Comparison

5Learn vs Synapse

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

5Learn

This app helps you learn new vocabulary faster using AI and spaced repetition. Easily create custom word lists from photos or AI prompts, and practice with flashcards and quizzes for effective memorization.

Highlights
  • AI-generated word lists
  • Spaced repetition learning
  • Custom flashcards
  • Photo text scanning
  • Pronunciation and translation
  • Reverse translation practice
  • Background audio learning
Features
Read full description

Learn the words that matter to you — faster with AI and spaced repetition. Take a photo of any text or ask AI — and get a ready-made word list. Just type any word — and instantly get everything you need: • translation • explanation • pronunciation • a ready-to-learn flashcard Why 5Learn • Learn the words that actually matter to you • AI explains meaning, grammar, and usage in a simple way • Spaced repetition to help you remember • Create word lists for your own goals • Practice with flashcards and quizzes • Reverse translation to master spelling • Learn by listening — even in the background • Shuffle mode for better memorization • Built-in AI assistant for creating word lists No preset lists. Only the words you need. You don’t learn everything — only what you actually use. That’s why you learn faster. Perfect for • Learning new vocabulary • Exam preparation • Travel • Daily practice • Learning a language for yourself • Students and polyglots

About

Synapse

Features
Read full description

Study anything. Remember everything. Synapse is a fast, native flashcard app for learning anything — built around proven spaced repetition, so it shows you each card right before you'd forget it and you remember more in less time. Create your own decks or import the ones you already use, sketch with Apple Pencil, and get private AI coaching that knows exactly where you're struggling. WHY SYNAPSE • Modern spaced repetition — Synapse uses FSRS, a modern open-source memory model, to schedule each card just before you'd forget it. Grade every card Again, Hard, Good, or Easy and Synapse handles the rest. Prefer the classic SM-2 algorithm? Switch any time in Settings. • Bring your own decks — Import the .apkg flashcard decks you already own. Synapse rebuilds the subject and chapter hierarchy and renders images, LaTeX, and cloze deletions. • Apple Pencil scratchpad — Work physics and chemistry problems right beside the card. The scratchpad clears between cards, so your reasoning stays with the question it belongs to. • Insightful analytics — See your reviews over time, filter by range, and tap any subject to drill in. Spot the topics slipping before they cost you points. • Resource library — Keep your PDFs, notes, and reference docs in nested folders right next to your decks, and read them without leaving the app. • iCloud sync — Study on iPad at home and review on iPhone between classes. Your decks and progress sync automatically through your private iCloud — no account to create. STUDY ANYTHING Synapse started as an MCAT tool and still excels at it — but you can build decks for whatever you need to learn: med-school boards, anatomy, pharmacology, histology, nursing, the bar exam, the GRE, languages like Spanish, music theory, and more. If it fits on a flashcard, you can learn it here. A STUDY COACH THAT RUNS ON YOUR DEVICE Synapse uses Apple Intelligence to turn your own study data into real guidance — what to review next, which subjects are slipping, and how your progress looks. Ask it anything about your decks. • Grounded in your data — it only talks about your real subjects and progress; it won't invent topics or facts. • Private by design — the model runs on-device. Your study history never leaves your iPhone or iPad. No servers, no accounts. • Works offline — coaching is right there during a study session. PRIVATE BY DEFAULT No ads. No tracking. No account. Your decks, cards, and progress live on your device and sync through your own private iCloud — we never see them. FREE TO START Use Synapse free: study up to 5 cards a day, with no limit on how many cards you keep — every feature included. Upgrade to Synapse Premium for unlimited daily studying: • Monthly — $4.99/month, cancel anytime • Annual — $49.99/year (save 17%), cancel anytime • Lifetime — $89.99 one-time purchase Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. The lifetime unlock is a one-time purchase. Privacy Policy: https://synapse.roitechllc.com/privacy Terms of Use: https://synapse.roitechllc.com/terms Download Synapse and study smarter. — Synapse is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Anki or the Association of American Medical Colleges. MCAT is a registered trademark of the AAMC.

Screenshots

5Learn4 screens
Synapse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: 5Learn at every 11 days against Synapse's every 4 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. 5Learn sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Synapse sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

5Learn ships an update every 11 days, Synapse every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
5Learn versus Synapse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter5LearnSynapse
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 11 days — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.017.0
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB8 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperANNA KUCHUMOVARoi Rozenthal

In-app purchases

3 purchases

5Learn

One-time3
  • 5,000 Credits$0.99
  • 30,000 Credits$4.99
  • 150,000 Credits$14.99
3 purchases

Synapse

Subscriptions2
  • Synapse Premium$4.991 Month
  • Synapse Premium7 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Synapse Premium — Lifetime$89.99

Questions

Is 5Learn free?
5Learn is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Synapse free?
Synapse is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do 5Learn or Synapse have ads?
Neither 5Learn nor Synapse shows ads.
Which is updated more often, 5Learn or Synapse?
5Learn ships an update every 11 days, and Synapse every 4 weeks. Most recently, 5Learn was updated on October 24, 2026 and Synapse on October 24, 2026.

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