FullRecall
fullrecall.com
What it is
FullRecall helps users retain knowledge through scheduled reviews of question-and-answer pairs. Users can write their own material or import data from collections and other databases. After a review, users rate how well they remembered an answer; the software combines that feedback with prior repetitions to schedule the next review, using a neural network that learns the user's forgetting curve. The free plan has no limit on item count or total database size, but questions and answers are each limited to 8192 bytes and category names to 128 bytes. The PC version supports Unicode, open file formats, images, sounds, and text formatting, and includes backups, statistics, clipboard capture, keyboard controls, and search with regular expressions and fuzzy matching. Users can import tab-delimited Excel exports and ready-made databases from the maker's library. FullRecall can run without installation, including from a USB drive. Downloads are listed for Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, macOS (x86), PocketPC, Maemo, and Android; the listed platforms also include iOS and web. Its FAQ says it helps with remembering knowledge, not understanding it.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- FullRecall is designed to help users retain factual knowledge over long periods with minimal review time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Algorithm criticism
- SuperMemo argues that FullRecall's neural network omits parts of repetition history needed to model memory stability and retrievability, which can make scheduling inaccurate when study patterns are irregular.Read 15 Oct 2026 · supermemo.com
- Android release
- The Android page lists version 1.12, released June 12, 2017, with Google Play and direct APK downloads.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Available platforms
- The download page lists Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, macOS (x86), PocketPC, Maemo, and Android versions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Backups and statistics
- The PC version provides automatic database backups and learning statistics.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Categories and queue
- Items can be organized into categories and held in a queue before entering the review schedule.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Clipboard capture
- Auto-grab-clipboard mode can turn alternating copied text selections into question-and-answer items.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Cross-platform database
- The FAQ says database formats are compatible between Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, PocketPC and Maemo versions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Cross-platform databases
- The FAQ says database file formats are fully compatible between Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, PocketPC, and Maemo versions.Read 7 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Database limits
- Each question and answer is limited to 8192 bytes and category names to 128 bytes, while item count and total database size have no stated limit.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Documentation
- The official manual is a 28-page PDF covering menus, settings, statistics, keyboard controls, grades and troubleshooting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Excel import
- Tab-delimited files exported from Excel can be imported into the learning queue.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- External extensibility
- Exec tags can launch external programs to open media that FullRecall cannot handle directly.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Graded recall
- After revealing an answer, users grade how well they remembered it, and the grade affects the next interval.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Import options
- FullRecall can import question and answer data from tab-delimited files exported from Excel.Read 7 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Independent comparison
- Omniglot describes FullRecall as straightforward, Unicode-capable and multi-platform, while noting that its FOX toolkit is simplistic and its database is open to third-party analysis.Read 15 Oct 2026 · omniglot.com
- Keyboard operation
- Most operations can be performed from the keyboard and shortcuts are configurable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Latest PC release
- The download page identifies version 1.5.3 and dates its release changelog to July 12, 2013.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Learning limitation
- The FAQ says FullRecall helps with remembering knowledge, not understanding it.Read 7 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- License classification
- AlternativeTo lists FullRecall as a proprietary freemium product.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
- Limit: conceptual learning
- The official FAQ states that FullRecall helps with remembering knowledge but does not provide understanding of the material.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Limit: maintenance
- Another AlternativeTo commenter said the software had not been maintained since about 2013 and required unidentified 32-bit libraries on newer Linux systems.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
- Limit: review hang
- An AlternativeTo user reported intermittent review-button hangs that drove one CPU core to 100 percent on Windows XP until the process was killed.Read 15 Oct 2026 · alternativeto.net
- Maker identity
- SuperMemo identifies David Calinski as FullRecall's creator and says he developed MemAid before turning it into the commercial FullRecall product.Read 15 Oct 2026 · supermemo.com
- Media support
- The PC version supports Unicode, open file formats, images, sounds and basic text formatting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Network sync limitation
- The FAQ says FullRecall does not support using an own server for network import and export, and describes scripts as a workaround.Read 7 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Neural scheduling
- Its artificial neural network learns a user's forgetting pattern and schedules reviews near the expected point of forgetting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Other features
- The PC version includes auto backups, statistics, clipboard capture, keyboard controls, and search with regular expressions and fuzzy matching.Read 7 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Own-server limitation
- FullRecall does not support using a user's own server for network import and export; the FAQ suggests wrapper scripts as a workaround.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Portable use
- The FAQ says the program can run from a USB drive by copying its executable and database directory.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Praise: customization
- Softpedia highlighted configurable keyboard shortcuts, fonts, categories, images and sounds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
- Praise: efficiency
- Softpedia's reviewer praised the scheduler for repeatedly presenting material that needs work and described the program as efficient.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
- Printing limitation
- The FAQ says FullRecall has no built-in card printing and recommends exporting text for printing.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Question and answer learning
- Knowledge is stored as question and answer pairs, which users can create themselves or import from collections and other databases.Read 7 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Question-answer learning
- Knowledge is stored as question-and-answer pairs that users create or import.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Rating on Softpedia
- 3.5 out of 5 from 6 votes.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
- Rating on Softpedia editorial review
- 4.0 out of 5 from 1 editorial review.Read 15 Oct 2026 · softpedia.com
- Ready-made collections
- The maker hosts a library of ready-made databases that can be imported into FullRecall.Read 7 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Ready-made databases
- The maker hosts an E-University library of downloadable question-and-answer databases with author and license information for many entries.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Review scheduling
- Users grade how well they remembered an answer, and FullRecall uses that feedback and past repetitions to schedule the next review.Read 7 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Search
- Search supports regular expressions, exact matching and fuzzy matching for registered users.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Study materials
- The PC version supports Unicode, open file formats, images, sounds, and text formatting.Read 7 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
- Supported downloads
- The download page lists Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, macOS x86, PocketPC, Maemo and Android builds.Read 15 Oct 2026 · fullrecall.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free plan has no item-count or total-size limit
- Review timing adapts to recall feedback
- Imports tab-delimited Excel exports
- Can run from a USB drive
- PC version supports images and sounds
Limits
- Questions and answers are limited to 8192 bytes each
- Category names are limited to 128 bytes
- Does not support understanding knowledge
- No own-server network import and export
Who it suits
FullRecall suits people who want to memorize information through repeated question-and-answer practice. It may fit users who want a free tool with portable use and imports from spreadsheets or prepared databases.
