwanki (no AnkiWeb password needed).
5. Review in the feed and compare.

[Full walkthrough for AnkiMobile, Desktop and AnkiDroid](https://schwankiapp.com/guides/export-anki-with-scheduling)

⚠️ Important

A file exported without scheduling arrives as new cards. No app can restore history that isn't in the file.

## When You Should Stay on Anki

Stay on Anki and AnkiMobile if your workflow depends on things Schwanki doesn't try to do.

- Add-ons or AnkiConnect
- Math- or LaTeX-heavy decks
- Complex custom note types
- Wanting a native desktop app with full manual scheduler control

That's not a knock on either app. They're built for different study habits.

## Verdict: Who Should Choose What

Buy AnkiMobile if you live in desktop Anki. Try Schwanki if your phone is where you actually review. If you're unsure, run both for a week.

Anki power user

You have add-ons, custom note types, AnkiConnect automations, or LaTeX. AnkiMobile keeps everything synced. Schwanki isn't built for that workflow.

Phone-first language learner

You review mostly on your phone, often in short bursts. Schwanki's swipe feed fits how you already scroll. Import your deck and try it.

AnkiMobile owner worried it's dead

It's not. 26.10 reached the App Store in November 2026 with a redesigned Browse and deck list. Keep using it; add Schwanki only if you want a phone-first language feed.

Import one deck into Schwanki

Compare Anki alternatives

Your Anki collection stays exactly as it is.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is AnkiMobile worth $24.99 in 2026?

It depends on how you study. AnkiMobile costs $24.99 once on the US App Store, supports Family Sharing, syncs free through AnkiWeb and uses the same SM-2 and FSRS scheduling as desktop Anki. That makes it worth it if you build decks on a computer and want them unchanged on your iPhone. If you mostly review on your phone and want a swipe-style feed, compare a phone-first app like Schwanki first.

### Is AnkiMobile dead?

No. AnkiMobile 26.10 began a phased App Store rollout on November 3, 2026. It redesigns Browse and refreshes the deck list, and it's the first public update since 25.09 (September 8, 2025). If you don't see it yet, the phased release may not have reached your device.

### Is AnkiMobile still worth $24.99 after 26.10?

As of November 5, 2026, AnkiMobile is still a $24.99 one-time purchase with Family Sharing. It's worth it if you study Anki decks on iPhone or iPad and want desktop-Anki fidelity plus free AnkiWeb sync.

### Can I use AnkiMobile and Schwanki at the same time?

Yes. Exporting a deck from Anki leaves your original collection untouched, so you can keep reviewing in AnkiMobile and try Schwanki side by side. Export an .apkg or .colpkg file with "Include scheduling information" and "Include media" ticked, then import it into Schwanki. Schwanki never asks for your AnkiWeb password, and you can start with a single deck.

### Will my AnkiMobile review history transfer to Schwanki?

Yes, if you export with scheduling. Schwanki imports .apkg and .colpkg files from AnkiMobile, Anki Desktop and AnkiDroid. It keeps cards, scheduling state, review history, suspended status, pictures and audio when "Include scheduling information" and "Include media" are ticked, then schedules with FSRS v5. A file exported without scheduling arrives as new cards, because no app can restore history that isn't in the file.

### Is Schwanki a native iPhone app?

No. Schwanki runs in your browser and installs to your iPhone home screen as a progressive web app (PWA). It isn't in the App Store. On a phone it shows your due cards as a swipe-and-scroll feed, and the queue ends when your due cards are done. You can review loaded due cards offline. Imports, note processing and AI features need a connection.

### When should I stay with Anki and AnkiMobile instead of switching?

Stay with Anki if you rely on add-ons or AnkiConnect, study math- or LaTeX-heavy material, use complex custom note types, or want a native app with full manual control over the scheduler. AnkiMobile doesn't run add-ons, and note types must be changed on the computer, but it reviews the decks you build there with the same scheduling as desktop Anki.

## Ready to try Schwanki alongside AnkiMobile?

Import your Anki deck

Export guide

## Related comparisons

Taking tutor lessons? Compare [Schwanki and Preply](https://schwankiapp.com/vs/preply). Mining Netflix or YouTube? See [Schwanki vs Migaku](https://schwankiapp.com/vs/migaku).

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