I've been using Anki for German vocab for about 6 months now, and it's been pretty solid, but I'm wondering if there's something better out there in 2026. The interface feels kind of dated compared to newer apps, but the spaced repetition algorithm is hard to beat.
Best" is kind of tricky here because it depends on what matters most to you. Anki's algorithm is legitimately solid and you're right that it's hard to match, but there are trade-offs you might want to consider. If the dated interface is actually slowing you down or making it frustrating to add cards, that's a real problem - no algorithm compensates for an app you dread opening.
What's your main pain point right now? Are you struggling with adding new vocab efficiently, or is it more that the UI just feels clunky compared to other tools you use? That makes a difference. Some people swear by newer apps like Quizlet or smaller alternatives because they're faster to use, even if the spacing algorithm isn't as mathematized. Others stick with Anki specifically because you can customize the algorithm itself if you get into it. There's also AnkiDroid for mobile if that's part of your workflow - some folks find that changes the whole experience.
For German vocab specifically, are you doing anything beyond just vocab cards, or are you mixing in reading comprehension, grammar drills, anything like that? Some apps handle that stuff more elegantly than Anki does, which might be worth it even if pure spaced repetition is less optimized.
Anki's still solid for the algorithm, but whether it's "best" really hinges on whether you value pure efficiency or want something less tedious to actually use every day. The dated interface is real - lots of people drop off not because the method doesn't work, but because opening Anki feels like opening a spreadsheet.
If you want to stick with Anki but hate the UI, try pairing it with a browser-based frontend like AnkiWeb or one of the mobile wrappers; they're not fancy but they're less grim. But honestly, if the interface is genuinely grinding you down after 6 months, switching to something newer like Quizlet or Memrise might keep you more consistent long-term, even if their algorithms aren't quite as mathematically optimized. Consistency beats perfect algorithm every time.
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