You’re looking for a study app. You Google "best study app." And you land on sponsored lists that mysteriously rank the paying app at number 1. This article takes the opposite approach: a factual comparison, criterion by criterion.
The educational app market has exploded since generative AI arrived. We selected six apps representing the main approaches available: Quizlet, Anki, Gizmo, NotebookLM (Google), SchoolMouv, and Wizidoo. The goal isn’t to crown "the best" — it’s to help you understand which one fits your situation.
Comparison criteria
Six criteria from research on effective learning (Dunlosky et al., 2013):
- Import your own courses: can you use YOUR content (PDF, photos, notes)?
- Adaptive quizzes: do questions adjust to your level?
- Weakness diagnosis: does the app tell you what you haven’t mastered?
- Progress tracking: do you have a measurable mastery indicator?
- Ease of use: how long from install to first useful session?
- Price: free, freemium, subscription?
Comparison table
| Criterion | Quizlet | Anki | Gizmo | NotebookLM | SchoolMouv | Wizidoo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Import your courses | Partial (text notes) | No (manual creation) | Yes (PDF, YouTube, Quizlet) | Yes (PDF, text, audio) | No (pre-made content) | Yes (PDF, photo, notes) |
| Adaptive quizzes | No (fixed series) | Yes (SRS algorithm) | Partial (generated quizzes) | No (no quizzes) | Yes (built-in quizzes) | Yes (70% weaknesses, 30% rest) |
| Weakness diagnosis | No | No (self-judging) | No | No | Partial | Yes (weak concepts + targeted exercises) |
| Progress tracking | Partial (streaks) | Partial (global retention) | Partial (streaks) | No | Yes (completion) | Yes (% mastery per chapter) |
| Ease of use | 5/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Price | Free limited / ~$4/mo | Free (iOS: ~$30) | Freemium | Free (Google) | ~$9-18/mo | Freemium / $14.99/mo |
| Platform | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web | Web | iOS, Android, Web | iOS |
Quizlet — The accessible veteran
What it is. Quizlet has existed since 2005. The flashcard reference: create (or find) card sets with various study modes. Since 2023, an AI layer generates cards from notes.
What works. Immediate interface. You start in two minutes. Huge existing set library. Lowest price on the market.
What’s missing. Quizzes don’t adapt to your weaknesses. No diagnosis. Tracking is limited to streaks (consecutive days), which measures consistency, not mastery.
For whom. Simple, quick flashcards, vocabulary, short definitions.
Anki — Powerful (but demanding)
What it is. Open-source spaced repetition software. Each card is scheduled by an algorithm (FSRS) that optimizes intervals. The reference in medicine thanks to community decks (AnKing, Zanki).
What works. Scientifically solid algorithm. Nearly infinite customization. Massive community.
What’s missing. Everything depends on you. Manual card creation. Subjective self-evaluation. No automated diagnosis. 2010-era interface.
For whom. Disciplined students targeting very long-term retention (medicine, law, languages).
Gizmo — Social and playful
What it is. Recent entrant betting on universal import (PDF, YouTube, PowerPoint, Quizlet/Anki files) and gamification: streaks, leaderboards, study with friends.
What works. Impressive multi-format import. The social aspect can motivate some profiles.
What’s missing. Gamification measures engagement, not mastery. No individualized diagnosis.
For whom. Students who need a social framework to stay motivated.
NotebookLM (Google) — The one-time analyst
What it is. Free Google tool that analyzes your documents, answers your questions about them, generates summaries, and even creates audio podcasts.
What works. Stunning document comprehension. Relevant summaries. Original audio format. Completely free.
What’s missing. No quizzes. No tracking. No diagnosis. No memory between sessions. It’s an analysis assistant, not a study companion.
For whom. Quickly understanding a complex document. Excellent as a complement to a study tool. For a detailed analysis, see our dedicated article.
SchoolMouv — The French school library
What it is. Online tutoring platform aligned with the French national curriculum (ages 6-18). Summaries, videos, quizzes, exercises.
What works. Comprehensive content matching the official curriculum. Built-in quizzes. Reassuring for parents.
What’s missing. You can’t import your own courses. Limited weakness diagnosis. High price (up to €16/month).
For whom. Middle and high school students wanting "turnkey" content.
Wizidoo — Personalized diagnosis
What it is. Wizidoo is an iOS app that takes your courses (imported via photo, PDF, or notes) and generates adaptive quizzes. Its specialty: a diagnosis system that identifies your weak concepts, prioritizes them, and creates targeted exercises for recurring errors. A mastery percentage per chapter shows your real level.
What works. Quick import (photo or PDF). Adaptation: 70% of questions target your 2-3 weakest concepts. Repair flashcards after each error. The first course is free.
What’s missing. iOS only. No community content. Recent application.
For whom. Students with their own courses, high-volume fields (medicine, law, prep school).
How to choose: decision tree
Vocabulary or simple definitions? → Quizlet.
Medicine + ready to invest time? → Anki.
Need a social framework? → Gizmo.
Understand a document before studying? → NotebookLM.
Middle/high school + curriculum-aligned content? → SchoolMouv.
Your own courses + precise diagnosis? → Wizidoo.
The real point
No app will memorize for you. What a good app does is remove friction between you and the methods that work. Testing yourself beats re-reading, targeting weaknesses beats reviewing everything, and measuring progress beats "studying by feel."
The ideal app is the one you actually use — and that forces you to think rather than skim.
FAQ
What’s the best free study app? NotebookLM (Google) is completely free but offers no quizzes. Anki is free on Android and desktop (paid on iOS). Quizlet and Wizidoo offer limited free versions.
Quizlet or Anki? Quizlet if you want to start fast. Anki if you’re targeting long-term retention. For a detailed comparison, see our article.
Can an app replace paper flashcards? Not "replace" — complement. Digital brings adaptive quizzes, automated diagnosis, progress tracking. Paper brings handwriting (encoding benefit). The ideal is often to combine both.
Is Wizidoo available on Android? No, Wizidoo is currently only available on iOS. The first course is free.