vs
Duolingo vs Memrise
Duolingo scores higher overall (8.6 vs 7.2), but the right pick depends on what you need.
Choose Duolingo if…
Beginners and casual learners who want a free daily habit, with optional AI speaking practice
8.6/10★★★★★Full review →Choose Memrise if…
Building vocabulary and listening skills with real native-speaker clips
7.2/10★★★★★Full review →Side by side
| Duolingo | Memrise | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.6/10 | 7.2/10 |
| Rank in category | #1 of 10 | #8 of 10 |
| Price | Freemium · from $9.99/month | Freemium · from $24.99/month |
| Free version | Full courses free with ads and limits on mistakes | Basic vocabulary lessons |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Made by | Duolingo, Inc. | Memrise Limited |
| Learning quality | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Ease of use | 9.5 | 8 |
| Features | 8.5 | 6.5 |
| Value for money | 8.5 | 7 |
| Platforms | 10 | 9.5 |
Duolingo: what the AI does
- Video Call with AI character Lily
- Roleplay conversation scenarios
- Explain My Answer (now free)
- AI-generated course content and Speaking Adventures
- Best free plan in the category
- Habit-forming streaks and game design
- Video Call remembers past conversations and leaves transcripts
- Works on web, iOS and Android
- The AI speaking features need the $29.99-a-month Max plan
- Max is limited to a subset of languages
- AI conversations can feel rigid for advanced learners
Memrise: what the AI does
- MemBot AI conversation partner
- Real-time corrections with explanations
- Smart spaced-repetition review
- Native-speaker videos for real pronunciation
- Effective spaced repetition
- Cheap annual plan
- Little formal grammar teaching
- MemBot is basic next to voice-first AI tutors
- Content depth varies by language