What is Memrise?
Memrise is a language learning app that pairs native-speaker video clips with an AI conversation partner so learners practise real-life speaking. The London company has run since 2010, and its iOS app holds a 4.8 rating from more than 200,000 App Store reviews. Its own courses cover major languages such as Spanish, French, German, Japanese and Chinese, and community-made content reaches well over 100 more.
Memrise focuses on the language people actually use. Lessons are built around thousands of short videos of locals saying everyday phrases, so you hear real accents and speed rather than studio voices. After learning phrases you practise them in private conversations with an AI partner that responds to what you say and corrects you. It suits travellers, people moving abroad and anyone who wants to start speaking sooner rather than drilling grammar tables.
Main Features
- Watch short clips of native speakers saying everyday phrases.
- Practise speaking in private role-play chats with an AI partner.
- Review vocabulary with spaced repetition so words return before you forget them.
- Learn by situation, such as ordering food or asking for directions.
- Build personal phrasebooks of the expressions you need most.
- Test listening by matching what you hear to the right meaning.
- Track daily goals and streaks across phone and web.
How to Get Started with Memrise
- Download Memrise for iOS or Android, or open memrise.com.
- Choose the language you want and the one you already speak.
- Take the short placement step or start from the beginning.
- Do one 15-minute session a day, then try an AI conversation on the same topic.
Memrise Pricing
You can start Memrise for free with limited lessons and features. The paid plan unlocks all content, AI conversation practice and offline use; on the US App Store it costs $24.99 per month or $61.99 per year, and a lifetime option is also sold. Prices vary by country and promotions are common.
Who Should Use It?
- Travellers who need practical phrases fast.
- People relocating abroad who must understand locals.
- Beginners nervous about speaking who want a private AI practice partner.
- Learners who find textbook audio too slow and artificial.
Memrise Alternatives
- Duolingo: a more gamified course with a larger free tier
- Speak: heavier focus on speaking drills with an AI tutor
- Praktika: AI avatar tutors for conversation practice
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Memrise free?
Yes, you can start Memrise for free. A paid subscription, around $61.99 per year in the US, unlocks every lesson and the AI conversation partner.
What is Memrise used for?
Memrise is used to learn a new language for real conversations. It teaches through native-speaker videos and lets you practise speaking with AI.
Memrise vs Duolingo: which is better?
It depends on your goal. Duolingo is more game-like with a bigger free tier, while Memrise puts more weight on real speech from native speakers and speaking practice.