Memrise
Product by Memrise Limited
Facts checked: Not yet checked
Our take (not a Learning Standard rating). This label applies to learning-science judgments throughout this overview.
Our take (not a Learning Standard rating)
Memrise relies heavily on spaced repetition and retrieval practice to build foundational vocabulary. It effectively forces active recall through varied testing formats. However, it lacks explicit grammar instruction and struggles to build conversational fluency without supplementary practice, making it better for rote memorization than holistic language acquisition.
Pros
- Uses spaced repetition algorithms to optimize vocabulary retention.
- Features thousands of native-speaker video clips to model authentic pronunciation.
- Requires active recall through typing and multiple-choice testing.
- Incorporates an AI chat partner to simulate conversational practice.
Cons
- Provides minimal explicit grammar instruction or syntax rules.
- Fails to correct nuanced pronunciation errors during spoken practice.
- Relies heavily on translation-based tasks rather than immersion.
What Do We Know About Memrise?
Memrise is highly effective for helping your child memorize vocabulary, but it will not teach them to speak a language fluently on its own. The app functions essentially as a digitized flashcard system supercharged by learning science. By tracking which words your child struggles with, the algorithm schedules reviews at precise intervals to interrupt the forgetting curve. This spaced repetition ensures long-term retention of standalone words and short phrases. However, rote memorization is only one part of language learning. Memrise does not explain why sentences are structured the way they are. Your child will learn that 'je suis' means 'I am,' but they will not receive a lesson on verb conjugation. The inclusion of native speaker videos is a massive benefit, exposing learners to varied accents and speaking speeds rather than robotic text-to-speech voices. While the newer AI conversational partner attempts to bridge the gap between vocabulary drill and actual speaking, the lack of structured grammar means your child will eventually hit a plateau. Use this app as a powerful supplementary tool alongside a formal curriculum or immersion experience.
How Does Memrise Work?
Memrise uses a spaced repetition system paired with multimodal retrieval practice to drive vocabulary acquisition. Your child begins a module by viewing short video clips of native speakers pronouncing target words or phrases. After the introduction, the app immediately tests recall. Students must match written translations, type the target language, or select the correct audio clip. As your child progresses, the algorithm tracks their accuracy and response time. Words they answer incorrectly appear more frequently, while mastered words are delayed to test long-term retention. This scheduling forces the brain to retrieve information just as it is about to be forgotten, a proven cognitive science principle. Recently, Memrise integrated an AI language partner. This feature prompts users to type or speak responses to conversational prompts, attempting to simulate real-time dialogue and apply the vocabulary they just drilled.
Strengths and tradeoffs of Memrise
Memrise's biggest strength is its algorithmic approach to vocabulary retention, while its biggest weakness is the absence of foundational grammar instruction. The platform excels at spaced repetition. By testing words at expanding intervals, it mathematically optimizes memory consolidation. Furthermore, the reliance on retrieval practice forces the user to produce the word rather than just recognize it, which creates stronger neural pathways than passive studying. The integration of authentic video models also helps learners map spelling to actual native pronunciation, bypassing the rigid, unnatural audio found in many competitors. Conversely, the app falls short in teaching syntactical rules. Language is not just a collection of vocabulary words; it requires understanding how those words fit together. Memrise largely ignores explicit grammar instruction. Users are left to implicitly deduce rules from the phrases they memorize, which is highly inefficient for older learners. Additionally, the translation-based methodology means learners are constantly filtering the target language through their native language, rather than building direct conceptual associations.
Who Might Benefit From Memrise?
Best for middle school through adult learners who need to build a robust vocabulary base alongside formal language instruction. Because the app relies heavily on text-based translation and self-directed pacing, it is not ideal for early elementary students. It serves perfectly as a daily drill mechanism for students taking a language class at school, or for independent learners preparing for a trip who need to memorize survival phrases. It is highly effective for rote memorization but requires motivated users who are willing to seek out grammar rules elsewhere.
Data Transparency
Does Not Meet Data Transparency Standard
Memrise does not meet our data transparency standard. Its privacy policy does not document basic protections, including a statement that it does not sell data, a commitment against targeted advertising and limits on sharing children's data.
