Comparing Rosetta Stone and Memrise: A Comprehensive Review

The internet has transformed language learning into an exciting and accessible experience. With new apps and websites emerging monthly, each promising to make mastering a language quicker, easier, and more enjoyable, it raises an intriguing question: Can you truly learn English, Spanish, or Mandarin through online games? If so, which of these tools is the most effective for achieving fluency?

I’ve chosen to put two renowned language learning programs to the test against each other. In one corner, we have Rosetta Stone, the reigning champion of language education. Since its debut in 1992, when the internet was still in its infancy, Rosetta Stone has garnered both acclaim and criticism.

In the opposite corner stands the spirited upstart, Memrise. Launched in 2010 as a simple flashcard app, it emerged just as smartphones began to capture our attention like never before.

I devoted a week to learning Spanish on each app, and here’s what I found. 

Rosetta Stone vs Memrise: an overview

Memrise review  

Memrise boasts an impressive user base of over 42 million across 189 countries, which caught me off guard! While it may not be as widely recognized as Rosetta Stone or Duolingo, its reach and popularity are certainly noteworthy.

I was curious how a widely popular app had managed to evade my attention, which sparked my interest to learn more about it.

How does Memrise work? 

You’re learning within three minutes of signup

There’s no fluff in Memrise’s signup process. Simply download the app, add your email, and start learning.

Memrise offers an exciting variety of official courses across numerous languages, organized into seven distinct levels. Levels 1-3 correspond to approximately A1 proficiency, while levels 4-7 align with A2. This structured approach is particularly beneficial, as many learners heavily depend on language apps during these foundational stages. Notably, there’s significant progress made between A1 and A2, making this system a valuable resource for language acquisition.

While there are no official courses beyond the A2 level, Memrise offers a wealth of user-generated content to discover, including some more advanced materials. Dive in and explore these resources to enhance your learning experience!

The best part? You can explore any course on the app for free! While you’ll need to start from the beginning and unlock each module gradually, this allows you to sample a wide range of content at no cost.

The flashcard games are short and cute  

At its core, Memrise is an innovative flashcard app designed to make language learning fun and interactive. When you click “start” on a course, you’ll embark on a quick game that helps you master five new words. Each word is symbolized by a seed emoji, and as you practice it in various forms, you’ll watch it grow a stem and blossom into a delightful flower—how charming!

Memrise enhances its courses by introducing new vocabulary through short video clips. Each word is showcased in several engaging gif-style videos featuring different actors, allowing learners to hear various pronunciations. While the actors may appear a bit awkward and overly enthusiastic—understandably so, given the challenge of presenting a word in isolation—their performances add a unique touch. Their expressive eyes might convey a hint of dramatic flair, but this quirky approach makes the learning experience truly memorable.

Certain courses offer a feature called “Language Learning with Locals.” This unique addition allows presenters in the videos to share complete sentences and everyday expressions, making the learning experience more immersive compared to traditional single-word vocabulary lessons.

There are a few really exciting features 

Memrise is on an exciting journey to revolutionize the traditional flashcard concept by leveraging the latest advancements in technology.

• User-Generated Memory Aids: If you answer a flashcard incorrectly, simply click the “Help me remember this” button to access a variety of user-generated memory aids, or “mems,” accompanied by images. For instance, one user visualizes C-3PO from Star Wars as a character embodying moral principles to remember the Spanish term “el principio” (beginning, principles). While this feature enhances learning, many flashcards in Memrise’s popular Spanish course currently lack these aids, referred to as “mempty.”
• **Video Posts for Language Learning**
  Imagine harnessing TikTok’s addictive nature for language learning. Memrise has introduced an innovative feature called “Immerse,” accessible from the app’s home screen. This feature presents a series of engaging short videos in your target language, complete with subtitles in both your target and native languages. As many social media users know, it’s hard to resist the allure of short-form video content. This inspired addition is a fun way to teach slang effectively!
• **Speed Review:** Short on time? Try a speed review! This fast-paced, multiple-choice quiz challenges you to quickly translate familiar words. With just a few seconds per question, stay on your toes—three incorrect answers in a row means game over! Perfect for quick learning boosts.
• **Augmented Reality Flashcard Maker**
  Experience the innovative augmented reality flashcard feature on Memrise. By clicking the “explore” option, you can use your phone’s camera to identify objects in your environment and receive translations. While it may misidentify items about 33% of the time, the ability to save captured images as flashcards for future review adds to its value. This engaging method could potentially enhance your learning of Spanish vocabulary, like “el champiñón,” by connecting words to real-life objects, such as the champignon on your frozen pizza.

