AnkiChess vs Chessable vs Listudy: Which Opening Trainer Is Right for You?
Three tools dominate chess opening training: AnkiChess, Chessable, and Listudy. They all use spaced repetition to help you remember theory, but they work differently.
We built AnkiChess, so take this comparison with that in mind. Still, we'll try to be fair about the trade-offs.
Quick Overview
Chessable has the biggest library. Grandmasters and coaches publish courses there, ranging from free "Short & Sweet" versions to full courses at $30-$100+. The MoveTrainer system handles spaced repetition, and there's an active community reviewing and discussing courses.
Listudy is free and open-source. Paste in PGN or pick from existing studies, and it quizzes you on the moves. No bells and whistles.
AnkiChess is a web app with its own spaced repetition engine (SM-2, the same algorithm Anki uses). Openings come with annotations explaining why each move matters. You can also connect your Lichess or Chess.com account and see where your actual games deviate from your repertoire.
Content
Chessable works like an app store for chess courses. You browse, buy, and study. Quality varies: some courses are excellent, others dump moves without much explanation. But if there's an obscure variation you want to learn, someone has probably made a course for it.
Listudy doesn't provide content at all. You supply your own PGN files or use what others have shared. Full control, but you're on your own for finding good material.
AnkiChess takes the opposite approach. We write annotations for every opening, covering the ideas and plans behind each move. Fewer openings than Chessable, but each one explains what's happening and why.
Spaced Repetition
All three platforms schedule reviews, but differently.
Chessable's MoveTrainer tracks each move separately. Works fine, but your review queue can balloon if you add several courses at once.
Listudy tracks which lines you've gotten right and brings back the ones you missed. Simpler than a full scheduling algorithm.
AnkiChess uses SM-2. After each review, you rate it "again," "hard," "good," or "easy," and the algorithm adjusts your next interval. If you've used Anki before, same idea.
Pricing
Chessable: Free to browse and use free courses. Paid courses cost $20-$100+. Pro membership ($10/month or $80/year) unlocks unlimited daily reviews.
Listudy: Free.
AnkiChess: Free for up to 3 openings. Paid plan removes that limit. No restrictions on reviews.
Game Integration
Chessable and Listudy don't import your games. Study and play are separate activities.
AnkiChess connects to Lichess and Chess.com via OAuth. It imports your recent games and shows exactly where you played something different from your repertoire. You can see which lines keep tripping you up and focus your study there.
Mobile
Chessable has native iOS and Android apps.
Listudy and AnkiChess are web apps that work in mobile browsers. No app download required.
Which One?
Chessable makes sense if you want a huge library and don't mind paying for courses. If you care about learning from a specific GM or coach, it's the place to look.
Listudy is good if you already have repertoire files from somewhere else and just need a free tool to drill them.
AnkiChess is for people who want explanations with their openings, not just move lists. The game import feature is useful if you want to know where your preparation actually breaks down.
Wrapping Up
Pick one and use it consistently. Spaced repetition works regardless of which tool you choose. The worst option is bouncing between platforms without putting in the reps.
If you want to try AnkiChess, start here. No credit card needed.