Loxie vs Readwise: Retention vs Highlights
One helps you collect what you've read. The other helps you remember it.
Matthew Metzger
Former Fortune 200 VP of Learning
Two Different Tools for Two Different Problems
Loxie and Readwise both help readers get more from their books. But they solve fundamentally different problems.
Readwise captures and resurfaces your highlights. It's a library – everything you've marked across Kindle, Apple Books, and other platforms, organized and searchable in one place.
Loxie builds long-term memory through active recall and spaced repetition. It's a gym – daily practice that strengthens your ability to remember and apply what you've learned.
This isn't a "which is better" comparison. It's a "which problem are you solving" comparison. Some readers need one. Some need the other. Some need both.
What Readwise Does
Core function: Syncs highlights from Kindle, Apple Books, Instapaper, Pocket, and other reading apps into a single searchable library. Resurfaces highlights daily via email or the Readwise app.
How it works: Connect your reading sources and Readwise imports your highlights automatically. Each day, you receive a batch of past highlights to review. You can tag, search, annotate, and export your highlights to tools like Notion or Obsidian.
Strengths:
Best-in-class highlight syncing across platforms
Daily resurfacing keeps highlights from disappearing
Excellent export options for note-taking systems
Readwise Reader (included) is a solid read-later app
Limitations:
Passive review only – you see highlights, you're not tested on them
Only works with content you've highlighted yourself
Requires consistent highlighting habits to be useful
Resurfacing isn't the same as retaining
Pricing: Lite ~$5.59/month, Full ~$9.99/month (billed annually).*
What Loxie Does
Core function: Helps you remember books and topics using spaced repetition and active recall. Also provides free learning resources including video overviews, podcast-style deep dives, and written summaries.
How it works: Browse the catalogue, explore a book through the free learning content, then add it to your shelf. Loxie serves daily questions (a "Daily Drill") designed to strengthen memory at optimal intervals. Questions progress across difficulty levels as you master the material.
Strengths:
Active recall is proven more effective than passive review
No flashcard creation required – content is built for you
Free learning resources for exposure (videos, podcasts, overviews)
Spaced repetition handles scheduling automatically
Limitations:
Works from Loxie's catalogue, not your personal highlights
Library is curated (hundreds of titles) rather than exhaustive
Doesn't sync with Kindle or other reading apps
Pricing: Learning resources free. Retention drills have a free tier. Pro ($59.99/year or $7.99/month)* for unlimited drills and advanced features.
Passive Review vs Active Recall
This is the fundamental distinction between Readwise and Loxie.
Readwise uses passive review. You see a highlight, recognize it, maybe reflect on it briefly, and move on. This is better than never seeing the highlight again – but research consistently shows it's not very effective for building long-term memory.
Loxie uses active recall. You're asked a question and have to retrieve the answer from memory. This retrieval process – even when you struggle or get it wrong – strengthens memory far more than passive recognition.
The science is clear: testing yourself on material produces significantly better retention than re-reading or reviewing it. One study found that students who used retrieval practice remembered 80% of material after a week, compared to just 36% for those who only reviewed.
If your goal is to find a highlight when you need it, Readwise is the right tool. If your goal is to remember concepts without looking them up, Loxie is the right tool.
When to Use Each App
Use Readwise if:
You highlight heavily while reading and want those highlights organized
You need a searchable archive of quotes and passages
You want to export highlights to a note-taking system
You read across multiple platforms and want everything consolidated
You value having a reference library more than memorization
Use Loxie if:
You want to actually remember key concepts from books
You're tired of forgetting what you read within weeks
You don't want to create your own flashcards
You want free resources to learn about books (videos, podcasts, summaries)
You value long-term retention over reference access
Use both if:
You want to capture your personal highlights AND remember key concepts
You read more books than Loxie's catalogue covers
You like having both a reference system and a retention practice
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature | Readwise | Loxie |
|---|---|---|
Core approach | Passive highlight review | Active recall + spaced repetition |
Content source | Your personal highlights | Loxie's curated library |
Kindle sync | Yes | No |
Learning resources | No | Yes (free videos, podcasts, summaries) |
Flashcard creation | No | Not required – content provided |
Daily practice | Highlight email/review | Question-based drills |
Retention method | Recognition | Retrieval |
Free tier | No (30-day trial) | Yes (learning resources + basic drills) |
Best for | Highlight collectors | Retention seekers |
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Readwise if your primary goal is organizing and accessing highlights. It's the best tool for consolidating everything you've marked across platforms into a searchable, exportable library. If you think of books as references you'll return to, Readwise makes that easier.
Choose Loxie if your primary goal is remembering what you read. Active recall beats passive review for long-term memory – the research is unambiguous. If you're frustrated by forgetting great books, Loxie addresses that directly. The free learning resources are a bonus for discovering new content.
Choose both if you want the complete system. Readwise captures your personal annotations; Loxie builds lasting memory of key concepts. They solve different problems and work well together.
The honest take: Readwise is a great product that does what it promises. But resurfacing highlights isn't retention. If you've used Readwise and still forget what you read, it's not because the tool is broken – it's because passive review has limits. Adding active recall changes the equation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Loxie import my Readwise highlights? No. Loxie works from its own content library rather than your personal highlights. The two apps use different approaches – Readwise organizes what you captured; Loxie quizzes you on key concepts from its catalogue.
Is Readwise's daily review the same as spaced repetition? Not exactly. Readwise resurfaces highlights on a schedule, but it's still passive review – you see the highlight rather than retrieve it from memory. True spaced repetition combined with active recall (like Loxie uses) is significantly more effective for retention.
Which is cheaper? Loxie's learning resources are completely free, and retention drills have a free tier. Readwise requires a paid subscription after a 30-day trial. For paid plans, Loxie Pro ($59.99/year) is less expensive than Readwise Full (~$120/year).
Do I need both? Not necessarily. If you don't highlight much while reading, Readwise won't have much to work with. If you mainly want to remember key concepts (rather than specific quotes you marked), Loxie alone may be enough. But they complement each other well if you want both capabilities.
What if a book I want is in Readwise but not in Loxie? Use Readwise for that title. Loxie's catalogue is curated and growing – check the current catalogue to see what's available. For books Loxie doesn't cover yet, Readwise (or Anki, if you want active recall) are alternatives.
Which app will actually help me remember more? For retention specifically, Loxie. Active recall is proven more effective than passive review. Readwise helps you access what you've highlighted; Loxie helps you remember key concepts without needing to look them up.
*App prices change frequently and may vary by region or promotional offers. We've included approximate pricing to help you compare, but always check the official app or website for current rates before subscribing.
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