If you’re trying to decide between Ling and Memrise, the short answer is this: Ling is better for structured learning, real-life conversations, and less commonly taught languages. Memrise is better for vocabulary building, video-based listening, and casual daily practice.
But which one is right for you depends on your learning goal. Let’s break it down clearly and objectively.
Ling Vs Memrise: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Ling | Memrise |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Subscription-based with monthly, 6-monthly and 12-monthly plans | Freemium + Monthly and Annual subscription |
| Free Version Available? | Yes (limited lessons) | Yes (limited features) |
| Total Languages Offered | 70+ languages | 20+ major global languages |
| Lesson Style | Structured, dialoge-based lessons | Vocabulary + video-based learning |
| Speaking & Pronunciation Practice | Speech recognition + | Listening to native speaker videos + pronunciation mimicry |
| Grammar Explanations | Clear in-lesson grammar notes | Minimal explicit grammar |
| Best-Suited Learners | Travelers, expats, heritage learners, serious learners | Casual learners, vocabulary-focused learners, beginners |
What Is Ling & Who Is It Best For?
The Ling app is a structured language learning app designed to help learners speak confidently in real-life situations. It offers 70+ language courses, with a focus on covering lesser known languages from Asia and Eastern Europe, which other apps miss out on. Ling also offers 70+ interface languages to choose from as a learning medium. That’s right! You can choose to learn a new language in your native language (if it is on the list of 70+ interface languages), you don’t necessarily need to be proficient in English.
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Ling’s Learning Approach
The Ling app has a beginner friendly learning approach and it focuses on:
- Practical, real-life conversations
- Audio lessons recorded by native speakers
- Dialogue-based lessons
- Pronunciation practice with speech recognition
- Alphabet practice for languages with non-Latin scripts
- Vocabulary in context
- Grammar and Culture Notes features for more popular language courses
In short, instead of only memorizing words, learners build sentences and understand how the language works by practicing within cultural contexts.
Ling’s Focus: Less Commonly Taught Asian & Eastern European Languages
One of Ling’s strongest differentiators is its support for:
- South Asian languages: Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Sinhala, Nepali, Pashto.
- Southeast Asian languages: Thai, Tagalog, Malay, Indonesian, Khmer, Lao, Burmese, Vietnamese, Javanese, and so on.
- Eastern European and Balkan languages: Serbian, Albanian, Croatian, Bosnian, Lithuanian, Slovenian, and so on.
Many mainstream apps prioritize only high-demand languages like Spanish or French. Ling expands access to languages that are often underserved.
Who Is Ling Best For?
Ling is ideal for:
- Travelers and expats who need practical conversations
- Heritage learners reconnecting with family language
- Serious long-term learners who want grammar clarity and cultural nuances
- Relationship learners communicating with a partner’s family
So, if your goal is to move beyond memorizing phrases and actually construct sentences, Ling supports that progression.
What Is Memrise & What Type Of Learners Use It?
Memrise is a language learning platform is known for its vocabulary-driven and video-based language learning approach.
Memrise’s Learning Model
Memrise focuses on:
- Short, bite-sized lessons
- Spaced repetition
- Native speaker video clips
- Gamified review sessions
Its standout feature is exposure to real native speakers through short videos. Learners hear different accents and speaking speeds, which helps build listening familiarity.
Core Strengths
- Highly engaging and gamified
- Easy entry for absolute beginners
- Strong vocabulary retention
- Quick daily sessions
Typical Memrise Users
Memrise is popular among:
- Casual learners
- Students wanting to boost vocabulary
- Travelers preparing for basic communication
- Learners who already study grammar elsewhere
The app works as a supplementary tool.
Is Ling Better Than Memrise for Speaking & Conversation Practice?
If your goal is conversation, Ling generally provides more structured speaking practice.
Speaking & Pronunciation In Ling
Ling includes:
- Sentence-building exercises
- Speech recognition technology
- Pronunciation repetition tasks
- Dialogue simulations
These specific features in the Ling app help learners actively reproduce language rather than only recognize it.