The desktop and mobile app don’t seem to be friends

Memrise on desktop and Memrise the app almost seem like completely different platforms. 

The two versions of Memrise offer distinct features that cater to different users. The desktop version boasts a leaderboard and a friend connection option, creating a sense of competition and community. Meanwhile, the mobile app stands out with its video posts and flashcard creator, enhancing the learning experience on-the-go. Overall, the Memrise website feels outdated compared to the more modern and dynamic mobile app.

There are some unexpected discrepancies worth noting. While Memrise touts grammar sections, they are noticeably absent from Spanish courses. Additionally, the trendy TikTok-style videos are still lacking in most language offerings, leaving users wanting more engaging content.

It seems to be designed for high-school-age test-takers 

Memrise primarily aims to help users rapidly expand their vocabulary, but this approach can feel reminiscent of traditional schooling—almost like cramming for an exam. Interestingly, a significant portion of its enthusiastic user base consists of high school students preparing for tests. Much of the user-generated content is tailored specifically for vocabulary related to GCSEs and A-levels, the UK’s key high school qualifications.

The app is cleverly designed to appeal to users in their teens and early twenties. It goes beyond trendy social media-style videos and a newsfeed-like homepage; it also caters to the reality that this audience often has a very short attention span.

Memrise may be tailored for the young and busy, but that doesn’t compromise its effectiveness. Think of it as a trendy Gen Z friend who seems wise beyond her years. She balances a demanding internship, sports vibrant blue hair, and is always encouraging you to support climate action online. From its engaging notifications like, “So excited to help you learn Spanish today,” Memrise makes language learning feel fresh and motivating.

The good

• Memrise is an excellent flashcard app designed for rapid vocabulary acquisition. While many language learning apps suggest they can substitute real-world interaction, Memrise understands that speaking practice is irreplaceable. It positions itself as a valuable tool among others, effectively catering to its niche in language learning.
• Free Access: Memrise’s free version includes nearly all the features of the premium plan, with no ads to disrupt your learning experience.
• Memrise offers a fast and engaging way to learn languages, capturing users’ attention within five seconds. Its satisfying games deliver quick results, while the charming design enhances the experience. Users can track their progress, with the app helping to expand vocabulary by 5 to 20 words daily, bringing learners closer to the B1 benchmark of 2,500 words. (Note: Achieving B1 proficiency involves more than just vocabulary.)
• Addictive Yet Non-Intrusive: Memrise keeps you engaged with its flashcards, promoting effective memorization without overwhelming you with notifications or pressure to maintain progress.

The bad 

• Limited Depth of Learning: While Memrise effectively helps you recognize new words through multiple-choice exercises, it often falls short in fostering true comprehension and usage. Many users find they can only identify words passively, lacking the ability to actively produce them in conversation. To effectively transition vocabulary from passive recognition to active use, it’s essential to engage with the language in more natural contexts. In my experience, one-on-one online lessons provide a significantly better return on investment for language practice compared to Memrise.
• Learning words without context can be detrimental. While flashcards are a popular tool for vocabulary acquisition, they often lead to misunderstandings due to the lack of nuance and secondary meanings. Relying solely on flashcards, especially with apps like Memrise, may hinder your ability to use new words correctly in sentences. Most educators recommend combining flashcard use with reading and listening to media for a more effective vocabulary development strategy.
• User-generated content varies in quality, relying on the expertise of its creators. Many popular Memrise courses are uploaded by users and lack verification from learning experts, which means you might be learning incorrect definitions without knowing it. Since even professionals make mistakes, it’s important to approach Memrise’s crowd-sourced courses with caution.
• Video post translations can occasionally be inaccurate. Memrise’s 10-second videos provide subtitles in both your native and target languages, but discrepancies often arise between the literal translations and Memrise’s versions. This can confuse beginners, though it’s a common challenge in language learning due to the complexity of direct translations.

Rosetta Stone review 

Discover How Rosetta Stone Has Evolved Over Nearly 30 Years: A Journey Toward Excellence

How does Rosetta Stone work? 

First impressions: this course takes itself very seriously

Rosetta Stone’s visual design has remained largely unchanged since its heyday, resembling an online version of a traditional language textbook. With its bright primary colors and practical stock photos, the site feels nostalgic, contrasting sharply with the more vibrant and dynamic approach of platforms like Memrise.

