Duolingo vs Memrise vs Busuu: Best Free Spanish App?

By Stacy Ochuka

Reading time: 0 minute

April 19, 2025

Contents

Introduction

Overview of each app

Comparison table: Duolingo vs Memrise vs Busuu

Who each app is best for

Limitations of free Spanish apps

Real-world use case examples

Our verdict: Which free Spanish app should you choose?

Going beyond the app: Why live practice matters

Introduction

Learning Spanish for free is easier than ever — but with so many language apps to choose from, where do you begin? Three of the most popular platforms are Duolingo vs Busuu vs Memrise.

Each one offers a different approach, learning experience, and set of features. Which free app is best for Spanish? We shall learn soon.

In this comparison, we’ll break down what makes each app unique, their pros and cons, and which type of learner will benefit most. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to build vocabulary fast, this this language app showdown will help you find the best free app.

Overview of each app

Duolingo

Duolingo is a gamified language app. It offers short lessons, a bright interface, and encourages daily practice with streaks. It’s free to use (with optional in-app purchases or ads) and is popular for beginners looking to build a habit.

Ideal for: Learners who want casual, consistent daily practice
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Premium version: Duolingo Plus (removes ads, adds offline access)

Memrise

Memrise focuses on vocabulary and grammar apps using spaced repetition and video clips of native speakers. It helps you remember and recall words faster, with a strong emphasis on real-world language exposure.

Ideal for: Learners who want to expand vocabulary fast
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Premium version: Unlocks grammar bots, difficult words mode, and learning stats

Busuu

Busuu combines structured lessons with AI-powered review, interactive dialogues, and peer feedback. It offers grammar explanations and short conversations, making it feel more like a traditional audio learning method.

Ideal for: Learners looking for structure and speaking practice
Platform: Web, iOS, Android
Premium version: Unlocks personalized study plans, grammar tools, and official certificates

Comparison table: Duolingo vs Memrise vs Busuu

Feature	Duolingo	Memrise	Busuu
Learning Focus	General language basics	Vocabulary & listening	Grammar, dialogue, writing
Gamification	Yes (XP, streaks)	Moderate	Limited gamification
Grammar Support	Basic	Minimal	Good explanations
Speaking Practice	AI speech input	Video imitation	Peer-reviewed dialogue
Offline Access	Free only with ads	With premium	With premium
Native Speaker Content	Limited	Real videos	Conversations, feedback
Structured Lessons	Light structure	No curriculum path	Guided CEFR progression
Free Version Strength	Strong	Moderate	Limited (best with Pro)

Who each app is best for

Duolingo – The Daily Streak Builder

Best for casual learners who want to build a daily habit

Duolingo’s core strength lies in encouraging consistency. Its daily reminders, XP points, and streak system are perfect for people who need a nudge to stay on track. If your main goal is to keep Spanish practice in your daily routine without feeling overwhelmed, Duolingo is a solid choice.

Engaging for competitive learners who enjoy gamified apps

With leaderboards, badges, and challenges, Duolingo turns language learning into a game. This appeals to users who feel motivated by competition and achievement. You can "level up" in your Spanish journey, just like in a video game. This makes practice feel fun instead of like a chore.

Good for total beginners who want a no-pressure start

Duolingo introduces new learners to Spanish in a friendly, accessible way. No intimidating grammar upfront exists — just simple matching, translation, and listening exercises. Testing the waters and easing into language learning without stress is ideal.

Weak in grammar depth and real conversational skills

Duolingo is good for learning words and short phrases. However, it does not offer in-depth grammar lessons or chances to speak in real time. You will learn to recognize words and sentence patterns. However, you will not get much help on how the language works or how to use it in conversation.

Memrise – The Vocabulary Booster

Best for intermediate learners focused on vocab building

Memrise excels at quickly expanding your vocabulary. Its strength lies in helping learners recognize and recall words through spaced repetition and memory techniques. Intermediate learners who know basic grammar and sentence structure will benefit the most. The app helps with word recognition in a way that sticks.

