Cogni

Cogni is a study workspace that turns notes and mixed source material into editable flashcards, then schedules reviews with spaced repetition. It is best for learners who want one linked workflow across phone and browser, especially when their material includes PDFs, web pages or handwritten notes. The main trade-off is that intensive daily reviewers may outgrow the free plan’s review cap.

Overview

Cogni connects note-taking, card creation and review instead of treating them as separate jobs. Its editor supports headings, bold text, highlights, lists and images, while cards created from a note stay linked to that source. That link is useful when a question needs checking or updating: the card remains tied to the context from which it was made.

Review is based on four ratings: Again, Hard, Medium and Easy. Cogni adjusts each card’s schedule from that feedback, bringing weak recall back sooner and spacing stronger recall farther apart. Progress views show daily streaks, retention by deck, cards due tomorrow and a forecast of upcoming weeks, giving users signals for both current workload and longer-term planning.

Key features

AI card generation

Cogni generates editable question-and-answer or cloze cards from text, PDFs, web pages and photos of notes. The mixed input support suits students and professionals whose material is not kept in one tidy digital format. Because generated cards can be edited, users can correct awkward wording or incomplete prompts before relying on them for revision.

Notes, scheduling and progress

The note editor and linked cards make Cogni a better fit for source-led studying than a standalone card queue. Adaptive scheduling reduces the need to decide manually what to review next, and deck retention, tomorrow’s due cards and the weekly forecast help users judge whether a routine is sustainable.

Mobile study and Anki import

Android and iOS apps support offline review, with reviews syncing to the web and other devices after reconnection. The mobile app imports Anki.apkg decks, including subdecks, cloze cards and media. Review history does not transfer, so an Anki migration starts with Cogni rebuilding scheduling data rather than continuing an existing history.

Pricing

PlanPriceWhat it includesFreefreeSpaced repetition, notes, device sync and Anki import, with a daily review limitCogni ProCustom pricingRemoves the daily review limit and adds unlimited AI generation; monthly, annual and lifetime terms are offeredThe Free plan is suitable for moderate study schedules and users evaluating the linked notes workflow. Its daily cap is the important constraint for exam preparation or high-volume review. Pro is the practical choice for users who regularly exceed that cap or depend on unrestricted card generation, but the missing price makes the upgrade cost impossible to compare before subscribing. The service says it does not sell study content or personal information, use study content for third-party advertising or use notes and cards to train a Cogni model.

Platforms

Cogni runs on web, Android and iOS. Offline review is supported in both mobile apps, and activity syncs across mobile and web when connectivity returns. HTTPS protects data in transit, with access controls on systems holding it. Authentication and database services use Supabase; hosting and storage use DigitalOcean; Stripe handles web payments and RevenueCat manages subscription entitlements.

Who it's for

Cogni suits learners building cards from their own notes, reading material or scans of handwritten work, and anyone who wants adaptive scheduling without maintaining a separate note and flashcard system. It is also a credible option for Anki users who need mobile and web access, provided losing review history during import is acceptable. Heavy daily reviewers should budget for Pro, while users who mainly want a large, uncapped card library may prefer a service whose free allowance is not tied to daily reviews.

Pros and cons

Pros

Linked notes and cards: source context stays attached to generated material, making revision and correction more coherent.

Broad generation inputs: text, PDFs, web pages and note photos cover varied study workflows.

Adaptive scheduling and useful forecasts: recall ratings drive review timing, while retention and upcoming-week views support planning.

Offline mobile review: studying can continue without a connection, then sync later.

Capable Anki import: subdecks, cloze cards and media are supported.

Cons

Free daily review limit: frequent reviewers may be forced toward Pro.

Review history is lost on Anki import: established scheduling data cannot be carried over.

Pro pricing is not published: monthly, annual and lifetime options cannot be weighed by cost in advance.

AI trial length is unclear: users cannot tell how long generation can be evaluated free.

Alternatives

AI Flashcard Generators is the broader category to compare when automated card creation is your priority. Choose Flashcard apps when you want a wider survey of general-purpose card tools.

StudyGlen fits users who prefer a one-time 4.99 USD Mini Pack with 10 study credits and five regenerations per day. diStudero is worth considering if a paid plan with 20 credits per month and a published 11.99 EUR monthly option better matches your budgeting. Mochi suits users wanting unlimited cards and decks on a free plan, with broad desktop platform coverage. FlashLeap is a mobile-only alternative for Android and iOS users. Recall is preferable when a free allowance of three decks and 300 cards is sufficient and its wider platform set matters. Jambo offers explicit free quotas of 2,000 cards, 15 decks, five AI generations per day and 100 translations per day. Nibomo provides a free hosted beta with sync across web, iOS and Android and no plan-based card quotas during that beta. Retain is another freemium Android, iOS and web option for users seeking AI-powered study features.

Verdict

Choose Cogni if you want notes, AI card creation and adaptive review in one cross-platform workflow, particularly when your sources include PDFs, web pages or photographed notes. Look elsewhere if an uncapped free review queue, transparent Pro pricing or preservation of Anki review history is more important than linked source notes and offline mobile study.