We used Oden to analyze real user ratings, pricing pages, feature docs, app store listings, and Reddit threads for Quizlet, Kahoot, Anki, and Memrise. If you’re overwhelmed by flashcard apps, classroom games, and language tools that all sound the same, this breakdown is for you. We’ll look at how each platform actually performs in the wild, what you’ll really pay, and where users say the pain points are. By the end, you should know which one fits your subject, budget, and study style—not just which has the catchiest marketing.

Which educational platform has the best overall rating?

For an apples-to-apples view, we’ll use G2 crowd ratings, which aggregate verified reviews from educators, students, and professionals.

Takeaways

• Kahoot, Anki, and Memrise all sit at 4.6/5 on G2; Quizlet is very close at 4.5/5, so differences in average rating are small in practical terms. Source: G2 – Quizlet, G2 – Kahoot!, G2 – Anki, G2 – Memrise
• Kahoot and Quizlet have by far the most reviews (399 and 289), so we can be more confident their scores reflect a broad user base than for Anki and Memrise. Source: G2 – Quizlet, G2 – Kahoot!
• Anki’s high score with relatively few reviews likely reflects its power‑user niche (med, law, language learners) rather than mass K‑12 use. Source: G2 – Anki, Wikipedia – Anki
• Memrise’s G2 presence is small but aligned with app store sentiment, where independent reviewers report 90–96% positive ratings on mobile stores. Source: G2 – Memrise, BullishLang – Memrise review
• Given how close the scores are, you should treat ratings as a tie and focus more on features, workflow, and pricing than on tiny numerical differences. Source: G2 – Quizlet, G2 – Kahoot!

How much do educational platforms really cost?

Pricing is one of the biggest differentiators. Here’s a snapshot for individual learners and small teams in the US as of late 2025.

Cost patterns / what this means in practice

• Quizlet is the most predictable subscription: a modest annual fee (or more expensive monthly) unlocks all core modes, Expert Solutions, and removes ads. Source: Quizlet upgrade page, Quizlet Expert Solutions help
• Kahoot can get expensive if you need many hosts or large audiences; teachers and students with simple needs can stick to low‑cost education plans, but corporate use often means $15–$59/host/month tiers. Source: Kahoot! business pricing, Kahoot! for schools pricing
• Anki is effectively free unless you’re on iOS, where you pay a one‑time app purchase that helps fund development—no recurring fees or seat counts. Source: Wikipedia – Anki, AnkiMobile on App Store
• Memrise is on the higher side among language apps, especially at its undiscounted monthly price, but can be good value if you catch a lifetime or annual promotion and actively use multiple languages. Source: BullishLang – Memrise review, Memrise subscription plans support
• All four platforms use regional pricing, and Memrise and Kahoot in particular run aggressive discounts and country‑specific offers—your price may differ significantly from the examples above. Source: Kahoot! billing options article, Memrise pricing support

Always double-check current prices with each vendor's calculator or sales team.

What are the key features of each platform?

Quizlet

Core positioning: A general-purpose study platform that turns notes into flashcards, practice tests, and guided study modes for almost any subject. Source: Quizlet home page

Key Features:

• Interactive study modes including Flashcards, Learn, Test, and Match for different recall styles. Source: Quizlet Study Modes
• AI-powered tools that turn class notes, slides, or documents into flashcard sets and practice tests, and recommend what to study next. Source: Quizlet App Store description
• Expert Solutions: step‑by‑step textbook and problem solutions for many STEM and college-level subjects. Source: Quizlet Expert Solutions help
• Massive library of user‑generated and teacher‑verified study sets across K‑12, higher ed, and test prep. Source: Wikipedia – Quizlet, Quizlet home page
• Quizlet Live, a collaborative, team‑based in‑class game mode that uses existing card sets. Source: G2 – Quizlet

Best For:

• School and university students who need a single study app for many subjects, not just languages. Source: Quizlet home page, Wikipedia – Quizlet
• Teachers who want quick in‑class games and homework study sets without building everything from scratch. Source: Quizlet home page, G2 – Quizlet
• Learners who value AI‑generated practice tests and guided “Learn” sequences more than hardcore spaced‑repetition tuning. Source: Quizlet Study Modes, Tech & Learning – Quizlet overview

Kahoot!

