Preply Review: Does It Work for Learning a Language?

Do you want to learn a language online through a one-to-one tutor? You may have found Preply while searching for online language tutoring. Does it work, and is it worth the hype? Let’s cover everything in this complete Preply review for 2025!

Of all the language apps, private tutoring is one of the best ways to learn a new language. It is convenient and affordable and offers many language choices and tailor-made lessons.

If you are doing it online, you can pick an excellent language teacher from anywhere in the world. You can study at your own speed, time, and comfort.

If you have been searching for an online face-to-face session with a tutor, you might have heard of the Preply website and app.

Preply is a leading online platform for language tutoring. It helps students contact teachers from anywhere for personalized one-on-one language lessons and other subjects.

Is Preply app any good, and how well does this work? Is it worth the cost? What are the pros and cons of using Preply for students and teachers?

Let’s explore everything in this comprehensive Preply review.

About the Preply Company

Before we start, let’s have a little background about the Preply organization.

Preply was founded in 2012 in Kyiv, Ukraine, by three Ukrainian entrepreneurs: Kirill Bigai, Serge Lukyanov, and Dmytro Voloshyn.

Preply’s growth has been remarkable, from a team of 3 to over 500 from across the globe. With headquarters in Brookline, MS, USA, the company maintains offices in Barcelona (Spain), Kyiv (Ukraine) and London (UK).

According to the Crunchbase report, Preply has raised $170.1M in funding over 10 rounds from dozens of investors. Horizon Capital led its last funding round of $70M in 2023.

What is Preply, and what does it do?

At its core, Preply platform is an online learning that connects students worldwide with teachers for personalized, one-on-one lessons.

A major struggle for learners is finding reliable and skilled tutors for online face-to-face teaching. The same goes for trainers who need students to teach and make a living.

This platform’s ever-increasing number of students and teachers makes Preply a shining success.

Today, it’s a global education marketplace where learners connect with skilled tutors to pursue their academic goals.

Unlike other language apps, it doesn’t offer custom courses and lessons. Instead, independent educators simply use the platform to teach learners worldwide, as required.

The website hosts thousands of instructors with diverse qualifications and experiences. They set their own schedule and price, supporting them to work as their own boss and be self-employed.

It covers over 100 subjects, such as math, chemistry, data science, AI, graphic design, and marketing topics. However, the top focus remains language learning.

What’s the process for using Preply?

A user-friendly interface and experience are hallmarks of Preply’s site and app design. This creates a smooth experience for students and teachers and is easy to navigate and use.

Here are simple steps to use Preply!

1. Signing Up on the platform

Registering on the Preply site is a simple 2-minute step, though it varies for teachers and learners. You can sign up on the website or download the mobile app for Android or iOS.

(i) For Learners

To create a new account, you must provide basic details such as your name, email, and the subject or language you plan to learn. You can also mention your current level and what you intend to achieve.

(ii) For Teachers

Tutors create profiles to sign up. They add their qualifications, teaching background, description, availability, and hourly rates. Be sure to include all relevant details to boost your profile score.

Teachers can make their profiles more visible by adding certificates and specialties. A short video presenting themselves and their teaching style can boost their profiles and build trust.

2. Finding a tutor that suits your learning goals

After registering, you, as a student, can browse a list of tutors who meet your needs. You can narrow your search by subject, price, country of origin, availability, and language.

You can pick the tutor’s native tongue and a specialty that fits your goal. For example, if you aim to learn French, you have various custom options for your specific purpose.

You can select French tutors for kids, business, conversation, beginners, and literature. You can also find a specialist instructor to help you prepare for French language tests such as the SAT, TFI, DELF, DALF, TEF, and TCF.

There are two more categories to filter competent teachers.

The Super Tutors have covered many lessons by maintaining excellent attendance, quality in trial lessons, scheduling, and replying to messages. They have also received many high ratings.

The Professional Tutor is another one with lots of experience. The Preply team verifies their teaching certificates before adding a badge mentioning the same to their profile.

You can also check past Preply reviews from students, ratings, and feedback to understand the trainer’s quality and teaching method. The introductory video also offers a quick look at the tutor’s background.

The Preply dashboard has a “Find Students” button for tutors. Students can post listings, and tutors can apply and submit for tutoring jobs.

3. Scheduling Lessons on Preply

Once you select a teacher, you can message the tutor directly through Preply’s messaging system. Then, you can discuss your current skill level, lesson plans, needs, and schedule.

