Education · head to head
Memrise vs Open edX
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: Memrise the free tier caps daily reviews tightly enough that consistent vocabulary building in practice requires the Pro subscription.; Open edX no license fees for software but requires separate spending on hosting, infrastructure, and maintenance
- They diverge on capability: Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards, Open edX covers Course authoring.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Memrise and Open edX 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 Memrise
- Spaced repetition flashcards
- Learn with Locals videos
- Official courses
- Speaking practice
- Offline mode
- Grammar bot
Only in Open edX
- Course authoring
- Interactive videos
- Assessments
- Discussions
- Certificates
- Analytics
- Mobile apps
- xBlocks
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Memrise
- A learner who wants vocabulary tied to real spoken usage through native speaker video rather than only text flashcardsnot Open edX
- Someone using a grammar-focused course elsewhere and wanting Memrise purely for vocabulary retentionnot Open edX
- A traveller wanting practical phrase recognition for a specific trip rather than formal fluencynot Open edX
- A learner comparing subscription convenience against building free custom decks in Ankinot Open edX
Open edX
- MOOC creationnot Memrise
- Corporate trainingnot Memrise
- Blended learningnot Memrise
- Degree programsnot Memrise
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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.
Open edX
- No license fees for software but requires separate spending on hosting, infrastructure, and maintenance
- Customization and support from third-party providers requires additional investment
Pricing, plan by plan
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 $89.99, cheaper per month than monthly billing
Open edX
Free- Self-HostedFree
- Full platform
- Community support
- All features
- Managed Hosting$undefined/month
- Hosted solution
- Support
- Maintenance
Which should you pick?
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.
Choose Open edX if
- You need course authoring.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want interactive videos.
Questions people ask
- Is Memrise or Open edX better?
- Neither clearly leads. Memrise starts at Free and Open edX at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Memrise or Open edX?
- Memrise starts at Free and Open edX at Free.
- Does Memrise or Open edX run on more platforms?
- Memrise runs on iOS, Android, Web. Open edX runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- Can I use Memrise for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Memrise best used for?
- Memrise is most often used for a learner who wants vocabulary tied to real spoken usage through native speaker video rather than only text flashcards, someone using a grammar-focused course elsewhere and wanting memrise purely for vocabulary retention, a traveller wanting practical phrase recognition for a specific trip rather than formal fluency, a learner comparing subscription convenience against building free custom decks in anki. Of those, a learner who wants vocabulary tied to real spoken usage through native speaker video rather than only text flashcards and someone using a grammar-focused course elsewhere and wanting memrise purely for vocabulary retention are not what Open edX is typically brought in for.
- What can Memrise do that Open edX cannot?
- Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards, Learn with Locals videos, Official courses, Speaking practice. Open edX covers Course authoring, Interactive videos, Assessments, Discussions.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
Open edX: How much does Open edX cost?
Open edX software itself is completely free with no license fees. Organizations must cover their own hosting, infrastructure, maintenance, and customization costs.
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.
Open edX: Are there hosting options for Open edX?
Open edX offers three deployment options: self-hosted (organizations deploy independently), managed providers (third-party companies offer cost-effective managed services), and a free sandbox for testing.
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.
Open edX: What does free mean for Open edX?
There are no license fees to use the Open edX software. Organizations can download and deploy it independently or use managed hosting providers for a fee.
SourceRelated pages
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