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Head-to-head · Language Learning Apps

Duolingo vs Memrise

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Duolingo #1 in Language Learning Apps 9.4/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Duolingo
Memrise #4 in Language Learning Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Memrise

Duolingo leads on 1 check, Memrise on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreDuolingo · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialonly Duolingo
  • Most featuresDuolingo · 5 of 5

Duolingo scores higher on our rubric for language learning apps: 9.4 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Duolingo offers offline lessons; Memrise doesn't.

Duolingo is the better fit for beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option. Memrise is the better fit for learners prioritizing language breadth and native video.

  • Duolingo fits best

    Beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option

  • Memrise fits best

    Learners prioritizing language breadth and native video

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Side by side

Feature Duolingo 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Memrise 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.0
Ranking #1 in Language Learning Apps #4 in Language Learning Apps
Best for Beginners seeking the strongest free mainstream option Learners prioritizing language breadth and native video
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Free plan · 14-day trial €69.99/yr
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 14 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, macOS, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Email Live chat, Tickets, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business
Features Duolingo 5/5 · Memrise 4/5
Offline lessons ✓ (best) —
Speech practice ✓ ✓
Placement test ✓ ✓
Personalized review ✓ ✓
Mobile apps ✓ ✓
Specs
Languages offered Not checked yet 149
Our review
Pros
  • Free access includes bite-sized lessons across reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
  • Placement testing and personalized review help tailor practice to learner progress.
  • Offline mobile lessons, stories, DuoRadio, and speech exercises broaden practice.
  • Supports 149 languages across web, iOS and Android
  • Native-speaker clips paired with spaced-repetition review
  • Includes pronunciation, AI conversation and exam preparation
Cons
  • The Free plan includes advertising.
  • AI conversation features require the Duolingo Max plan.
  • Offline lesson access is limited to the mobile app experience.
  • Some advanced tools are part of the Pro Monthly plan
  • Its broad language catalog may not suit highly specialized study
  • Offline learning is available through mobile apps
Our verdict

Duolingo is a self-paced language-learning website and mobile app for learners building skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary, and grammar. Its short interactive lessons combine practice with progress tracking,…

Read the review →

Memrise is a language-learning app and website for beginners through advanced learners. It supports 149 languages and combines structured lessons, wordlists, native-speaker video clips, personalized review plans and pronunciation practice.…

Read the review →
  1. DuolingoLanguage Learning Apps 9.4Free plan · 14-day trial
  2. MemriseLanguage Learning Apps 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Duolingo — where it wins

    • Free access includes bite-sized lessons across reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
    • Placement testing and personalized review help tailor practice to learner progress.
    • Offline mobile lessons, stories, DuoRadio, and speech exercises broaden practice.

    Where it doesn't

    • The Free plan includes advertising.
    • AI conversation features require the Duolingo Max plan.
    • Offline lesson access is limited to the mobile app experience.

  • Memrise — where it wins

    • Supports 149 languages across web, iOS and Android
    • Native-speaker clips paired with spaced-repetition review
    • Includes pronunciation, AI conversation and exam preparation

    Where it doesn't

    • Some advanced tools are part of the Pro Monthly plan
    • Its broad language catalog may not suit highly specialized study
    • Offline learning is available through mobile apps
  • Duolingo9.4/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A strong free starting point with broad practice, personalization, and mobile access.

    Visit DuolingoFull verdict →
  • Memrise9.0/10 · Free plan

    A broad language-learning app combining native video, structured lessons and AI practice.

    Visit MemriseFull verdict →

More comparisons

All language learning apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update