LanguageApps.info

Language App Comparison Tool

Compare different language learning apps side by side to find the best fit for your learning style and goals. Add up to 3 apps to see detailed feature comparisons.

Comparing 3 Apps

Basic Info

Cost
Subscription
Free, One Time Purchase
Free, Subscription
TL;DR
Babbel provides a structured course with 10-15 minute lessons based on real-world conversations. It offers a curriculum with clear grammar explanations, targeting practical communication skills.
Anki is a robust flashcard tool using spaced repetition to help you memorize anything. It is a blank slate, requiring users to create or find their own content.
Memrise uses spaced repetition flashcards and short video clips of native speakers to help users learn vocabulary effectively. It excels at building a large vocabulary and improving listening skills for real-world accents.

Description

Description

Babbel is designed for learners who prefer a more structured, curriculum-based approach over a purely gamified one. Its lessons are built around practical, real-world dialogues, helping users build conversational skills from the start. Unlike many apps, Babbel integrates explicit grammar instruction within its 10–15 minute lessons, reinforcing concepts with review exercises. While it includes speech recognition for pronunciation practice, the speaking component is still a proxy for real interaction. It's an effective tool for beginners and lower-intermediate learners who want a solid foundation in grammar and vocabulary for everyday communication.

Anki is a powerful, open-source flashcard program renowned for its effective spaced repetition system (SRS). It isn't a language course itself, but a highly effective tool for memorizing vocabulary, phrases, or grammar rules that you input yourself or download from shared user-created decks. Its high degree of customization allows for rich cards with audio, images, and cloze deletions. While its interface can be unintuitive for new users, its effectiveness for long-term retention is largely considered unparalleled for dedicated learners.

Memrise excels as a vocabulary acquisition tool, centered around a spaced repetition system (SRS) to optimize memorization. Its standout feature is the integration of thousands of short video clips of native speakers, which provides crucial exposure to authentic pronunciation and colloquialisms. In addition to official courses, Memrise hosts a vast library of user-generated content for a wide array of languages and subjects. However, it provides minimal explicit grammar instruction and limited opportunities for sentence construction or speaking practice, making it an excellent supplementary tool for vocabulary and listening rather than a comprehensive course.

Features

Key Features
Structured Course, Communicative Approach, Bite Sized Lessons, Vocabulary Builder, Grammar Practice, Speech Recognition, Travel Focused, Offline Access
Spaced Repetition, Flashcards, Vocabulary Builder, User Generated, Offline Access, Adaptive
Spaced Repetition, Flashcards, Vocabulary Builder, Video Based, User Generated, Listening Comprehension, Comprehensible Input, Offline Access

Limitations

Known Issues
Limited Speaking Practice, Repetitive Content
Requires Self Direction, Limited Speaking Practice, Weak Grammar Explanation
Weak Grammar Explanation, Limited Speaking Practice, Passive Learning Focus, Varies By Course

Core Methodology & Pedagogy

Comprehensible Input
Communicative Approach

Content & Material Type

Structured Course
Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Video Based
User Generated

Primary Skill Focus

Vocabulary Builder
Grammar Practice
Listening Comprehension

Interaction & Technology

Speech Recognition
Offline Access
Adaptive

Learning Context & Style

Bite Sized Lessons
Travel Focused
Babbel vs. Anki vs. Memrise Comparison | LanguageApps.info | LanguageApps.info