Memrise vs KanaMastery for Japanese: native-speaker videos, or JLPT practice
Facts about Memrise checked on its own pages in October 2026. Written by KanaMastery: we say where Memrise is the better choice.
Memrise is the better pick for hearing real Japanese: it teaches words and phrases through videos of native speakers, with AI conversation practice, in a kanji or a romaji course. KanaMastery is the better pick for reading and the JLPT: kana, then word and kanji lists from N5 to N1 with spaced repetition and typed answers.
Memrise focuses on speaking and listening; KanaMastery on reading, recall and listening.
Memrise and KanaMastery, side by side
| Memrise | KanaMastery | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Memrise Pro, sold in the apps; the US App Store lists USD 24.99 a month, USD 61.99 a year and USD 329.99 for lifetime, with offers | €5.99 a month, €44.99 a year or €149 once (KanaMember), after a 14-day trial with no card; a full refund within 30 days of the first payment |
| Free plan | Limited vocabulary lessons, videos and conversations, with ads | Free for good: all kana and the whole Kana program, every Japan quiz, the first chapter of every program and the first chapters of JLPT N5, 20 reviews a day, the daily challenge and leagues |
| Where it runs | iOS, Android and the web | A website, on any device with a browser; no app to install (and none yet in the app stores) |
| Hiragana and katakana | A Japanese course with kanji and one in romaji; how kana are taught isn't stated | All 208 kana with sound and stroke order pages, and a free program that teaches them |
| Kanji | In the kanji course; recognition or writing isn't stated | 2,217 kanji by JLPT level, each with readings, stroke order and words; practised for reading and meaning, not handwriting |
| Vocabulary | Words and phrases with native-speaker videos | 7,579 JLPT words with readings and meanings from JMdict, plus phrases, numbers and counters |
| Grammar | Not stated on its pages | Drills, not lessons: N5 particles and verb forms, sentences and N4 keigo; no grammar explanations beyond short notes |
| Levels covered | For all levels, it says; no CEFR or JLPT alignment stated for Japanese, and no certificates | Kana, then JLPT N5 to N1 |
| How it schedules practice | Spaced repetition, with reviews from 4 hours to 6 months apart | Spaced repetition (FSRS) for every answer: reading, recall and listening scheduled separately, up to 100 reviews a day |
| Audio | Videos of native speakers | Text-to-speech for words and kana |
| Motivation | Streaks and points; no leaderboards; AI conversation partners | XP and levels, combos, streaks with freezes, a daily challenge and weekly leagues |
Memrise's prices are as its own pages showed them in October 2026 (US prices unless noted); ours are in euros. Prices change: check before you buy.
Where Memrise is better
- Real native-speaker videos for words and phrases.
- AI conversation partners for speaking practice.
- A choice of a kanji course or a romaji course.
Where KanaMastery is better
- Built for the JLPT: N5 to N1 word and kanji lists with a program for each level.
- Price: €44.99 a year against USD 61.99 a year for Memrise Pro on the US App Store, and a free plan without ads.
- Kana taught first, free, and typed answers in kana for recall.
Using both
Memrise for listening to and repeating real speakers, KanaMastery for kana, kanji and JLPT vocabulary.
Questions about Memrise and KanaMastery
Is Memrise good for Japanese?
For listening to native speakers and learning everyday phrases, yes. It doesn't follow the JLPT, so learners aiming at the test usually add a tool built around its lists.
How much is Memrise Pro?
The US App Store lists USD 24.99 a month, USD 61.99 a year and USD 329.99 for lifetime, with offers (checked October 2026).
Memrise or Duolingo for Japanese?
Memrise focuses on native-speaker videos and vocabulary; Duolingo on a longer course with all three scripts. Both are apps; neither follows the JLPT.
Sources
- Memrise: learn Japanese
- Memrise: help centre
- Memrise on the US App Store
- Memrise on Google Play
- KanaMastery: pricing, how it works and attributions.
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