Flashcard apps are one of the most effective study tools available — decades of research on spaced repetition and active recall confirm that. But most flashcard apps were designed for subjects where the content is text: vocabulary, definitions, dates, facts.
If you study physics, calculus, chemistry, engineering, or statistics, your study material looks different. It is full of equations, formulas, Greek symbols, and notation that plain text cannot represent. A flashcard app that cannot render an integral sign or a chemical equation is asking you to study with one hand tied behind your back.
This guide compares how the major flashcard apps handle math and science content, so you can pick the one that actually fits how you study.
Why STEM Students Need Equation Support on Flashcards
The problem is not abstract. Here are everyday scenarios that break in apps without equation rendering:
- Physics: Writing Newton's second law as "F = ma" works in plain text, but kinematic equations with fractions and subscripts do not. Try writing the quadratic formula or a projectile motion equation in a text-only card.
- Calculus: Integrals, derivatives, limits, and summation notation are impossible to represent clearly without proper mathematical typesetting.
- Chemistry: Balanced equations, reaction mechanisms, equilibrium expressions, and molecular formulas need subscripts, superscripts, and arrows that a basic text field cannot handle.
- Engineering: Transfer functions, Laplace transforms, circuit equations, and matrix operations require proper notation to be readable.
- Statistics: Probability distributions, expected value notation, and hypothesis testing formulas all rely on mathematical symbols.
The common workaround is screenshotting equations from another tool and pasting them as images. This technically works, but it breaks searchability (you cannot search for a formula inside an image), makes cards impossible to edit without recreating the screenshot, and often looks blurry or inconsistently sized across devices.
Native equation rendering — where you type LaTeX or similar markup and the app renders it as a properly formatted equation — solves all of these problems. Your equations are text, not images, so they are searchable, editable, and render cleanly on any screen.
How Popular Flashcard Apps Handle Math & Equations
Here is a direct comparison of equation support across the five most popular flashcard apps.
| Feature | Anki | Quizlet | Brainscape | RemNote | Sticky |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LaTeX rendering | Yes (MathJax) | No | No | Yes (KaTeX) | Yes |
| Visual equation editor | No | No | No | AI-assisted input | No |
| Setup required | MathJax built-in; legacy LaTeX needs local install | N/A | N/A | None | None |
| Inline equations | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Block/display equations | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Equation editing | Raw syntax | N/A | N/A | Raw syntax + AI | Raw syntax |
| Screenshot workaround | Possible | Only option | Only option | Possible | Possible |
The landscape is clear: only three apps — Anki, RemNote, and Sticky — offer native equation rendering. Quizlet and Brainscape do not.
Anki: Powerful but Requires Setup
Anki is the most established spaced repetition tool and supports LaTeX through MathJax, which is built into Anki 2.1+ and works without additional installation on desktop and mobile.
Strengths for STEM: MathJax handles virtually all mathematical notation. The massive shared deck ecosystem includes STEM-specific decks with pre-formatted equations. Full HTML/CSS card templates let you control exactly how equations display.
Friction points: There is no visual equation editor — you type raw MathJax syntax in the card editor and only see the result on preview. The older native LaTeX method requires installing MiKTeX or MacTeX locally, is disabled by default for security, and is a frequent source of support requests. Anki's general learning curve (note types, deck options, add-on management) adds to the setup time before you are productively studying.
Best for: Power users who are comfortable with LaTeX syntax and want maximum control over card formatting, or medical/science students who benefit from the community deck ecosystem.
Quizlet: No Equation Support
Quizlet is the most widely used flashcard platform, but it does not support LaTeX or any form of native equation rendering.
Quizlet offers a math symbols picker that lets you insert common symbols like ±, √, and π. But it cannot handle fractions, integrals, summation notation, matrices, or most of the notation that STEM students need daily. You cannot write a derivative, a chemical equilibrium expression, or an integral in Quizlet's card editor.
The only workaround is uploading screenshots of equations as images, with all the downsides that entails: no searchability, no editing, inconsistent sizing.
Best for: Humanities, languages, and basic vocabulary study where equations are not needed.
Brainscape: No Equation Support
Brainscape also lacks native equation rendering. Its own help documentation recommends screenshotting equations from external software and uploading them as images.
An equation editor has been one of Brainscape's most-requested features since 2013. Over a decade later, the feature has not shipped. Community members have suggested implementing KaTeX or MathJax, and Brainscape has acknowledged it as being "in the works," but there is no timeline.
Best for: Students who want pre-made certified decks for standardised tests and do not need equation support.
RemNote: Strong LaTeX with Knowledge Management
RemNote offers KaTeX rendering for both inline and block equations, integrated directly into its note-taking and flashcard system.
Strengths for STEM: KaTeX rendering works without setup. AI-assisted equation input lets you type plain-text descriptions and converts them to LaTeX. Cloze deletions work within equations, so you can test yourself on specific variables or terms inside a formula. PDF annotation lets you study from textbooks and convert highlighted equations directly into cards.
Friction points: RemNote is primarily a knowledge management system, not a standalone flashcard app. The graph-based note structure, portals, and hierarchical organisation add complexity that may not be worth it if you just want equation-capable flashcards. The learning curve is steep for new users.
Best for: Students who want a single app for notes, PDFs, and flashcards — and are willing to invest time learning a complex system.
Sticky: LaTeX in a Focused Flashcard App
Sticky supports full LaTeX rendering on flashcards, paired with AI-powered card creation and SM-2 spaced repetition scheduling.
Strengths for STEM: LaTeX rendering works immediately with no configuration. AI card creation from photos means you can photograph a page of equations from a textbook and get a study deck in seconds. The mobile-first design means reviewing equation-heavy cards on your phone is a clean experience.
Friction points: iOS only. No visual equation editor — you type LaTeX syntax. No cloze deletions within equations (unlike RemNote). Smaller pre-made deck library than Anki or Quizlet.
Best for: STEM students who want equation-capable flashcards with minimal setup, AI card creation from their own notes, and a focused mobile study experience.
Tips for Creating Effective Math & Science Flashcards
Having equation support is the first step. Using it well is the second. Here are principles from learning science applied to STEM content:
Test the process, not just the formula. A card that asks "What is the quadratic formula?" tests recognition. A card that asks "Solve for the roots of 2x² + 3x - 5 = 0" tests application. The second is harder to create but far more useful for exam performance.
Break complex derivations into steps. Instead of one card for an entire proof, create a card for each key step. This aligns with the minimum information principle — one concept per card — and makes review more effective.
Interleave subjects. Studying physics cards mixed with calculus cards mixed with chemistry cards is harder in the moment but produces better long-term retention than studying each subject in isolated blocks. This is the interleaving effect, and spaced repetition apps handle it naturally.
Include units and context. A card showing just "F = ma" is less useful than one that includes what each variable represents, the SI units, and when the equation applies. Context turns memorisation into understanding.
For a detailed walkthrough of creating equation-based flashcards, including common LaTeX commands and examples by subject, see our LaTeX math flashcards guide.
Which App Should You Choose?
The answer depends on what matters most to you:
- If you want maximum power and customisation and do not mind a steep learning curve, Anki gives you the most control.
- If you want notes, PDFs, and flashcards in one system and are willing to invest time learning it, RemNote offers the deepest integration.
- If you want equation-capable flashcards with minimal friction, AI card creation from your own notes, and a focused mobile experience, Sticky is built for that.
- If you do not need equations, Quizlet and Brainscape both have strengths in pre-made content and study modes.
The research on spaced repetition is clear: the best study system is the one you actually use every day. For STEM students, that means one that treats equations as first-class content — not an afterthought.
