Side-by-Side Comparison

Pricing Deep Dive

Memrise Pricing

Memrise offers a generous free tier with access to basic vocabulary courses and native speaker video clips. Memrise Pro costs $8.99 per month or $59.99 per year. Pro unlocks grammar learning mode, difficult word reviews, video mode, and offline downloads. A lifetime plan is also available for $99.99. The free version is fully functional for vocabulary building and is one of the best free options in language learning.

Pimsleur Pricing

Pimsleur uses a subscription model at $20.99 per month which gives access to one language course at a time. Each course has 30 half-hour lessons. You can also buy each level as a standalone purchase for $150 with lifetime access. For English specifically, Pimsleur offers a three-level English course covering beginner to intermediate. A 7-day free trial is available for new users.

Learning Method: Videos vs Audio

Memrise centres around short video clips of native speakers saying words and phrases in real contexts. You see and hear a real person speak, then complete matching and recall exercises to lock in the word. The app uses spaced repetition to schedule reviews at optimal intervals. The gamified elements, including points, streaks, and leaderboards, keep you coming back for short daily sessions.

Pimsleur uses a completely different approach. Every lesson is audio only, designed for hands-free learning. You listen to a 30-minute dialogue that introduces new phrases, then repeat them out loud. The method uses graduated interval recall, which means it asks you to recall words and phrases at increasing time gaps to cement them in long-term memory. There are no visuals, no reading, and no writing.

Memrise wins if you enjoy visual learning and short, varied sessions. Pimsleur wins if you want to learn while driving, walking, or doing chores.

Speaking and Pronunciation Quality

Both platforms encourage you to speak, but they do it differently. Memrise asks you to record your pronunciation and compare it with the native speaker video. The app gives you a confidence rating based on how close your pronunciation matches. You can replay both versions to hear the difference.

Pimsleur has a stronger focus on spoken output. Each 30-minute lesson is built around you repeating phrases after the speaker. The method forces you to speak aloud, think of responses, and form sentences from memory. This active recall approach builds real conversational ability faster than most app-based methods.

For pure speaking and listening skills, Pimsleur has the edge. Memrise is better for building vocabulary recognition and accurate pronunciation through visual models.

Vocabulary Building and Long-Term Retention

Memrise excels at vocabulary acquisition. Each course contains hundreds of words shown through video clips, images, and text. The spaced repetition system, combined with speed review games and difficult word tracking, helps move new vocabulary into long-term memory. You can learn dozens of new words in a single 10-minute session.

Pimsleur takes a slower, more deliberate approach. Each 30-minute lesson introduces around 10 to 15 new phrases and repeats them multiple times. The emphasis is on phrases and sentences rather than isolated words. This means you learn fewer vocabulary items per session, but you remember them as usable chunks of language.

For raw vocabulary counts, Memrise wins easily. For learning how to use words in real sentences, Pimsleur gives you more practical language.

A Closer Look at Memrise

Read our full Memrise review for more detail. Memrise started as a community-driven flashcard platform and evolved into a polished app with professionally produced native speaker videos. Its standout feature is the "Learn with Locals" video library, where you see real people in real locations using the language naturally. The app also includes grammar learning mode, speed review challenges, and vocabulary lists organized by topic. The free tier is genuinely useful and gives you access to most core features without paying.

A Closer Look at Pimsleur

Read our full Pimsleur review for a detailed breakdown. Pimsleur is based on the research of Dr Paul Pimsleur, who developed the spaced repetition method now used by many language apps. The program is entirely audio based, with no reading or writing component. Each lesson builds on the previous one, recycling vocabulary in new contexts. The method is particularly effective for pronunciation because you hear native speakers and repeat their exact intonation and rhythm. Pimsleur offers courses in 51 languages, making it one of the most language-diverse platforms available.

Who Should Choose Each Platform

Choose Memrise if:

• You want a free or low-cost way to build vocabulary fast
• You enjoy short, gamified study sessions with points and streaks
• You learn better by seeing and hearing native speakers in video clips
• You prefer learning on your phone during short breaks
• You want to study multiple topics and languages without commitment

Choose Pimsleur if:

• You want to learn while driving, walking, or doing other tasks
• You prefer a structured audio course that builds skills step by step
• You care most about speaking and listening comprehension
• You want to learn the rhythm and intonation of the language
• You are willing to invest 30 minutes per day in focused listening

Final Verdict

Memrise and Pimsleur serve different learning needs. Memrise is the better choice if you want affordable, gamified vocabulary building with real-world video examples and short daily sessions. Pimsleur is the better choice if you want a proven audio method that builds listening and speaking skills through structured repetition.

Many learners benefit from using both. Use Memrise for quick vocabulary sessions throughout the day and Pimsleur for dedicated 30-minute listening practice during commutes or walks. Memrise builds your word bank, while Pimsleur teaches you to use those words in real conversation.