CleverDeck 4+

I was looking for an app like this because I was intrigued with spaced repetition. I also like how you can opt for what you want to see on the front and back of the cards, for instance when I learn language I like to just hear The word to acquire it by listening before I try to delve into speaking and reading. This app allows me to set it up that way. And then later I could reset the deck and set it up to see the English prompt, then try to speak it from recall.

I wish I could just buy the app and be done with the purchase, because I’m using one and my son is using one and that’s costing six dollars per month now, three dollars each. One glitch that I notified the developer about is that when I slide the category to change settings for that category (example, Spanish), sometimes it is for a different category (example, French). Then other times, it is in sync.

This is an amazing app. It uses a spaced-repetition algorithm, and the cards are . . . aesthetically pleasing. Highly so. Wonderfully so.

That might seem like a silly comment—but little things like that matter.

The images are on point; the colors are vivid; the font is just right; each card has an example sentence; and there's a top-notch recording of a human voice for each word.

That sounds like a simple recipe, and I would have thought that there would be other apps that have all of those seemingly simple elements. There aren't, at least not that I've found.

I say "underrated" only because this app has far fewer downloads and ratings than it deserves.

It's a diamond in the rough.

Download it. Use it. Сейчас!

* FYI, my review is based on the Russian cards; I've not studied any other language on this app.

Update, 7 Jan 21: So sad this app no longer appears to be supported...was a premium member, but now I can’t log in or access my deck beyond the first 100 cards. So sad! Have emailed the developer several times, but no luck. Loved this app and would add it again if it works.

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Been practicing with the French deck for a few weeks - love this app! The graphics are really professional and vibrant, and often interesting or funny, making the words more memorable. The pronunciations sound natural, not too fast or slow, as if I’m overhearing something in real life instead of listening to a robot. The sentences/usage examples are also fun and great for putting the word in perspective. My one recommendation would be to add an option to hear the sentence being pronounced as well.

For me, five new cards a day are plenty, which gives me time to review and really learn the ones I’ve missed without feeling pressured. I can honestly say I look forward to using this app every day - the cards are like a good book I love reading again and again. In fact, that’s the next app I’d recommend: a deck with a sentence on each card, that tells a story as you go along. Please make that!

I hope this developer adds more apps to help language learners - I would give this ten stars if I could. So helpful - thank you!