# Memrise vs Pimsleur | Language Learning

Memrise and Pimsleur | Language Learning both sit at 4.8 stars, but that hides the real split: 82% of Pimsleur | Language Learning's written reviews are positive against 68% of Memrise's. Pimsleur | Language Learning also leads on chart position (#6 vs #136). Memrise's advantage is ratings volume (217K vs 30K). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Memrise sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Pimsleur | Language Learning sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Memrise against 4.7 for Pimsleur | Language Learning. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Memrise has 217K ratings behind it against 30K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 68% of Memrise's written reviews are positive against 82% of Pimsleur | Language Learning's.

Memrise ships an update fortnightly, Pimsleur | Language Learning every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Memrise | Pimsleur | Language Learning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (217K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/memrise-language-learning-app/id635966718/reviews)** | [4.7 (30K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pimsleur-language-learning/id1405735469/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **217K** | 30K |
| Positive reviews | 68.0% of reviews | **82.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 2 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #136 | **#6** |
| Size | 238 MB | 131 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.1 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Memrise Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/506043249) | [Simon & Schuster](https://appshunter.io/developer/305077328) |

## What reviewers say

### Memrise

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/memrise-language-learning-app/id635966718)

**Currently charting:** #136 Top Grossing · Education, #195 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Learn over 40 languages through immersive lessons that simulate real-life conversations and cultural experiences. Practice vocabulary, listening, and speaking with AI-powered bots and native speaker videos to build confidence and speak like a local.

**Highlights:** Real-life conversation simulation, Cultural insights, Vocabulary and listening practice, Speaking practice with AI, Native speaker videos, Learn over 40 languages

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (14)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Language Learning Plan | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Language Learning Plan | $24.99 | per month |
| 3-Month Language Learning Plan | $24.99 | per 3 months |
| 30% off Annual Memrise Pro | $42.99 | per year |
| Memrise Subscription Offer | $58.99 | per year |
| Memrise Subscription Offer | $59.99 | per month |
| Annual Language Learning Plan | $61.99 | per year |
| Memrise Annual Pro | $61.99 | per year |
| Memrise Subscription Offer | $61.99 | per year |
| Memrise Subscription Offer | $79.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Plan Offer | $98.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Plan Offer | $131.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Plan Offer | $164.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime Plan | $329.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great for learning basics
- 👍 Engaging and fun learning experience
- 👍 Effective memorization techniques
- 👍 Useful for supplementing language learning
- 👍 Variety of languages available

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Subscription is too expensive
- 🔒 Limited functionality without subscription
- 🐛 Bugs and glitches in the app
- 🤖 AI conversations are not very helpful
- 🤔 Transition from basics to more advanced content is too abrupt

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or freezes during lessons
- Inconsistent performance across devices
- Issues with syncing progress across devices
- Incorrect translations or pronunciations in some courses

**Requested features**

- Add more advanced content and courses
- Improve AI conversation feature
- Allow more control over review and repetition
- Provide offline access to courses
- Improve search and discovery of community courses


### Pimsleur | Language Learning

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pimsleur-language-learning/id1405735469)

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Grossing · Education, #61 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Master over 50 languages with daily 30-minute audio lessons. Achieve native-like fluency through a scientifically proven method focused on speaking and pronunciation, even offline. Perfect for busy adults seeking flexible, effective language learning.

**Highlights:** Learn 50+ languages, 30-minute daily lessons, Offline mode, Hands-free learning, Pronunciation practice, AI language tutor, Sync across devices

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spanish Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Italian Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| Japanese Premium Subscription | $19.99 | per month |
| All Access Subscription | $20.99 | per month |
| All Access Subscription | $20.99 | per month |
| All Access Subscription | $20.99 | per month |
| All Access Annual Subscription | $131.99 | per year |
| All Access Subscription Annual | $164.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great for speaking and listening practice
- 👍 Effective for learning pronunciation and conversational skills
- 💡 Convenient to use while doing other activities
- 👍 Structured lessons build language skills progressively

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 🐛 Occasional app crashes and bugs
- 🔍 Limited content for some languages
- 📚 Lacks written materials and grammar explanations

**Reported bugs**

- Lesson downloads frequently get interrupted
- Inconsistent performance on older devices
- Sync issues between app and online account

**Requested features**

- More levels and content for less popular languages
- Ability to adjust playback speed of lessons
- Tighter integration with other language learning resources
- Improved voice recognition and feedback


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Memrise free?

Memrise is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Pimsleur | Language Learning free?

Pimsleur | Language Learning is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Memrise or Pimsleur | Language Learning?

Memrise is rated higher. Memrise averages 4.8 out of 5 from 217K ratings, while Pimsleur | Language Learning averages 4.7 from 30K ratings.

### Do Memrise or Pimsleur | Language Learning have ads?

Both Memrise and Pimsleur | Language Learning show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Memrise or Pimsleur | Language Learning?

Memrise ships an update fortnightly, and Pimsleur | Language Learning every 2 weeks. Most recently, Memrise was updated on September 25, 2026 and Pimsleur | Language Learning on September 25, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Memrise or Pimsleur | Language Learning?

Memrise currently peaks at #136 in the App Store charts, and Pimsleur | Language Learning at #6. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*