Memrise Spanish Review: Is It Good for Vocabulary Building?

By Andrea Cubillos

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January 14, 2025

Contents

Introduction

Myth 1: Memrise is Just a Flashcard App

Myth 2: Memrise Lacks Depth Compared to Other Apps

Myth 3: Memrise Doesn’t Help You Practice Speaking

What Makes Memrise Unique?

Memrise for Spanish Vocabulary: How Effective Is It?

Is Memrise Good for Spanish?

Memrise Pros and Cons

Is Memrise the Right App for You?

Final Thoughts

Introduction

Are you trying to learn Spanish and wondering which app is the best? One app you might see is Memrise. But is it really good for learning Spanish words?

In this Memrise Spanish review, we will explain what the app does, what it does well, and what it may not have. If you want honest answers about Memrise for Spanish vocabulary, you are in the right place.

Many students think language apps are boring flashcards. While flashcards are a big part of learning new words, Memrise offers much more. This blog will show you the Memrise pros and cons, how it works, and whether it’s a good fit for your Spanish learning goals.

Myth 1: Memrise is Just a Flashcard App

Is it true?

Not at all! While Memrise uses flashcards, it’s not just a flashcard learning app. Memrise is actually built around smart ways to help you remember words.

One of the best features is that it uses mnemonics. These are memory tricks that help you remember words. They link words to pictures or funny sentences.

This mnemonic app helps your brain form stronger connections. For example, if you want to learn the Spanish word "gato" (cat), the app might show a picture. The picture could be of a cat wearing a crown. It might say, "The king cat says GATO!" This helps you remember the word better.

So yes, Memrise uses flashcards, but they’re part of a much bigger picture.

Myth 2: Memrise Lacks Depth Compared to Other Apps

What about Babbel or Duolingo?

Some people think Memrise isn’t as deep or useful as apps like Babbel or Duolingo. But the truth is, Memrise has its own strengths. One of them is user-generated courses. That means regular users like you and me can make their own Spanish courses and share them with others.

These user-generated courses offer more variety than you'd expect. Want to learn Spanish vocabulary for cooking, travel, or science? There’s probably a Memrise course for that.

Babbel focuses on grammar. Duolingo makes learning feel like a game. Memrise lets you explore topics that interest you.

If you like learning new words in different themes, Memrise can be a fun choice. It offers flexibility and variety. You can learn from various people too. If you're looking for other resources, you might want to explore other top-rated Spanish learning programs for different learning styles.

Myth 3: Memrise Doesn’t Help You Practice Speaking

Can you actually speak Spanish with Memrise?

You may have heard that Memrise doesn’t let you practice speaking. It’s true that Memrise doesn’t offer live tutors like Preply or Lingoda, but that doesn’t mean it ignores speaking completely.

The app includes audio flashcards so you can hear native pronunciation for every word and phrase. Even better, Memrise has a feature called “Learn with Locals.” In this mode, you watch short videos of native Spanish speakers using the language in real situations. This helps with listening and speaking skills.

Memrise may not offer one-on-one speaking practice like a tutor. However, it helps you get ready to speak Spanish with confidence.

What Makes Memrise Unique?

Let’s dig into the features:

Flashcard Learning: It’s more than just reading and repeating. Memrise uses interactive flashcards with audio, video, and mnemonics to help you remember words.
Mnemonic App: The use of memory tools like silly pictures or rhymes makes words stick in your mind longer.
User-Generated Courses: Want to learn business Spanish? Or words used in songs? There’s probably a course made by another user for that.
Real-Life Videos: “Learn with Locals” lets you hear Spanish from real people. This makes it easier to understand pronunciation and tone.

All these make Memrise more than just a regular flashcards app.

Memrise for Spanish Vocabulary: How Effective Is It?

If you’re focused on growing your Spanish vocabulary, Memrise is a great choice. The app is built to help you practice and repeat new words until they stick. It even shows you the words you keep forgetting and gives you more practice with them.

Memrise uses something called “spaced repetition.” That means the app will show you harder words more often and easy words less often. This method is proven to help with long-term memory.

You can find many user-made courses. They offer vocabulary sets for all levels, from beginner to advanced.

