A flashcard stores information on a set of cards, with the information being typically portrayed as words and numbers. The purpose of flashcards is to enable individuals to store verbal and visual information, often as a learning drill by way of spaced repetition. The Leitner system is a popular method of studying with flashcards using spaced repetition.

When you learn flashcards of new words each day for a number of days, this information is stored in your short-term memory. Flashcards also exercise the mental process of active recall. This is an efficient learning principle where an individual’s memory is stimulated during the learning process. Unlike a passive review (e.g. reading a book), active recall is designed to consolidate long-lasting memory of information. Transferring information from short-term to long-term memory is essential in studying for an examination.

Flashcards are one of the best tools for memorizing information. This is partly because of their versatility. They can help teach multiplication skills, learn a foreign language, recall facts, historical dates, in fact anything that can be learned in an intuitive way.

To provide an insight into the quality of software available, we have compiled a list of 10 excellent flashcard applications. Hopefully there will be something of interest for anyone who wants to memorize information. Here’s our verdict on each of the open source applications.

Now, let’s explore the 10 flashcard applications at hand. For each title we have compiled its own portal page, providing a screenshot of the software in action, a full description with an in-depth analysis of its features, together with links to relevant resources.

Flashcard Software Anki Extensible flashcard learning program Mnemosyne Project Spaced repetition flashcard program OpenCards Award-winning flashcard learning software Parley Vocabulary trainer for KDE 4 jVLT Vocabulary learning tool IGNUit Memorization aid based on the Leitner flashcard system granule Short-term and long-term memory training capabilities with scheduling KWordQuiz Flashcard learning program for KDE 4 FlashQard Improve your learning process using the Leitner System Pauker Generic card based learning program

Return to our complete collection of recommended free and open source software including our latest additions.

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