Apps and tools for a calm, enjoyable life

SuperMemo

Free with paid courses

SuperMemo is a comprehensive flashcard tool that uses the original spaced repetition algorithm. It offers a variety of features including knowledge tree, incremental reading, and a wide range of courses.

Our take

Master your memory with SuperMemo's powerful tools!

Alright, so let’s get into SuperMemo. This thing is all about helping you remember stuff using spaced repetition, which is a pretty fancy way of saying it shows you stuff you’re trying to learn right when you’re about to forget it. The idea is solid, and if you’ve ever tried to cram for a test, you know that just reading things over and over isn’t the best. SuperMemo tries to mix up when you review things to help it really stick in your brain. This can be a game-changer if you’ve got a lot of stuff to remember and not a lot of time.

Now, let’s talk about the interface. It feels pretty old-school and not in a charming way. If you're into sleek and modern apps, SuperMemo might feel like stepping into a time machine. It’s functional, sure, but it’s not exactly eye candy. You can customize a lot, which is cool if you’re willing to dig in and set it up just right. But if you’re someone who likes things to work perfectly out of the box, you might find this a bit frustrating.

On the bright side, SuperMemo has some serious brainpower behind it. The algorithm they use is well-researched, and it’s been around since the 80s. This isn’t some fly-by-night app that popped up yesterday. People who stick with it swear by the results, saying it really does help them remember things long-term. If you’re the kind of person who loves deep diving into research and optimizing your learning, there’s a lot to dig into here.

But, let’s be real, there’s a learning curve. If you just want to plug and play, it might be a bit daunting at first. The documentation is thorough, but it can feel like you’re reading a textbook. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing if you’re committed to figuring it all out, but if you’re looking for something simple, you might find yourself overwhelmed. You’ve got to be ready to invest some time in learning how to use it effectively.

In the end, SuperMemo is a bit of a mixed bag. If you’re serious about memorizing a lot of information and don’t mind putting in the effort to learn how it all works, it could be a great tool. But if you’re looking for something more intuitive and visually appealing, you might want to keep looking. It’s all about what you’re willing to trade off for the potential of seriously improved recall. Give it a shot if you’re curious and up for a bit of a challenge.

Free with paid plans

Free to $47