Discito

Discito is a flashcard application for iPhone that implements FSRS-6, the latest version of the Free Spaced Repetition Scheduling algorithm developed by the Open Spaced Repetition project. Unlike older systems like SM-2 that use fixed intervals derived from decades old research, FSRS calculates optimal review times based on mathematical models of memory retention validated against large datasets of actual learner behavior. The implementation in Discito is bit exact with the py-fsrs reference, and the optimizer runs in roughly 55 milliseconds on modern iPhones. This precision matters because the algorithm derives 21 personalized weights from each user's actual review history, then uses those weights to schedule cards at moments when they're most likely to be forgotten but still retrievable with effort.

The AI features set Discito apart from most flashcard apps on the market. Card generation accepts textbook chapters, PDFs, or lecture transcripts and produces up to 50 flashcards per session with all drafts remaining editable before you save them. Everything processes on device using Apple Foundation Models, so source material never uploads to external servers which matters for students working with proprietary course materials or sensitive research. The system supports nine languages for card generation, making it useful for language learners and international students who study in multiple languages simultaneously.

There's also a lecture capture mode that records audio directly in the app, transcribes it locally using on device speech recognition, and generates flashcards from the transcript with timestamps linking each card back to the exact moment in the recording. Recordings can run up to 90 minutes, covering most standard lecture lengths. For students who learn by recording lectures and reviewing them later, this cuts out the manual transcription step entirely while creating study materials automatically. The timestamps mean you can jump back to the original audio whenever a card seems unclear or you want more context.

Beyond basic flashcard review, Discito offers smart quiz modes that go deeper than simple recall. Multiple choice questions get AI generated distractors that test whether you actually understand the concept or just recognize the right answer when you see it. Type the answer mode uses fuzzy matching so minor typos don't mark a correct response wrong. True and false questions generate prompts that probe understanding from different angles rather than just rephrasing the original card. All of these modes feed into the same FSRS scheduling system, so performance on quizzes affects when you'll see each card next regardless of which format you used for that particular review.

Image occlusion lets users create cards by marking regions on diagrams, photos, or other visual material. The authoring tool supports rectangles, ellipses, and polygons with Apple Pencil support on iPad for precise selection. Medical students studying anatomy or anyone learning from diagrams can build cards that test recognition of specific labeled regions. Cards export cleanly to the standard .apkg format, which means Anki users can move their decks into Discito or back out again without losing structure. The deck re-sync feature merges updated .apkg files without destroying existing review history. If a professor updates their deck mid-semester, importing the new version preserves all the scheduling data accumulated from weeks of studying.

The Smart Exam Plan feature generates day by day study schedules leading up to specific exam dates. It prioritizes weaker cards while maintaining long term retention on material you've already mastered, balancing the urgency of upcoming tests against the slower decay of well-learned information. The planner can track multiple concurrent exams with different timelines, which reflects the reality of academic life where midterms and finals cluster together. For medical students preparing for something like USMLE Step 1 while also handling regular coursework, this kind of scheduling coordination saves significant planning effort.

Hardware requirements split between AI and non-AI features. The on device AI processing including transcription, card generation, and image analysis requires an iPhone 15 Pro or later running iOS 26 with Apple Intelligence enabled. Older devices can still use all the core flashcard and scheduling functionality, just without the AI acceleration. Weekly reports provide accountability with shareable images showing study statistics, and the app integrates with home screen widgets, Live Activity, Dynamic Island, and Control Center for quick access. Five reading themes from Paper to Midnight let users customize the visual experience for different lighting conditions.

Pricing follows a freemium model where the Lite tier includes unlimited cards, basic FSRS scheduling, iCloud sync, .apkg import, and home screen widgets at no cost. The Pro tier costs $14.99 as a one time purchase rather than a subscription, and it unlocks everything including Smart Exam Plan, AI card generation, lecture capture, image occlusion authoring, smart quiz modes, and the FSRS optimizer. Seven embedded trials let Lite users test each major Pro feature before deciding to buy.