Core positioning: A game‑based learning platform that “makes learning awesome” through competitive quizzes, polls, and interactive presentations in classrooms and workplaces. Source: Kahoot! “What is Kahoot?”, Kahoot! mission statement

Key Features:

• Live and self‑paced quiz “kahoots” for 2–2000 participants, with leaderboards and game music to drive engagement. Source: Kahoot! App Store description, Kahoot! business pricing
• Rich question types: multiple choice, true/false, polls, word clouds, puzzles, and more for both knowledge checks and discussion. Source: Kahoot! for teachers – tools, Kahoot! interactive presentation blog
• Interactive presentation/lecture mode that blends slides with questions, polls, and word clouds. Source: Kahoot! interactive presentation blog
• Study modes in the app (flashcards, practice, study groups) so students can review individually between live games. Source: Kahoot! App Store description
• Large marketplace of ready‑made kahoots and premium content (including branded collections via AccessPass). Source: Kahoot!+ AccessPass

Best For:

• Teachers and trainers who want high‑energy live sessions for in‑person or remote groups. Source: Kahoot! teacher tools, Common Sense Education – Kahoot! review
• Organizations running workshops, onboarding, or all‑hands meetings where engagement is as important as content depth. Source: Kahoot! business pricing
• Students who already have content and mainly need a fun way to review and test themselves (alone or with classmates). Source: Kahoot! App Store description

Anki

Core positioning: A powerful, open‑source flashcard program built around spaced repetition, aimed at long‑term retention for serious learners. Source: Wikipedia – Anki

Key Features:

• Evidence‑based spaced repetition using SM‑2 and FSRS algorithms to schedule cards just before you’re likely to forget. Source: Wikipedia – Anki, Wikipedia – Spaced repetition
• Support for rich media (images, audio, video, LaTeX) and fully customizable card templates via HTML/CSS. Source: Wikipedia – Anki
• Free AnkiWeb cloud sync across desktop and mobile, so you can move seamlessly between devices. Source: AnkiMobile sync manual
• Extensive add‑on ecosystem for features like advanced statistics, custom schedulers, and UI tweaks. Source: Anki Manual – Add-ons
• Multi‑platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android via AnkiDroid, and iOS via AnkiMobile). Source: Wikipedia – Anki, AnkiDroid on F‑Droid, AnkiMobile on App Store

Best For:

• Med, law, and STEM students who need to retain thousands of facts over years, not weeks. Source: G2 – Anki
• Language learners comfortable with DIY decks or community decks for vocab, grammar, and kanji/hanzi. Source: Wikipedia – Anki, Reddit – r/Anki language learners
• Power users who like tweaking settings, installing add‑ons, and owning their data without recurring subscription fees. Source: Anki Manual – Add-ons, AnkiMobile on App Store

Memrise

Core positioning: An AI‑driven language platform focused on helping you “actually speak another language” using native‑speaker videos and an AI tutor, rather than textbook-style drills. Source: Memrise US homepage

Key Features:

• Official courses in ~20–35 languages for English speakers, plus many more via community courses. Source: Wikipedia – Memrise, Memrise US homepage
• Thousands of short, real‑world native‑speaker video clips matched to the vocab you’re learning. Source: Memrise “Learn Spanish” page, Memrise “Learn German” course page
• MemBot, an AI language partner (powered by GPT‑3/4) for unlimited conversation practice with feedback. Source: Memrise US homepage, Wikipedia – Memrise
• Scenario‑based learning that organizes content into real‑life situations (e.g., travel, work, socializing). Source: Memrise “New Experience” help article
• Spaced‑repetition reviews and the ability to tag items as “difficult” or “already known” to personalize frequency. Source: BullishLang – Memrise review

Best For:

• Learners whose main goal is conversational ability in one or a few languages, not general test prep. Source: Memrise US homepage, Memrise “Learn Spanish” page
• Users who are motivated by short, TikTok‑style videos and AI chat rather than static flashcards. Source: Memrise US homepage, Memrise “Learn Polish” page
• People willing to pay for a dedicated language app if it provides strong speaking and listening practice. Source: BullishLang – Memrise review

What are the strengths and weaknesses of each platform?

Quizlet

Strengths:

• Huge content library and familiarity: millions of user-generated sets across virtually every school subject, with strong adoption in K–12 and higher ed. Source: Wikipedia – Quizlet, G2 – Quizlet
• Easy to get started: reviewers consistently praise how intuitive it is for students to jump in and self‑quiz with flashcards or Learn mode. Source: G2 – Quizlet
• Powerful for test prep: adaptive Learn, practice tests, and modes like Match make it effective for memorizing vocab and key facts quickly. Source: Quizlet Study Modes, Tech & Learning – Quizlet overview
• Expert Solutions and Q&A library add a homework‑help dimension on top of pure flashcards. Source: Quizlet Expert Solutions help

Weaknesses:

• Aggressive paywalling: many users on G2 and Reddit criticize the move to lock Learn, Test, and Match behind Quizlet Plus, leaving only basic flashcards free. Source: G2 – Quizlet review excerpt, Reddit – Quizlet Learn paywall
• Limited true spaced repetition: some power users note that Quizlet’s scheduling isn’t as sophisticated as dedicated SRS tools like Anki. Source: G2 – Quizlet review mentioning lack of spaced repetition
• Subscription and cancellation friction: users report difficulty cancelling and surprise renewals, especially around the $35.99/year plan. Source: Reddit – Quizlet Plus cancellation complaints

Kahoot!

