Preply

Definition:

Preply is a global online language tutoring marketplace that connects learners with individual tutors for live, one-on-one video lessons, offering instruction in over 50 languages with a booking and payment system, in-platform video workspace, lesson recording, and tutor-learner messaging. Launched in 2012 (Kyiv, Ukraine; subsequently headquartered in Barcelona and San Francisco), Preply has become one of the three largest online language tutoring platforms alongside iTalki and Verbling, distinguished by its subscription plan option, curated “expert tutor” tier with formal teaching credentials, and structured learning path recommendations. Preply’s user base spans adult learners preparing for language exams, corporate clients, and general conversational practice seekers, with English, Spanish, French, German, and Japanese among the highest-demand languages on the platform.

Platform Model

Tutor types on Preply:

Community tutors — native speakers and proficient non-native speakers offering conversation practice; typically lower cost per hour
Professional tutors — formally credentialed, TEFL/CELTA holders or experienced language teachers; higher cost, structured lessons

Pricing structure:

Tutors set their own rates (wide range, typically $5–$80+/hour depending on language, credentials, and experience)
Subscription model (Preply’s differentiating feature): pay monthly for a set number of hours at a fixed rate; subscription includes lesson rescheduling and trial lessons
Individual lesson purchase also available without subscription
Trial lessons offered by most tutors at reduced rates

Platform features:

In-browser video call workspace (no third-party app required)
Lesson recording (learner can review past sessions)
Shared text editor / whiteboard for real-time writing practice
Lesson notes and flashcard creation from sessions
Progress tracking and lesson history

How Preply Differs from iTalki and Verbling

Preply vs. iTalki:

Preply emphasizes subscription plans and structured learning paths; iTalki uses pure pay-per-lesson marketplace model
iTalki has a larger unistructor pool (more community tutors at lower price points); Preply has a higher proportion of professional tutors
Preply integrates more learning management features (flashcards, recordings, lesson notes) in-platform
iTalki has a larger installed base and broader language coverage

Preply vs. Verbling:

Verbling similarly positions toward professional tutors with credentials; Preply slightly higher volume
Both serve professional/corporate learner segments more than iTalki’s consumer-casual market

Appropriate Use Cases

Best fit for Preply:

Learners who want structured lesson series rather than one-off practice sessions
Learners in exam preparation (IELTS, DELF, JLPT) wanting qualified instructors
Corporate language training programs (Preply has a B2B product line)
Learners who prefer in-platform tooling over using Zoom/Skype externally

Less ideal:

Casual conversation practice seekers on tight budgets (iTalki or language exchange apps may be cheaper)
Learners of very less-common languages (tutor pool thins for non-major languages)

History

2012 — Founded in Kyiv, Ukraine by Kirill Bigai, Serge Lukianov, and Dmytro Voloshyn. Initial focus on English tutoring with plans to expand to other languages.

2013–2018 — Growth phase. Platform expanded from English to 50+ languages; moved to Barcelona for European market access; raised multiple venture rounds.

2019–2021 — US expansion. Offices opened in San Francisco; US investor rounds; Preply B2B (corporate language training) launched as separate product line.

2022 — Fundraising continued amid Ukraine war context; Kyiv tech community diaspora; platform operations maintained.

Present. Preply operates in 190+ countries with over 32,000 tutors and millions of lesson hours delivered. Competes directly with iTalki (community-marketplace model) and Verbling (credential-focused model).

Common Misconceptions

“Preply is only for English.”

Preply began with English emphasis but has expanded to 50+ languages. Japanese, Spanish, French, German, Mandarin, Italian, Korean, and Portuguese all have substantial tutor pools.

“Subscription plans lock you in without flexibility.”

Preply’s subscription plans include lesson rescheduling, and unused lesson credits roll over month-to-month. The subscription is intended to provide cost savings for committed learners, not inflexibility.

Criticisms

Preply’s subscription-based pricing model — requiring package purchase before starting lessons — has been criticized for creating a higher financial barrier to entry compared to iTalki‘s per-lesson payment option. Learners who are unsure whether online tutoring suits their needs must commit to a package before discovering whether their chosen tutor is a good fit, despite the trial lesson mechanism being available.

Tutor quality variance remains a recurring concern in user discussions. While Preply emphasizes professional credentials, the platform’s verification of teaching qualifications varies in rigor, and some users report inconsistency between tutors listed as “professional” and their actual pedagogical training. For less commonly taught languages — including Japanese at advanced levels — the professional tutor pool is smaller than for major European languages, potentially limiting options for serious learners.

More broadly, Preply shares a criticism common to all online tutoring marketplaces: platform-mediated tutoring provides human interaction but lacks the curriculum coherence, assessment calibration, and institutional accountability that structured language programs offer. The tutor-as-independent-contractor model means each tutor designs their own approach, producing highly variable learning experiences that depend almost entirely on individual tutor quality rather than platform-level quality assurance.

Social Media Sentiment

Preply is commonly compared to iTalki in language learning forums. Recurring user observations: slightly higher average tutor quality for formal instruction use cases versus iTalki’s community tutor pool; slightly higher price point than bare-minimum iTalki options; in-platform tools appreciated by learners who want to keep everything integrated. Corporate learners (using Preply through employer programs) report positive experiences with B2B support.

Last updated: 2026-04

Practical Application

Use the trial lesson feature aggressively. Tutor-learner fit is highly personal; most tutors offer a first-lesson discount. Book 3–4 trials before committing to a subscription, specifically assessing which tutor’s style fits your learning goals and communication preferences.

Combine tutoring with SRS vocabulary work. Conversation sessions surface vocabulary needs; capture unknown words encountered in lessons and add them to your SRS review queue.

Use Preply for structured correction + iTalki for volume conversation. A common learner strategy: one Preply session per week for structured lesson and error feedback, supplemented by cheaper community-tutor conversation practice on iTalki for additional output volume.

Related Terms

Research

Preply. (2024). Preply for Business. https://preply.com/en/business
Summary: Documents Preply’s B2B corporate language training product — relevant for understanding how the platform extends beyond individual tutoring into structured organizational learning programs.

Preply. (2024). How Preply works. https://preply.com/en/how-it-works
Summary: The platform’s official documentation of its tutoring model, pricing structure, and tutor qualification tiers. The primary reference for understanding Preply’s market positioning and feature set.

Plonsky, L., & Ziegler, N. (2016). The CALL-SLA interface: Insights from a second-order synthesis. Language Learning & Technology, 20(2), 17–37.
Summary: Meta-synthesis of technology-mediated language learning research — provides context for evaluating online tutoring platforms like Preply within the broader CALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning) evidence base. Finds moderate positive effects for technology-mediated interaction.