How to Use Memrise in 2026: Every Feature Explained

Quick Start

This guide covers every Memrise feature:

• Getting Started — Create your account and basic setup
• How to Use Native Speaker Videos — learn from real native speaker videos
• How to Use AI-Powered Tools — get instant feedback as you learn
• How to Use Progress Tracker — watch your progress grow visually
• How to Use Speaking Practice — practice speaking out loud
• How to Use AI Conversations — chat with AI buddies anytime
• How to Use Language Gallery — explore words and phrases by topic
• How to Use Conversational Scenarios — rehearse real life conversations

Time needed: 5 minutes per feature

Also in this guide: Pro Tips | Common Mistakes | Troubleshooting | Pricing | Alternatives

Why Trust This Guide

I have used the Memrise app daily for over a year now.

I tested every feature, plan, and the new community courses website myself.

This tutorial comes from real hands-on use, not marketing copy.

Memrise is one of the most popular language learning app picks today.

But most learners only scratch the surface of what it can teach.

This guide shows you how to use Memrise step by step.

You will learn vocabulary, practice speaking, and explore a new language with real people.

You learn from native speakers, not the robotic voices found in many other apps.

Open the Memrise web app in a browser, or grab the mobile app.

Memrise Tutorial

This Memrise tutorial walks you through every feature, from setup to power-user tips.

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Getting Started with Memrise

Before using any feature, complete this one-time setup.

It takes about 3 minutes.

Watch this quick overview first:

Now let’s walk through each step.

Step 1: Create Your Account

Go to the Memrise website or open the Memrise app.

Tap “Sign Up” and enter your email and a password.

✓ Checkpoint: Check your inbox for a confirmation email.

Step 2: Pick Your Language

Choose the new language you want to learn, like French or Spanish.

Set your “I Speak” language so courses match your native tongue.

Here’s what the dashboard looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You should see your main learning dashboard.

Step 3: Set Your Daily Goal

Open settings to adjust words per session, goals, and notifications.

Short, frequent lessons help words move into long-term memory.

How to Use Memrise Native Speaker Videos

Native Speaker Videos lets you learn vocabulary from real native speaker videos of real people.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Watch Native Speaker Videos in action:

Now let’s break down each step.

Step 1: Open a Lesson

Pick any course and tap into your first lesson.

Step 2: Watch the Clip

Each new word plays as short video clips of real people speaking.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You hear how locals truly pronounce each word.

Step 3: Repeat What You Hear

Mimic the locals to copy real pronunciation and tone.

How to Use Memrise AI-Powered Tools

AI-Powered Tools lets you get personalized feedback on grammar and words as you write.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open the AI Tools

Tap the AI panel inside any course you study.

Step 2: Type or Speak a Sentence

The AI gives personalized feedback on your grammar and word choice.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The AI highlights exactly what to fix.

Step 3: Apply the Feedback

Fix mistakes and try again until the sentence reads naturally.

How to Use Memrise Progress Tracker

Progress Tracker lets you see your progress visually through the flower system.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open Your Profile

Tap your avatar to view the progress dashboard.

Step 2: Read the Flower System

Each word grows from a seed to a flower as memory strengthens.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your learned words bloom on the progress screen.

Step 3: Check Daily Streaks

Keep your streak alive to stay motivated every day.

How to Use Memrise Speaking Practice

Speaking Practice lets you practice speaking so you can speak with confidence.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Start a Speaking Lesson

Choose a lesson that includes a speaking practice prompt.

Step 2: Speak Out Loud

Say the phrase and let Memrise check your pronunciation.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your spoken phrases get an accuracy score.

Step 3: Review the Score

Repeat any words the app marks as unclear.

How to Use Memrise AI Conversations

AI Conversations lets you practice real conversations with AI buddies anytime.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Open AI Buddies

Tap the chat icon to meet your AI buddies.

Step 2: Start a Conversation

Type or speak and the buddy replies in your new language.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: The AI buddy keeps the chat flowing.

Step 3: Ask for Corrections

Request feedback so each chat sharpens your real conversations.

How to Use Memrise Language Gallery

Language Gallery lets you explore extra words and phrases by topic.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Browse the Gallery

Explore words and phrases sorted by everyday topics.

Step 2: Pick a Topic

Choose food, travel, or work to focus your vocabulary.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: Your saved words appear in upcoming lessons.

Step 3: Add to Your Lessons

Save useful items so they appear in future tests.

How to Use Memrise Conversational Scenarios

Conversational Scenarios lets you rehearse real life scenarios before you meet locals.

Here’s how to use it step by step.

Step 1: Choose a Scenario

Pick a real life setting like ordering coffee or asking directions.

Step 2: Play Both Roles

Respond to prompts the way locals actually speak.

Here’s what this looks like:

✓ Checkpoint: You complete a full scenario on your own.

