Anki vs Flashy
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted learning & courses options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Anki
Powerful spaced-repetition flashcard program
VS
Flashy
Open-source spaced repetition flashcard web app
| Feature | Anki | Flashy |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Read-the-docs project | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 98 · Excellent | 0 · At risk |
| Category | Learning & Courses | Learning & Courses |
| License | AGPL-3.0 | MIT |
| Language | Rust | JavaScript |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 512 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | binary, bare-metal | docker, source |
| GitHub stars | ★ 31,478 | ★ 13 |
| First released | 2006 | 2021 |
| Replaces | Quizlet | Anki, Quizlet |
What are Anki and Flashy?
Anki
Anki is a free flashcard program that uses spaced repetition to help you memorize information efficiently. It supports rich media cards, add-ons, and synchronization across desktop and mobile.
- Spaced-repetition algorithm
- Rich media cards
- Large add-on ecosystem
- Cross-platform sync
Flashy
Flashy is an easy-to-use open-source spaced repetition system packaged as a web application. It lets users create and study flashcard decks and can be self-hosted with Docker.
- Spaced repetition study
- Flashcard deck creation
- Web-based interface
- Docker self-hosting
Anki vs Flashy: key differences
Anki is written in Rust, while Flashy is built with JavaScript. Licensing differs — AGPL-3.0 for Anki versus MIT for Flashy. Flashy is the lighter option, starting around 256 MB of RAM against 512 MB for Anki. Anki is the more established project (first released 2006), while Flashy arrived in 2021. Anki has the considerably larger community, at 31,478 GitHub stars versus 13. Flashy lists first-class Docker deployment; Anki does not.
Why pick each one
Choose Anki if…
- Proven spaced repetition
- Rich add-on ecosystem
- Syncs across devices
Watch out for
- Dated interface
- iOS app paid
Choose Flashy if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Written in JavaScript
Frequently asked questions
Is Anki or Flashy better?
Neither is universally better. Anki has the larger community; both share a easy setup difficulty, so the decision comes down to features and licensing.
Are Anki and Flashy free and open-source?
Yes. Anki is licensed under AGPL-3.0 and Flashy under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Anki and Flashy with Docker?
Anki: check the project docs for container support. Flashy: yes.
Which is lighter on resources, Anki or Flashy?
Flashy has the smaller minimum footprint at 256 MB of RAM, compared to about 512 MB for Anki. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.