Preply connects learners with 100,000+ independent tutors for live, 1-on-1 video lessons in 120+ subjects. See how it works, pricing, and who it's best for.
Researched and fact-checked by Bartu Cavusoglu · Updated October 16, 2026
Marketplace pricing — each independent tutor sets their own hourly lesson rate; no flat subscription fee for the core consumer product, from Varies by tutor (typically roughly $5–$80+ per hour); many tutors offer a discounted first trial lesson, and Preply backs bookings with a free tutor-switch guarantee
Preply is an online tutoring marketplace built around live, 1-on-1 video lessons rather than pre-recorded courses. Students search a catalog of more than 100,000 independent tutors covering 120+ subjects, with language learning (English, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, and dozens of others) as the core offering. Each tutor sets their own profile, availability, and hourly rate, and students can filter by price, nationality, specialty, and availability before booking a trial lesson. Lessons happen through Preply's own browser-based video classroom, which includes a shared whiteboard, chat, and lesson materials. The platform also runs a business division (Preply Business / Valise) offering corporate language training for teams, and separate programs for learners under 18. Preply publishes a 'Proven Progress' tracking system so students can see improvement over time, and offers a tutor-switch guarantee allowing students to try a different tutor at no extra cost if a match isn't working out.
Key Features
Large tutor marketplace — Searchable marketplace of 100,000+ independent tutors across 120+ subjects, filterable by price, specialty, nationality, and availability.
Live 1-on-1 video lessons — Lessons run in Preply's own browser-based virtual classroom with live video, chat, and shared lesson materials.
Tutor matching and filtering — Students filter and compare tutors by price, specialty, nationality, and availability before booking a lesson.
Proven Progress tracking — Built-in progress tracking shows students how their skills improve over time across lessons.
Free tutor-switch guarantee — If a student's first tutor isn't a good fit, Preply lets them try a different tutor at no extra cost.
Preply Business (Valise) — A dedicated corporate training division offering language training for business teams, with custom demos available.
Mobile apps — Native iOS and Android apps complement the web platform for managing and taking lessons on the go.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Large marketplace of 100,000+ tutors across 120+ subjects, so most languages and specialties are represented
Live 1-on-1 lessons with a tutor the student chooses, rather than generic pre-recorded courses
Free tutor-switch guarantee reduces risk if the first match isn't a good fit
Dedicated corporate training division for teams, separate from the consumer product
Highly rated mobile apps (reported 4.8 App Store rating) for managing and taking lessons on the go
Cons
Pricing varies tutor-by-tutor rather than being a single transparent list price, so cost comparison takes extra research
Quality and teaching style depend heavily on the individual tutor chosen, not a standardized curriculum
No free, ongoing self-study tier — the core product is paid live tutoring rather than free content
As a marketplace, tutor availability for less common languages or specialties can be limited
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Preply?
Preply is an online marketplace that connects students with independent tutors for live, 1-on-1 video lessons, primarily in languages, across 120+ subjects.
How does Preply pricing work?
Each tutor on Preply sets their own hourly rate, so lesson prices vary by tutor, subject, and demand rather than following one fixed price list.
What happens if I don't like my tutor?
Preply offers a free tutor-switch guarantee, letting students try a different tutor at no extra cost if their first match isn't working out.
Does Preply offer training for businesses?
Yes. Preply Business (also referenced as Valise) provides corporate language training for teams, with custom demos available.
Is Preply available on mobile?
Yes, Preply offers mobile apps for iOS and Android in addition to its web platform.