Education · head to head
Brilliant vs Memrise
Memrise
Education
Vocabulary and spaced repetition language app built around video clips of native speakers
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Brilliant requires active daily engagement to maintain learning streaks, which can feel gamified; Memrise the free tier caps daily reviews tightly enough that consistent vocabulary building in practice requires the Pro subscription.
- They diverge on capability: Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Brilliant and Memrise actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Brilliant
- Interactive lessons
- Problem-solving
- Daily challenges
- Progress tracking
- Guided paths
- Offline access
- Mobile learning
- Mobile apps
Only in Memrise
- Spaced repetition flashcards
- Learn with Locals videos
- Official courses
- Speaking practice
- Offline mode
- Grammar bot
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Brilliant
- Math learningnot Memrise
- Science educationnot Memrise
- Programming basicsnot Memrise
- Problem-solving skillsnot Memrise
Memrise
- A learner who wants vocabulary tied to real spoken usage through native speaker video rather than only text flashcardsnot Brilliant
- Someone using a grammar-focused course elsewhere and wanting Memrise purely for vocabulary retentionnot Brilliant
- A traveller wanting practical phrase recognition for a specific trip rather than formal fluencynot Brilliant
- A learner comparing subscription convenience against building free custom decks in Ankinot Brilliant
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Brilliant
- Requires active daily engagement to maintain learning streaks, which can feel gamified
- Premium subscription needed for full course access; basic free tier is limited
- Focuses only on STEM subjects; no humanities or social sciences
- Interactive nature requires more time commitment than passive video learning
Memrise
- The free tier caps daily reviews tightly enough that consistent vocabulary building in practice requires the Pro subscription.
- Memrise phased out much of its earlier community-created course library in favour of official courses, so learners who relied on community decks for less common languages lost access to that content.
- It teaches vocabulary and set phrases well but offers comparatively thin grammar instruction, so it works best as a companion to a grammar-focused course rather than a standalone method.
- Language coverage for the flagship Learn with Locals video feature and speaking practice is uneven, concentrated in a handful of popular languages.
- Unlike Anki, the spaced repetition algorithm and content are closed and cannot be customised or exported, so a learner cannot take their review data to another tool.
Pricing, plan by plan
Brilliant
Free- Premium Monthly$24.99/month
- Access to all 90+ courses
- No ads
- Premium Annual$150/year
- Access to all 90+ courses
- No ads
Memrise
Free- Memrise Pro$8.99/month
- Free tier allows basic vocabulary practice with daily limits and ads
- Pro unlocks Learn with Locals videos, full official courses and offline mode
- Annual Pro plans typically run $69.99 to $89.99, cheaper per month than monthly billing
Which should you pick?
Choose Brilliant if
- You need interactive lessons.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want problem-solving.
Choose Memrise if
- You need spaced repetition flashcards.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web.
- You also want learn with locals videos.
Questions people ask
- Is Brilliant or Memrise better?
- Neither clearly leads. Brilliant starts at Free and Memrise at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Brilliant or Memrise?
- Brilliant starts at Free and Memrise at Free.
- Does Brilliant or Memrise run on more platforms?
- Brilliant runs on Web, iOS, Android. Memrise runs on iOS, Android, Web.
- Can I use Brilliant for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Brilliant best used for?
- Brilliant is most often used for math learning, science education, programming basics, problem-solving skills. Of those, math learning and science education are not what Memrise is typically brought in for.
- What can Brilliant do that Memrise cannot?
- Brilliant covers Interactive lessons, Problem-solving, Daily challenges, Progress tracking. Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards, Learn with Locals videos, Official courses, Speaking practice.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Brilliant: Does Brilliant offer offline learning?
Yes. The Brilliant mobile app allows users to download lessons and learn without internet connection.
SourceMemrise: Is Memrise free?
A limited amount of vocabulary practice is free with daily caps and ads. Learn with Locals videos, full courses and offline mode require Memrise Pro.
Brilliant: Is there a free tier for Brilliant?
Yes. Brilliant offers a free basic tier with access to some courses. K-12 teachers and their students can qualify for free Premium access.
SourceMemrise: What is Learn with Locals?
Short video clips of native speakers using vocabulary and phrases in real settings, intended to show how language is actually spoken rather than textbook delivery.
Brilliant: What subject areas does Brilliant cover?
Brilliant covers over 90 courses across mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, and data science, taught by experts from MIT, Harvard, Google, and Microsoft.
SourceMemrise: Can I still use community-created courses?
Memrise moved away from most of its earlier community course library toward its own official courses, so availability of community content is now limited.
Brilliant: How does Brilliant's teaching approach differ from video lectures?
Brilliant emphasizes active learning through interactive problem-solving rather than passive video watching, similar to Duolingo's gamified approach.
SourceRelated pages
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