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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Busuu vs Memrise Easy Language Learning

Busuu 4.7★ · Free + IAP 75
Winner Memrise Easy Language Learning
Memrise Easy Language Learning 4.8★ · Free + IAP 80

Memrise has a slight edge due to its more extensive language offerings and positive feedback on learning speed, despite recent technical issues and AI integration concerns.

Full reviews: Busuu · Memrise Easy Language Learning

Busuu and Memrise both offer effective language learning, with Busuu praised for its structured lessons and community features, while Memrise is noted for its vast language selection and efficient vocabulary acquisition. However, both apps face criticism regarding aggressive premium pushes, AI integration, and technical bugs.

Head to head

Features and Content edge: Memrise Easy Language LearningR1R2R20R24
Busuu Busuu is praised for its structured lessons, clear explanations, and the ability to connect with native speakers for feedback R2R20R58. Users appreciate its focus on grammar and cultural tidbits R53R58. However, some find the content for certain languages, like Arabic or Korean, to be poorly structured or minimal R1. The AI conversation feature is often paywalled R24.
Memrise Easy Language Learning Memrise is lauded for its extensive language selection, including less common languages like Choctaw and Lakota R62R92R113. Users value the real native speaker videos and the effectiveness of vocabulary acquisition . However, recent updates have introduced AI chatbots that some users find intrusive and less effective than real interaction, with no option to disable them R61.
Ease of Use and Reliability edge: BusuuR2R5R16R35
Busuu Busuu is generally considered easy to follow and well-structured for learning R2. However, users report issues with muffled or computerized voices R5R16, and some experience the app freezing R35. The review section has also been reported as not working properly .
Memrise Easy Language Learning Memrise is described as intuitive and effective for quick learning . However, it frequently suffers from significant bugs and loading issues, with progress not saving, lessons not loading, or the app crashing . Some users also report difficulties changing their native language .
Price and Value (Free vs. Paid) tieR1R9R10R13
Busuu Busuu offers a free tier, but many users find it heavily restricted by numerous unskippable ads and paywalls for essential features like review sections or AI conversations R9R10R13. Some users feel the paid subscription is not worth it due to basic lessons or content issues R1. There are also complaints about price increases for existing customers and automatic annual renewals without clear notice .
Memrise Easy Language Learning Memrise also has a free tier, with users noting short, skippable ads . However, many features are behind a paywall, and some users feel the app has become too greedy by removing previously free features . There are serious complaints about unauthorized billing and difficulty getting refunds or support for subscription issues R73.
Customer Support tieR7R28R70R73
Busuu Busuu receives negative feedback regarding its customer support, with users reporting issues with refund denials, account deletion without assistance during internet disruptions, and general lack of transparency and respect R7R28.
Memrise Easy Language Learning Memrise also has significant complaints about customer support, including automated responses, tickets being closed without human review, and a complete lack of response to billing inquiries or issues with paid memberships R70R73.
Pick Busuu if

you prefer a more structured learning path with grammar explanations and the opportunity for feedback from native speakers, and are willing to pay for premium to avoid ads and access full features R2R20.

Pick Memrise Easy Language Learning if

you are looking for a wider variety of languages, including less common ones, and appreciate learning through real native speaker videos, provided you can tolerate potential bugs and the integrated AI features R62R92.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of recent negative reviews, particularly concerning aggressive monetization tactics (ads, paywalls) and technical issues. Memrise's recent reviews are heavily skewed by complaints about AI integration and app instability.

