Memrise
Our verdict · Great for training your ear to natural, everyday speech from real native speakers.
Choose it if
Real native-speaker video clips build authentic listening skills
Skip it if
Thin on structured grammar teaching
Where to get it
Memrise
Free; Pro from ~£8/month (annual, indicative)
Indicative price at the time of review.
Memrise's distinguishing feature is its large library of short video clips of ordinary native speakers using real phrases, which is excellent for tuning your ear to the natural pace, accent and slang that scripted studio audio misses. It pairs this with spaced-repetition vocabulary drilling and an AI chat companion (MemBot) that lets you practise free-form conversation without the pressure of a real person. It is best thought of as a vocabulary and listening booster rather than a complete grammar course, so it works well as a supplement alongside a more structured app. The core catalogue of well-supported languages is around 20-plus and depth is uneven; many older community-made courses have been retired, but the official experience is polished and beginner-friendly.
The good & the bad
Pros
- Real native-speaker video clips build authentic listening skills
- AI chat companion for low-pressure speaking practice
- Effective spaced-repetition vocabulary system
Cons
- Thin on structured grammar teaching
- Course depth is uneven across languages
How it compares
| Pick | WATTB Score | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Babbel | 94/100 | From ~£5.99/month (annual plan, indicative) | overall |
| 2.Duolingo | 92/100 | Free; Super from ~£6.99/month (annual, indicative) | free app |
| 3.Pimsleur | 88/100 | From ~£15/month (all-access, indicative) | speaking and listening |
| 4.Busuu | 86/100 | Free; Premium from ~£5.83/month (annual, indicative) | structured progress |
| 5.MemriseThis pick | 80/100 | Free; Pro from ~£8/month (annual, indicative) | real-world listening |
Key facts
- Best for
- real-world listening
- Typical cost
- Free; Pro from ~£8/month (annual, indicative)
- Method
- Native-speaker video + spaced repetition
- AI features
- MemBot conversation practice
- Languages
- 20+ well-supported (depth varies)
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- iOS, Android, web
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 31 August 2026
- Updated
- 31 August 2026
- Last verified
- 31 August 2026
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
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