Busuu vs Memrise at a glance
| Busuu | Memrise | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | 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) | 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–B2 (beginner and intermediate) | 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 | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web |
| Best for | A solid A1 to B2 path with a usable free tier. | 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 beginners?
Busuu, as your main app. Its Complete French course has more than 330 lessons from A1 to B2, with AI review tools and exercises you can submit for feedback. Memrise teaches useful vocabulary and phrases with short videos of native speakers and speaking practice, but it is not a full course.
Which is cheaper?
Both have free plans, and the paid plans are close. Busuu Premium was €57.99 a year when we checked from Germany (standard €116.28). The US App Store lists Memrise Pro at $61.99 a year or $329.99 for lifetime. Memrise's free plan has limited lessons and videos with ads.
Which takes you further?
Busuu. It goes to B2, while Memrise covers about A1 to B1 and will not take you past the basics on its own.
Which teaches real spoken French?
Memrise gets closer, with clips of native speakers at a natural pace and subtitles. Busuu's audio is recorded for learners. Neither gives you full conversations at real speed.
Which gets you speaking sooner?
Busuu, slightly. Its exercises can be submitted for feedback, so you get used to producing longer answers, and its course runs level by level up to B2. Memrise has you repeat useful phrases after native speakers, which helps pronunciation but stays at phrase level.
Can you use both?
Yes, and both have free plans, so you can try the pair for nothing: Busuu for the course, Memrise for phrases and real voices.
What neither does
Neither app gives you long stretches of fast, informal French or a person to talk to. Busuu stops at B2, and Memrise's clips are short. Add real listening and a weekly conversation once you have the basics.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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: Busuu (app) and Memrise (app). More like these: Apps like Duolingo for French.