Speaking & Listening In Memrise
Memrise excels in:
- Listening to real native speaker videos
- Exposure to natural accents
- Pronunciation mimicry
However, it focuses more on recognition and repetition than structured sentence construction.
Direct Takeaway: Ling Vs Memrise
Ling is better for actively building conversational skills. Memrise is better for listening exposure and vocabulary familiarity.
Ling Vs Memrise: Course Structure & Lesson Depth
Ling’s Course Structure
Ling follows a clear progression path:
- Units organized by real-life themes
- Gradual grammar introduction as Grammar Notes feature (available for more popular language courses)
- Increasing sentence complexity
- Contextual vocabulary
The Ling app supports learners beyond absolute beginner level. It acts as your practice buddy as you progress ahead in your language learning journey.
Memrise’s Lesson Depth
Memrise focuses heavily on:
- Word and phrase recognition
- Drill-based repetition
- Listening and recall exercises
While effective for vocabulary, it offers limited structured grammar explanation and less depth at higher levels.
Suitability Beyond Beginner Level
- Ling → Suitable for learners who want to move toward intermediate conversation
- Memrise → Strong for beginners and vocabulary reinforcement
If you want long-term structured progression, Ling provides more depth.
Which App Offers More Languages & Better Cultural Context: Ling Or Memrise?
Language Coverage: Ling Vs Memrise
Ling offers 70+ languages, including many underrepresented regional languages from Asia and Eastern Europe. Memrise offers around 20+ popular global languages, mainly high-demand ones.
If you are learning: Thai, Urdu, Bengali, Serbian, Tamil, Croatian, Khmer or Tagalog, Ling is the one app offering you a structured curriculum prepared by linguists and language experts.
Cultural Context: Ling Vs Memrise
Ling integrates cultural notes and situational context into lessons. For example, the Culture Notes features in the Punjabi language course offers you a glimpse into the Punjabi culture and tips on when to use ‘formal you’ and ‘informal’. Similarly, you learn about Thai holidays and related greetings and how to use phrases appropriately when traveling to Thailand.
Memrise offers cultural exposure indirectly through native speaker videos but provides fewer explicit cultural explanations.
So, If cultural context and regional language access matter to you, Ling offers broader coverage.
Ling Vs Memrise Pricing: Is Ling Worth Paying For?
Ling Subscription Options
Ling’s paid subscriptions fall under the Ling Pro plan. It offers:
- Monthly plan of $16.99
- 6-month plan of $64.99
- Annual plan (in some regions) of $89.99 with a 7-day free trial period
After downloading the Ling app, you gain free access to limited lessons. Full course access requires a subscription.
Memrise Subscription Model
Memrise offers:
- Free version with limited access
- Monthly subscription
- Annual subscription
Premium unlocks full lessons and advanced features.
Is Ling Worth Paying For?
Ling is worth paying for if you:
- Want structured, grammar-supported lessons
- Are learning a niche or regional language
- Plan to learn long-term
- Need conversational confidence
What Do Learners Say About The Ling App?
User Reviews For Ling
“This app is amazing! I’ve tried several language learning apps and this one is by far the best. The lessons are fun, interactive, and actually help you remember what you learn. I love that it includes speaking practice and real-life conversations. Highly recommend!”
★★★★★
Tessabear
“Ling makes learning a new language so much easier and more enjoyable. The structure of the lessons is clear and engaging, and I appreciate the cultural insights included throughout the course. It’s perfect for beginners and even helpful if you already know some basics.”
★★★★★
MollyLove88
User Ratings For Ling
The App Store rating for the Ling is a solid 4.6 out of 5 with 13K ratings. The Google Play Store rating is also 4.6/5 with 27K reviews and more than 1 million downloads.