After signing up for your 3-day free trial (welcome aboard!), you can select your proficiency level and pick a structured learning plan. Rosetta Stone is a dedicated language learning platform that expects you to invest in your journey. Each plan consists of 30-minute sessions, five days a week, for six weeks, without any customization options. It seems Rosetta Stone has a lot of faith in your ability to stick to this commitment!

The lessons are designed with equally ambitious goals in mind. Each daily session lasts 30 minutes, focusing on core language skills, supplemented by additional grammar and listening exercises. While this immersive approach offers depth, it may feel like a lengthy commitment to a single language resource.

While you have the option to fast-track through parts of a lesson, it’s not recommended. The program requires you to revisit and successfully complete every section without mistakes before it contributes to your daily goals.

Lessons use Rosetta Stone’s “immersion” technique 

A standout feature of Rosetta Stone is its unique “immersion” approach, which immerses you in your target language from the very beginning. This method eliminates instructions or explanations in your native language, allowing you to learn intuitively. Enthusiasts argue that this technique mirrors the natural way children acquire language skills.

Get ready for an exciting journey of learning through engaging multiple-choice exercises and deductive reasoning! For example, you might hear the term for “ice cream” a few times while viewing a tempting image of the treat. Then, as you encounter a new word alongside pictures of both ice cream and a hairbrush, you’ll use your reasoning skills to figure out that the new word actually means “hairbrush.” This interactive approach will make learning both fun and effective!

Engaging users to make logical connections often requires more time than simply stating a rule. While exposing them to the same vocabulary through diverse sentences and contexts enhances their understanding of real-world situations, this method can be a slow journey. Moreover, the repetitive nature of endless multiple-choice exercises can become monotonous.

The lack of native language instructions is frustrating in some places 

For learners who aren’t accustomed to the fast-paced world of “generation Minecraft,” the slow pace of Rosetta Stone may not be as frustrating. However, there are moments when the immersive learning experience feels excessively sluggish. Take the grammar sections, for example; they lack clear explanations. While simple verb conjugations might be grasped without much context, more complex or irregular rules would benefit greatly from direct clarification. For instance, it would be far more helpful to explain that “usted” is a formal singular “you,” rather than suggesting its meaning through images.

Rosetta Stone’s exercises lack clear instructions, which can be particularly frustrating for those who didn’t grow up with technology. This absence of guidance may pose a challenge for users trying to navigate the platform effectively.

There’s a focus on listening and repeating phrases

Rosetta Stone places a strong focus on listening skills, which is vital for language acquisition. One of the primary exercises requires learners to listen to a phrase and match it with the corresponding image. This approach is especially beneficial since many language learners find listening more challenging than reading. By emphasizing listening, Rosetta Stone effectively addresses this common struggle, creating a more balanced learning experience.

From the very beginning, you’ll find yourself “speaking” by repeating phrases into your computer. Rosetta Stone features an innovative voice recognition tool called TruAccent™, which boasts impressive accuracy. In fact, it seems to confirm my correctness more frequently than many other language-learning programs, leading me to believe it might just be the most forgiving option out there.

There’s some nifty features here too  

Aside from their main course, Rosetta Stone offers several side features.  

• **Reading Section: Extended Learning Hub**

  The “Extended Learning Section” on the website offers short stories in your target language, enhancing language retention through reading. Users can read independently, listen to audio recordings, or record themselves reading aloud. However, the immersion approach can be frustrating; while hovering over difficult words on the desktop version shows helpful images (mostly for nouns), the mobile version lacks even basic picture translations, making comprehension challenging.

• **Live Tutoring with Rosetta Stone**: Enhance your language learning with live tutoring sessions offered by Rosetta Stone. Interact with native speakers through online classes that complement your course. Group sessions are available for $14 for 25 minutes, or $19 for two sessions, while private lessons are priced at $19 each or $29 for two. These interactive sessions follow a webinar format, allowing you to see your tutor without them seeing you.
• **Downloadable Lesson Recordings**
  Rosetta Stone provides an “Audio Companion” feature that allows users to download spoken lesson recordings for offline listening on mobile devices. While this is similar to podcasts, the files are not compatible with standard listening apps. Although the Audio Companion is a valuable resource, the process for transferring files from the website to your phone can be overly complex.
• **Language Games:** While some Rosetta Stone courses include learning games, the European Spanish course I tried does not. If you are looking for a language learning program that incorporates games, this may not be the best choice for you.

