Anki vs Memrise at a glance
| Anki | Memrise | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free on desktop, web and Android; iPhone app (AnkiMobile) $24.99 oncechecked 2026-10-06 (US App Store) | Free plan; Pro $61.99/yr or $329.99 lifetime; monthly plan $24.99checked 2026-10-09 (US App Store in-app purchases) |
| Levels | A1–C2 (beginner to advanced) | A1–B1 (beginner and intermediate) |
| Free to use | Yes, at least in part | Yes, at least in part |
| Real-speed French | No | Yes |
| Transcripts or subtitles | Not a feature | Subtitles |
| Taught in | English | English |
| Platforms | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web |
| Best for | The best free memory tool at any level; bring your own French. | Native-speaker clips for beginners; a supplement, not a course. |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Which is better for vocabulary?
Anki, if you will put in the setup. It is a free, open-source flashcard program that uses spaced repetition to show each card just before you would forget it, and it works at any level because you bring the French. Memrise gives you ready-made vocabulary and phrases with short videos of native speakers and speaking practice, which is easier but limited to what it teaches.
Which is better for beginners?
Memrise. A beginner gets useful everyday phrases and real voices from day one without building a deck. Anki teaches nothing by itself: you need cards from somewhere, and many people find it ugly and fiddly to set up.
Which is cheaper?
Anki is free on computers, the web and Android, and AnkiMobile for iPhone costs a one-off $24.99. Memrise has a free plan with limited lessons and videos and ads; the US App Store lists Memrise Pro at $61.99 a year or $329.99 for lifetime. Over a year, Anki is the cheaper of the two.
Which helps with listening?
Memrise. Its clips let you hear native speakers say phrases at a natural pace, with subtitles. Anki only plays audio if you add it to your cards yourself.
Can you use both?
Yes, and they fit together well: Memrise for new phrases with real voices, Anki to keep the ones you want for good. As you pass A2, Memrise has less to offer and Anki becomes the one you keep.
What neither does
Neither tool explains grammar, gives you long stretches of real conversation, or corrects your speaking. Both help words stick; neither teaches you to follow a conversation at full speed. Pair either with a course, real listening and some speaking practice.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anki | Free on desktop, web and Android; iPhone app (AnkiMobile) $24.99 oncechecked 2026-10-06 (US App Store) | A1–C2 | No | The best free memory tool at any level; bring your own French. |
| 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. |
| French with Amélie | Free weekly lesson; Premium $24/mo or $240/yr | B1–C1 | Yes, with a slow version and a transcript | Real-speed dialogues by email and a private podcast. Not an app. Visit |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Read more
The full listings: Anki (app) and Memrise (app). More like these: Free French learning apps.