Forget Tutors; the Memrise App Makes You Chat With Bots—Out Loud

Q: Is Memrise free?

Yes. Memrise is free to download and the core learning features are available without a subscription. Unlimited Podchat access requires a premium subscription at $21.99 per month.

Q: Is Memrise better than Duolingo?

For pronunciation practice and vocabulary depth, Memrise is more demanding than Duolingo. Duolingo is better for building a daily streak habit; Memrise is better for learners who want functional fluency.

Edited by:

Jessica Santero Staff Writer

Updated 20 May 2026

Contents

Jump to:

What is Memrise?
Best features
Is Memrise worth it?
FAQ

If you've tried a language app and quit because of boredom or pesky cartoon owls, Memrise is a refreshing, more serious learning app.

It covers the full language-learning toolkit: flashcards, typing exercises, pronunciation practice, and AI conversation, without any of the gamified fluff that makes other apps feel like mobile games dressed up as language courses.

I tested it as part of our roundup of the best apps to learn a new skill, and the AI conversation is impressive considering it's a free app for both iOS and Android.

Download Memrise now:

Free for iOS and Android.
Premium subscriptions start at $21.99/month.

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What is Memrise?

Memrise is a free language-learning app available on iPhone and Android devices. It focuses on vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversational fluency through flashcards, typing drills, and speaking exercises. You just need to sign up with an email, choose a language and difficulty level, and start learning. The free version includes the full learning experience, but some features have usage limits before needing an upgrade.

I chose Finnish as my test language, and within five minutes could identify and spell the words for charger, umbrella, rail ticket, and bathroom. It took several attempts to get each one right, which is exactly how vocabulary learning is supposed to work.

You can talk the talk, but can your phone keep up?

Memrise is most useful when you have a real trip coming up and actual conversations to practice for. If you're heading abroad, make sure your plan includes international data so you can keep practicing on the go without surprise charges.

Here are the most popular carrier plans that include international data:

T-Mobile	T-Mobile Experience More Unlimited Unlimited 5G & 4G LTE with Unlimited Premium Data T-Mobile 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices Unlimited mobile hotspot data $85.00/mo with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees View Plan	$85.00/mo with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees	View Plan
Verizon	Verizon Unlimited Ultimate Unlimited 5G Ultra Wideband Verizon 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices Unlimited mobile hotspot data Deal: Get $10 off per line for 1 line via monthly promo credits over 36 months. For new customers only $85.00/mo + Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount. + $40 Upfront View Plan	$85.00/mo + Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount. + $40 Upfront	View Plan
AT&T	AT&T Premium 2.0℠ Unlimited 4G LTE/5G data AT&T 5G Network in select areas with compatible devices 100GB mobile hotspot data Deal: Get up to $360 off for new line activation on Premium 2.0 or Extra 2.0 Plan via 36 months credit. Port-in required. OR Get Up to $800 Visa Reward card $90.00/mo + $35 Upfront View Plan	$90.00/mo + $35 Upfront	View Plan

Chat in foreign languages with bots

Podchats are Memrise's AI conversation feature, and they're the most interesting thing about the app. You can converse as a beginner or expert about any topic—like food and drink, or travel. The AI bot then speaks to you in the language you're learning, and you respond out loud by speaking into your microphone. The software has to understand what you say, so make sure your pronunciation is top-notch.

Memrise app showing Finnish vocabulary flashcard learning exercise

Memrise app showing typing vocabulary exercise

Memrise combines visual flashcards with typing and pronunciation drills. I tested with Finnish.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut

The free account comes with three Podchat tokens to try it. Each session uses one token. If you want unlimited access, you need to upgrade to a premium account for 100 tokens per month. Three free tokens are enough to work out whether the feature does anything for you before committing to a subscription.

Should I pay for premium?

You don't need to pay for Memrise Premium since the free version includes flashcards, typing exercises, pronunciation practice, and the three free Podchat tokens. That's enough to build a consistent daily habit and make real vocabulary progress. The paid tier unlocks unlimited Podchat access and additional features, but Premium isn't necessary to learn a new language.

Not sure how to update your apps?

Keeping your apps up to date ensures you're always getting the latest features, bug fixes, and security improvements. Learn how to update the apps on your iPhone and your Android. It takes less time than you think.

Memrise is best for English learners since the Podchat AI conversation feature is currently only available for English. If you're a native English speaker learning another language, you won't have access to the AI conversation tool, even with a premium subscription.

Is Memrise worth downloading?

Yes, Memrise is worth downloading, especially if you've found Duolingo too easy or too cartoon-heavy. Memrise treats you like an adult learner. The vocabulary exercises are challenging, the spaced repetition is effective, and the AI conversation feature is unlike anything else available for free. If you're learning a language to actually use it rather than to keep a streak alive, Memrise is the better choice.

Check out our guide to the best translation apps if you want to compare it against other options.

How I tested Memrise

Hands-on testing
Created a free account and completed vocabulary sessions in Finnish across multiple days, testing flashcard, typing, and pronunciation modes.
Podchat testing
Used all three free Podchat tokens to evaluate the AI conversation feature across different topics and difficulty levels.
Free vs. premium assessment
Compared the free and premium feature sets to assess what's necessary for a useful daily learning experience.

Memrise: FAQ

Is Memrise free?

Yes, Memrise is free to download, and the core learning features are available without a subscription. Unlimited Podchat access requires a premium subscription.

What languages does Memrise teach?

Memrise offers hundreds of languages, including major European languages, as well as Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Arabic. The full list is available in the app after you sign up.

What are Memrise Podchats?

Podchats are AI-powered spoken conversations where you speak into your microphone and an AI responds in the language you're learning. However, this feature is currently only available for English learners, even on the premium tier.

Is Memrise better than Duolingo?

For vocabulary depth, Memrise is more demanding than Duolingo. Duolingo is better for building a daily streak; Memrise is better for learners who want to say more than 50 words in a foreign language.

Jessica Santero

Staff Writer

Jessica is a Staff Writer for WhistleOut and the site’s resident app expert. Her coverage frequently includes hands-on comparisons of popular app categories, such as translation, navigation, and dating apps, to evaluate how they perform in real-world mobile use.

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