Nowadays, with so many apps for learning English, it is really difficult to choose one that suits our needs and, at the same time, allows us to study while having fun with comprehensive and effective content, so that we can all become experts in the language.
Web apps such as Memrise offer the possibility of studying different languages using a rather interesting methodology that includes all kinds of multimedia content and seems to be quite flexible with its students, but is this really true?
That's why at Papora we wanted to write this article, dedicated to analyzing what this platform has to offer, in order to clearly study its advantages, disadvantages, and the opinions of its users.
We'll find out if it's really useful or if it offers the same as other applications that are even more comprehensive and cheaper.
What are Memrise English courses and how do they work?
Memrise is a dynamic online language-learning platform that’s been helping students master new languages since 2010. Offering courses in eight languages and their variations—including American and British English, German, Korean, Japanese (both traditional and romanized), Italian, Russian, French, and Portuguese—Memrise makes language learning accessible to everyone.
All you need is a device with internet access, and you can dive into a world of engaging videos, visuals, and interactive exercises designed to make learning both fun and effective.
Its mission is simple: to give you the freedom to study anytime, anywhere, while creating an immersive experience that makes every lesson feel natural and effortless.
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To get started, simply visit the Memrise website or download their mobile app from Google Play or the App Store.
Once inside, you’ll select your native language and the language you’d like to learn, then create your account by entering some basic details like your name and email address.
Next, Memrise personalizes your learning journey. You can set study reminders to receive notifications when it’s time to practice, and you’ll answer a quick question to gauge your current level of English.
From there, the lessons adapt as you progress, using rich multimedia content to make learning engaging and effective. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced learner, Memrise tailors its courses to meet you where you are.
How does the Memrise method work?
Memrise combines science and technology to create a stimulating learning experience that helps users absorb a new language more effectively. The platform leverages images, videos, and words to strengthen vocabulary associations and improve memorization, powered by what they describe as an “intelligent learning engine” that adapts to each learner’s progress—reinforcing what you already know while introducing new concepts.
Their goal is to immerse learners in the language, simulating the feeling of being surrounded by native speakers. While pronunciation is not their strongest focus, Memrise incorporates real-life scenarios to ensure students can confidently apply their skills in practical settings, whether for work, travel, or everyday communication.
To further support pronunciation practice, the platform uses AI-driven voice recognition and offers periodic assessments to track progress—making it a dynamic and engaging way to study English.
How much does it cost to learn English with Memrise?
Although Memrise has a free option, which is quite limited, it also has a pro version that unlocks many activities and modes in the app, such as the ability to remove ads, access to most of the lessons, more than 30,000 videos of native speakers, and more.
It has three different types of plans that are determined based on the learning time you want to pay for, namely:
| Time | Price |
| Monthly | $9.99 USD per month |
| Annual | $79.99 USD per year |
| Lifetime | $299.99 USD for life |
Prices and subscription plans vary based on the economy of each country, meaning the cost is adjusted to reflect local conditions. Additionally, Memrise offers a free version, which might be enough to meet your learning needs depending on what you’re looking for.
Advantages and disadvantages of learning English with Memrise
As with everything, when analyzing an app or platform, it is necessary to consider the advantages and disadvantages that will affect us if we decide to use it and integrate it into our learning process.
Advantages:
The advantages are mainly focused on the benefits of the platform's flexibility.
It is flexible and easy to use
The main and most striking advantage of Memrise is that its system truly offers flexibility, as all you need is an internet connection and a mobile device or computer to log in, allowing you to study at your own pace. This, combined with a very intuitive platform, is quite good.
It helps you learn vocabulary
If your goal is to boost your vocabulary and strengthen your language skills, Memrise is a solid choice. Its proven memorization techniques make it easier to study, retain, and confidently use the new words you learn.
Good free version
Some users claim that the free version of this app is quite functional, because it has many free lessons and activities that are not as limited as other apps on the market.
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Disadvantages:
On the downside, Memrise's disadvantages are concentrated in its system, which, although functional for learning phrases, has some problems.
Excessive repetition
While his method for learning new words is appealing, some students have complained that the words are repeated too often, making the process tedious.
Poor customer service
Similarly, users have complained about the platform's poor customer service when it comes to resolving issues related to payments and refunds.
Unnecessary words
Some users have noted that the platform occasionally includes words or expressions that are either outdated or less commonly used in modern language.
It does not provide sufficient context
The vocabulary is generally not accompanied by the correct context to help students better understand phrases and situations, and the grammar is not particularly strong.
User reviews
Learning about and analyzing the experiences of other people who have had the opportunity to use the platform is really valuable, as they provide opinions that may affect our perception of the app.
“Several times in the last week, Memrise has used American slang terms that I don't know and local expressions that my partner (a native speaker with a PhD in Law from Beijing) cannot understand. Several of the expressions used were sarcastic and therefore potentially offensive. Others were rude expressions that a student should avoid.”
The fact that the app is easy and intuitive to use is one of the features that most appeals to consumers.
“It is a user-friendly application that is easy to access and understand, very dynamic. I highly recommend it; it is an excellent investment for the whole family.”
If you want to learn English from scratch, it can help you learn some basic phrases or the essentials to get you started.
“I didn't learn much after a year of use. It's decent for learning basic language skills, but if you want some advanced skills, you have to do something else.”
Although it is an appealing system, it should be noted that its method may not be for everyone, as the repetition can be annoying and the phrases are not always appropriate.
“It's a good platform for practicing a new foreign language, but some features are quite annoying. Learning a long sentence and repeating it in practice doesn't make sense. I prefer to learn new individual words rather than long sentences.”
Is it worth learning with Memrise?
Memrise offers an interesting alternative for learning new words and phrases. Its repetition and “immersion” method is appealing, but it's definitely not for everyone.
Furthermore, it's better as a supplement than as a primary learning method.
If you are looking to expand your vocabulary and want a good app to practice with on your cell phone, this may be a good option, but if you are more interested in a platform that allows you to learn comprehensively, you may want to look elsewhere.
Why is learning with Papora the best option?
Papora was created by native English experts with the aim of helping you learn the language at your own pace, understanding its importance.
Its method teaches you all areas of English so that you can become an expert, able to defend yourself in most situations that arise. In addition, Papora gives you a certificate that you can attach to your resume, which is excellent for getting better jobs.
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With our focus on practice and efficiency, you'll achieve your English goals faster than with Memrise.
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Frequently asked questions about learning English with Memrise
Memrise offers the option to study up to 10 languages, with variants, including British English, American English, German, Korean, Japanese, Japanese using the Latin alphabet, Italian, Russian, French, and Portuguese.
Memrise offers three levels for its course: basic, intermediate, and advanced. Within these levels, there are different “sub-levels” that are categorized according to each student's progress, starting at A1 and ending at C1.
