💬 Chatbots and assistants · 🗣️ Language learning
Memrise
By Memrise Limited. Visit Memrise
Desk research from the maker's own pages. Not yet tried by us. Checked 2026-10-24.
A language-learning app that teaches words and phrases through short videos of native speakers, spaced review and role-play chats. Learners pick from 30 or so official courses and many more language pages, hear a phrase from a local speaker, repeat it, and later practice in scenarios with AI chat partners the app calls AI Buddies. The free plan limits lessons, videos and conversations and shows ads; a paid plan removes ads and opens everything. It is built for teens and adults traveling, working or connecting with family.
Our take: A good fit for teens who want conversational practice in a new language; under-13s are not allowed, and families uneasy about AI training on chats should read the privacy policy first.
| Ages it suits | 13 and up |
|---|---|
| What its terms say about age | Users must be at least 13. The terms say the site is not aimed at children and does not seek data from under-13s. (terms) |
| Price | Free, with paid extras. Free plan with limits and ads; App Store prices in Oct 2026 include $24.99 a month or 3 months, $61.99 a year, and $329.99 lifetime, with frequent discounts. |
| Works on | Web, iPhone and iPad, Android |
| Account | The child's own account |
| Ads | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes |
| The AI in it | AI chat partners role-play everyday conversations so learners can practice speaking and writing. |
What's good
- Real native-speaker videos for listening
- Spaced review helps words stick
- AI role-play gives low-pressure speaking practice
Watch for
- 13+ only by its terms, though the App Store rates it 4+
- Conversations with the AI are used to train its models
- Free plan has ads and tight limits; many subscription offers
- AI chat partners can make mistakes
Data and privacy
The privacy policy says in-app conversations and messages are stored and analyzed to improve the service and train its AI models, and data is shared with analytics, marketing and advertising partners such as Google. It does not knowingly collect data from under-13s. Read the privacy policy.
Does it work?
Several small classroom studies, mostly with older versions of the app, report vocabulary gains, such as a 2015 study of US college students learning Chinese characters and a 2024 controlled study of 51 Indonesian eighth graders learning English words.
In the Big Index
- On the list 13 AI language-learning apps for kids and teens
Alternatives to Memrise
Desk researchPaidNo ads
Babbel
Babbel · ages about 13+ (built for adults)
A solid choice for a motivated older teen; younger kids are not allowed and are better served by kids' apps.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Buddy.ai
Buddy.ai · ages about 3-8
Engaging speaking practice for preschoolers learning English; privacy-minded parents should skip the recording consent or delete data regularly.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Busuu
Busuu Limited (owned by Chegg, Inc.) · ages 13+
A fair choice for a teen studying a language who wants speaking practice; younger kids need a different app.
Desk researchFree, with paid extrasNo ads
Cambly Kids
Cambly Inc. · ages about 4-15
Helpful for children learning English as a new language who need speaking practice; parents should sit in on early calls and read the recording terms.
Desk researchFree, with paid extras
Duolingo
Duolingo, Inc. · ages about 10+ (children under 13 get a restricted mode)
A fine free habit-builder for tweens and teens learning a language; younger kids are better served by Duolingo ABC or a kids' app.
Desk researchFreeNo ads
Google Translate Practice
Google · ages teens and adults; younger kids with a parent
Worth a try for teens learning Spanish or French who want speaking practice; younger kids and families wanting a full course should pick a dedicated app.
Where these facts come from
- https://www.memrise.com/
- https://www.memrise.com/terms
- https://www.memrise.com/privacy
- https://apps.apple.com/us/app/memrise-language-learning-app/id635966718
- https://journals.ku.edu/IALLT/article/download/8543/8049
- https://journal.ikipsiliwangi.ac.id/index.php/project/article/view/22908/6766
- Reviews on G2: https://www.g2.com/products/memrise/reviews
Prices, terms and features change. Nobody paid to be listed, nothing here is an affiliate link, and Peabody never rates itself. Where we and the maker disagree, the maker's own pages are the ones to trust.