Frequently asked

Which app is better for learning less common languages?
Memrise is generally better for learning less common languages, as it offers a wider selection including languages like Choctaw, Lakota, Urdu, and Icelandic, which users appreciate R62R92R113.
Do Busuu and Memrise have good free versions?
Both Busuu and Memrise offer free versions, but users report that Busuu's free experience is heavily interrupted by numerous unskippable ads and paywalls for core features R10R25R46R57, while Memrise's free version has shorter, skippable ads but still locks many features behind a paywall .
Are there issues with AI in these apps?
Yes, both apps have integrated AI, but Memrise users express significant dissatisfaction with its AI chatbot, finding it intrusive, time-consuming, and lacking an opt-out option, which has led some to stop using the app R61. Busuu also uses AI, with some users noting occasional muffled AI voices and the AI conversation feature being premium-only R5R16R24.
Which app is better for beginners?
Busuu is often recommended for beginners due to its easy-to-follow lessons, clear explanations, and structured approach that teaches grammar and cultural nuances R2R53R58. Memrise is also considered good for complete beginners, teaching everything from the start R86.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] Busuu 2/5 · US A2 level for Chinese sucks: I spent 131 days learning A1 level. I was really looking forward to A2 level; however, when I started A2 level lessons. It had vocabulary that it never taught me nor did it teach me any grammar. This app has a lot of ads and I paid for the premium. It feels like a huge waste of time and money. The only good thing I got out of this is that I am proficient in A1. Wish th
  2. [R2] Busuu 5/5 · US Lessons stick and are easy to follow: I love the teaching style and how their lessons are easy to follow. They also give tips for learning as well as a good explanation for why something is. Great learning tool!
  3. [R20] Busuu 4/5 · US Great Material, Limited Languages: It's pretty good so far. I love the social aspect of it and how you can connect to native speakers. I also enjoy how it encourages you to go at your own pace instead of showering you with streak notifications like a CERTAIN app... Anyways, it's good so far but then again I've only started a few days ago. However, my only problem is more of a personal thing. The l
  4. [R24] Busuu 3/5 · US This is very good app: The only nit pick I have is that you can’t do the AI conversations or the AI listening without premium. And unfortunately, for kids trying to learn languages, premium really gets in the way with that. It would be nice to have access to the AI stuff even without premium, as for me, I found that’s the best way I learn German. Side note: they already have adds, why do they need
  5. [R5] Busuu 4/5 · US Watch out for occasional muffled computerized voices: Most of the voices are great for helping to learn, but some of the voices sound like computerized muffled voices that are hard to understand because it’s so distorted. Why are those strange versions included with the more natural sounding voices?
  6. [R16] Busuu 2/5 · US Bad Audio: Audio is completely horrid. Cannot hear anything that is being said by these AI voices.
  7. [R35] Busuu 4/5 · US Loving it!: I’ve been studying Japanese consistently for over 300 days using Busuu. I’m learning so much better than any other app I’ve used before. My only quarrel is that sometimes it freezes up on me and I have to retake my lessons but that’s more practice for me!
  8. [R9] Busuu 3/5 · US Avis: Belle application mais trop limité pour la version gratuite
  9. [R10] Busuu 1/5 · US Too many adds for premium: Have been using it for a while now and haven’t been keeping up the practice because of how many ads they have or how often they want you to go to premium
  10. [R13] Busuu 1/5 · US Can’t skip ads: Be great if I could skip through them
  11. [R7] Busuu 1/5 · US No refund: Busuu promised a refund. They mentioned 14 days for a refund. After a day, I asked for a refund and they refused. Buyer beware! This program reminds me of all the reasons I hated High School Spanish class.
  12. [R28] Busuu 1/5 · US No Transparency, No Support, No Respect for Customers: A disappointing customer experience. I paid for a subscription using a valid payment method from a supported country. During the internet disruptions in Iran, I contacted support to explain my situation and request assistance. Instead of helping, the company deleted my account and later ignored my follow-up messages. This is not about company
  13. [R70] Memrise Easy Language Learning 2/5 · US Great until it's not: This app I can see potential in being more conducive and productive in learning languages. But as of the last update, the entire Learn Words set of modes are broken. By broken, I mean none of the completions are saving for ANY of the languages. To make it worse, the customer support/bug report from memrise is honestly disappointing in multiple ways. Automated responses withou
  14. [R73] Memrise Easy Language Learning 1/5 · US Billed without approval: Billing cancellation went through on desktop before renewal but you apparently need to cancel on your phone too. $100 plus charge, they do not respond at all, emailed 4 times same day of charge and nothing for weeks now. Desperate for money maybe, they will ignore you. Be careful with this company.
  15. [R62] Memrise Easy Language Learning 5/5 · US They have Chawcktow!!!: ❤️
  16. [R92] Memrise Easy Language Learning 5/5 · US DUOLINGO EXPANSION PACK!?: I’m a user of Duolingo. I have an 895+ day streak. I discovered Memrise just yesterday and after seeing all the courses they offered, I was awestruck. This is around 120+ more courses than Duolingo has to offer! Urdu, Toki Pona, Icelandic… they teach everything! And not to mention you can change your Memrise streak to whatever you want! My favorite part of Memrise, as
  17. [R113] Memrise Easy Language Learning 5/5 · US native american: i’m so glad they have lakota on the list
  18. [R25] Busuu 2/5 · US Pay to win app: A lot of the thing are lock behind a paywall and the fact that I have to watch an ad to unlock a lesson is just absurd.
  19. [R46] Busuu 2/5 · GB To many ads about premium: After each properly after each lesson they puts 15-30 seconds ads. Deleted after 15 minutes of use.
  20. [R57] Busuu 2/5 · GB Too many ads: The free version has too many ads. You just keep getting interrupted, which I don’t think is very beneficial to anyone’s learning. it’s great to know one can have a premium version, for which you have to pay - but not anyone can afford that. Also, you now have to watch an ad to review previous lessons, crazy. If one finished a lesson and wanted to go back to rewatch it, why do you h
  21. [R61] Memrise Easy Language Learning 2/5 · US Booooo AI: Used to be my favorite app for language learning 10 years ago. If I were able to opt out of using AI to advance (like it used to be!) then I wouldn’t mind still using it, but since I can’t, it’s bye-bye. GenAI is killing the planet. Do better.
  22. [R53] Busuu 4/5 · US Phenomenal: Unlike the majority of language learning apps, Busuu is legitimately helpful. They teach grammar, vocabulary, and throw in cultural tidbits. Not only that, but premium is actually optional. Most apps would make you buy premium just to get a full course and learn the basics, Busuu provides full courses and explanations for free. There are ads, but not enough to be annoying. I’ve learned
  23. [R58] Busuu 5/5 · US Best Language Learning App Ever: I love Busuu because it teaches you at a perfect pace that is understandable and not overwhelming. They teach you cultural nuances to help you get acclimated to the culture and understand it better. I love that it teaches you to understand the language by listening to, reading, speaking and writing. Busuu even helps you to practice speaking the language with local
  24. [R86] Memrise Easy Language Learning 5/5 · US مجهول: A fantastic and very good app; I recommend using it if you're a complete beginner. It teaches you everything from the very beginning, literally. It's better than the green app.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store