Memrise is still worth it for a beginner who wants to hear native speakers say everyday phrases and practise saying them, at $61.99 a year on the US App Store (checked 9 October 2026); it is not worth it as a main course, and the AI features have not changed that.
Checked October 2026 · Memrise price: Free plan; Pro $61.99/yr or $329.99 lifetime; monthly plan $24.99 (checked 2026-10-09 (US App Store in-app purchases))
Quick answers
| Price (checked 9 October 2026) | Free plan; Pro $61.99 a year, $24.99 a month or $329.99 lifetime on the US App Store |
|---|---|
| What changed | Its own courses built on native-speaker videos, plus AI chat practice |
| Realistic level | About A1 to B1 |
| Top complaints | Billing (29 of 167 low reviews), then AI and quality (25) |
| Best use | A phrase supplement next to a proper course |
What changed
Memrise has moved away from the user-made courses it was known for to its own courses built around short videos of native speakers, and has added AI conversation practice in which you chat with a bot that answers and corrects you. The core is still learning useful words and phrases by hearing and repeating them.
What the reviews say
In the 500 most recent App Store reviews we read, 167 were one or two stars. Behind billing (29), the next biggest complaint was AI and quality, with 25 reviews: reviewers describe AI conversations that drift or correct wrongly, and a sense that the app has become less careful. 20 said it felt too easy or repetitive, and 15 reported bugs or lost progress.
We could not verify individual reviews, and happy users review less often, but the pattern is clear enough to test the AI features on the free plan before paying.
What is still good, and where it stops
The native-speaker videos are the reason to use it. Few apps let a beginner hear many different people, of different ages and accents, say the same everyday phrase. Repeating and recording yourself against a real voice is good pronunciation work.
It is phrase-learning, not a course. Grammar is thin, the realistic range is about A1 to B1, and short clips of single phrases do not train you to follow a conversation. AI chat is practice with a machine, not a substitute for a person.
What it costs
Pro is listed on the US App Store at $61.99 a year or $329.99 for lifetime, with a monthly plan at $24.99 (checked 9 October 2026). The free plan has limited lessons and videos with ads; see is Memrise free for what it covers.
Which should you choose?
If you are a beginner who learns by ear and wants to hear real voices say everyday phrases, Memrise is a reasonable buy; use the free plan for a week first.
If you want a full course with grammar explained, pick a structured app instead; see Babbel vs Memrise and Busuu vs Memrise.
If you want real conversation practice, the AI chat will not replace a person; a weekly tutor on italki will correct you properly.
If you are learning one particular language, check that course before paying, for example Memrise for French.
Who it's for
Beginners who want to hear and copy native speakers saying everyday phrases, and learners who use it as a phrase supplement to a proper course.
Who it's not for
Learners looking for a complete course, anyone past B1, and anyone who wants their speaking corrected by a person rather than a bot.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed audio | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memrise | Free plan; Pro $61.99/yr or $329.99 lifetime; monthly plan $24.99checked 2026-10-09 (US App Store in-app purchases) | A1–B1 | Yes | Native-speaker clips for beginners; a supplement, not a course. |
| Busuu | Free tier; Premium €4.83/mo billed €57.99/yr (standard €116.28); Premium Plus €5.83/mo billed €69.90/yr (standard €142.80)checked 2026-10-09 (busuu.com/products, shown from Germany) | A1–B2 | No | A solid A1 to B2 path with a usable free tier. |
| Babbel | From €8.99/mo on the 12-month plan (€107.88 a year; €215.88 at the monthly rate); lifetime €299.99; first lesson freechecked 2026-10-09 (babbel.com/prices, shown from Germany) | A1–C1 | No | The most course-like app; a good spine for A1 to B1, light on real listening. |
| Duolingo | Free; Super from $9.99/mo or $79.99/yrchecked 2026-10-06 (US App Store) | A1–B1 | No | The easiest free habit for week one; plan what comes after it. |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Questions
Is Memrise still good after the AI change?
For hearing native speakers say everyday phrases and copying them, yes. As a full course, no: grammar is thin and it stops at about B1.
Is the Memrise AI chat accurate?
Some users say not: 25 of the 167 recent one- and two-star App Store reviews we read complained about AI or quality. Test it on the free plan.
Is Memrise Pro worth $61.99 a year?
If you use it daily as a phrase supplement next to a course, it can be. If it is your only app, a full course is better value for similar money.
More on Memrise
The full listing: Memrise: price, levels and who it suits.