RefMe Study App: Best Alternatives, Smarter Study Tools, And How To Remember More In Less Time – Don’t just manage citations, turn your notes into powerful flashcards that actually stick.
RefMe study app is gone, but your grades don’t have to be. See what replaced it and how Flashrecall turns notes, PDFs and screenshots into smart flashcards.
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So… What Happened To The RefMe Study App (And What Should You Use Now)?
So, you’re looking for the RefMe study app or something like it that actually helps you study better, not just format citations. Here’s the thing: RefMe got shut down and rolled into another tool, and a lot of students were left hunting for a replacement. If you want something that actually helps you learn and remember your notes, Flashrecall is a way better move than just another citation app because it turns your notes, PDFs, and screenshots into flashcards automatically and reminds you exactly when to review them. You can grab Flashrecall here:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085 — it’s free to start, fast to use, and actually improves your grades instead of just fixing your bibliography.
RefMe Study App: Quick Background (And Why People Still Search For It)
RefMe used to be super popular because it did one thing really well:
- Scan a book barcode or paste a link
- Boom, instant citation in the right format
For essays and reports, that was gold. But here’s the honest truth:
- RefMe didn’t really help you learn the content
- It just helped you reference it correctly
That’s why you still see people searching for “RefMe study app” — because students remember how convenient it was and want something that makes studying just as easy.
But studying in 2026 is a bit different. You don’t just need citations; you need:
- A way to capture info quickly (from lectures, PDFs, photos, etc.)
- A way to turn that info into something you can remember
- A system that reminds you when to review, so you don’t cram and forget everything after the exam
That’s exactly where Flashrecall comes in.
Why A Flashcard App Beats A Citation App For Actual Studying
If your goal is better grades, remembering more, or actually understanding your subjects, a citation app alone won’t cut it.
Here’s the difference:
What RefMe Focused On
- Creating references and bibliographies
- Formatting citations correctly (APA, MLA, etc.)
- Helping with the writing part of assignments
Useful? Yes.
Enough for serious studying? Not really.
What A Study App Should Focus On
This is where Flashrecall shines:
- Active recall – forcing your brain to pull info out (this is how memory strengthens)
- Spaced repetition – reviewing at the perfect intervals so you don’t forget
- Fast capture – turning your notes, slides, and textbooks into flashcards without wasting time
- Study reminders – so you don’t have to remember to remember
RefMe helped you cite your sources.
Flashrecall helps you remember your sources.
Meet Flashrecall: A Modern Study App That Actually Makes Stuff Stick
Alright, let’s talk about what Flashrecall actually does and why it’s a great alternative if you were hoping the RefMe study app would help you study better.
👉 Download link again so you don’t scroll back up:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
1. Turn Anything Into Flashcards Instantly
This is the part that feels a bit magical.
With Flashrecall, you can create flashcards from:
- Images – snap a pic of textbook pages, whiteboards, or lecture slides
- Text – paste notes, summaries, or definitions
- PDFs – upload your lecture notes or articles
- YouTube links – turn video content into cards
- Audio – pull info from spoken content
- Or just type manually if you like full control
The app then helps generate flashcards for you, so you’re not wasting an hour turning one chapter into cards.
Compared to RefMe, which just gave you a citation, Flashrecall actually transforms the content into something you can revise.
2. Built-In Spaced Repetition (So You Don’t Forget Everything)
Cramming works for tomorrow’s quiz. It doesn’t work for finals.
Flashrecall uses spaced repetition, which basically means:
- It shows you cards right before you’re about to forget them
- Easy cards appear less often
- Hard cards come back more frequently
And it does this automatically. You don’t have to plan your revision schedule or track what to review when.
You also get study reminders, so you don’t go “oh wow, I haven’t revised this subject in two weeks” the night before the exam.
Flashrecall automatically keeps track and reminds you of the cards you don't remember well so you remember faster. Like this :
RefMe helped you keep your references in order. Flashrecall keeps your brain in order.
3. Active Recall Built In (The Study Technique That Actually Works)
Every time you see a flashcard question and try to answer it from memory, that’s active recall.
Research-wise, it’s one of the most effective ways to study.
Flashrecall is built around that idea:
- You see the question side
- You try to answer in your head (or out loud)
- Then you flip and rate how well you knew it
Over time, this simple process makes information stick way better than rereading notes or highlighting.
RefMe never did this. It helped you use sources, not learn them.
4. Chat With Your Flashcards When You’re Stuck
This is one of the coolest modern features.
If you’re unsure about a concept on a card, you can chat with the flashcard inside Flashrecall:
- Ask it to explain the concept more simply
- Get extra examples or analogies
- Clarify confusing definitions
So instead of just flipping and moving on, you can actually deepen your understanding right there, without opening Google or your textbook again.
5. Works For Literally Any Subject
RefMe was mostly for writing essays and academic assignments.
Flashrecall works for:
- Languages – vocab, phrases, grammar patterns
- Medicine & nursing – anatomy, drugs, diseases, protocols
- School & university subjects – history dates, formulas, theories, definitions
- Business & professional exams – finance, law, certifications
- Random life stuff – coding syntax, geography, trivia, names
If it’s information you don’t want to forget, you can probably turn it into flashcards.