10 of 35 checks passed
Evaluated October 2026
Privacy Page →Level 1 · Basic protections
Does not sell data or target ads at students, limits sharing, and lets parents see and delete their child's data.
Not documented: a statement that it does not sell data, a commitment against targeted advertising, limits on sharing children's data, contractual limits on service providers, a COPPA or FERPA commitment, parents' right to see their child's data, parents' right to delete their child's data
Level 2 · Parent control (meets the standard)
Families can get their data out, know who processes it, and know how long it is kept.
Not documented: a data retention timeline
Level 3 · Direct data access
Families or schools can pull their own data through an API, in a stated format.
Not documented: an API for retrieving their own data, a named export format
View all 35 checks
Parent Access1/8
Does the policy mention parents specifically?
The policy does not mention parents anywhere.
Can parents view their child's data?
The policy does not give parents any right to view their child's data.
Can parents modify their child's data?
The policy does not give parents any right to modify their child's data.
Can parents delete their child's account?
The policy only says anyone with reason to believe a child under 13 provided data can contact Memrise, and it does not give parents a deletion right.
Is there a dedicated Children's Privacy section?
“Memrise does not knowingly collect Personal Data from children under the age of 13. If you have reason to believe that a child under the age of 13 has provided Personal Data to Memrise through the Services please [contact us](https://www.memrise.com/contact/) and we will endeavour to delete that information from our databases.”
Does it reference COPPA compliance?
The policy does not mention COPPA.
Does it reference FERPA compliance?
The policy does not mention FERPA.
Is parental consent required for child accounts?
The policy says Memrise does not knowingly collect data from children under 13 and does not describe parental consent.
Data Portability3/5
Can users access their personal data?
“**Right of access**: If we are processing your Personal Data you can download a copy of that Personal Data [here](https://www.memrise.com/settings/).”
Can users download/export their data?
“**Right of access**: If we are processing your Personal Data you can download a copy of that Personal Data [here](https://www.memrise.com/settings/).”
Is there a self-service data access tool?
“**Right of access**: If we are processing your Personal Data you can download a copy of that Personal Data [here](https://www.memrise.com/settings/).”
Is a specific data format mentioned for export?
The policy only promises a "structured, commonly used and machine-readable format" and does not name a specific format.
Is there an API for data access?
The policy does not mention an API for getting data.
Data Minimization1/6
Is data collection itemized?
“When you sign up for or use the Services, you voluntarily give us certain Personal Data, including your name, email address, username, and profile picture.”
Can the app be used without a real name?
The policy says Memrise collects users' names.
Can the app be used without an email?
The policy says Memrise collects users' email addresses.
Does it state collection is limited to what is necessary?
The policy does not say that collection is limited to what is necessary.
Is IP address anonymized or truncated?
The policy says IP addresses are logged and does not say they are anonymized or truncated.
Is location tracking explicitly excluded?
The policy says session recording tools may capture approximate location data.
Third-Party Protection2/7
Does it explicitly state no selling of data?
The policy does not say that Memrise does not sell personal data.
Are third-party providers named?
“advertising (including Amazon Web Services and Google in the United States, both certified to the [Privacy Shield](https://www.privacyshield.gov/welcome)).”
Are providers contractually restricted?
The policy says only that providers act "following our instructions" and does not describe contractual restrictions.
No-targeted-advertising commitment?
The policy makes no commitment against targeted advertising and says data may be shared with advertising providers.
Is AI/ML data sharing addressed?
“In-app conversations and messages are stored and analysed only to improve our services, train our AI models, and enhance the user experience.”
Child-specific sharing restriction?
The policy has no sharing restriction specific to children.
Cookies/tracking limited or opt-out?
The policy says Memrise does not respond to Do Not Track signals, refers readers to a separate Cookie Policy, and describes no cookie opt-out.
Deletion & Retention3/5
Can users delete their account?
“If you need to change or correct your Personal Data, or wish to have it deleted from our systems, you may do so yourself via your [user settings](https://www.memrise.com/settings/) on the website or within the app if on iOS.”