You can book the lessons as per the tutor’s availability. The students can choose the duration of each session, which can vary between 25, 50, and 80 minutes.

If you are uncertain about the teacher and want to review it before committing, you can book a 25- or 50-minute trial lesson. A 7-day trial permits each student one free lesson from one tutor and up to two more from other educators.

Trial lessons are a superb feature from a student’s perspective. But they are not so good for tutors, as Preply takes 100% commission for the first lesson.

Learners can also transfer their purchased hours to a new tutor if they don’t enjoy learning with their existing teacher.

Scheduling lessons takes up a lot of freelance tutors’ time. Preply’s calendar and appointing system remove all this hassle. Tutors just need to keep the timetable up-to-date, and students can easily book lessons.

Tutors can easily manage scheduling, rescheduling, and cancelation with a few clicks on the app or web.

4. Taking your Lessons

Tutors often conduct the lessons in Preply’s Classroom. This is their own custom-made video-chat platform. It is easy to use and requires no extra software or app downloads.

This learning platform has several rich features. E.g., virtual whiteboards for writing and drawing, taking notes, file sharing for resources and tasks, chat, and audio and video calls.

The entire content remains accessible after the lesson ends. AI-powered teaching assistants can also save tutors time when creating personalized lessons. Some free study materials are available.

You can send your students placement test if you teach English, Spanish, French, German, or Portuguese. Before your first lesson, you’ll know their current skill level and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

You can install the extension ‘Vocab by Preply’ from the web browser to get the meaning of any word with a click. Another feature is TalkNow, which can improve students’ speaking competency.

But what if you face difficulties or the tutor or student prefers another video messenger?

Preply allows you to use any other platform to conduct and take classes. You can use Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Team, Cisco WebEx, Skype, or any learning software that serves you best.

5. Payment Process

Preply offers a quick and secure payment system that allows students to buy lesson packages directly.

There are many ways to make the payment. This includes Google Pay, Apple Pay, various credit and debit cards, and PayPal. Not all options are available in every country, so verify in advance.

Students pay in advance, but tutors receive payment after completing each lesson. As a teacher, you can withdraw your money whenever you want, with no delay.

If the free first lesson goes well, the learner’s subscription will start automatically after 7 days or earlier if they decide to plan another lesson before.

After a trial lesson, students can select a program with their tutor to match their desired study schedule. You can choose between 1 to 5 classes per week.

As a student, you are billed for the initial 28 days, and the Preply subscription is repeatedly renewed until canceled. You can always postpone the lessons, downgrade or upgrade, change the renewal date, or even cancel the Preply plan.

6. Feedback and Progress Tracking

Preply will give you a certificate after you’ve completed 10 hours of learning on the platform. This is possible only for the subject set by the tutor.

Preply’s built-in messaging system lets students and tutors communicate beyond scheduled lessons. You can use this to discuss progress, share resources, and clarify doubts.

Students can rate and review their tutors after each lesson. This can help other learners get an overall idea of how the tutor is and choose wisely.

Preply’s dashboard allows students to track their progress by showing completed lessons, upcoming sessions, and set goals.

This feature gives a useful overview of student learning. However, unlike other platforms, it lacks detailed analytics and progress reports.

Pricing of the Preply

Preply pricing for tutors is not fixed. It has a flexible cost, which depends on various factors. This includes the tutor’s qualifications, experience, their demands, and the subject and language they teach.

While Preply recommends a certain price, it has no control over teacher rates. The exact amount you will charge depends solely on you, the tutor, and the lesson type.

The cost differs but usually ranges from $5 to $50 an hour.

The price may increase to $50 and $100 based on special needs, tutor credentials, and odd-hour sessions. It also goes up if you want to study with native speakers.

New tutors should set their hourly rates at the lower end, perhaps $8 to $15. You can gradually raise the price once you gain experience, new students, and Preply reviews.

If you begin at a higher rate, you will risk having little to no students for a long time.

What is Preply’s commission rate?

As you’d expect, Preply’s takes a fixed commission, regardless of the price you set as a tutor.

Preply takes 100% commission for new student trial lessons. Then, it charges 18% to 33% of the tutor’s hourly rate for all future classes. The tutor’s total teaching hours on the platform decide the rate.

