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Memrise alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Memrise: little grammar teaching, and community courses are no longer in the main app. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Memrise, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Duolingo currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Anki logoAnkiOpen sourceYesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 562.6
  1. Anki logo

    1. AnkiTop pick

    Best for: Self-directed learners who want free, customisable spaced-repetition flashcards

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Web

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Memrise

    Free flashcards where you control every card and review setting.

    Pros

    • Free and open source on desktop and Android
    • Highly customisable cards and scheduling
    • Large library of shared decks and add-ons

    Cons

    • Dated interface and steep learning curve
    • Official iOS app is paid
    • You must build or choose decks yourself
    Visit Anki Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Anki a good Memrise alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Sync
    Free AnkiWeb sync
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop price
    Free on Windows, Mac and Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Android app
    AnkiDroid, free
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    iOS app
    AnkiMobile, paid, funds development
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Deck size
    Handles 100,000+ cards
    Checked Oct 25, 2026apps.ankiweb.net(opens source in a new tab)

The best Memrise alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Duolingo logo

Best Memrise alternative for most people

Duolingo

Free, gamified full course path with more structure.

Anki logo

Best Memrise alternative for a free option

Anki

Free flashcards where you control every card and review setting.

Drops logo

Best Memrise alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Drops

Quick visual vocabulary games in five-minute sessions.

Anki logo

Best Memrise alternative for open source

Anki

Free flashcards where you control every card and review setting.

Anki logo

Best Memrise alternative for Mac

Anki

Free flashcards where you control every card and review setting.

Anki logo

Best Memrise alternative for Windows

Anki

Free flashcards where you control every card and review setting.

Anki logo

Best Memrise alternative for Linux

Anki

Free flashcards where you control every card and review setting.

Lingopie logo

Best Memrise alternative for iPhone and Android

Lingopie

Learn from full TV shows rather than short clips.

Babbel logo

Best Memrise alternative for working in the browser

Babbel

Structured lessons with grammar explanations.

Memrise alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Memrise?

Duolingo ranks first right now. Free, gamified full course path with more structure. Anki and Drops follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Memrise?

Yes. Duolingo (free plan + paid), Anki (open source) and Drops (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Memrise?

Yes: Anki.

Which Memrise alternatives work on Linux?

Anki runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from Memrise?

The complaints we hear most: little grammar teaching; community courses are no longer in the main app; best features need the paid plan.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Memrise, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.