Preply
1-on-1 online language tutoring with 100,000+ tutors worldwide
Preply's massive tutor pool and flexible scheduling are unmatched, but pricing varies widely by tutor. It's the top choice for learners who prioritize human connection and personalized instruction over self-paced apps. For a more standardized, lower-cost alternative, consider Babbel or Duolingo.
Verified 18d ago · liveness 77/100 · cite: rightaichoice.com/tools/preply
- Learners seeking personalized 1-on-1 tutoring in a wide range of languages
- Businesses needing customized corporate language training for teams
- Students preparing for language exams like IELTS or Business English
- Learners who want flexible scheduling and the ability to switch tutors easily
- Learners who prefer self-paced app-based learning without live interaction
- Users on a very tight budget, as tutor rates vary and can be high
- Those needing a highly standardized curriculum across all tutors
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Skip Preply if you prefer a fixed, low-cost subscription or self-paced app learning with no live interaction.
Tutor rates vary widely ($5–$50+/hour); you may need to try several tutors to find one that fits your budget.
Preply's pay-per-lesson model ($5–$50+/hour) is flexible but can be expensive compared to app subscriptions like Babbel ($13.95/month) or Duolingo Plus ($6.99/month). For learners who take frequent lessons, the 10-30% discount on lesson packs (4, 8, or 20 lessons) helps reduce per-hour cost. Corporate training is custom-priced, typically higher per student but includes dedicated support. Overall, Preply fits best for learners with moderate budgets who value live interaction.
In short
Preply — 1-on-1 online language tutoring with 100,000+ tutors worldwide. Best for Learners seeking personalized 1-on-1 tutoring in a wide range of languages, Businesses needing customized corporate language training for teams, Students preparing for language exams like IELTS or Business English. Free to use.
Viability Score
How likely is Preply to still be operational in 12 months? Based on 4 signals — momentum (how recently it shipped), wrapper dependency, revenue model, and web presence.
Last calculated: July 2026
How we score →Key Features
- 100,000+ tutors across 120+ subjects
- 300,000+ 5-star tutor reviews
- Tutors from 180+ nationalities
- Personalized lesson plans tailored to goals
- Flexible scheduling and lesson frequency
- Satisfaction guarantee: try another tutor free
- Mobile app rated 4.8 on App Store, 6M+ downloads
- AI tools for practice and progress tracking
- Corporate language training for businesses
- Academic exam prep (IELTS, Business English)
- Lessons for all ages: kids to adults
- Secure payment and tutor matching
- 1-on-1 live video tutoring via web and app
- Tutor messaging and lesson management
- Refer-a-friend program and employer payment option
About Preply
Preply is an online language learning marketplace connecting you with over 100,000 experienced tutors across 120+ subjects, including English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, and more. Unlike app-only platforms such as Duolingo or Babbel, Preply focuses on live human interaction, letting you find a tutor who matches your goals, schedule, and budget. Tutors from 180+ nationalities and 300,000+ 5-star reviews offer personalized lesson plans tailored to your needs. The platform includes AI tools for practice and progress tracking, a mobile app rated 4.8 on the App Store with 6M+ downloads, and a satisfaction guarantee that lets you try another tutor for free if not satisfied. For businesses, Preply provides corporate language training with dedicated tutors and flexible billing; you can also refer your employer to have lessons paid for by the company. Preply stands out by offering unmatched tutor variety and flexibility, but pricing varies significantly by tutor—lessons range from $5 to $50+ per hour. It's the top choice for learners who prioritize human connection and personalized instruction over self-paced apps.
