Memrise review
Learn the language people speak, with native-speaker videos
- Memrise Limited
- Free + paid plans
- iPhone & iPad, Android, Web
4.8 from 217.6K App Store ratings 50M+ Google Play downloads
Does it deserve #10?
Is Memrise worth it?
It depends on what you need. Memrise scores 8.0/10 and ranks #10 in Learning. It's best for learners who want to understand and speak everyday language. Skip it if you need offline lessons or want the old community courses. Price: Free with ads; Pro listed at $61.99 a year or $329.99 lifetime in the US App Store.
The verdict
Memrise teaches the language people actually speak. Lessons are built around short videos of native speakers in everyday situations, and then you practice talking with MemBot, its AI chat partner. Official courses cover the popular languages, and newer extras add exam prep and stories. The free plan is limited and shows ads, there's no offline mode, and the old community courses no longer live in the app.
- Native-speaker video clips
- MemBot AI conversation practice
- Exam Prep courses
- Memrise Stories
- Mems memory aids
Score breakdown
Overall = features 30% · design 20% · speed 20% · value 15% · privacy 15%. Why these weights?
What's new
- May 2026Mems, picture memory aids for new words, are back with AI-made images on the web
- Feb 2026Exam Prep, Advanced Speaking and Memrise Stories were added
Privacy 6.8/10
App Store label: identifiers may be used to track you; contact info, your content, IDs and usage data are linked to you. Google Play says device IDs may be shared with third parties.
What we like
- Real people speaking real, everyday language
- AI chat partner for speaking practice
- An Editors' Choice app on the App Store
What could be better
- The free plan is limited and shows ads
- No offline mode
- Community courses were moved out of the app
Learners who want to understand and speak everyday language
you need offline lessons or want the old community courses
Questions about Memrise
Is Memrise worth it in 2026?
It depends on what you need. Memrise scores 8.0/10 and ranks #10 in Learning. It's best for learners who want to understand and speak everyday language. Skip it if you need offline lessons or want the old community courses. Price: Free with ads; Pro listed at $61.99 a year or $329.99 lifetime in the US App Store.
How much does Memrise cost?
Memrise is free to start, with ads and limits. Memrise Pro is listed at $61.99 a year in the US App Store, and a lifetime plan is $329.99.
Does Memrise work offline?
No. Memrise says its practice tools run on cloud services, so you need an internet connection.
Memrise vs Duolingo: which is better?
Memrise focuses on real native-speaker videos and conversation practice. Duolingo is more game-like and gives you more for free.
What are the best alternatives to Memrise?
The closest alternatives are Duolingo, Busuu and Anki. See all of them ranked on our Memrise alternatives page.
Where does Memrise rank?
Memrise ranks #10 of 12 in our Learning ranking, with an overall score of 8.0 out of 10.