Ling Vs Memrise: Pros & Cons
| Category | Ling | Memrise |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | – Real-life conversation focus – Grammar and Culture Notes features (for popular language courses) – Supports many less commonly taught Asian and Eastern European languages – Native audio and pronunciation practice – Writing practice for non-Latin scripts – Structured learning beyond beginner level | – Free or freemium access – Gamified, motivating interface – Easy for absolute beginners – Short daily lessons |
| Cons | – Paid subscription required after first few free lessons – No in-app podcasts or audio recaps | – Limited depth for serious learners – Less focus on full real-world conversations – Can feel repetitive at higher levels |
So, in short, the Ling app provides 70+ language courses to choose from, while also providing native speaker audio lessons and pronunciation practice with its Dialog feature. It might fare slightly less appealing due to its paid subscription model but for serious language learners, the monthly breakdown of the subscription prices is even lesser than that of a latte at Starbucks!
Which App Should You Choose Based On Your Learning Goal?
When choosing between Ling and Memrise, the most important factor isn’t which app has more features or better marketing, it’s how well the app aligns with your personal learning goal. Before deciding, think about what success looks like for you.
Are you trying to hold real conversations confidently, or do you simply want to recognize common phrases while traveling? Do you want to understand grammar and sentence structure, or are you comfortable memorizing useful expressions? Are you planning to study consistently for months, or are you looking for short, flexible sessions that fit into a busy schedule? Your motivation, time commitment, and depth of interest should guide your choice.
If your goal is to develop conversational ability and gradually build confidence in forming your own sentences, Ling is often the better option. Its structured lessons are designed to help learners move from vocabulary recognition to actual sentence construction. Because it integrates grammar notes, dialoge-based learning, and pronunciation practice, it supports learners who want more than surface-level familiarity with a language.
Ling is particularly suitable for travelers who expect to interact meaningfully with locals, expats or digital nomads adjusting to a new country, heritage learners reconnecting with their family language, and serious learners aiming for steady long-term progress. It also becomes the stronger choice if you are learning a less commonly taught or regional language, where structured alternatives may be limited.
On the other hand, if your goal is lighter and more flexible, such as expanding vocabulary, reinforcing words you’re already studying elsewhere, or preparing for basic travel phrases, Memrise can be a strong fit. Its short, gamified sessions make it easy to stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed. The exposure to native speaker videos is particularly helpful for improving listening familiarity and understanding how real people pronounce common expressions. For casual learners, absolute beginners who want an easy starting point, or students who already use textbooks or classes for grammar study, Memrise works well as a motivating and accessible tool.
FAQs About Ling Vs Memrise
Is Ling Better Than Memrise?
Ling is better for structured conversation learning and grammar. Memrise is better for vocabulary practice and listening exposure.
Is Memrise Completely Free?
Memrise offers a free version, but premium features require a subscription.
Does Ling Offer Rare Languages?
Yes, Ling supports many regional and less commonly taught languages (Asian and Eastern European) not widely available on other apps.
Which App Is Better For Speaking?
Ling provides more structured speaking and sentence-building practice. Its Dialog feature helps practice speaking consistently.
Can I Use Both Apps Together?
Yes, you can use both the apps together depending upon your learning goals and study style. For example, some learners may use Memrise for vocabulary and Ling for structured progression.
Final Verdict: Ling Or Memrise?
Both the apps serve different learning styles. You can choose Ling if you want:
- Real-life conversations
- Grammar or cultural clarity
- Focus on Asian and Eastern European languages
- Structured long-term progression
You can choose Memrise if you want:
- Quick daily vocabulary practice
- Native speaker video exposure
- A gamified beginner-friendly experience
If your goal is long-term conversational ability, Ling offers a more comprehensive roadmap. If you prefer light, flexible learning sessions, Memrise can be a good starting point.
Ultimately, the best app is the one aligned with your learning intent. So, if you’re looking to learn a new language that isn’t that popular, want an app with interactive exercises that makes learning fun, need to practice speaking and having conversations, understand the importance of native-speaker audio, and want to review what you learn as often as you can, the Ling app is your best bet. So, what are you waiting for? Download the Ling app now and get started with your learning journey!
