Duolingo or Memrise: Which Spanish App Should You Use?

By Stacy Ochuka

Reading time: 0 minute

June 28, 2025

Contents

Introduction

Duolingo: A Fun Way to Learn with Games

Memrise: Smart Learning with Real Videos and Memory Tools

Duolingo vs Memrise Comparison: Side-by-Side

Gamification and Vocab Games

User Experience and Design

User-Made Content

Cost and Access

Who Should Use Duolingo?

Who Should Use Memrise?

Can You Use Both?

Duolingo vs Memrise: Which Is Better?

Conclusion

Introduction

Learning Spanish can open many doors, new job opportunities, travel, deeper cultural experiences, and even better brain skills. But with so many tools out there, how do you choose the right one? The answer might be one of the best Spanish learning apps.

Two of the most popular language apps are Duolingo and Memrise. They both offer fun ways to learn, but they work differently. This blog will compare Duolingo vs Memrise so you can decide which app is better for your Spanish learning journey.

We’ll cover features like:

vocab games
user-made content
spaced repetition
learning gamification
And we’ll answer the big question: Duolingo vs Memrise, which is better?

Duolingo: A Fun Way to Learn with Games

Duolingo is known for making language learning feel like a game. It teaches you Spanish using small lessons, challenges, and fun rewards. You earn points, unlock levels, and keep streaks by practicing every day.

Why People Like Duolingo:

It’s free and easy to use.
You can learn at your own pace.
It works well on phones and computers.
The gamified learning keeps you motivated.
The app is colorful and user-friendly.
There's a fun owl mascot named Duo who cheers you on.

Duolingo uses learning gamification to make lessons feel like you're playing. That’s why many people enjoy it, especially beginners.

However, if you're asking yourself “Duolingo or Memrise for Spanish speaking?” Duolingo doesn’t offer much real-world speaking practice. It focuses more on reading and writing.

Memrise: Smart Learning with Real Videos and Memory Tools

Memrise is another language learning app, but it works differently. It uses spaced repetition. This method helps you remember things by showing them again and again, just before you might forget.

Memrise also includes videos of native Spanish speakers, which helps you learn how real people speak. It’s especially good for learning vocabulary in a way that sticks.

Why People Like Memrise:

It uses science to help you remember better.
You can watch videos of real people speaking.
The app includes vocab games that make learning fun.
There’s tons of user-made content custom lessons from real users.
You can choose what you want to study, instead of following one path.

Memrise is great if you want to focus on building your vocabulary and hearing natural Spanish.

Duolingo vs Memrise Comparison: Side-by-Side

Let’s look at the main differences and similarities between Duolingo vs Memrise.

Learning Style: Structured vs Flexible

When it comes to learning Spanish, the way a language app teaches can make a big difference. Duolingo and Memrise each have their own learning style, and choosing the right one depends on how you like to learn.

Duolingo: Structured and Goal-Oriented

Duolingo follows a structured, step-by-step path. When you open the app, you don’t have to decide what to study next, it’s already planned out for you. Everyone starts at the beginning and works through the same order of topics. This makes it easy to follow and helps you build knowledge little by little.

Lessons are short and feel like games. You earn points, complete daily streaks, and unlock levels as you move forward. This style is great if you enjoy staying motivated through challenges and rewards. It’s also helpful for beginners who want clear direction and don’t want to figure out what to study next.

Duolingo’s main strength is keeping you engaged. The app is colorful, fun, and gives you the satisfaction of progress every day.

Memrise: Flexible and Customizable

Memrise gives you more freedom in learning. You don’t have to follow a fixed path. You can pick the topics you want to study. Want to learn Spanish for travel?

There’s a course for that. Want to focus on business terms, slang, or verbs? You can find user-made courses or even create your own.

This flexibility is useful if you already know some Spanish or have specific goals. You don’t have to follow one path, you can jump around, skip lessons, or review certain words as much as you like.

Memrise lessons use flashcards, pictures, and short videos of real native Spanish speakers. It uses spaced repetition. This method helps you remember words by reviewing them right before you forget.

The strength of Memrise lies in helping you grow your vocabulary and remember it over time. It’s perfect for learners who want a more personalized experience and don’t mind choosing their own path.

So, What’s Better for You?

If you like a regular routine, enjoy rewards like in games, and want guidance in learning, Duolingo could be the best choice for you.

If you like freedom, want to focus on certain topics, and enjoy learning from real-life examples, Memrise might be a better choice.

There’s no wrong choice, it's all comes down to what motivates you and how you like to learn.

Spaced Repetition

Memrise is built around spaced repetition, so you review words at the perfect time to remember them longer.
Duolingo includes some review, but it’s not based on spaced repetition as much as Memrise.

If you're serious about memorizing words long-term, Memrise has the edge here.

Gamification and Vocab Games

Both apps use games to make learning fun but in different ways.

Duolingo turns every lesson into a game. You get hearts, gems, and rewards. It's perfect for staying motivated with learning gamification.
Memrise has vocabulary games, such as speed review and listening practice. It focuses more on memory than on points and prizes.

If you love fun challenges, Duolingo is great. If you prefer interactive games that help you memorize better, Memrise is better.

User Experience and Design

Duolingo has a bright, clean interface and friendly design.
Memrise uses more videos and real-life examples, which can feel more natural.

Some people like the game-like feeling of Duolingo. Others like Memrise’s focus on real speakers and how Spanish sounds in everyday life.

User-Made Content

One big difference in the Duolingo vs Memrise comparison is that Memrise allows users to make their own content.

