Memrise killed user-created decks in 2022, and I'm still not over it.
I spent two weeks alternating between Memrise and SmartRecall for Spanish and Japanese review. One tool locked me into curated courses with video clips of native speakers. The other let me import a CSV of vocabulary from a podcast I'm obsessed with. If you're learning a popular language and want zero friction, Memrise is polished and effective. If you need to learn anything else — or want control over what you study — you'll hit walls fast.
TL;DR: Memrise wins for casual language learners who want a mobile-first, gamified experience with native speaker videos. SmartRecall wins for anyone learning niche topics, multiple subjects simultaneously, or who needs custom decks and cross-platform sync. Memrise is $14.99/mo; SmartRecall starts at $8/mo.
How I evaluated them
I tested both tools across six dimensions over 14 days:
- Deck flexibility — Can I study what I actually need to learn?
- Spaced repetition algorithm — Does the scheduling feel right?
- AI features — What's automated vs manual busywork?
- Mobile vs desktop experience — Where does each tool shine?
- Pricing & value — What am I actually paying for?
- Language learning specifics — Video clips, pronunciation, conversation practice
I used Memrise for Spanish (a supported language) and tried to use it for cybersecurity terminology (spoiler: impossible). I used SmartRecall for both, plus a deck of Japanese kanji I'm working through.
1. Deck flexibility: Memrise locks you in, SmartRecall opens up
Memrise offers zero custom deck creation as of 2022. You pick from their curated courses — Spanish, French, Japanese, Korean, and about 20 other languages. The courses are well-designed, broken into levels, and include video clips of native speakers saying each word. But if you want to study vocabulary from a specific textbook, a podcast, or literally anything outside their curriculum, you're out of luck.
I tried to create a deck for AWS certification terms. Memrise has no mechanism for this. I tried to import a list of Spanish slang from a YouTube channel I follow. Also impossible. The app is a walled garden.
SmartRecall, by contrast, lets you:
- Import CSV files (I pulled 300 words from a Spanish podcast transcript)
- Create decks manually with a simple card editor
- Use AI to generate cards from text, PDFs, or URLs
- Study multiple subjects simultaneously (I had Spanish, Japanese, and a "random facts" deck running in parallel)
The tradeoff: Memrise's curated content is higher production value. Their Spanish course has professional recordings, images, and video clips. My SmartRecall Spanish deck is just text and audio I scraped myself. But I'd rather have control over what I'm learning than prettier cards for content I didn't choose.
Winner: SmartRecall, unless you're learning a language Memrise supports and don't mind their curriculum.
2. Spaced repetition: Both work, but SmartRecall is more transparent
Memrise uses a proprietary algorithm they don't document publicly. In practice, it felt similar to SM-2 — cards I got wrong came back quickly, cards I knew well disappeared for days. The scheduling worked, but I had no visibility into why a card was due or how the algorithm was adjusting.
SmartRecall uses FSRS (Free Spaced Repetition Scheduler), the same algorithm Anki adopted in 2023. It's open-source, well-researched, and you can see the retention curve for each card. I appreciated being able to check why a card was scheduled for "3 days" vs "7 days" — the algorithm shows its work.
Both tools got me to ~85% retention after two weeks. Memrise felt slightly more aggressive with early reviews (I saw new cards 3-4 times in the first session). SmartRecall spread them out more, which I preferred but is subjective.
One frustration with SmartRecall: the algorithm sometimes schedules too many reviews on the same day if you've been inconsistent. I skipped two days, came back, and had 87 cards due. Memrise caps daily reviews at a more manageable number by default.
Winner: Tie. Both algorithms work. SmartRecall wins on transparency; Memrise wins on pacing for beginners.
3. AI features: SmartRecall automates card creation, Memrise automates conversation
Memrise's AI is focused on conversation practice. Their "AI tutor" feature (included in the $14.99/mo plan) lets you have text-based conversations in your target language. It corrects your grammar, suggests better phrasing, and adapts to your level. I used it for Spanish and it felt like texting with a patient teacher. The AI doesn't generate flashcards — it's purely for active practice.
SmartRecall's AI generates flashcards from source material. I pasted a 2,000-word article about the Spanish subjunctive, and it created 18 cards with context-aware examples. I uploaded a PDF of Japanese grammar notes, and it pulled out conjugation patterns. The AI isn't perfect — I had to edit 3-4 cards for clarity — but it saved me 20 minutes of manual card creation.
