Save My Exams vs StudySmarter: Full Comparison

When choosing a revision platform, two widely used options are Save My Exams and StudySmarter. Both are designed to help students improve their learning, but they take very different approaches. Save My Exams focuses on exam-board-specific resources created by teachers and examiners, while StudySmarter offers a flexible, user-driven platform with flashcards, notes, and productivity tools.

This guide compares their features, subjects, and pricing so you can decide which is the right fit for your revision goals.

What Is Save My Exams (SME)?

Save My Exams is a premium revision platform designed for GCSE, IGCSE, and A Level students. Every resource is written by teachers and examiners, so the content is accurate and aligned directly to exam board specifications.

Its resources include:

• Concise revision notes that summarise key topics clearly

• Exam-style questions with model answers to practise applying knowledge

• Past papers and walkthroughs to build exam confidence

• Examiner tips that highlight common pitfalls and strategies

• Our AI marking tool, Smart Mark, to help predict your exam grade

• Mock exams to simulate real exam conditions 

• Flashcards to practice active recall for exam-aligned topics

The platform is built to help students improve their exam technique and subject knowledge, with research showing that students who use Save My Exams improve their results by an average of two grades. This makes Save My Exams especially useful for learners who want structured, exam-focused revision and a clear path to exam success.

What Is StudySmarter?

StudySmarter is a free learning app and web platform that supports students throughout secondary school and into their university studies. 

Students can create their own flashcards, summaries, and quizzes, or access millions of resources uploaded by other learners.

Its key features include:

• Flashcards and quizzes for active recall and memorisation

• Customisable notes and summaries to adapt learning to your style

• Productivity tools, such as a study planner and progress tracker

• Broad academic coverage, from GCSE and A Level to university courses and international curricula

StudySmarter is particularly strong for students who want flexibility and independence. Instead of following a fixed path, you can organise your own resources, build revision decks, and track your progress across subjects. Premium users can also remove ads and access advanced features, but the core platform remains free.

Key Differences

* Always check current pricing on official pages, as offers can change. Information is correct at the time of writing. 

Which Platform Is Best for You?

Both Save My Exams and StudySmarter are useful revision tools, but the best choice depends on your goals and how you like to study. Here’s how they compare for different types of users:

For Students

If your priority is exam success, Save My Exams is the clear winner. Its exam-board-specific revision notes, exam questions, flashcards, and past papers give you a structured path from learning the content to applying it in exam conditions. Many students find that Save My Exams helps boost their grades because it focuses directly on how marks are awarded.

StudySmarter, on the other hand, is great if you prefer flexible, self-directed learning. With its flashcards, summaries, and planner, it’s a good choice for students who like to build their own resources, revise on the go, and combine different subjects (including university content) in one place.

For Parents

Parents often value Save My Exams for its reliability and transparency. Because teachers and examiners write all resources, you can be confident your child is revising exactly what’s needed for their syllabus. The structured resources make it easier to support your child’s study at home.

StudySmarter may appeal to parents looking for a free option. The core platform costs nothing, and the built-in planner can help students develop independent study habits. However, as much of the content is user-generated, parents may want to check that everything matches exactly with their child's exam board syllabus.

For Teachers

Save My Exams integrates smoothly into classroom revision and homework because of its past papers, topic questions, and examiner insights. It’s particularly effective for targeted exam preparation sessions.

StudySmarter is more useful as an independent learning tool. Teachers can recommend it for students to create flashcards, test themselves, or stay organised with the planner. But since it’s not fully exam-board specific, it may be less reliable for formal exam preparation compared to Save My Exams.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use SME and StudySmarter together?

Yes. Many students combine the two: StudySmarter for flashcard-based memorisation and planning, and Save My Exams for structured revision and exam-style practice.

Which is better for GCSE revision?

Save My Exams is usually the better choice for GCSE revision because its resources are written by teachers and examiners, and tailored directly to exam-board specifications. 

StudySmarter can still be helpful for creating flashcards or reviewing topics, but it isn’t as tightly focused on UK exam board exams.

Is StudySmarter free?

Yes. StudySmarter’s core features (including flashcards, summaries, and quizzes) are free, though they include ads. 

A Premium plan removes ads and unlocks some additional features.

Does SME cover all subjects?

Save My Exams covers a wide range of GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, and IB subjects, including sciences, maths, humanities, and languages, but may not cover every single subject. Its depth of exam-specific content makes it stronger for exam preparation than general study platforms. 

Can I make my own notes in SME?

No. Save My Exams provides expert-written notes and questions, but doesn’t include customisation tools. 

If you want to make your own notes or flashcards, you could pair SME with StudySmarter, which has those features.

Final Thoughts

Both Save My Exams and StudySmarter are excellent study platforms, but they serve slightly different purposes. Save My Exams is the go-to choice for structured, exam-board-aligned revision materials written by teachers and examiners, proven to help students improve their grades. It’s especially strong for GCSE, IGCSE, A Level, and IB exam preparation.

StudySmarter, on the other hand, is good for flexibility, independent learning, and customisable tools like flashcards and planners. It works well as a productivity and organisation aid.

In practice, many students benefit from using both: SME for exam-focused revision and StudySmarter for independent organisation and memorisation. Try both and use the features that suit you best in each platform to give yourself the best chance of exam success.

Pricing and features can change; check websites for the latest details.