RecallHaven · Learn
An Anki alternative for math and LaTeX: when notes-first works better
Anki is one of the best spaced-repetition tools ever made. It's free on desktop and Android, it's open source, it has a huge add-on ecosystem, and recent versions ship the FSRS scheduler. If you already have a good Anki habit, keep it.
STEM students often hit a different problem, though. Math isn't many small facts. It's derivations, conditions ("this only works if…") and worked examples. Splitting a derivation into cards strips out the context, and writing LaTeX into card fields feels slow when you're mid-lecture.
This page is for anyone who wants notes and practice in the same place.
What makes math hard to put on flashcards
- Steps depend on each other. The chain rule makes sense as one worked example, not as six unrelated cards.
- Conditions matter. "L'Hôpital applies to 0/0 or ∞/∞ forms" is a fact; recognizing when to apply it is a skill.
- Typing math is friction. Anki supports LaTeX and MathJax, but you still write math inside card fields, away from your notes.
A notes-first workflow
- Write the topic as a normal note in Markdown, with inline math like
$f'(g(x))\,g'(x)$and display blocks like$$\frac{d}{dx}\sin(x^2)=2x\cos(x^2)$$. - Attach a short quiz to that note: multiple-choice questions to check recognition, open questions to check derivations.
- Grade your open answers against a reference answer you wrote yourself.
- Let the scheduler (FSRS or SM-2) decide when that section comes back.
That's how RecallHaven works. Every note can have a quiz attached, reviews are scheduled per quiz section, and you choose FSRS or SM-2 in settings.
Anki vs RecallHaven, honestly
| Anki | RecallHaven | |
|---|---|---|
| Core unit | Card (note types/fields) | Note with an attached quiz, split into sections |
| Math | LaTeX / MathJax in fields | Markdown with KaTeX in notes, questions and reference answers |
| Scheduler | Legacy SM-2 by default, FSRS optional (Anki 23.10+) | FSRS or SM-2, your choice |
| Question styles | Front/back, cloze, custom templates | Multiple choice (4 options), open response graded by you; AI grading on the paid Premium+ plan |
| Offline / mobile apps | Yes (desktop, AnkiDroid free; AnkiMobile for iOS is paid) | Web app, no native mobile app |
| Add-ons and shared decks | Huge ecosystem | None |
| Price | Free (except AnkiMobile) | Free plan; Premium $4.5/mo |
Pick Anki if you want offline mobile study, shared decks (for example big pre-made decks) or deep customization. Try RecallHaven if your material is derivation-heavy and you'd rather review a whole note with its context than separate cards.
You can also use both: keep atomic facts in Anki and derivations in notes.
FAQ
Does Anki support LaTeX? Yes. MathJax works out of the box on desktop, AnkiMobile and AnkiDroid. Full LaTeX needs a local TeX install and is generated on the desktop app. See the Anki manual's Math & Symbols page.
Does RecallHaven use FSRS? You can choose FSRS or SM-2 for scheduling in settings.
Can I import my Anki decks? No, there's no Anki import. RecallHaven is notes-first, so it works best for material you rewrite as notes.
Is it free? There's a free plan with text quizzes (up to 12 questions per quiz), self-graded questions and automatic spaced repetition. Premium ($4.5/mo) adds image uploads and up to 28 questions per quiz.
If your math lives in notes, you can try writing one note with a quiz attached on RecallHaven's free plan. Start a free note →
Use the free spaced repetition schedule calculator (no sign-up), or try RecallHaven.
Open the calculator