Behind the Verdict
Preply is the go-to platform for learners who want a real human tutor rather than an app. The sheer variety—100,000+ tutors across 120+ subjects, from IELTS prep to conversational Spanish—is unmatched. You can filter by nationality, price, availability, and even tutor video to find someone who clicks. The mobile app (4.8 stars, 6M+ downloads) makes booking and attending lessons seamless, with AI-powered practice tools sprinkled in. But this flexibility comes with a catch: quality control on tutors is inconsistent, and prices range from $5 to $50+ per hour. If you're on a tight budget or want a standardized curriculum, Preply might feel overwhelming. It's also not ideal for self-paced learners who prefer gamified apps like Duolingo. Compared to iTalki, Preply offers more languages and a slicker interface, but iTalki's community feel is stronger. For corporate training, Preply's dedicated plans are solid, but ensure your employer covers the cost—it's pricey otherwise. Caveat: tutor cancellation policies vary, and scheduling across time zones can be tricky. Overall, Preply excels when you know what you want in a tutor and are willing to invest time in choosing.
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Real-world workflow fit
Concrete scenarios for the personas Preply actually fits — and what changes day-one when you adopt it.
Needs to learn German for daily work and integration quickly.
Outcome: Finds a native German tutor with experience in business language, schedules 2 lessons/week, and uses AI tools for vocabulary practice. After 3 months, can hold basic conversations at work.
Requires targeted practice and feedback for IELTS writing and speaking sections.
Outcome: Selects an IELTS-specialized tutor, takes mock tests during lessons, receives detailed corrections, and improves band score from 6.0 to 7.0 over 2 months.
Child aged 8 needs engaging English lessons that fit around school schedule.
Outcome: Books a tutor experienced in teaching kids, uses interactive activities; child enjoys lessons and shows progress in vocabulary and confidence after 10 sessions.
Use Cases
- Take personalized 1-on-1 Spanish lessons from a native speaker in Mexico to improve conversational fluency.
- Prepare for the IELTS exam with a specialized tutor who provides mock tests and feedback on writing.
- Learn Japanese for business travel using a tutor who focuses on keigo and professional vocabulary.
- Boost your French accent and listening skills through daily short sessions with a tutor from Paris.
- Get your child started with English using a tutor experienced in teaching kids with fun activities.
- Maintain German proficiency for work by scheduling weekly lessons with a tutor who aligns with your industry jargon.
Limitations
- Pricing is set per tutor, making it hard to predict costs without browsing many profiles.
- The free tier only allows browsing and matching; actual lessons require payment.
- Quality varies significantly between tutors, and there is no standard curriculum or certification beyond individual tutor expertise.
- Advanced learners may find fewer tutors for niche languages or specialized fields.
as of 2026-06-25
Where the pricing makes sense
The company stage and team size where Preply's pricing actually pencils out — and where peers do it cheaper.
Preply's pay-per-lesson model ($5–$50+/hour) is flexible but can be expensive compared to app subscriptions like Babbel ($13.95/month) or Duolingo Plus ($6.99/month). For learners who take frequent lessons, the 10-30% discount on lesson packs (4, 8, or 20 lessons) helps reduce per-hour cost. Corporate training is custom-priced, typically higher per student but includes dedicated support. Overall, Preply fits best for learners with moderate budgets who value live interaction.
Setup time & first value
How long it actually takes to get something useful out of Preply — broken out by persona, not the marketing-page minute.
Signing up takes under 5 minutes. Finding a suitable tutor may take 10–30 minutes depending on how many profiles you browse and trial lessons. First lesson can be booked immediately once a tutor is chosen, so first value could be within a day.
Switching to or from Preply
How to bring data in from common predecessors and how to get it back out — written for the switcher, not the buyer.
- →From italki or Verbling: Export your learning goals and schedule; use Preply's search filters to find a comparable tutor. You'll need to create a new account and book trial lessons.
- →From self-study apps like Duolingo: Keep using app for vocabulary, but begin live sessions on Preply for speaking practice. No data portability.
- ↗To italki: Similar platform; you'll need to find and rebook with alternative tutors. No data export from Preply.
- ↗To Verbling: Smaller tutor pool; you lose access to Preply's AI tools and progress tracking.
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