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Education · head to head

Khan Academy vs Memrise

Khan Academy logo

Khan Academy

Education

Free world-class education for anyone, anywhere

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Memrise logo

Memrise

Education

Vocabulary and spaced repetition language app built around video clips of native speakers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Khan Academy the Internet Archive's capture of Khan Academy's homepage on 1 January 2021 stated it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and that its full library of practice and lessons 'is all free for learners and teachers', funded by donations rather than subscriptions.; Memrise the free tier caps daily reviews tightly enough that consistent vocabulary building in practice requires the Pro subscription.
  • They diverge on capability: Khan Academy covers Video 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 Khan Academy and Memrise actually diverge.

Attributes where Khan Academy and Memrise differ
AttributeKhan AcademyMemrise
Pricing modelfreeFree with a Pro subscription
PlatformsWeb, IOS, AndroidiOS, Android, Web
Founded2008Unknown

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 Khan Academy

  • Video lessons
  • Practice exercises
  • Mastery system
  • Progress tracking
  • Personalized learning
  • Teacher tools
  • Parent dashboard
  • Test prep

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.

Khan Academy

  • Free self paced learning across maths, science and humanitiesnot Memrise
  • Assigning practice and tracking student progress in a classroomnot Memrise

Memrise

  • A learner who wants vocabulary tied to real spoken usage through native speaker video rather than only text flashcardsnot Khan Academy
  • Someone using a grammar-focused course elsewhere and wanting Memrise purely for vocabulary retentionnot Khan Academy
  • A traveller wanting practical phrase recognition for a specific trip rather than formal fluencynot Khan Academy
  • A learner comparing subscription convenience against building free custom decks in Ankinot Khan Academy

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Khan Academy

  • The Internet Archive's capture of Khan Academy's homepage on 1 January 2021 stated it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and that its full library of practice and lessons 'is all free for learners and teachers', funded by donations rather than subscriptions.

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

Khan Academy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Video lessons
    • Practice exercises
    • Progress tracking

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 Khan Academy if

  • You need video lessons.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android.
  • You also want practice exercises.
Khan Academy review

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.
Memrise review

Questions people ask

Is Khan Academy or Memrise better?
Neither clearly leads. Khan Academy 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, Khan Academy or Memrise?
Khan Academy starts at Free and Memrise at Free.
Does Khan Academy or Memrise run on more platforms?
Khan Academy runs on Web, IOS, Android. Memrise runs on iOS, Android, Web.
Can I use Khan Academy for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Khan Academy best used for?
Khan Academy is most often used for free self paced learning across maths, science and humanities, assigning practice and tracking student progress in a classroom. Of those, free self paced learning across maths, science and humanities and assigning practice and tracking student progress in a classroom are not what Memrise is typically brought in for.
What can Khan Academy do that Memrise cannot?
Khan Academy covers Video lessons, Practice exercises, Mastery system, Progress tracking. Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards, Learn with Locals videos, Official courses, Speaking practice.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Khan Academy: Is Khan Academy free?

Yes. Khan Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and states that it is a free tool for students, teachers and parents alike, with over 840 free courses and teacher tools provided at no cost. It relies on donor support rather than fees.

Source
Memrise: 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.

Khan Academy: Who is Khan Academy for?

Khan Academy serves students, teachers and parents, covering core academic subjects from K-12 through early college. The platform is available in more than 190 countries and over 55 languages.

Source
Memrise: 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.

Khan Academy: How is Khan Academy funded if it is free?

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Khan Academy is funded by donations rather than subscriptions. Its about page states that donor support is what keeps the classroom tools free.

Source
Memrise: 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.

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