Comparison

Guru vs CARDSLINGER

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

Head to head
About

Guru

This app helps students import existing flashcard decks, review them using an AI-powered spaced repetition system, and even generate new cards from PDFs and notes. It includes a study lock feature to minimize distractions during review sessions.

Highlights
  • Import existing flashcard decks
  • AI-powered spaced repetition (FSRS)
  • Generate flashcards from PDFs and notes
  • Study Lock to block distracting apps
  • Controller support for reviews
  • Organized deck management
Features
Read full description

Guru imports your Anki decks (.apkg and .colpkg) with cards, media, sub-decks and scheduling state intact, then reviews them on iPhone and iPad with the FSRS scheduler, online or offline. Open a deck straight from Files, AirDrop, Safari downloads or the share sheet. Importing and daily review are free for up to 5 decks. Pro unlocks card editing, cross-device sync, Study Lock and unlimited decks: US$4.99/month after a 3-day free trial, US$39.99/year, or US$24.99 once for Lifetime (includes 5,000 AI credits). Requires iOS 17 or later. ■ Import your decks ・.apkg and .colpkg packages, including large shared decks with tens of thousands of cards ・Cards, cloze deletions, images, audio, sub-decks and scheduling state come through ・Browse the deck tree before you start reviewing ■ Review with FSRS ・Study cards when they are due, with Again, Hard, Good and Easy ratings ・One card per note per day, so cloze siblings don't stack up ・Cram Mode before exams without rebuilding your deck ■ Turn material into cards ・Create draft cards from PDFs, notes and lectures with AI credits ・Review and edit generated cards before studying ・Image occlusion cards for diagrams and anatomy ■ Stay focused ・Study Lock (optional) shields selected distracting apps until today's review is done ・Review with touch, gestures, or a paired game controller ・Built for fast daily sessions on iPhone and iPad ■ Export and sync ・Every deck exports back to a standard .apkg ・Pro syncs decks, cards and review progress with the GuruOwl web app ■ Pro access Choose a monthly or yearly subscription, or the one-time Lifetime unlock. AI card generation uses credits. Subscriptions can be cancelled any time in App Store settings. Guru is an independent app and is not affiliated with Anki, AnkiMobile or AnkiWeb. ■ Legal Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://guruowl.com/app/privacy

About

CARDSLINGER

Create and study flashcards with AI assistance, audio, images, and PDF attachments. This app offers focused review and offline access, perfect for students and professionals needing to memorize dense material.

Highlights
  • AI-powered card creation
  • Audio recording on cards
  • Image and PDF attachments
  • Offline study mode
  • Focused review system
  • CSV import/export
Features
Read full description

Built for SERIOUS study — med and nursing students, aviators, engineers, lawyers, language learners, SAT/AP students, and anyone who wants to excel. Build decks in seconds with AI or by hand, with audio, images, and PDFs — and study them your way. BUILD YOUR WAY • Create cards with AI, or build them by hand • Image-rich cards and PDF attachments for diagrams, scans, and visuals • Record your own voice onto cards • CSV import and export for full control STUDY YOUR WAY • Audio playback with background and Lock Screen controls — study screen-off when your hands are full • Focused review that surfaces what you most need to learn • Mark cards Got It or Still Learning, and bookmark the ones you keep missing • Offline-first — study anywhere, no signal needed SHARE & GO • Share decks with friends via export and import • Clean and fast — no ads, no clutter PERFECT FOR: Nursing & NCLEX • Med & pre-med • Pilots & aviation exams • Engineering • Law • Language learners • SAT / AP • Anyone memorizing dense material under time pressure. Terms of Use: https://www.cardslinger.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.cardslinger.app/privacy

Screenshots

Guru4 screens
CARDSLINGER4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: CARDSLINGER at 5.0 against Guru's 4.7. On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Guru sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and CARDSLINGER sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

CARDSLINGER holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 3 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 31, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Guru versus CARDSLINGER: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGuruCARDSLINGER
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (3 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Number of ratings33
Update frequencyEvery 3 daysEvery 3 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size113 MB98 MB
Age rating9+4+
Developer剑 肖Thisara Pinto

Customer experience

Guru

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

CARDSLINGER

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Guru

Subscriptions3
  • Flashcard Guru Pro Weekly3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Flashcard Guru Pro Monthly3 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • Flashcard Guru Pro Yearly$39.991 Year
One-time2
  • 500 AI Credits$4.99
  • Lifetime Pro$24.99
2 purchases

CARDSLINGER

Subscriptions2
  • Cardslinger Pro Monthly$3.991 Month
  • Cardslinger Pro Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Guru free?
Guru is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is CARDSLINGER free?
CARDSLINGER is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Guru or CARDSLINGER?
CARDSLINGER is rated higher. Guru averages 4.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while CARDSLINGER averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Guru or CARDSLINGER have ads?
Neither Guru nor CARDSLINGER shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Guru or CARDSLINGER?
Guru ships an update every 3 days, and CARDSLINGER every 3 days. Most recently, Guru was updated on October 31, 2026 and CARDSLINGER on October 31, 2026.

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