The good

• Its methods have stood the test of time. As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” 
• **Learn Practical Sentences for Better Language Comprehension**
  Rosetta Stone introduces new vocabulary through multiple context-rich sentences. This approach enhances long-term understanding by exposing learners to the nuances and practical applications of words, unlike flashcard methods. By learning in sentences, you gain valuable speaking templates and improve your grasp of the language’s subtleties. Additionally, many of Rosetta Stone’s sentences are relevant for everyday conversations.
• High commitment is essential, as this program aims to replace traditional language courses, catering to learners seeking an immersive experience.
• Ideal for polyglots: A long-term Rosetta Stone subscription offers excellent value, granting access to all language courses in their catalog when you choose a plan of one year or more.

The bad 

• Rosetta Stone lessons can be surprisingly dull. After just twenty minutes, I zoned out, which is the opposite of what should happen when learning a language! I enjoy learning Spanish, so this was unexpected. Most exercises consist of matching sentences with images, which feels repetitive. While I appreciate the importance of encountering new vocabulary in various contexts, in 2020, relying heavily on simple match-up games seems outdated.
• The app is frustrating. Initially, its clean and simple interface impressed me, but it only offers access to daily lessons, lacking the additional grammar and vocabulary modules found on the desktop version. Furthermore, the requirement to hold the phone sideways for lessons makes it uncomfortable and awkward to use.
• **Limited Speaking Skill Development with Rosetta Stone**
  While Rosetta Stone is often viewed as a serious alternative to Duolingo, it doesn’t necessarily enhance speaking skills. The platform primarily uses multiple-choice questions, allowing users to guess answers easily. Without the option for interactive live lessons—available only at a high cost—there’s little opportunity to practice speaking or writing in real-life contexts. Consequently, Rosetta Stone may not be more effective than other language learning tools like Memrise when it comes to conversational proficiency.

Which is better? Rosetta Stone or Memrise  

In my experience, Memrise outshines Rosetta Stone consistently. It offers incredible value, effortlessly introducing new vocabulary each day. Plus, it’s so enjoyable that it often pulls me away from my Instagram scrolling!

At first, I wondered if Memrise was merely a flashcard app. After putting it to the test, I can confidently say it certainly is— and so much more!

So, why is this considered a drawback? Every language learner can benefit from an excellent flashcard app! Flashcards are inherently suited for gamification and have been an engaging tool long before the digital age. While they can be fun and quick, they often lack the depth needed to explore the rich intricacies of a language’s art and structure.

Flashcards are a fantastic tool for enhancing your vocabulary and should definitely be included in your learning arsenal. Thanks to Memrise, these simple learning aids have been transformed into an engaging and addictive experience!

Personally, I found Rosetta Stone to be rather dull. It’s clear that I’m not their intended audience; not everyone enjoys learning through gifs, games, and quick videos. Older adults, for instance, might appreciate a more serious approach to language learning. However, I sensed a lack of depth in Rosetta Stone’s polished presentation, as users primarily engage in multiple-choice questions. Since neither platform can truly make you fluent without additional practice, I recommend opting for the free, more enjoyable option!

The fastest way to fluency? 1-on-1 online tutoring 

Memrise stands out to me because it functions as a complementary tool in a learner’s toolkit, rather than a standalone solution. While language apps are great for building vocabulary, they often fail to connect words to real-world usage. Memrise bridges this gap, helping learners apply their knowledge in practical contexts.

Establish a consistent study routine with platforms like Memrise or Rosetta Stone, and you’ll excel at completing the exercises presented. However, be mindful that this might not translate into actual conversational skills in your target language.

You’re not learning French, Hindi, or Russian just to navigate an app; you’re exploring a new language to connect with people and broaden your horizons. While numerous advanced language learning apps are available, it’s essential to remember that the key to enhancing your speaking skills lies in actual conversation practice.

Engaging in genuine conversations with fluent speakers should be your top focus. While online games can’t truly replicate this experience, connecting with native speakers is now more accessible than ever from the comfort of your home. Consider trying 1-on-1 lessons with LingualNeeds; you’ll be amazed at how quickly the language concepts you’ve studied begin to click. Plus, you’ll build the confidence needed to practice your new language in real-life situations.