So if your main goal is Spanish vocabulary practice, Memrise will definitely help.

Is Memrise Good for Spanish?

Let’s answer the big question.

Is Memrise good for Spanish? Yes, especially if you're focusing on building vocabulary. The mix of flashcards, mnemonics, and native-speaker videos gives you many ways to learn.

It doesn't offer grammar lessons like Babbel. It also doesn't provide personal speaking practice like Preply. However, it is a great tool for learning and remembering new words.

That’s why many learners, including students and adults, use Memrise to boost their Spanish vocabulary.

Memrise Pros and Cons

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Pros:

Uses mnemonics to help with memory

Memrise is an app that helps you remember new Spanish words. It uses funny pictures, silly stories, and clever tricks. This method makes learning more fun and easier to remember.

Real native speaker videos in “Learn with Locals”

One of the best parts of Memrise is the “Learn with Locals” feature. You can watch short videos of native Spanish speakers using real language. This helps with listening and understanding how words are used in daily life.

Huge variety of user-made courses

Memrise lets people create their own courses. These user-generated courses cover many topics, like travel, school, or slang, giving you more freedom to choose what you want to learn.

Fun and interactive layout

The app is colorful, easy to use, and has fun games. This makes learning feel more like playing rather than studying, which helps you stay motivated.

Tracks your progress and reviews difficult words

Memrise keeps track of the Spanish words you’ve learned. It reminds you to review the words you forget often, helping you practice Spanish vocabulary effectively.

Great for building vocabulary fast

If you want to learn new Spanish words quickly, Memrise is a great tool. It’s designed for Spanish vocabulary practice, making it easy to grow your word bank every day.

Cons:

Less focus on grammar

Memrise is awesome for learning words, but it doesn’t teach much grammar. So if you want to learn how to build full sentences, you might need to use another app or resource too.

No live speaking sessions like Preply

Unlike Preply, Memrise doesn’t offer live classes with tutors. That means you can’t get feedback on your speaking from a real person in real time.

Can be confusing with too many user-generated options

With so many user-generated courses, it’s sometimes hard to know which one to pick. Some are great, but others might not be very clear or helpful.

Speaking practice is mostly self-guided

There’s no live speaking practice built-in. You can listen and repeat phrases, but you won’t get correction or coaching from a teacher. Speaking is still helpful, but it’s something you mostly do on your own.

Still, if your goal is to get better at Spanish words and phrases, Memrise is a strong choice. You can find even more excellent options in our list of Top 10 Spanish Learning Tools and Resources for 2025.

What the Data Says

A study from the City University of New York found that people using Memrise remembered vocabulary better. This was compared to those who used traditional study methods. A Memrise survey even showed that 92% of users felt more confident in their language skills after just 3 months.

Language experts support it too. Dr. Michael Thomas, a language teacher, said, “Memrise uses memory tricks that help our brains remember things better.”

Real-life learners say the same. Sarah, a college student, used Memrise to prepare for her Spanish test. After two months, she improved her score by 30%. That’s impressive!

Is Memrise the Right App for You?

Memrise isn’t perfect, but it offers a lot, especially if you want to learn and remember Spanish vocabulary. It’s not just a flashcards app. It is also a mnemonic app, a vocabulary trainer, and a fun learning platform.

If you’re more focused on learning grammar or speaking to people live, apps like Preply or Lingoda may be better. But if your goal is to build a strong word base and understand pronunciation, Memrise does a great job, and with so many user-generated courses, you’ll never run out of new things to learn.

Final Thoughts

To wrap it up, Memrise is a solid tool for learning Spanish vocabulary. It combines fun memory tricks, videos of real people, and personalized learning to help you grow your skills.

This Memrise app review shows that the platform isn’t just about flashcards, it’s an exciting and flexible way to learn. For students and adults who want to get better at Spanish quickly and easily, Memrise is worth trying.

Andrea Cubillos

Academic Team

Andrea Cubillos is a seasoned Spanish teacher from Bogotá, Colombia, with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in both Spanish as a native and foreign language. Currently teaching in Medellín, Andrea combines her love for literature, art, and baking to create inspiring, creative learning experiences for her students.