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Retain

Freemium#18 of 27 in AI Flashcard Generators

Retain: A broad AI study app for learners who want exam plans and Anki compatibility. Ranked #18 of 27 in AI Flashcard Generators by our editors (7.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for exam planners using Anki-compatible workflows.

7.4/10Editor score

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Retain7.4 Visit Retain

At a glance

Editor score
7.4 / 10
Pricing
Free plan
Best for
Exam planners using Anki-compatible workflows
Free plan
Yes
Adaptive review
Yes
Facts checked
20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Generates cards from PDFs, images, videos, and handwritten notes
- Builds study plans around exam dates and target grades
- Combines adaptive reviews, mock exams, summaries, and podcasts
Where it doesn't
- Its exam-planning focus may not suit casual, open-ended study
- The broad feature set may be more than flashcard-only learners need
- Advanced card types require familiarity with Anki-style workflows

Our verdict on Retain

Retain is an AI-powered flashcard app for students, university learners, and self-directed learners preparing for exams. It can generate flashcards from PDFs, images, videos, presentations, and handwritten notes, then organize study around an exam date and target grade. Alongside adaptive spaced-repetition reviews, it includes daily study goals, progress tracking, mock exams, summaries, AI-generated podcasts, and shared decks. Retain is available on the web, iOS, and Android, with a free plan and paid Retain Ultra subscriptions.

Retain’s standout strength is the range of study inputs and review formats it brings together. Learners can import Anki decks, synchronize learning progress across devices, and work with cloze, image-occlusion, and custom Anki flashcard types. The product also connects with YouTube, while its support for PDFs, presentations, videos, images, and handwritten notes gives it a wider capture scope than a flashcard tool limited to typed prompts. That breadth makes it suitable for learners assembling material from multiple course sources.

The main trade-off is focus. Retain is designed around structured exam preparation, so learners who only want a lightweight flashcard generator may find the study plans, mock exams, summaries, podcasts, and progress features unnecessary. Its free plan provides a way to access the app, while Retain Ultra is described around AI-powered study features. Pick Retain if you want generated cards, adaptive repetition, exam-oriented planning, and an Anki-compatible workflow across devices. Choose a narrower alternative if your priority is only quick card creation or a simpler review experience.

Your product? Our editors can test Retain in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

Retain pricing

Plans Free planFreemium A usable free plan; paid tiers unlock the limits above. Prices checked 20 Sep 2026.

See plans on retain.cards

All 3 Retain plans and prices →

Retain fact sheet

Free plan	Yes
Paid from	Not verified
Adaptive review	Yes
Source formats	Mixed
Card formats	Mixed
Study modes	Mixed
Mobile apps	Yes
Export options	Not verified
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android
Support	Email
Built for	Solo, Small business (editorial estimate)
Integrations	2 integrations: Anki, YouTube
Pricing	Free plan (source)
Website	retain.cards
Facts checked	20 Sep 2026

Retain integrations

Retain lists 2 integrations on its own site.

Anki
YouTube

Alternatives to Retain

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The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Retain for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.

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Featured on iTechGuides

Retain is listed in our AI Flashcard Generators directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update