Education · head to head
Memrise vs Simply Piano
Memrise
Education
Vocabulary and spaced repetition language app built around video clips of native speakers
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Simply Piano
Education
Piano-only learning app from JoyTunes using microphone listening, no MIDI keyboard required
- 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.; Simply Piano microphone-based note detection is less precise than MIDI input for fast or dense passages, so advanced players eventually outgrow its accuracy ceiling.
- They diverge on capability: Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards, Simply Piano covers Microphone-based listening.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Memrise and Simply Piano actually diverge.
| Attribute | Memrise | Simply Piano |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free with a Pro subscription | Per user per year or month |
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 Memrise
- Spaced repetition flashcards
- Learn with Locals videos
- Official courses
- Speaking practice
- Offline mode
- Grammar bot
Only in Simply Piano
- Microphone-based listening
- Structured curriculum
- Popular song arrangements
- Kids mode
- Practice feedback
- Offline practice mode
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 Simply Piano
- Someone using a grammar-focused course elsewhere and wanting Memrise purely for vocabulary retentionnot Simply Piano
- A traveller wanting practical phrase recognition for a specific trip rather than formal fluencynot Simply Piano
- A learner comparing subscription convenience against building free custom decks in Ankinot Simply Piano
Simply Piano
- A complete beginner who owns an acoustic piano and wants structured lessons without a MIDI connectionnot Memrise
- A parent choosing a self-guided piano app for a child who does not yet take private lessonsnot Memrise
- Someone who wants heavily song-driven practice using popular music rather than only classical exercisesnot Memrise
- A household deciding between this and Flowkey based on trial experience and song catalogue fitnot 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.
Simply Piano
- Microphone-based note detection is less precise than MIDI input for fast or dense passages, so advanced players eventually outgrow its accuracy ceiling.
- Its curriculum is piano only, so anyone wanting to learn a second instrument needs a separate subscription to Yousician or another app.
- The free trial is limited, and meaningful progress requires the paid annual subscription at around $120 a year.
- Background noise and an out-of-tune acoustic piano can degrade the accuracy of the microphone-based scoring.
- It does not go deep into music theory or advanced classical technique, so a serious student will eventually need a human teacher alongside or instead of it.
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
Simply Piano
Free- Simply PianoFree
- Limited introductory lessons
- Premium$119.99/year
- Full lesson path and song library
- Progress tracking
- Family plan options available
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 Simply Piano if
- You need microphone-based listening.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on iOS, Android, Web.
- You also want structured curriculum.
Questions people ask
- Is Memrise or Simply Piano better?
- Neither clearly leads. Memrise starts at Free and Simply Piano at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Memrise or Simply Piano?
- Memrise starts at Free and Simply Piano at Free.
- Does Memrise or Simply Piano run on more platforms?
- Both run on iOS, Android, Web, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
- 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 Simply Piano is typically brought in for.
- What can Memrise do that Simply Piano cannot?
- Memrise covers Spaced repetition flashcards, Learn with Locals videos, Official courses, Speaking practice. Simply Piano covers Microphone-based listening, Structured curriculum, Popular song arrangements, Kids mode.
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.
Simply Piano: Do I need a MIDI keyboard for Simply Piano?
No, it listens through your device microphone and works with any acoustic or digital piano.
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.
Simply Piano: How is it different from Flowkey?
Both use the same microphone-based, piano-only approach; the difference is mainly curriculum style and song catalogue, worth comparing via free trials.
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.
Simply Piano: Is there a kids version?
Yes, a simplified kids-focused mode and companion product exist for younger learners.
Related pages
More on Simply Piano
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