6. Practical Stuff: Devices, Offline, And Cost
A few quick details that matter when you’re actually using this day-to-day:
- Works on iPhone and iPad – perfect if you like revising on the go
- Works offline – you can study on the bus, in the library, or on a plane
- Fast, modern, and simple UI – you don’t need a tutorial to figure it out
- Free to start – you can try it properly before deciding if you want to go deeper
Again, here’s the link so you can just install it and test it while you read:
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
“But I Still Need Something Like RefMe For Citations…”
Totally fair. A lot of people searching for “RefMe study app” actually want both:
- Something to handle citations
- Something to handle studying
Here’s a simple way to set up your workflow:
1. Use a citation manager (like Zotero, Mendeley, or whichever you prefer now that RefMe is gone) to:
- Save articles and books
- Generate citations and bibliographies
2. Use Flashrecall for the learning part:
- Copy key points, definitions, and arguments into Flashrecall
- Or just upload your PDFs/notes and let Flashrecall help turn them into cards
- Review them with spaced repetition so you actually remember your sources and what they said
RefMe tried to sit in the middle of “writing” and “studying,” but it was way more on the writing side.
Flashrecall is firmly on the learning side — which is what actually boosts your grades long-term.
How To Move From “Just Notes” To “Stuff You Actually Remember”
If you’re used to just taking notes or saving articles (like you did with RefMe), here’s a simple way to level up your study game with Flashrecall.
Step 1: Capture Your Material
- Export or open your lecture slides, PDFs, or notes
- Or take photos of key pages / whiteboard explanations
Step 2: Feed Them Into Flashrecall
Inside Flashrecall, you can:
- Upload PDFs
- Paste text
- Add YouTube links
- Or snap images of your materials
The app helps you turn that content into flashcards, so you’re not starting from a blank screen.
Step 3: Make Good Flashcards (Quickly)
Aim for:
- One fact or idea per card
- Clear question on the front, direct answer on the back
Example for psychology:
- Front: “What is classical conditioning?”
- Back: “A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and acquires the capacity to elicit a similar response.”
You don’t have to be perfect. You can always tweak cards later.
Step 4: Let Spaced Repetition Do Its Thing
Once your cards are in Flashrecall:
- Start a study session
- Answer each card
- Rate how well you knew it
Flashrecall will schedule your next reviews automatically. No more guessing what to revise or when.
Step 5: Use The Chat When You’re Confused
Stuck on a card?
Ask the built-in chat to break it down more simply or give another example.
That way you’re not just memorising words — you’re actually understanding.
Why Flashrecall Is A Smarter Upgrade From The Old RefMe Study App
To wrap it up, here’s the honest comparison:
- Great for: citations, references, bibliographies
- Not great for: long-term memory, exam prep, understanding concepts
- Great for:
- Turning notes, PDFs, and screenshots into flashcards
- Active recall and spaced repetition
- Study reminders so you don’t fall behind
- Learning anything: languages, medicine, exams, school, business
- Studying offline on iPhone or iPad
- Still plays nicely with: whatever citation manager you use today
If you came here searching for the RefMe study app because you want your studying to feel easier and more organised, you’ll honestly get way more long-term value from building a flashcard habit with Flashrecall.
You can install it here and test it on your next lecture or chapter:
👉 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/flashrecall-study-flashcards/id6746757085
Turn your notes into flashcards, let the app handle the scheduling, and stop cramming the night before every exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the fastest way to create flashcards?
Manually typing cards works but takes time. Many students now use AI generators that turn notes into flashcards instantly. Flashrecall does this automatically from text, images, or PDFs.
Is there a free flashcard app?
Yes. Flashrecall is free and lets you create flashcards from images, text, prompts, audio, PDFs, and YouTube videos.
What's the most effective study method?
Research consistently shows that active recall combined with spaced repetition is the most effective study method. Flashrecall automates both techniques, making it easy to study effectively without the manual work.
How can I improve my memory?
Memory improves with active recall practice and spaced repetition. Flashrecall uses these proven techniques automatically, helping you remember information long-term.
What should I know about RefMe?
RefMe Study App: Best Alternatives, Smarter Study Tools, And How To Remember More In Less Time – Don’t just manage citations, turn your notes into powerful flashcards that actually stick. covers essential information about RefMe. To master this topic, use Flashrecall to create flashcards from your notes and study them with spaced repetition.
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Practice This With Free Flashcards
Try our web flashcards right now to test yourself on what you just read. You can click to flip cards, move between questions, and see how much you really remember.
Try Flashcards in Your BrowserInside the FlashRecall app you can also create your own decks from images, PDFs, YouTube, audio, and text, then use spaced repetition to save your progress and study like top students.
Research References
The information in this article is based on peer-reviewed research and established studies in cognitive psychology and learning science.
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354-380
Meta-analysis showing spaced repetition significantly improves long-term retention compared to massed practice
Carpenter, S. K., Cepeda, N. J., Rohrer, D., Kang, S. H., & Pashler, H. (2012). Using spacing to enhance diverse forms of learning: Review of recent research and implications for instruction. Educational Psychology Review, 24(3), 369-378
Review showing spacing effects work across different types of learning materials and contexts
Kang, S. H. (2016). Spaced repetition promotes efficient and effective learning: Policy implications for instruction. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 3(1), 12-19
Policy review advocating for spaced repetition in educational settings based on extensive research evidence
Karpicke, J. D., & Roediger, H. L. (2008). The critical importance of retrieval for learning. Science, 319(5865), 966-968
Research demonstrating that active recall (retrieval practice) is more effective than re-reading for long-term learning
Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20-27
Review of research showing retrieval practice (active recall) as one of the most effective learning strategies
Dunlosky, J., Rawson, K. A., Marsh, E. J., Nathan, M. J., & Willingham, D. T. (2013). Improving students' learning with effective learning techniques: Promising directions from cognitive and educational psychology. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 14(1), 4-58
Comprehensive review ranking learning techniques, with practice testing and distributed practice rated as highly effective

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FlashRecall Development Team
The FlashRecall Team is a group of working professionals and developers who are passionate about making effective study methods more accessible to students. We believe that evidence-based learning tec...
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- •Product Development
- •User Experience Design
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