Strengths:

• Engagement powerhouse: teachers and corporate trainers repeatedly highlight how Kahoot! boosts participation and energy in groups. Source: G2 – Kahoot!, Common Sense Education – Kahoot! review
• Versatile formats: supports live games, team mode, self‑paced challenges, and interactive presentations with polls and word clouds. Source: Kahoot! teacher tools, Kahoot! interactive presentation blog
• Minimal student friction: learners join with a PIN and nickname—no account needed for most classroom play. Source: Common Sense Education – Kahoot! review

Weaknesses:

• Pricing complaints: G2 and Trustpilot reviews frequently describe Kahoot! as “expensive” or “overpriced,” especially as more features moved to paid tiers. Source: G2 – Kahoot! pros & cons, Trustpilot – Kahoot! reviews
• Not ideal for deep assessment: teachers note it’s great for quick checks and review games but weaker for evaluating higher‑order understanding. Source: Common Sense Education – Kahoot! review
• Dependence on connectivity and devices: reviews mention frustration when bandwidth or device access is poor, which can derail a session. Source: G2 – Kahoot!

Anki

Strengths:

• Best‑in‑class spaced repetition: reviewers praise how well Anki’s SRS helps them retain information long‑term, especially for demanding exams. Source: G2 – Anki, Wikipedia – Anki
• Extremely flexible and extensible: add‑ons, custom card types, and templates let you build almost any workflow you want. Source: Anki Manual – Add-ons
• Free on desktop and Android, with optional paid iOS app, making it cost‑effective over many years of use. Source: Wikipedia – Anki, AnkiMobile on App Store

Weaknesses:

• Steep learning curve: Reddit threads and G2 reviews consistently mention confusing UI, jargon, and difficulty understanding basic operations at first. Source: Reddit – “Anki is difficult to use” discussion, G2 – Anki
• Time‑consuming setup: creating good decks and fine‑tuning options can be a project in itself, which some students find overwhelming. Source: Reddit – Anki workflow complaints
• iOS cost and design differences: some users dislike paying $24.99 for AnkiMobile and note that its design diverges from desktop. Source: G2 – Anki review complaining about iOS app, AnkiMobile on App Store

Memrise

Strengths:

• Strong focus on listening and speaking: thousands of native‑speaker videos and AI conversations help bridge the “confidence gap” in actually using the language. Source: Memrise US homepage, Memrise “Learn Spanish” page
• Well‑structured beginner courses: independent reviewers and G2 users highlight how quickly beginners can start speaking useful phrases. Source: BullishLang – Memrise review, G2 – Memrise
• Wide language coverage including less‑common and community‑created courses. Source: Wikipedia – Memrise, BullishLang – Memrise review

Weaknesses:

• Pricing backlash: Reddit users report steep price hikes and very high monthly rates or lifetime prices in some regions, calling it “overpriced.” Source: Reddit – Memrise “overpriced” thread, Reddit – Memrise lifetime discount discussion
• Product changes and community course handling: long‑time users criticize the “new Memrise experience” for removing or sidelining classic community courses and resetting progress. Source: Reddit – “Memrise updates” criticism, Reddit – “Rest in peace Memrise”
• Some find the new app flow clunky and restrictive compared with the older, course‑centric version. Source: Reddit – “Memrise updates” criticism

How do these platforms position themselves?

• Quizlet markets itself as “the ultimate study app” for “every class, every test,” emphasizing interactive flashcards, practice tests, and AI support across subjects rather than just languages. Source: Quizlet home page, Tech & Learning – Quizlet overview
• Kahoot! consistently uses “make learning awesome” and “game-based learning” language, framing itself as a global platform for interactive quizzes and presentations used by millions of teachers, students, and corporate teams. Source: Kahoot! student-centered learning page, Kahoot! press release
• Anki positions itself less with marketing copy and more through documentation: a free, multi‑platform, open‑source flashcard program that leverages spaced repetition for efficient memorization. Source: Wikipedia – Anki, AnkiMobile on App Store
• Memrise presents itself as your “online, personal AI language tutor” that pushes you to speak like locals using authentic videos and AI chat, explicitly contrasting itself with “pretend to learn” apps. Source: Memrise US homepage, Memrise language course pages

Which platform should you choose?