The difference: Memrise's AI helps you use the language. SmartRecall's AI helps you build study materials. If you're learning a language, Memrise's conversation tutor is genuinely useful. If you're learning anything else, SmartRecall's card generation is the only AI feature that matters.
Winner: Depends on use case. Memrise for language conversation practice; SmartRecall for automated deck creation.
4. Mobile vs desktop: Memrise is mobile-first, SmartRecall is cross-platform
Memrise is designed for mobile. The app is fast, the UI is thumb-friendly, and reviews feel like scrolling through TikTok. Video clips autoplay, gamification is everywhere (streaks, leaderboards, points), and the whole experience is optimized for 5-minute sessions on the subway.
The desktop version exists but feels like an afterthought. No keyboard shortcuts, clunky navigation, and the video clips take up half the screen. I did 90% of my Memrise reviews on my phone.
SmartRecall works equally well on desktop and mobile. I preferred desktop for creating cards (faster typing, easier CSV imports) and mobile for reviews. The mobile app syncs instantly, supports offline mode, and has keyboard shortcuts on desktop (J/K for good/again, which I missed in Memrise).
One honest critique of SmartRecall: the mobile app's UI isn't as polished as Memrise. Buttons are smaller, animations are less smooth, and the gamification is minimal (just streaks, no leaderboards). If you want a dopamine hit every time you review, Memrise delivers. SmartRecall feels more utilitarian.
Winner: Memrise for mobile-only users who want polish. SmartRecall for anyone who studies on multiple devices.
5. Pricing: SmartRecall is cheaper, Memrise includes more content
Memrise: $14.99/mo or $89.99/year. Includes all curated courses, video clips, and AI conversation tutor. No free tier with meaningful functionality (the free version limits you to one course and disables most features).
SmartRecall: $8/mo or $72/year. Includes unlimited decks, AI card generation, and cross-platform sync. Free tier allows 100 cards and basic spaced repetition (enough to evaluate the tool, not enough for serious use).
Memrise's pricing makes sense if you're using their curated content — you're paying for professionally produced courses. But if you're creating your own decks, you're paying $15/mo for an algorithm and a conversation bot.
SmartRecall is cheaper because you're bringing your own content. The AI card generation is a time-saver, but you're still doing the work of sourcing material. If you're learning multiple subjects (e.g., Spanish + AWS certs + trivia), SmartRecall's pricing scales better.
Winner: SmartRecall on price. Memrise on value if you're using their curated courses.
6. Language learning specifics: Memrise's video clips are unmatched
Memrise's standout feature is video clips of native speakers. Every word in their courses has a 2-3 second clip of a real person saying it in context. You see their face, hear regional accents, and get a sense of natural pronunciation. It's the closest thing to immersion without traveling.
I learned the difference between Castilian and Mexican Spanish pronunciation just by watching the clips. This is something SmartRecall (and most SRS tools) can't replicate. SmartRecall supports audio on cards, but you're sourcing it yourself — usually from Google Translate TTS or Forvo.
Memrise also has "grammar bots" that explain tricky concepts (like por vs para in Spanish) with interactive examples. SmartRecall has no built-in grammar explanations — you'd need to create cards for that yourself.
The tradeoff: Memrise only works for the 23 languages they support. If you're learning Swahili, Tagalog, or anything niche, you're out of luck. SmartRecall works for any language (or non-language subject) because you control the content.
Winner: Memrise for supported languages. SmartRecall for everything else.
Final verdict: Pick based on what you're learning
Choose Memrise if:
- You're learning one of their 23 supported languages
- You want a mobile-first, gamified experience
- You value native speaker video clips and don't mind curated content
- You'll use the AI conversation tutor regularly
Choose SmartRecall if:
- You're learning multiple subjects (languages + professional topics + hobbies)
- You need custom decks or want to import your own content
- You study on both desktop and mobile
- You want a cheaper tool that works for any subject
I'm biased, but I'll be honest: if I were only learning Spanish and wanted the most polished experience, I'd probably use Memrise. But I'm also studying Japanese kanji, AWS terminology, and random trivia from podcasts. Memrise can't do that. SmartRecall can.
The real question isn't "which tool is better?" It's "what are you actually trying to learn?" Answer that, and the choice is obvious.
