Brainscape Review: Extensive Yet Superficial Flashcard Language Courses

Brainscape is a well-known language learning platform that utilizes a flashcard-based approach.

In summary, I discovered the app to be vast, offering a great deal of material to learn. Nonetheless, the flashcards lacked the depth I prefer, and the monthly cost seemed excessive for the value provided.

However, the platform is still worth considering, particularly if your goal is to create personalized flashcards with an easy-to-navigate design.

About Brainscape

Brainscape was launched in 2010 by Andrew Cohen, who felt the existing language learning tools were inadequate. He aimed to distribute his flashcard-based learning techniques to a wider audience, leading to the creation of Brainscape.

This platform is accessible via web and mobile, intended to assist users in learning and remembering information via adaptive flashcards. While you can study various subjects on Brainscape, such as science, math, or even wine tasting, this review focuses specifically on its foreign language offerings.

Brainscape enables studying with pre-made flashcard decks or creating custom ones. The system uses spaced repetition (SRS) to schedule review intervals for flashcards, targeting better long-term retention of new vocabulary.

In essence, Brainscape presents itself as a smarter replacement for conventional flashcards, using intelligent repetition and scientific principles to teach new words.

Brainscape Features

Numerous expert- and user-generated flashcard decks

To understand Brainscape's functionality, I tested the French course as a complete novice. The French program is “Brainscape Certified,” indicating it was developed by Brainscape and its partners, not general users. These certified classes are verified for accuracy by human reviewers, though the French course page does not specify the reviewers' identities.

The French program includes 124 decks with a total of 15,534 flashcards. If this seems insufficient, I also had the option to create my own flashcards.

I could also explore user-created content, which is abundant. Many user-made decks are comparable in quality to the certified courses, with the advantage of seeing the creator's profile and their other materials.

Brainscape offers certified courses for Chinese, French, Spanish, the JLPT N5, and Medical Spanish, plus decks for many other languages, including popular choices like Russian and German, and less common ones like Pashto, Dutch, Burmese, Yiddish, and others.

Straightforward flashcard interface

Brainscape structures its content into classes, which are broken down into decks. Each deck contains a set number of cards (the French course I used had decks with 60 to 130 vocabulary words each).

For any deck, you can preview or browse the flashcards before starting. “Preview” displays all flashcards in a list, while “Browse” shows them one at a time.

Each flashcard supports multiple media types, like text, images, audio, and video—though adding media requires a Pro Subscription.

When creating a new class or deck, you can specify if you're teaching or studying. In either case, you can share any deck you make with others for collaborative learning.

I created several flashcards and found the process very simple and intuitive. Each part of the flashcard creation interface is clearly marked, and you can switch between basic and advanced editors for more options. Adding new vocabulary cards was effortless, and I began studying my flashcards quickly.

Spaced repetition founded on "cognitive science"

Brainscape uses spaced repetition, which it terms “Brainscape’s Confidence-Based Repetition” (CBR). The platform asserts that this method, rooted in what it calls "cognitive science," accelerates learning.

Once you begin studying, you can proceed directly. You can study decks in sequence (“Progressive”) or mix all decks in a class together (“Random”).

The English translation is shown first; you then click to reveal the target language word. You rate your knowledge of each word on a scale from one to five. Words you know well appear less frequently, while those you struggle with are shown more often.

As you learn, you can observe your confidence level increase visually: The “Confidence Scale” indicates the overall improvement in your understanding of the words you're studying during that session.

Initially, I rated most words low, but repeated exposure made them more familiar. It was motivating to see the scale gradually climb, providing a clear visual of my progress in each session.

Insufficient detail for learning in context

Although I began to recognize some words through repetition, I doubt I could use them effectively in conversation.

This is because the flashcards usually present words in isolation. The certified courses included audio for many words and sometimes example sentences with basic usage notes, but overall, Brainscape lacks contextual learning elements.

Beyond the certified decks, none of the decks I examined included audio, and none (certified included) provided IPA or phonetic pronunciation guides. Example sentences, when present, also lacked audio or pronunciation help. Furthermore, I found no parts of speech or grammar information on any flashcards I reviewed.

Ultimately, flashcards are only as good as their content. Brainscape provides the tools to create detailed flashcards with audio, images, and extra notes. However, it appears most foreign language decks do not utilize these features fully. While understandable for user-created decks (since many features are premium), I expected the certified courses to leverage all available tools.

This shortcoming was especially apparent when the program claimed I could “learn four years’ worth of French in just a few months with Brainscape’s smart flashcards.” Knowing vast vocabulary is of limited use if I cannot apply it practically.

Polished app interface

Brainscape's mobile app allows you to continue learning anywhere. The clean, minimalistic interface is well-suited for mobile devices.

I actually found the app's organization more intuitive than the desktop version—while I often got lost navigating decks on the website, the mobile app made it simple to resume studying any section directly.

Flashcards fill the entire screen, creating an focused learning environment free from distractions.

Brainscape Free vs Pro

Brainscape offers some features for free, but a paid subscription is necessary to access the full experience.

With a free account, you can create unlimited flashcards and study your own creations without restrictions. You also get access to the first two decks of any class, but the remainder are locked (this applies to user-created classes as well).

The pro version is relatively expensive for what it offers, with the standard subscription costing $19.99 per month.

A subscription provides access to:

• All available flashcards
• Full flashcard creation features, including adding audio and images, and setting classes to invite-only
• Capabilities to bookmark and duplicate flashcards
• The option to reverse flashcards, displaying the “answer” side first
• Access to view others' statistics and reset your own progress data

While these features are beneficial, I question whether they justify the monthly expense.

Alternatives to Brainscape

Brainscape is one of many flashcard applications available. How does it compare to other notable flashcard apps? Does it truly deserve its claim as the “best” flashcard app? Let's briefly examine Brainscape alongside some other popular choices!

Brainscape vs Anki

Anki is a highly popular flashcard app, especially among Japanese language students. It is a very robust program with extensive customization options. You can alter nearly everything, from font size and card backgrounds to attaching images and videos.

However, the program's vast flexibility can be overwhelming for new users. Select Brainscape for a simple, easy-to-use option, but choose Anki if you desire deep customization—and all at no cost.

Brainscape vs Lingflix

Lingflix incorporates flashcards into its learning program based on authentic media. Lingflix uses real-world videos—such as music videos, movie trailers, news, and inspiring talks—and transforms them into tailored language lessons. You can test Lingflix free for two weeks. Visit the website or download the iOS or Android app. P.S. Click here to benefit from our current sale! (Offer ends this month.)

Similar to Brainscape, Lingflix's flashcards use spaced repetition. Unlike Brainscape, they include full audio pronunciation, example sentences, and even video clips from the Lingflix library where the word is used. Learning through videos improves comprehension by teaching language in context.

Lingflix's quizzes also incorporate video clips and offer chances to read, hear, write, and even speak each vocabulary word you're learning.

Brainscape vs Quizlet

Quizlet's flashcard system is entirely user-generated, so quality can be inconsistent. However, its community is massive (over 300 million users currently) and contains a wealth of excellent material.

The platform also adopts modern technologies, simplifying flashcard creation through AI integration. Quizlet's AI features can also help outline essays, generate learning summaries, provide assistance from an AI tutor, and more.

Quizlet includes additional useful features, such as full access to textbook chapters and vocabulary, and flashcards produced by recognized sources like Busuu.

Brainscape is a rich source of flashcards, with ample content ready for exploration. It may not offer the most in-depth flashcard experience available, but it's a solid choice for those seeking to create their own cards swiftly and simply. With so much material to discover, it's worth investigating if it aligns with your learning preferences!