Busuu vs Memrise: Best Spanish App for Vocabulary?

By Stacy Ochuka

Reading time: 0 minute

July 04, 2025

Contents

Introduction

What Is Busuu?

What Is Memrise?

Learning Style: Flashcards vs Exercises

Vocab Building Tools

Interface and User Experience

Community Features and Support

Pricing: Which Offers Better Value?

Final Verdict: Which Is Better, Busuu or Memrise?

Conclusion

Introduction

Trying to learn Spanish online? You’re not alone. With many Spanish apps available today, it can be hard to choose the right one. This is especially true if you want to grow your vocabulary. Two of the most popular vocabulary apps for Spanish learners are Busuu and Memrise.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through a detailed Busuu vs Memrise Spanish comparison. We’ll look at each app's features, learning style, and how they help you build vocabulary.

If you are new to learning or want to improve your vocabulary, this comparison will help you. It looks at Busuu and Memrise. You can use it to choose the best option for you.

Let's explore this app comparison and find out which is better; Busuu or Memrise for learning Spanish words.

What Is Busuu?

Busuu is a Spanish app that provides lessons in different parts of the language. You can learn vocabulary, grammar, and conversation. It gives you short lessons with reading, writing, listening, and speaking practice. One great thing about Busuu is that it includes exercises and review sessions that help you remember what you’ve learned.

Busuu is known for its clean and easy-to-use interface. It also builds personalized study plans, so you can learn at your own speed. The app focuses on vocab building tools that show how words are used in everyday conversations. This helps you not only remember new words but also know when and how to use them.

What Is Memrise?

Memrise is another powerful vocabulary app, but it works in a very different way. While Busuu offers structured lessons, Memrise uses flashcards and games to help you remember words. Its content is fun and colorful. Memrise feels more like a game than a school lesson, which many users enjoy.

The app is very popular because it uses spaced repetition. This technique helps you review vocabulary just before you might forget it. This system keeps your memory sharp and helps with long-term learning. Memrise also includes thousands of courses created by both language experts and regular users.

This Busuu vs Memrise Spanish match-up shows just how different learning styles can be.

Learning Style: Flashcards vs Exercises

When comparing flashcards vs exercises, it really comes down to how you learn best.

Busuu uses exercises to teach new words. You learn them in context like in a conversation or story, and then do activities to test your understanding. The app mixes vocabulary with grammar and dialogue so you can see how everything works together.
Memrise, on the other hand, relies on flashcards and short videos. You get exposed to native speakers and real-life phrases. The flashcards often include funny images or phrases to help you remember words better. This is great if you’re a visual learner or love memory tricks.

If you like learning new vocabulary in full sentences and want grammar support, Busuu is likely the better fit. If you enjoy fast games and memory challenges, you might prefer Memrise over Busuu for learning Spanish vocabulary. The debate between Duolingo vs Memrise is another popular comparison to consider for language learning apps. For a different approach to flashcards, you might also look at Quizlet vs Anki.

Vocab Building Tools

Both apps have solid vocab building tools, but they go about it differently.

Busuu offers vocab practice as part of a complete lesson. You’ll often see the word used in a sentence, hear it spoken, and then write or match it. This helps you understand not just the meaning, but also how it fits into a sentence. It’s great for deep learning.
Memrise is all about repetition and memorization. Its strength lies in helping you learn many words fast. The

So, in the Busuu vs Memrise debate, Busuu builds understanding, while Memrise boosts memory speed.

Interface and User Experience

In terms of looks and navigation:

Busuu: It has a simple and clean interface. It’s easy to follow the lessons step-by-step. The app tracks your progress and offers daily study goals. You’ll enjoy the smooth layout if you like order and structure.
Memrise: It has a bright and colorful interface. It feels like a game. Each lesson feels like a level you unlock. This is great for younger users or those who enjoy a playful vibe.

But some users may find it a bit too busy.

This part of the gamified app comparison shows how much design matters in picking the right app for you.

Community Features and Support

Community support can make learning more fun and motivating.

Busuu allows you to connect with native speakers for feedback. You can even chat with other users or get your work corrected. If you upgrade to the premium plan, you can also speak with tutors one-on-one. These features are perfect if you want real feedback or more personal help.
Memrise has some community-created courses and discussion forums. But it doesn’t offer direct tutor access like Busuu does. If you’re okay learning solo and want more vocabulary practice than real conversations, this could work for you.

So in terms of support, Busuu has more human connection. Memrise focuses more on self-paced learning.

Pricing: Which Offers Better Value?

Now let’s talk money. Both apps have free versions and paid subscriptions.

Busuu’s premium plan gives you access to all lessons, vocabulary reviews, offline mode, and tutor feedback. It's great for users who want the full experience, including grammar, speaking, and writing practice.
Memrise premium is more budget-friendly. You get full access to all flashcards, offline use, video clips, and your own custom plans. If you only want to learn vocabulary and don’t need grammar help, Memrise is a good choice.

If you’re deciding between Busuu and Memrise for Spanish vocabulary, consider your budget and what you need.

Final Verdict: Which Is Better, Busuu or Memrise?

Which is better? It really depends on your goals:

Choose Busuu if:

You want structured lessons that include grammar, listening, and conversation.
You prefer exercises over flashcards.
You like having a study plan and support from real people.
You’re serious about learning Spanish as a second language, maybe for school or work.

Choose Memrise if:

You love quick vocabulary drills and games.
You enjoy using flashcards to learn fast.
You want a fun, casual way to learn Spanish words.
You're on a tight budget or want to use mostly free content.

There’s no right or wrong answer in the Memrise vs Busuu debate. It all comes down to what works best for your learning style and schedule.

Try Them Out!

Still can’t decide? Try both!

Both apps offer free trials or free versions. You can spend a few days using each and see which one feels more natural for you. This way, you’ll know for sure who wins your own personal Busuu Memrise comparison.

And don’t forget apps are just one part of learning Spanish. For personalized help, try Comligo. It offers one-on-one guidance and custom tools for quicker learning.

Conclusion

The journey to mastering Spanish vocabulary doesn’t have to be hard or boring. Whether you choose Busuu or Memrise, both apps can help you grow your word bank and get closer to fluency.

Use this blog to help you decide between Busuu and Memrise for Spanish. Think about your goals and your schedule. Consider how you learn best.

Do you prefer flashcards or exercises? Do you enjoy games or a structured approach? Do you want to interact with real people or learn on your own?

Whichever app you go with, stay consistent. Learning Spanish takes time, but with the right vocab building tools and a great Spanish app, you’re already on your way.

Stacy Ochuka

By Marketing Team

Stacy Ochuka is the Marketing Lead at Comligo, specializing in digital strategy, SEO, and automation-driven campaigns. With over six years of experience, she blends data insights and creativity to drive brand visibility and growth. Stacy is dedicated to creating high-impact marketing solutions that connect with audiences and deliver results.