Self-service deletion mechanism?
“If you need to change or correct your Personal Data, or wish to have it deleted from our systems, you may do so yourself via your [user settings](https://www.memrise.com/settings/) on the website or within the app if on iOS.”
Specific data retention timeline?
The policy says data is kept as long as reasonably necessary and gives no specific timeline.
Auto-deletion of inactive accounts?
The policy does not address automatic deletion of inactive accounts.
Post-deletion handling described?
“If you ask us to delete your data or to be removed from our marketing lists and we are required to fulfil your request, we will keep basic data to identify you and prevent further unwanted processing.”
Advertising0/4
Advertising model explicitly disclosed?
The policy mentions sharing data with advertising providers but does not explicitly describe whether or how the product shows ads.
Free from third-party advertisements?
The policy does not state that the product has no third-party advertising.
Children excluded from ad targeting?
The policy does not address whether children are excluded from ad targeting.
Ad-free option available?
The policy does not mention an ad-free option or state that the product has no ads.
What This Means
The policy review did not meet our data transparency standard. The checks above show the documented findings and unknowns. A missing statement does not establish how the app handles data in practice.
About this evaluation: Based on automated analysis of Privacy Page against 35 policy-disclosure questions, including questions adapted from the Common Sense Privacy Program's published evaluation questions. TLS is not affiliated with Common Sense Media, and this is not a Common Sense rating. Quoted text is copied from the policy; unquoted notes are our summary. Results describe what the policy documents, not the company's actual practices. Privacy policies can change: this review reflects the version we analyzed and does not determine legal compliance.
Sources and review method
TLS combines product information and editorial analysis to explain how Memrise works, its tradeoffs, and the questions to ask before choosing it. Product features, an instructional rationale and evidence of learning outcomes are different kinds of information.
Formal Learning Standard assessment: not yet completed. Data Transparency findings are reported separately and do not establish learning effectiveness. Read our methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions About Memrise
Is Memrise free?
Memrise offers a free Basic plan that provides access to core vocabulary courses and learning features. However, a paid Pro subscription is required to unlock advanced modes like the AI language partner, native speaker video libraries, and offline learning capabilities.
Is Memrise good for kids?
Memrise is suitable for middle schoolers and up, but it is generally too text-heavy and unstructured for young children. The app requires a baseline of reading comprehension and self-motivation. Parents should also note that user-generated community courses are available, which may not be vetted for age-appropriate content.
What does Memrise teach?
Memrise primarily teaches foreign language vocabulary and basic conversational phrases. It covers dozens of languages, focusing heavily on rote memorization and listening comprehension through native speaker videos. It does not teach comprehensive grammar, syntax, or writing composition.
Memrise vs Duolingo: Which is better?
Memrise is better for authentic listening practice and rapid vocabulary acquisition due to its native speaker videos and strict spaced repetition algorithms. Duolingo is better for absolute beginners because it offers a more structured, gamified learning path with slightly more integrated grammar practice. Both apps work best as supplements rather than standalone language courses.
Has The Learning Standard evaluated Memrise?
TLS has not yet completed a Learning Standard evaluation of how well Memrise teaches. Its privacy policy has been reviewed for Data Transparency and does not yet document the basic protections (Level 1).
Is Memrise COPPA compliant?
A COPPA reference was not found in the reviewed privacy policy. This does not determine whether the app complies with COPPA. Policy review note: The policy does not mention COPPA.
Is Memrise FERPA compliant?
A FERPA reference was not found in the reviewed privacy policy. This does not determine whether the app complies with FERPA. Policy review note: The policy does not mention FERPA.
Does Memrise have a children's privacy policy?
The reviewed policy includes a dedicated children's privacy section. Policy review note: Section 9 of the policy has its own "Children" heading.
Does Memrise sell student data?
A statement ruling out data selling was not found in the reviewed policy. This does not establish that the app sells student data. Policy review note: The policy does not say that Memrise does not sell personal data.
Can you delete your data from Memrise?
The reviewed privacy policy describes account deletion. We have not tested the deletion process. Policy review note: Users can have their personal data deleted.
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