Lumi vs Anki: FSRS spaced repetition for NEET UG
The same scheduling algorithm, used in two very different tools.
The short answer
Anki offers a free, open-source flashcard program for any subject, with the SM-2 and FSRS schedulers and full control over your own cards. Lumi offers FSRS too, at a desired retention of 0.9, but applies it to NEET UG concept atoms and adds an Item Response Theory ability estimate and knowledge tracing. If you want to build and control your own decks, Anki is designed for that; if you want NEET questions and a schedule set up for you, Lumi is designed for that.
Anki and Lumi, side by side
Every row comes from public material, numbered against the source list below and checked on 27 Sep 2026. Where something is not published, we say so rather than guess. Features change; check the source before you decide.
| Feature | Anki | Lumi |
|---|---|---|
| What it is[2][4] | General-purpose flashcard program for any subject | NEET UG practice, diagnostics and revision app |
| Scheduling algorithm[1][3][4] | SM-2 (legacy) and FSRS; FSRS available from Anki 23.10, AnkiMobile 23.10 and AnkiDroid 2.17 | FSRS |
| Default desired retention[3][4] | 90% | 0.9 (90%) |
| Content[1][4][5] | You write or import your own cards and decks | NEET questions across Physics, Chemistry and Biology, plus AI-generated flashcards |
| What gets scheduled[3][4] | Each card you create | About 2,700 NEET concept atoms |
| Ability estimate[1][4] | Not stated publicly | 2PL Item Response Theory per subject |
| Mock exams[1][4] | Not stated publicly | Adaptive exams using Fisher information to pick questions |
| Open source[2][4] | Yes | No |
| Platforms[1][2][5] | Windows, macOS and Linux; AnkiDroid on Android; AnkiMobile on iOS; free AnkiWeb sync | iOS and Android |
Same scheduler, different job
FSRS, the Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler, is an open algorithm. Anki's manual describes it as an alternative to Anki's legacy SM-2 algorithm that estimates how much you are likely to forget, and it sets a default desired retention of 90%. Lumi runs FSRS at the same 0.9 retention target.
So the scheduling maths is not what separates the two. What differs is everything around it: in Anki you decide what the cards are and how they are worded; in Lumi the items are NEET concept atoms, the questions are supplied, and an Item Response Theory model and a knowledge tracing model decide how strong you are and what to practise next.
Where Anki is the better choice
- You want it free: desktop Anki and AnkiDroid cost nothing, per Anki's own site.
- You want full control over every card, its wording and its format, including images and LaTeX.
- You want one tool for every subject and exam, not only NEET.
- You value open source software and the ability to inspect or extend it with add-ons on desktop.
- You want to tune FSRS yourself, since Anki exposes its settings in deck options.
Where Lumi fits
- You want FSRS scheduling without spending hours writing NEET cards first.
- You want a question practice layer that tells you which concepts are weak, not only which cards are due.
- You want an ability estimate per subject from Item Response Theory.
- You want adaptive mock exams alongside revision in the same app.
What does it cost?
- Anki, as listed on apps.ankiweb.net on 27 Sep 2026: desktop Anki is free; AnkiDroid for Android is free.
- AnkiMobile, as listed on the India App Store on 27 Sep 2026: ₹2,499, a one-time purchase.
- Lumi: see the app for current plans.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lumi use the same algorithm as Anki?
Yes, for scheduling. Anki offers FSRS alongside its legacy SM-2 scheduler, and Lumi uses FSRS at a desired retention of 0.9. Lumi adds an Item Response Theory ability estimate and simpleKT knowledge tracing, which are not part of Anki's scheduler.
Is Anki good for NEET?
Anki is a capable general flashcard tool with FSRS, and many students use it for memorisation-heavy subjects like biology. The work is in writing or finding good NEET cards. Lumi supplies NEET questions and schedules concept atoms for you.
Is FSRS better than SM-2?
Anki's manual describes FSRS as able to help you remember more material in the same amount of time by more accurately estimating how much you are likely to forget, and notes it avoids the "ease hell" problem of SM-2.
How much does Anki cost in India?
Desktop Anki and AnkiDroid are free. AnkiMobile for iPhone and iPad was listed at ₹2,499 on the India App Store on 27 Sep 2026. Lumi's current plans are shown in the app.
Can I use Anki and Lumi together?
Yes. Some students keep personal Anki decks for facts they want in their own words, and use Lumi for NEET question practice, ability estimates and mock exams.