You can learn from courses created by other users. This is great if you want to study something very specific, like restaurant Spanish or business Spanish.
Duolingo only offers its official courses.

User-made content is a big plus for Memrise if you want more control over what you study.

Cost and Access

Both Duolingo and Memrise offer free versions, which means you can start learning Spanish without paying anything. These free options are great for beginners who just want to test the waters or practice casually. You get access to lessons, vocabulary practice, and basic learning tools on both platforms.

Both apps offer paid versions. These versions provide extra features for serious learning or a better experience.

Duolingo’s Paid Version: Duolingo Super

If you decide to upgrade on Duolingo, you’ll get the Duolingo Super subscription. This version removes all the ads that usually pop up during lessons, which means fewer distractions while you're studying. You can download lessons for offline learning. This is great if you want to practice without using data or when you’re traveling without Wi-Fi.

Duolingo Super has advanced learning tools like Mistake Review. This feature lets you review questions you got wrong. It helps you improve your skills.

Memrise’s Paid Version: Memrise Pro

Memrise’s premium option is called Memrise Pro. When you upgrade, you unlock extra practice games and better memory tools. These features help you review words better, understand grammar more easily, and make learning fun and interactive.

For example, Memrise Pro includes a feature called “Difficult Words” that helps you spend more time on words you struggle with. You also get smarter review sessions that are personalized based on your progress.

Where You Can Use These Apps

The good news is that both Duolingo and Memrise are available on all major platforms. You can use them on the web, or download the Android or iOS app on your phone or tablet. This makes it easy to learn anytime, anywhere—whether you’re at home, on the bus, or waiting in line.

If you’re comparing Duolingo vs Memrise which is better in cost, they’re pretty equal. You can learn for free, or pay a bit each month for more features.

Who Should Use Duolingo?

Choose Duolingo if:

You’re just starting out with Spanish.
You want a fun, gamified way to learn.
You love earning rewards and building streaks.
You prefer to learn a little bit each day on your phone.

Duolingo vs Memrise for Spanish beginners? Duolingo is great if you want structure and fun.

Who Should Use Memrise?

Choose Memrise if:

You want to learn real vocabulary and remember it.
You like learning from real speakers with video and audio.
You want to explore user-made content.
You want to learn with science-backed tools like spaced repetition.

Memrise is great if you’re focused on vocabulary building and want to hear how native speakers actually talk.

Can You Use Both?

Yes! In fact, using both together can give you a powerful learning combo.

Use Duolingo for daily practice and motivation.
Use Memrise for deeper vocabulary and listening practice.

Some people do their Duolingo lessons in the morning, and then study a few Memrise vocab games at night.

If you want to get the best of both worlds, you don’t have to choose, just mix and match.

Duolingo vs Memrise: Which Is Better?

If you are still deciding between Duolingo and Memrise for learning Spanish, it depends on the experience you want. Each app has its strengths, so the best choice depends on your goals and learning style. Here’s a final guide to help you choose the one that fits you best:

If You Enjoy Games and Streaks...

Choose Duolingo. This app is built to feel like a game. You earn points for correct answers, build streaks when you practice daily, and unlock levels as you go.

If you find it easier to stay motivated with rewards, reminders, and a fun layout, Duolingo is a great choice. It’s designed to make learning feel more like play than study.

If You Prefer Real-Life Speech and Native Pronunciation...

Go with Memrise. Memrise stands out because it uses real video clips of native Spanish speakers saying words and phrases. This helps you hear how Spanish actually sounds in real conversations, not just robotic or slow recordings. It’s great for building listening skills and understanding real-world pronunciation.

If Your Main Goal is Building Vocabulary...

Memrise is your best pick again. It puts a strong focus on helping you learn and remember new words using spaced repetition and memory techniques. This makes it ideal if you want to grow your vocabulary quickly and retain it long-term.

If You Want a Motivating Learning System...

Stick with Duolingo. The app keeps you coming back daily by using streaks, leaderboards, and colorful animations. It encourages daily practice through small wins and notifications, which can help you stay consistent without feeling pressured.

If You Care About Long-Term Memory and Retention...

Choose Memrise. The app is designed with tools to help you remember what you learn over time. It brings back tricky words at just the right moments to reinforce your memory and boost recall. If your goal is to really remember what you study, this approach is very effective.

If You Like a Clear, Guided Path...

Duolingo is better for that. It gives you a step-by-step learning path that’s easy to follow. Each lesson builds on the last, so you don’t have to worry about what to learn next. This is perfect if you’re new to Spanish and want a structured learning route without needing to make choices along the way.

If You Prefer Picking Topics That Interest You...

Memrise lets you do just that. You can choose the subjects or themes you’re most curious about, like travel, food, or common phrases and start learning from there. This makes the learning process more enjoyable because you’re focusing on what matters to you personally.

It really depends on your learning style. Try them both for a few days and see what feels better.

Conclusion

In the end, both Duolingo and Memrise are great tools. Whether you're learning Spanish for travel, school, or just for fun, either app can help you succeed.

Duolingo is great for motivation and fun.
Memrise is great for building strong vocabulary and listening skills.

You don’t have to choose one right away. Try both and decide which helps you learn better.

Ready to Learn More?

Your Spanish journey doesn’t stop with just one app. At Comligo, we offer extra support and expert advice to help you keep going. Whether you're a beginner or want to become fluent, we’ll help you find the right tools and methods. For a more in-depth look at what's out there, check out our full language app comparison.

Start today pick your app, try a lesson, and enjoy the journey of learning Spanish!

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.