# A free Quizlet alternative, with no ads

> Lietner is a free flashcard app with no ads, no paywall and no account needed. How it compares with Quizlet, who should stay on Quizlet, and how to move a set.

Source: https://lietner.app/quizlet-alternative · By Ahmed Eltigani · Updated 2026-10-19

## Is there a free Quizlet alternative with no ads?

Yes. Lietner is a free flashcard app with no ads, no paywall and no premium tier. You don't need an account. It uses the Leitner system: five boxes that bring back the cards you struggle with often and the ones you know rarely. It works offline, on phones and computers, and it's open source.

It's much smaller than Quizlet, though, and for some people Quizlet is the better choice. Here's an honest look at both.

## What does Quizlet's free plan include in 2026?

Quizlet still has a free plan, and it covers flashcards and some practice. Three things change when you don't pay:

- **Ads.** Quizlet says it runs ads on its website and apps to keep the free version free; paying subscribers don't see third-party ads ([Quizlet Help: Reporting bad ads](https://help.quizlet.com/hc/en-us/articles/360030560092-Reporting-bad-ads), checked 19 October 2026).
- **Limits on study modes.** On Quizlet's [upgrade page](https://quizlet.com/upgrade) (checked 19 October 2026), Quizlet Plus costs $35.99 a year and includes 20 rounds of Learn questions a month, 3 practice tests a month and ad-free studying. Quizlet Plus Unlimited costs $44.99 a year and includes unlimited Learn and complete access to practice tests. Annual plans start with a 7-day free trial. A third-party tracker lists monthly billing at $7.99 for Plus and $9.99 for Plus Unlimited ([RecurDash](https://recurdash.com/subscription-pricing/quizlet-plus), prices checked 17 October 2026).
- **Offline studying.** Offline study works only in Quizlet's iOS and Android apps ([Quizlet Help: Studying offline](https://help.quizlet.com/hc/en-us/articles/360030565412-Studying-offline-with-Quizlet-mobile-apps), checked 19 October 2026), and Quizlet's help centre lists offline studying among the features you get by subscribing ([Quizlet Help: Subscribing to Quizlet](https://help.quizlet.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041181691-Subscribing-to-Quizlet), checked 19 October 2026).

Prices vary by country and change over time, so check Quizlet's own page before you decide.

## How does Lietner compare with Quizlet?

| | Lietner | Quizlet |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, everything | Free plan; Plus $35.99/yr, Plus Unlimited $44.99/yr |
| Ads | None | On the free plan |
| Study style | Flip and self-grade; five Leitner boxes due every 1, 2, 4, 8, 16 days | Flashcards, Learn (with multiple choice), Test, Match |
| Account | Optional, only for sync | Free sign-up; paid plans for more |
| Card content | Plain text, any language | Text and images |
| Shared sets and classes | None | Yes |
| Offline | Yes, in the browser or installed | Mobile apps |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | No |

Quizlet details come from the pages linked above and Quizlet Help articles on [adding images](https://help.quizlet.com/hc/en-us/articles/360029814512-Adding-images-to-sets-from-the-free-gallery), [sharing sets](https://help.quizlet.com/hc/en-us/articles/360030254831-Sharing-sets-and-folders) and [importing content](https://help.quizlet.com/hc/en-us/articles/360029977151-Creating-sets-by-importing-content), all checked 19 October 2026.

## Who should stay on Quizlet?

Quizlet is a better fit if:

- **your teacher uses it.** Quizlet classes, shared sets and teacher-assigned activities don't exist in Lietner, and nothing in Lietner is shared or public;
- **you like variety.** Match, multiple-choice Learn rounds and practice tests can make a long session less dull;
- **you need pictures.** Quizlet cards can carry images. Lietner cards are text only;
- **you rely on Expert Solutions** for textbook homework help.

None of those are things Lietner plans to copy. If they matter to you, Quizlet is worth paying for.

## Who is Lietner a better fit for?

Lietner suits you if you want to:

- **study without ads or upsells.** There's no paid tier to push you toward;
- **study without an account.** Your cards stay in your browser unless you choose to sign in and sync;
- **review at the right time.** Each card has a due date based on its box, so you see hard cards often and easy ones rarely, which is the spacing that [the Leitner system](/leitner-system) is built on;
- **stop making cards by hand.** Lietner gives you a [prompt for your own AI](/ai-flashcards) that turns your notes or a PDF into about 30 cards;
- **study offline in the browser,** on any device, including a laptop.

Lietner shows a question and waits for you to recall the answer. There's no list of options to pick from. Recall is harder than recognition, and that effort is a big part of why flashcards work.

## How do I move a Quizlet set to Lietner?

You can export sets you created yourself, from the Quizlet website ([Quizlet Help: Exporting your sets](https://help.quizlet.com/hc/en-us/articles/360034345672-Exporting-your-sets), checked 19 October 2026).

1. On quizlet.com, open the set, open the more menu and choose **Export**.
2. Choose a **Tab** between term and definition and a **new line** between cards, then select **Copy text**.
3. [Open Lietner](/) and create a deck.
4. Open the deck editor (on a new, empty deck, select **or add cards by hand**), expand **Import JSON, CSV or Anki text export**, paste the text, and select **Import**.

Every card starts in box 1 and is due right away. Images don't export from Quizlet, so cards that depended on a picture need rewriting.

## What does Lietner not do?

To be clear up front: Lietner has no games, no multiple choice, no typed answers, no images, no classes or shared sets, no reminders and no streaks. The interface is in English, though cards can be in any language, including right-to-left scripts. It does one thing: put the right cards in front of you each day.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Quizlet still free?

Quizlet has a free plan, but it shows ads and limits some study modes. Ad-free studying and fuller access to Learn and practice tests come with Quizlet Plus ($35.99 a year) or Quizlet Plus Unlimited ($44.99 a year), as listed on Quizlet's upgrade page on 19 October 2026.

### Does Lietner have ads or a premium plan?

No. Every feature is free and there are no ads. Lietner runs on donations, and it's open source under the MIT licence.

### Can I import my Quizlet sets into Lietner?

Yes, for sets you created. On the Quizlet website, open the set, choose Export, copy the text, and paste it into Lietner's import box. Sets you copied from someone else can't be exported from Quizlet.

### Does Lietner have games or multiple-choice tests like Quizlet?

No. Lietner shows you the question, you think of the answer, flip the card and grade yourself. Recalling an answer from memory is harder than recognising it in a list, which is part of why it works.