# Memrise vs effectLang

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Memrise at 68% against effectLang's 0%. Memrise also leads on ratings volume (218K vs 5) and chart position (#173 vs unranked). effectLang's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Memrise sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and effectLang sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

effectLang holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Memrise has 218K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Memrise's written reviews are positive against 0% of effectLang's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Memrise ships an update fortnightly, effectLang every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Memrise | effectLang |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (218K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/memrise-language-learning-app/id635966718/reviews) | **[5.0 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/effectlang-flashcards/id1567070251/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **218K** | 5 |
| Positive reviews | **68.1% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#173** | — |
| Size | 240 MB | 114 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Memrise Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/506043249) | [Dawid Wnukowski](https://appshunter.io/developer/1444193124) |

## What reviewers say

### Memrise

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

**Currently charting:** #173 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


### effectLang

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/effectlang-flashcards/id1567070251)

Master new languages with an effective, free system. Create custom flashcards with images and audio, and utilize spaced repetition for optimal memorization. Learn at your own pace, even offline, with a fun, game-like approach to vocabulary building.

**Highlights:** Custom flashcard creator, Spaced repetition algorithm, Image and audio integration, Offline learning capability, Excel import/export, Text-to-speech pronunciation

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium | $3.49 | per month |
| Premium | $21.49 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Memrise free?

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

### Is effectLang free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Memrise or effectLang?

effectLang is rated higher. Memrise averages 4.8 out of 5 from 218K ratings, while effectLang averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.

### Do Memrise or effectLang have ads?

Both Memrise and effectLang show ads.

### Which is updated more often, Memrise or effectLang?

Memrise ships an update fortnightly, and effectLang every 3 weeks. Most recently, Memrise was updated on October 29, 2026 and effectLang on October 24, 2026.

---

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