FullRecall in depth
Read the full write-up
Overview
FullRecall is a free study tool built around question-and-answer practice. It is best for independent learners who want to retain facts over time and are willing to prepare or import their own material. Its adaptive reviews are the draw; it will not teach the underlying concepts.
Key features
Learners create question-and-answer pairs or import them from other collections and databases. After each review, they grade how well they recalled the answer, and FullRecall uses that feedback and earlier repetitions to schedule the next one around an estimated forgetting curve. That approach can focus practice on material that needs attention, but its usefulness depends on having clear, effective questions to begin with.
The PC version supports Unicode, open file formats, images, sounds, and text formatting. It also includes statistics, automatic backups, clipboard capture, keyboard controls, and search with regular expressions and fuzzy matching. Tab-delimited question-and-answer files exported from Excel can be imported, and the maker hosts ready-made databases. Together, these options make it easier to reuse and manage study material. Each question and answer is capped at 8192 bytes, however, and category names at 128 bytes, so FullRecall is not a good fit for lengthy entries.
FullRecall supports offline use and can run without installation, including from a USB drive by copying its executable and database directory. Database formats are compatible across the Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, PocketPC, and Maemo versions. There is no limit on item count or total database size, a meaningful contrast with the per-field caps. One drawback for multi-device users is that the FAQ rules out using a personal server for network import and export; scripts are offered as a workaround, rather than built-in server sync.
The maker’s FAQ draws an important boundary: FullRecall is for remembering knowledge, not understanding it. Use it to reinforce information you have already learned, not as a substitute for explanations or instruction.
Pricing
FullRecall costs free. Its free plan has no limit on database item count or total database size, while retaining the 8192-byte question and answer caps and 128-byte category-name cap. That makes the price straightforward for an individual learner with a growing collection, although the field limits still constrain what each entry can contain.
Platforms
FullRecall is available on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. The download page also offers FreeBSD, PocketPC, and Maemo versions; its FAQ confirms database compatibility among Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, PocketPC, and Maemo. Offline access and USB portability are useful for learners who want to study without installing the program or relying on a network connection.
Who it's for
Choose FullRecall if you study independently, already have material to turn into questions, and want a free way to schedule repeated recall. It is less suitable if your priority is conceptual instruction, long-form answers, or server-based synchronization across devices.
Pros and cons
Pros: Adaptive scheduling uses recall grades and past repetitions to set review timing, rather than relying on a fixed schedule.
Pros: The free plan has no cap on item count or total database size, and offline and portable use support flexible study.
Pros: Excel imports, ready-made databases, and the PC version’s media and search tools offer several ways to prepare and work with study material.
Cons: The 8192-byte limit for each question and answer and 128-byte category-name limit constrain individual entries.
Cons: Built-in personal-server import and export are unsupported, with scripts described only as a workaround.
Cons: Recall practice does not provide conceptual understanding, so learners still need another way to learn unfamiliar or difficult material.
Alternatives
Browse adaptive learning software for a wider comparison of tools in the category.
Duolingo is a better fit for learners seeking a freemium option with a one-week free trial and Android, iOS, macOS, and web support.
MobyMax may suit educators or families looking for a freemium learning product; its free educator version has limited access compared with licensed features, and its Family plan is $7.99 a month.
Khan Academy is another freemium option, with Android, iOS, and web support; its Enterprise Starter plan is $10 a year for U.S. schools and districts with 1,000 or fewer student licenses.
Synap is worth considering for paid exam use: its Standard plan is £1,200 a year and includes the platform plus the first 500 credits.
Cambridge Aspire is a paid alternative with a three-month Instructor eTextbook Collection trial.
Reading Plus is a paid option for school and district programs, with pricing available by contacting a local representative.
IXL Math may fit families seeking interactive school-level exercises and real-time statistics; its Family monthly plan is $9.95 a month for one child.
Lecturio is a freemium alternative with accredited courses starting at 299.00 USD once.
Verdict
FullRecall is a strong choice for self-directed learners who want free, adaptive recall practice and value offline or portable use. Choose it for long-term retention when you can supply the study material; look elsewhere if you need conceptual teaching, generous per-entry limits, or built-in server sync.
Verdict
FullRecall focuses on long-term memorization through scheduled recall, with a free plan and broad listed platform coverage. Its FAQ makes clear that the tool addresses remembering rather than understanding, and notes limits on data fields and network sync.
Where Specifiction places it
- Adaptive Learning Software#2 of 308.8