Step 3: Replay to Improve

Run the scenario again until the conversation feels natural.

Memrise Pro Tips and Shortcuts

After testing Memrise for over a year, here are my best tips.

Quick Wins

Hidden Features Most People Miss

• Offline mode: The paid version lets you download courses for offline study.
• Private courses: You can create your own private courses with custom words.
• New community courses website: The community created courses now live on a separate site.

Memrise Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake #1: Relying on Memrise for grammar

Mistake #2: Cramming long sessions

Mistake #3: Skipping speaking practice

Memrise Troubleshooting

Problem: I can’t find community courses in the app

Cause: Memrise began shutting community courses inside the main app.

Fix: You cannot access them in the app anymore, so find community created content on the new site, a separate community courses website.

Problem: Native speaker videos won’t load

Cause: Weak internet stops the real native speaker videos from streaming.

Fix: Switch to stronger wifi, or download lessons with the paid version for offline use.

Problem: My progress looks stuck

Cause: The free version limits how many new words you unlock daily.

Fix: Finish review tests first, or upgrade to keep learning more words.

📌 Note: If none of these help, contact Memrise support or their developers.

What is Memrise?

Memrise is a language learning app that helps you learn a new language fast.

Think of it like a smart flashcard coach paired with real people on video.

Watch this quick overview:

It includes these key features:

• Native Speaker Videos: Real video clips of locals saying words and phrases.
• AI-Powered Tools: Instant feedback to enhance your grammar and writing.
• AI Conversations: Chat with AI buddies to practice real conversations.
• Official Courses: Vocabulary, grammar, and script courses that teach culture too.
• Community Courses: Community created courses made by users around the world.
• Progress Tracker: A flower system that shows your progress at a glance.

For a full review, see our Memrise review.

Memrise replaced the old experience with a new experience built around video and AI.

These videos help you understand how locals truly speak in real life.

If you are interested in culture as much as words, this matters a lot.

Memrise Pricing

Here’s what Memrise costs in 2026:

Free version: Yes, a free version covers core lessons with daily limits.

Money-back guarantee: Check current refund terms during checkout.

💰 Best Value: Annual — full access at a much lower cost than monthly.

Memrise vs Alternatives

How does Memrise compare? Here’s the competitive landscape:

Watch this comparison:

Quick picks:

• Best overall: Memrise — real native speaker videos beat robotic voices.
• Best budget: Duolingo — a strong free version for casual learners.
• Best for beginners: Babbel — clear lessons that teach grammar early.
• Best for speaking: Preply — live tutors to practice speaking directly.

🎯 Memrise Alternatives

Looking for Memrise alternatives? Here are the top options:

• 🌟 Preply: Connect with real tutors who teach live and give feedback in real conversations.
• 💰 Duolingo: A fun, free language learning app with bite-size lessons and daily goals.
• 🏢 Babbel: Structured courses that teach grammar, writing, and useful phrases for real life.
• 🎨 Drops: Visual vocabulary games that help you learn words fast in short sessions.

For the full list, see our Memrise alternatives guide.

⚔️ Memrise Compared

Here’s how Memrise stacks up against each competitor:

• Memrise vs Preply: Memrise wins on self-paced video; Preply wins on live human tutors.
• Memrise vs Duolingo: Memrise uses real people; Duolingo offers a bigger free version and more languages.
• Memrise vs Babbel: Babbel teaches grammar better; Memrise wins on native speaker videos and culture.
• Memrise vs Drops: Drops is great for quick vocabulary; Memrise adds speaking and real conversations.

Start Using Memrise Now

You learned how to use every major Memrise feature:

• ✅ Native Speaker Videos
• ✅ AI-Powered Tools
• ✅ Progress Tracker
• ✅ Speaking Practice
• ✅ AI Conversations
• ✅ Language Gallery
• ✅ Conversational Scenarios

Next step: Pick one feature and try it now.

Most learners start with Native Speaker Videos.

Whether you learn for fun or to pass an exam, short daily practice wins.

It takes less than 5 minutes to start learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Memrise app good for beginners?

Yes. The Memrise app suits beginners well, since native speaker videos and short lessons make a new language feel approachable from day one.

How do I use Memrise?

Create an account, pick your language, then learn vocabulary through video clips, speaking practice, and AI buddies. Study short daily lessons to build progress.

Can I become fluent with Memrise?

Memrise builds strong vocabulary and listening, but not full fluency alone. Pair it with grammar resources and real conversations to truly speak a new language.

Which one is better, Duolingo or Memrise?

Duolingo offers a bigger free version and gamified lessons. Memrise wins for real native speaker videos and culture. Many learners use both apps together.

What happened to Memrise?

Memrise moved its community created courses off the main app. Those community courses now live on a separate new community courses website.