Inku vs Memrise for Japanese
Memrise teaches speaking and listening with videos of native speakers. Inku teaches Japanese vocabulary, phrases, kana and kanji with spaced review.
Short answer
- Category:
- Video-based language app
- Pricing:
- Free download with in-app purchases (App Store, October 16, 2026)
On this page
How does Inku compare to Memrise?
Inku publishes this comparison. Memrise's App Store listing describes lessons built around videos of native speakers, role-play practice and courses for many languages. Inku is Japanese only and focuses on words, phrases and characters with spaced review.
When is Inku the better choice?
- You want Japanese characters taught directly. Inku teaches hiragana and katakana with audio and has a kanji course (960 kanji from N5 to N1).
- You want JLPT vocabulary by level. Inku has vocabulary decks for every JLPT level from N5 to N1.
When is Memrise the better choice?
- You want to watch real speakers. Memrise uses videos of native speakers to model natural speech. Inku has audio clips but no video.
- You want speaking practice. Memrise's listing describes role-play practice. Inku does not practice speaking.
- You learn several languages. Memrise offers many languages. Inku is Japanese only.
Inku and Memrise side by side
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Criterion | Inku | Memrise |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Lessons of five items and spaced review | Video lessons and role-play |
| Audio and video | Pronunciation audio | Native-speaker videos |
| Kana and kanji | Taught as courses | Within the course |
| Languages | Japanese only | Many |
Our take
Memrise helps you hear how people speak. Inku helps you remember a large set of words and characters. Most learners need both kinds of practice from somewhere.
Verdict
Choose Memrise for speaking and listening with native-speaker video. Choose Inku for focused Japanese vocabulary, phrase, kana and kanji review.
They can work together: use Memrise to hear phrases in context and Inku to keep vocabulary and kanji in memory.
How we research this
Inku publishes this comparison, so it is not neutral. We check competitor claims against their official websites, help pages and App Store listings (last checked October 16, 2026), and Inku claims against the current iPhone listing and web app. Inku's pronunciation audio is synthesized speech, not human recordings. Found an error? Email hello@inkujapanese.com and we will correct it.
Common questions
Why use Inku if Memrise has native-speaker videos?
They do different jobs. Videos help you hear Japanese, and spaced flashcards help you remember it. Inku also teaches kana and kanji directly.
Related comparisons
Looking at this as a switch rather than a head-to-head? See the best Memrise alternative for Japanese.
Other Inku comparisons worth a look:
Or zoom out: the best Japanese flashcard apps roundup, all comparisons, and all alternatives. New to Japanese? Start with the full learning roadmap.
Sources and pricing
Pricing last checked: October 16, 2026. Prices can vary by country, platform, checkout, tax, and promotion.
