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Education · head to head

Flowkey vs Memrise

Flowkey logo

Flowkey

Education

Piano learning app with microphone or MIDI listening and a large licensed song catalogue

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: Flowkey microphone-only users, without a MIDI keyboard, still hit the same accuracy limits as Simply Piano on fast or dense passages.; Memrise the free tier caps daily reviews tightly enough that consistent vocabulary building in practice requires the Pro subscription.
  • They diverge on capability: Flowkey covers Large licensed song library, Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Flowkey and Memrise actually diverge.

Attributes where Flowkey and Memrise differ
AttributeFlowkeyMemrise
Pricing modelPer user per year or monthFree with a Pro subscription

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), platforms (iOS, Android, Web), 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 Flowkey

  • Large licensed song library
  • MIDI keyboard support
  • Microphone listening
  • Slow-down and loop tools
  • Video lessons
  • Progress tracking

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.

Flowkey

  • An adult returning to piano who wants to work toward specific known songs at a graduated difficultynot Memrise
  • Someone with a MIDI-capable digital keyboard wanting more accurate feedback than microphone listening alonenot Memrise
  • A learner motivated by a large, varied song catalogue rather than a strict beginner curriculumnot Memrise
  • A pianist wanting slow-down and loop tools to work through a specific difficult passage in a real piecenot Memrise

Memrise

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

Where each one falls short

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

Flowkey

  • Microphone-only users, without a MIDI keyboard, still hit the same accuracy limits as Simply Piano on fast or dense passages.
  • Its curriculum is less structured around fundamentals than Simply Piano for a complete beginner with no prior reading ability.
  • It is piano only, so a household wanting to cover guitar or other instruments needs a separate subscription elsewhere.
  • The song licensing model means catalogue availability can shift over time as licences change, occasionally removing a previously available arrangement.
  • Full benefit of its more precise feedback mode requires owning a MIDI-capable keyboard, which is an additional cost beyond the subscription for anyone with only an acoustic piano.

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

Flowkey

Free
  • FlowkeyFree
    • Limited free songs and lessons
  • Premium$119.99/year
    • Full song library and difficulty arrangements
    • MIDI keyboard support
    • 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 Flowkey if

  • You need large licensed song library.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web.
  • You also want midi keyboard support.
Flowkey 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 Flowkey or Memrise better?
Neither clearly leads. Flowkey 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, Flowkey or Memrise?
Flowkey starts at Free and Memrise at Free.
Does Flowkey or Memrise run on more platforms?
Both run on iOS, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use Flowkey for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Flowkey best used for?
Flowkey is most often used for an adult returning to piano who wants to work toward specific known songs at a graduated difficulty, someone with a midi-capable digital keyboard wanting more accurate feedback than microphone listening alone, a learner motivated by a large, varied song catalogue rather than a strict beginner curriculum, a pianist wanting slow-down and loop tools to work through a specific difficult passage in a real piece. Of those, an adult returning to piano who wants to work toward specific known songs at a graduated difficulty and someone with a midi-capable digital keyboard wanting more accurate feedback than microphone listening alone are not what Memrise is typically brought in for.
What can Flowkey do that Memrise cannot?
Flowkey covers Large licensed song library, MIDI keyboard support, Microphone listening, Slow-down and loop tools. Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards, Learn with Locals videos, Official courses, Speaking practice.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Flowkey: Does Flowkey support MIDI keyboards?

Yes, connecting a MIDI keyboard gives more precise note detection than microphone listening alone.

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.

Flowkey: How is it different from Simply Piano?

Flowkey emphasises a large licensed song catalogue with graduated arrangements, while Simply Piano leans more into a structured beginner curriculum.

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.

Flowkey: Do I need a MIDI keyboard to use it?

No, microphone listening works with any piano, but MIDI support improves accuracy if you have compatible hardware.

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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