Choose Quizlet If:

1. You’re a middle school, high school, or college student who needs one app for vocab, formulas, dates, and concepts across many subjects. Source: Quizlet home page, Wikipedia – Quizlet
2. You value quick setup and large pre‑made decks more than ultra‑fine control over scheduling. Source: G2 – Quizlet
3. You want AI‑generated practice tests and homework solutions alongside flashcards, and you’re willing to pay a modest annual fee for Quizlet Plus. Source: Quizlet upgrade page, Quizlet Expert Solutions help
4. Your classes already use Quizlet sets or Quizlet Live, and you’d benefit from staying in the same ecosystem as your peers and teachers. Source: G2 – Quizlet
5. You’re okay with the fact that the best modes (Learn/Test/Match) are paywalled and want a polished, mobile‑friendly experience rather than a tinkering-heavy tool. Source: G2 – Quizlet review excerpt, Reddit – Quizlet Learn paywall

Choose Kahoot! If:

1. Your priority is live engagement—lectures, PD sessions, training, or events—where games and leaderboards will keep people active. Source: Kahoot! teacher tools, G2 – Kahoot!
2. You regularly run sessions for 20–2000 participants and need a platform that scales with robust hosting and reporting. Source: Kahoot! business pricing
3. You want to mix content delivery with interaction (slides + polls + quizzes) in one tool instead of juggling separate apps. Source: Kahoot! interactive presentation blog
4. Your students or staff already know and enjoy Kahoot!, and you’re willing to pay for a higher tier to unlock advanced modes and larger audiences. Source: Kahoot! business pricing, G2 – Kahoot!
5. You mainly need formative assessment and motivation boosts, not deep item‑level analytics or mastery‑based spaced repetition. Source: Common Sense Education – Kahoot! review

Choose Anki If:

1. You’re preparing for content‑heavy exams (MCAT, USMLE, bar, language proficiency) where long‑term retention of thousands of facts is non‑negotiable. Source: G2 – Anki
2. You’re willing to invest a few hours learning Anki’s model and UI in exchange for maximum control over your study schedule. Source: Reddit – “Anki is difficult to use” discussion
3. You want a mostly free, open‑source tool with no recurring fees, and you don’t mind a one‑time iOS purchase if you’re on iPhone/iPad. Source: Wikipedia – Anki, AnkiMobile on App Store
4. You care about data portability (plain files, open formats) and like the idea of extending your setup with community add‑ons. Source: Anki Manual – Add-ons
5. You’re comfortable sourcing or building your own decks rather than relying on polished, pre‑packaged commercial courses. Source: G2 – Anki

Choose Memrise If:

1. Your primary goal is conversational language ability, especially at beginner or lower‑intermediate levels. Source: Memrise US homepage, BullishLang – Memrise review
2. You’re motivated by short native‑speaker videos and interactive AI chat more than by raw card counts and stats dashboards. Source: Memrise “Learn Spanish” page
3. You’re okay paying for a dedicated language app and possibly hunting for discounts (annual or lifetime) to keep long‑term costs reasonable. Source: BullishLang – Memrise review, Reddit – Memrise pricing thread
4. You want one app that covers multiple target languages with consistent UX and AI conversation practice across them. Source: Memrise subscription plans support, Memrise US homepage
5. You’re less dependent on classic community courses and more interested in the new scenario‑based “Learn, Immerse, Communicate” experience. Source: Memrise “New Experience” help article

Sources & links

Company Websites

• Quizlet home page
• Kahoot! main site
• Anki official site (downloads)
• Memrise US homepage

Pricing Pages

• Quizlet – Upgrade/Plus pricing
• Kahoot! – Schools plans
• Kahoot! – Business (360) pricing
• Kahoot!+ Study pricing
• Memrise – Subscription plans support article
• Memrise – Lifetime plan support article
• AnkiMobile on App Store (pricing)

Documentation

• Anki Manual – Add-ons
• AnkiMobile Manual – Cloud sync
• Quizlet – Study Modes overview
• Quizlet – Expert Solutions help
• Memrise – The New Memrise Experience

G2 Review Pages

• G2 – Quizlet
• G2 – Kahoot!
• G2 – Anki
• G2 – Memrise

Reddit Discussions

• Reddit – Quizlet modes behind paywall
• Reddit – Quizlet Learn/Test complaints
• Reddit – “Fuck quizlet” (Slader/paywall)
• Reddit – Anki difficulty/learning curve
• Reddit – Memrise “Rest in peace” thread
• Reddit – Memrise pricing complaints

Additional Resources

• Tech & Learning – What is Quizlet and how can I teach with it?
• Common Sense Education – Kahoot! review
• BullishLang – Memrise Review: Opinions, Costs, Pros and Cons
• Wikipedia – Quizlet
• Wikipedia – Anki (software)
• Wikipedia – Memrise