Quizlet vs Memrise vs Anki: Which Is Better for Spanish Vocabulary?

By Bellah Mukisa

Reading time: 0 minute

October 21, 2025

Contents

Introduction

Overview: What Are Quizlet, Memrise, and Anki?

Key Comparison: Quizlet vs Memrise vs Anki for Spanish Learners

Which One Should You Choose?

Can You Use More Than One?

Bonus Tip: Pair Flashcards with Real Conversation

Conclusion: Pick Your Tool and Start Today

Introduction

When it comes to memorizing Spanish vocabulary, flashcards remain one of the most effective tools. They’re simple, flexible, and perfect for learners who want to study on the go.

However, with so many flashcard apps available, it can be tough to choose the right one. Three popular names dominate the conversation; Quizlet, Memrise, and Anki.

Each offers unique advantages: Quizlet focuses on ease of use, Memrise adds visual and video elements, and Anki provides deep customization and powerful spaced repetition.

In this guide, we’ll compare Quizlet vs Memrise vs Anki to help you decide which one fits your learning goals, study style, and Spanish vocabulary routine.

Overview: What Are Quizlet, Memrise, and Anki?

Quizlet: User-Friendly and Visual

Quizlet is a web-based and mobile flashcard app known for its sleek design and ease of use. It offers:

Ready-made Spanish vocabulary decks
Custom flashcard creation
Visual study modes (Match, Learn, Test)
Audio pronunciation and images
Study streaks and gamified features

Quizlet’s intuitive layout and polished mobile experience make it especially popular among beginners and casual learners.

Memrise: Engaging and Immersive

Memrise combines flashcards with gamified learning and video clips from native Spanish speakers. It feels fun and accessible, offering prebuilt Spanish courses by topic.

Pros:

Ideal for beginners and visual learners
Includes videos of native speakers
Built-in spaced repetition
Clean, colorful interface
Works on both desktop and mobile

Cons:

Limited deck customization
Less control over review frequency
Some features locked behind a paywall (~$8.49/month)

Memrise works best for learners who prefer ready-made, guided content rather than creating custom decks.

Anki: Powerful and Personalized

Anki is the go-to flashcard app for serious learners. It uses an advanced spaced repetition system (SRS) to show you words right before you’re likely to forget them making memorization extremely efficient.

Pros:

Fully customizable card design and intervals
Free on desktop and Android; one-time purchase on iOS (~$25)
Large open-source community decks (grammar, verbs, DELE prep)
Supports audio, images, and cloze deletions

Cons:

Steeper learning curve
Outdated interface
Requires manual setup and syncing

Anki is best suited for self-directed learners who value efficiency and control over convenience.

Key Comparison: Quizlet vs Memrise vs Anki for Spanish Learners

Feature	Quizlet	Memrise	Anki
Learning Method	Visual, some SRS	Spaced repetition + video context	Advanced SRS algorithm
Ease of Use	Very easy	Very easy	Moderate–advanced
Customization	Basic	Limited	Extensive
Deck Availability	Large community decks	Built-in topic-based courses	Massive shared library
Native Speaker Content	Audio only	Video & audio	Optional (manual)
Mobile App	Free & polished	Free, sleek	Free (Android) / Paid (iOS)
Cost	Free + Premium (~$36/year)	Freemium (~$8.49/month)	Free (Desktop/Android), Paid (iOS)
Best For	Beginners, casual learners	Visual beginners	Committed, advanced learners

Which One Should You Choose?

Each of these apps serves a specific type of learner. Here’s how to decide:

Choose Quizlet if you:

Are new to Spanish learning or want a quick start
Prefer a simple, game-like study experience
Study on your phone frequently
Want quick vocabulary review sessions

Choose Memrise if you:

Learn best through visuals and real-world videos
Want a structured, ready-made learning path
Prefer minimal setup and an interactive interface
Value hearing real native speakers

Choose Anki if you:

Want full control over your learning process
Are preparing for exams (like DELE) or aiming for fluency
Enjoy data-driven study and customization
Prefer long-term retention over quick review

Can You Use More Than One?

Absolutely. Many learners start with Quizlet or Memrise to discover and review new words, then move to Anki for deeper retention. You can even export decks from Quizlet or Memrise and import them into Anki using the right tools.

Just remember: flashcards help you remember but not necessarily speak.

Bonus Tip: Pair Flashcards with Real Conversation

Flashcards build vocabulary. Speaking makes it stick.

That’s where live instruction platforms like Comligo come in. You can:

Practice with native Spanish-speaking teachers
Get feedback on pronunciation and grammar
Apply the words you’ve learned in real dialogue
Learn cultural nuances that flashcards can’t teach

Combining flashcards with live conversation helps turn memorized words into confident communication.

Conclusion: Pick Your Tool and Start Today

So, Quizlet vs Memrise vs Anki which is best for Spanish vocabulary?

Go with Quizlet for a fun, visual, and beginner-friendly experience.
Choose Memrise if you love video content and guided lessons.
Pick Anki for deep learning, flexibility, and long-term retention.

Or, use all three strategically and then bring your Spanish to life through real conversation practice.

Ready to go beyond flashcards? Join a live Spanish class with Comligo today and turn your vocabulary into real communication.

Bellah Mukisa

By Marketing Team

Bellah Mukisa is a Digital Marketing Professional at Comligo with five years of experience in SEO, content strategy, and brand management. With a creative eye and strong technical skills, she crafts engaging digital experiences that boost traffic and awareness. Bellah is passionate about design, analytics, and delivering results-driven campaigns.