Memrise
British app teaching vocabulary through spaced repetition and thousands of clips of native speakers using the language naturally
Quick Overview
| Company | Memrise Ltd |
|---|---|
| Category | Language Learning |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2010 |
| EU Presence | Yes - United Kingdom |
| Data Location | UK/EU |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Spaced repetition vocabulary, native speaker video clips, AI conversation tutor, offline mode, community courses, pronunciation practice |
| Pricing | Free tier / Pro from about EUR 8/month |
| Best For | Building vocabulary and training your ear to real speech |
| Replaces | Duolingo, Anki, Babbel |
Detailed Review
Memrise built its reputation on two things: a well-tuned spaced repetition engine, and thousands of short videos of ordinary native speakers saying the phrases you are learning. Not actors in a studio — people on streets, with accents, at natural speed.
That second element addresses the most common complaint about language apps: you learn the words, then cannot understand anyone who actually uses them.
Real Speech, Not Studio Audio
The video clips show the same phrase spoken by different people of different ages and regions. Hearing a phrase five ways trains recognition far better than a single clean recording, and it prepares you for the disappointment of arriving somewhere and discovering nobody speaks like the app.
Spaced Repetition That Works
The review system schedules vocabulary based on how well you actually recall it, which is a well-evidenced method for long-term retention. Memrise implements it without requiring the configuration effort that Anki demands, making it accessible to people who just want to learn words.
AI Conversation Practice
Memrise added an AI conversation partner that lets learners practise dialogue without the anxiety of speaking to a person. It is not a substitute for real conversation, but it removes a barrier for learners too self-conscious to start.
Limitations to Consider
Memrise is strong on vocabulary and listening and weak on grammar — it will not explain why a case ending changes, so most learners need something alongside it. Community-created courses vary enormously in quality. The company has changed direction several times, and long-standing users have found features they relied on removed.
Who Should Use Memrise
Learners who want to build vocabulary efficiently and train their ear to real speech, typically alongside a course-based app like Babbel or actual classes.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Thousands of real native speaker clips
- Effective spaced repetition without configuration
- AI conversation practice removes anxiety
- Usable free tier
- British company
Cons
- Weak on grammar explanation
- Community course quality varies widely
- Frequent product direction changes
Alternatives to Memrise
Other European language learning worth comparing before you decide:
Babbel
Germany · Conversation-first courses written by linguists
Busuu
United Kingdom / Spain · Courses with corrections from native speakers
Lingoda
Germany · Live online classes with certified teachers
Mondly
Romania · 41 languages with speech recognition and AR lessons
See all European language learning or compare them directly against Duolingo on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vocabulary retention and listening comprehension. The spaced repetition builds durable recall, and the native speaker clips train your ear to real accents and speeds rather than studio audio.
Not well. It is vocabulary and listening focused, so most learners pair it with a course-based app like Babbel or with actual classes for grammatical explanation.
Yes, covering core lessons. Pro adds unlimited native speaker videos, offline mode and the full review system.
A practice partner that lets you hold a dialogue without the anxiety of speaking to a person. Useful as a bridge, though not a replacement for real conversation.
Memrise is built as a European alternative to Duolingo: British app teaching vocabulary through spaced repetition and thousands of clips of native speakers using the language naturally. It will not be a like-for-like feature match in every respect, so check the review above for where the two genuinely differ before switching.
Memrise is one of several European Language Learning tools covered on this site. See the full Language Learning category page for how it ranks against its closest European competitors.