Uses real native speaker videos to improve pronunciation

One of Memrise's standout features is its use of short video clips featuring native Spanish speakers. These videos expose learners to authentic pronunciation, accents, and conversational rhythm — something many other apps lack. An excellent tool for improving listening skills and mimicking natural speech patterns exists.

Great for travelers who want to pick up useful phrases fast

If you're heading to a Spanish-speaking country and need practical phrases — for restaurants, directions, greetings, etc. — Memrise delivers. Its lessons use phrases that focus on real-world situations. This makes it great for travelers who want to feel more confident in daily interactions abroad.

Lacks structured lessons or strong grammar support

Unlike traditional language courses, Memrise doesn’t guide users through a progressive curriculum. Little explanation of grammar rules or sentence construction exists. While it is good for memorizing vocabulary, users who need a better understanding of grammar may find it limiting. They might need extra resources for structured lessons.

Busuu – The Structured Self-Starter

Best for learners who want a course-like experience

Busuu is ideal for those who prefer structure over spontaneity. It follows a guided curriculum that matches the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This helps learners progress through levels step by step, from beginner (A1) to upper-intermediate (C1). This setup appeals to self-directed learners who like knowing what to study next and want a clear roadmap to fluency.

Offers writing exercises and native-speaker feedback

One of Busuu’s standout features is its peer-review community. Learners can submit writing assignments or spoken responses, and native Spanish speakers on the platform give direct feedback.

Includes CEFR levels (A1–C1) and progress tracking

Busuu organizes its lessons based on the CEFR scale. This means you can measure your progress and follow formal language standards. Each level builds upon the last, covering reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

Free Spanish apps comparison shows Busuu excels with structure

When comparing Duolingo vs Busuu vs Memrise, Busuu clearly stands out for learners who need structure. While Duolingo focuses on daily streaks and Memrise emphasizes vocabulary exposure, Busuu brings it all together with grammar instruction, conversation prompts, and guided progression.

Limitations of free Spanish apps

These platforms are great starting points. However, they have some common limits, especially for learners who want to become fluent.

No live feedback: Apps use speech recognition or multiple-choice, not real conversations
Minimal cultural immersion: You don’t learn cultural nuances or context for language use
Limited grammar instruction: Duolingo vs Busuu and Memrise vs Busuu show different strengths in this area
Passive learning: Repetition helps, but without speaking and applying what you learn, progress can stall

Fluency requires:

Listening
Speaking
Reading
Writing
Real interaction with humans

That’s where live Spanish instruction — like Comligo’s classes with native-speaking teachers — becomes essential. It adds the human, conversational element that apps can’t replace.

Real-world use case examples

Ana, a software engineer, uses Duolingo, Memrise and Busuu Spanish apps to reinforce basics during her commute. It keeps her engaged but she struggles with forming full sentences in conversation.
Leo, a travel enthusiast, switched to Memrise before a trip to Peru. He learned dozens of common phrases and felt more confident ordering food and chatting with locals.
Tasha, a marketing manager, began using Busuu for organized learning. The clear grammar and the speaking challenges impressed her. She now combines Busuu with live Comligo classes to improve fluency and confidence.

Our verdict: Which free Spanish app should you choose?

It depends on your learning goals:

Choose Duolingo if you want to build a learn Spanish free habit with quick, fun daily lessons
Choose Memrise if your priority is learning vocabulary with real native speaker input
Choose Busuu if you’re ready for more structure, grammar, and limited conversation practice

Duolingo, Memrise, and Busuu suit busy learners. But to grow, especially in speaking, you need something more interactive.

Going beyond the app: Why live practice matters

Apps train recognition, not real-world production. To gain fluency, learners must speak regularly, receive corrections, and apply vocabulary in live contexts. This is where Comligo comes in.

Comligo offers:

Live Spanish classes with native-speaking teachers
Focused curriculum tailored to your goals and schedule
Cultural integration to enhance your real-world understanding
Immediate feedback to correct mistakes and improve quickly

Using Duolingo vs Memrise or trying Memrise vs Busuu? Pairing an app with live lessons makes learning active.

Ready to accelerate your Spanish?

Book a live online Spanish class with a Comligo teacher. Turn what you learn into real-world fluency, one conversation at a time.

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.