Preply vs italki: which platform suits which goals?

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 14m ago

How the two marketplaces work

Preply and italki are online tutoring marketplaces. Tutors create a profile with a photo, description, introduction video and hourly price, then set their availability. Students browse tutors, book trial lessons and buy further lessons or packages. Lessons happen through the platform's video classroom or approved tools, and the platform handles payments, taking a commission from each lesson. Both serve a global audience, so tutors can reach students in many countries without marketing themselves.

Comparison at a glance

| Factor | Preply | italki |

|---|---|---|

| Subjects | Languages and many other subjects | Mainly languages |

| Tutor types | Tutors reviewed on expertise | Professional teachers and community tutors |

| Commission | Sliding rate that falls with hours taught | Commonly a flat percentage |

| Trial lessons | Platform has kept first trial payment | Standard commission has applied |

| Pricing | Tutor sets hourly price | Tutor sets lesson and package prices |

Who can teach

italki has two tutor categories. Professional teachers usually need teaching qualifications or certificates and can offer structured lessons. Community tutors, often native or highly fluent speakers without formal credentials, offer conversation practice and informal lessons. Preply reviews applicants based on subject expertise, profile quality and introduction video, and covers languages as well as academic and professional subjects. Both platforms require identity verification.

Commission structures

Commission is the biggest financial difference. italki has commonly charged a flat percentage on each lesson, which makes take-home pay predictable from the start. Preply has used a sliding commission, starting higher for new tutors and decreasing as they complete more teaching hours on the platform, and has kept the full payment for each student's first trial lesson with a tutor. Rules change, so check both platforms' current terms before deciding.

Worked example: early take-home pay

Maria charges 20 dollars an hour on both platforms in her first months. If italki's commission is 15%, she keeps 17 dollars per lesson. If Preply's commission for new tutors is 33%, she keeps 13.40 dollars per regular lesson and nothing for first trial lessons. Over 40 hours a month, including 5 trial lessons, italki would pay about 680 dollars, while Preply would pay about 35 times 13.40, or 469 dollars.

Worked example: after many hours

After teaching hundreds of hours on Preply, Maria's commission falls. If it drops to 18%, she keeps 16.40 dollars per 20 dollar lesson, close to italki's 17 dollars. If she has raised her price to 25 dollars, she keeps 20.50 dollars per lesson. The sliding structure rewards tutors who stay and teach many hours. The percentage calculator on this site helps with these sums.

How students find tutors

On both platforms, students search by language or subject, price, availability, country and other filters. Search placement depends on factors such as profile completeness, reviews, response rates, lesson attendance, price and how often students who try your lessons continue. A clear introduction video, professional photo, specific description and quick replies make a big difference, especially for new tutors with no reviews.

Lesson packages and pricing

italki tutors can set prices for individual lessons and packages, often with discounts for packages of five or more lessons, and can offer different lesson types, such as conversation practice, exam preparation or business English. Preply tutors set an hourly price, and students buy lesson hours in bundles. On both, many new tutors start with competitive prices to attract first students, then raise rates as reviews accumulate.

Payouts and withdrawal fees

Earnings from completed lessons become available after a confirmation period. Tutors withdraw them to supported online payment services or bank transfer options. Each method has its own fees and timing, and some charge fixed amounts per withdrawal, so withdrawing less often can reduce fees. Compare options in your account settings, and keep records for taxes.

Scheduling and time zones

Students come from many countries, so demand varies by time of day. Opening hours that suit students in your main markets, such as their evenings and weekends, can increase bookings. The time zone calculator on this site helps you plan availability.

Pros of Preply

Preply covers many subjects beyond languages, giving tutors in mathematics, coding, music and other areas a marketplace. Its large student base and marketing can bring steady bookings, and the sliding commission rewards long-term tutors. Students commit to lesson bundles, which can provide regular income.

Cons of Preply

New tutors pay a higher commission and do not receive payment for first trial lessons, which reduces early earnings. Competition in popular subjects is strong, and tutors depend heavily on platform ranking.

Pros of italki

italki's focus on languages attracts committed language learners, and its simpler commission structure means predictable take-home pay. Community tutors without formal qualifications can teach conversation, which lowers the barrier to entry. Tutors can set different prices for different lesson types and packages.

Cons of italki

The platform focuses mainly on languages, so tutors of other subjects need other options. Some popular languages have many tutors, making it harder for new tutors to stand out. Application approval can take time, and the platform sometimes limits new tutors in high-supply languages.

Which goals each platform suits

Choose italki if you teach languages, want predictable commission from the start and prefer flexible lesson types. Choose Preply if you teach subjects beyond languages, plan to teach many hours over the long term and want access to a large student base. Many tutors join both, compare results and focus on the platform that fills their schedule with the best take-home pay.

Building a strong profile on either platform

Write a profile that speaks directly to the students you want, explaining who you help, what they will achieve and how your lessons work. Mention qualifications, experience and any specialisms, such as exam preparation, business vocabulary or lessons for beginners. Record a short, warm introduction video in good light with clear audio, speaking at a pace learners can follow. Respond to booking requests quickly and keep your calendar up to date, because both platforms favour tutors who are reliable and responsive.

Avoiding scams

Only accept bookings and payments through the platforms. Be wary of students who ask to move lessons or payments elsewhere, send links to unfamiliar sites or ask for personal financial details.

Taxes and contractor status

Tutors on both platforms are independent contractors, responsible for their own taxes. Keep records of earnings, commissions and withdrawal fees, and check local rules.

Turning trial lessons into regular students

On both platforms, trial lessons are where most long-term students are won or lost. Prepare by reading the student's request, ask about their goals and current level at the start and give them a small, noticeable win during the lesson, such as correcting a common mistake or teaching a useful phrase. Finish by suggesting a simple plan, such as two lessons a week focused on speaking confidence for a job interview, and explain how you will track progress. Students who see a clear path forward are far more likely to book a package. Tracking your trial-to-regular conversion rate helps you improve and shows whether a lower trial price is worth it.

Cancellation policies

Both platforms have rules for late cancellations and missed lessons, and tutors may be able to set some preferences. Learn the rules, communicate them politely to students and keep reliable attendance yourself, because tutor cancellations can affect your ranking.

Teaching tools

Both platforms offer video classrooms, and tutors can use shared documents, digital whiteboards and messaging. Prepare reusable materials organised by level and topic so lessons stay engaging without long preparation for each student.

Raising prices over time

Once your calendar fills and reviews build up, raise your price gradually for new students while keeping loyal students at their current rate for a while. Small increases, applied regularly, usually work better than large jumps that discourage bookings. Watch your booking rate after each change, and pause increases if new bookings slow sharply.

Reader questions

Questions about online teaching? Send them through the Ask page on this site.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only. Platform rules and commissions change, so check current terms. No income is guaranteed.

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