New tutors begin at a 33% rate. It then decreases to 28% after 20 hours, 25% after 50 hours, and 22% after 200 hours. Once you cross the highest grade of 400 hours of tutoring, the rate drops to 18%.

For instance, new Preply tutors charging $10 an hour earn $6.70 per lesson. If you have completed 400+ teaching hours, you will receive $8.20.

In short, the more hours you teach on Preply, the lower the commission rate. To earn more money, aim to take regular and more classes at the initial level, even if you have to keep the fee low to attract new students.

The Pros and Cons of Preply

Like any other online language learning platform, Preply online language learning has benefits, as well as shortcomings.

Here, we will explore various features of online tutoring. As a user, you can carefully weigh the positives and flaws before using their services.

The 4 Top Benefits of Preply

Preply offers a range of advantages for both students and tutors, making it one of the best choice for one-to-one online language learning.

Here are four key usefulness of using Preply.

1. Personalized Learning Experience

Preply connects students with tutors who can customize lessons based on personal goals. They tailor-made classes to match each student’s skill and learning style.

Are you preparing for different Japanese exams like JLPT, EJU, or BJT?

Maybe you wish to improve your English conversation skills, learn about traditional or simplified Chinese, or pick up Canadian French dialects.

Irrespective of your purpose, you can find a tutor to customize lessons that align with your target.

You don’t get the proper one-to-one focus when you study in a group. Preply’s sessions give you complete personal attention. Thus, it leads to fast progress and helps you work with specific weaknesses.

2. A wide range of subjects and languages are available

Preply offers tutor lessons for 173 subjects and languages as of 2025.

Preply specializes in foreign language learning, which is its primary focus.

The language learning platform teaches nearly all the famous and widely spoken languages. It includes French, Hindi, English, Spanish, Japanese, French, Mandarin, Portuguese, German, Persian, Korean, and many more.

Do you want to learn a less-spoken and rare language?

You are lucky as it offers dozens of less common languages, such as Catalan, Czech, Belarusian, Georgian, Xhosa, Latvian, Kazakh, Maltese, and Icelandic.

Besides languages, you can find teachers for various academic subjects like biology, physics, and accounting. You can also study diverse business topics, marketing skills, programming languages, and industry-specific niches.

Do you want to explore your long-forgotten hobbies in music, the arts, acting, and photography? Preply can help.

To conclude, Preply provides extensive tutoring options to suit a variety of educational and career objectives.

3. Global Access to Qualified Tutors and Learners

A key benefit of Preply is its global accessibility.

Preply hosts thousands of certified and experienced teachers from every corner of the planet. It allows educators to reach a global audience and earn income remotely.

In the same way, learners can find tutors who match their precise needs, budgets, and learning styles.

As a result, students can study from the top-notch and best educators, no matter where they live.

Each tutor’s profile contains qualifications, Preply ratings, reviews, and teaching specializations. This assists students in making informed decisions.

You can filter profiles by mother tongue to enrich your cultural understanding during learning. Learning from natives gives you valuable insights into their culture, society, and authentic use.

4. Flexible Scheduling and Convenience

Flexible scheduling and convenience are among Preply’s standout features. This makes the platform appealing to many learners.

Teachers and learners can participate in the classes anywhere they have an internet connection and a device.

This reduces the need for travel and saves time. You can study or earn from the comfort of your home, office, or any preferred location.

Do you want to study late at night after work, on weekend mornings, or at any time that suits your daily routine? The good news is that you can decide the time and day that fits you best.

Although all tutors aren’t always available around the clock. Yet, the platform has so many that someone is nearly always on hand to teach. This makes it suitable for people with irregular schedules.

Preply’s marketplace doesn’t force you into a rigid timetable. Its flexible scheduling encourages you to study and practice at your own pace.

The number of weekly lessons, timing and days, and class duration are flexible. You can decide and adjust them to fit your daily routine and availability.

Sometimes, you may need to defer a lesson. As long as you follow the cancellation policy, you can easily do it whenever that works for you.

Although other platforms exist, Preply’s built-in video tools are sufficient for lessons. Therefore, you do not need any other website, software, app, or tool.

This makes Preply ideal for students, parents, and busy professionals. It is highly accessible, easy to use, and user-friendly for choice new-age learners and tutors.

The 3 Top Disadvantages of Using Preply

Although Preply has many benefits, it’s crucial to weigh the drawbacks of language app. This may be subjective. Still, some students and tutors may experience difficulties depending on their needs and expectations.

Here are 3 top-most disadvantages of using Preply.

1. Choosing the Right Tutor and Inconsistent Quality

Too many options lead to delays and make it difficult to choose wisely.

Even with Preply’s filters, the number of tutors for some languages is overwhelming. They range from highly experienced experts to someone who has just started teaching.

For instance, to study specific parts of English, I came across 33,043 English teachers when writing this review of Preply.

Despite using basic filters such as native language, tutor type (Super or Professional), location, fees, and availability, you’ll still have almost a thousand profiles to review.

You can use reviews of Preply from past students. However, some ratings can be subjective and biased. It may also not accurately tell a tutor’s promising and unfavorable reputation.

Also, new tutors with excellent teaching skills but limited reviews may struggle to gain students. This is because most prefer tutors with better ratings and more Preply feedback.

Even with detailed profiles and on your budget, there’s no guarantee that you will get the tutor that meets your expectations.

The quality of lessons can differ vastly because some tutors may not have formal teaching capabilities or experience. Some may not have a knack for teaching and are not professionals.

A free trial lesson can help, but you might still find a tutor who isn’t the right fit.

Scan some profiles, talk to a few, get 1-2 trials, and engage one for classes.

2. Lack of Structured Curriculum

Preply’s technique varies from traditional language centers. It doesn’t use standardized curriculums or textbooks.

A tutor’s method affects lesson structure and consistency. This can cause problems for students who prefer a more formal learning experience.

For example, suppose you enroll in a language institute for one-to-one or group classes. In that case, the institute has a pre-defined syllabus and course outline.

You just have to follow your teacher, and in the end, you will cover the program. Even if the school changes the tutor, the course content will continue as usual.

You will also take several tests during the program to assess your performance and progress. Once you pass the final exam, you will receive your certificate.

However, with Preply, there is no fixed course format. There is no guarantee that you will have access to the same tutor after a while.

It is up to students to figure out what they want to learn and which area to concentrate on more. They also track their studies and handle any issues and difficulties between classes.

Some learners may feel lost or unmotivated because they have no organized course plan. If you aren’t that disciplined, you will face lots of difficulties.

If you know what you want to study and focus on a specific area and related background, Preply can be fruitful!

3. Preply can be costly for students and teachers

While prices vary, they may be expensive for many teachers and students.

(i) For Students

Preply is neither overpriced nor reasonable, as the price depends on the tutors. There are various reasons for this, such as the tutor’s credibility and location.

For instance, if you are learning any language and living in a developed nation, the average per-hour cost of $25 looks affordable. But if you are from developing countries, it seems steep.

Preply charges a service fee of 18% to 33% of the tutor’s hourly rate. This can make the lessons more costly.

Many platforms provide discounted rates for recurring tutoring sessions.

However, Preply doesn’t offer concessions on repeated lessons, and students find it harder to save money without package deals.

(ii) For Tutors

While tutors set their own rates, the commission fee reduces their earnings significantly. This happens more if you are new to the platform.

I understand why Preply needs financial support to manage everything. They deserve a commission for their services from their tutors.

The commission of 33% for new tutors is pretty high. The other online one-to-one language websites, like iTalki, Verbling, and Lingoda, have much lower rates, close to 15% to 20%.

Unless you exceed 50 hours of tutoring, you would pay 25% to 33%. Preply also takes 100% of trial lessons for new learners.

This could deter new tutors from joining, as other platforms offer lower costs.

The good thing is that this hurdle is limited to the initial stage. Once you have taught many students, Preply will be profitable.

After 400 hours of tutoring, your commission rate drops to 18%, growing your earnings. Your student numbers will also increase over a long time, thanks to the inflow of positive reviews for teachers and feedback.

Final Review of Preply — Is it worth it?

Preply is popular because it is a convenient language education platform offering personalized learning and diverse tutors.

Students can study at their own pace and schedule lessons to fit their busy lives. Tutors can work from anywhere in the world, making Preply a truly global platform.

As an outcome, it makes online education more effective and accessible for students and teachers.

Overall, Preply is undoubtedly worth it.

No other language app allows you to find on-demand, one-on-one, and specialized language lessons. Preply is perfect for any level of language learner, from beginners to advanced. 

Although pricing may be subjective, you can find value for money by finding a tutor within your budget.

Let me know if you have questions or suggestions about my Preply review.