Get Started with Preply: Online Learning Platform

Have you ever wanted to learn a new language but felt overwhelmed by where to begin? With over 100,000 tutors available worldwide, finding the right teacher for your language learning journey has never been easier.

This platform connects students with expert tutors across 50+ languages, including Spanish, French, Japanese, and German. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, personalized 1:1 video lessons make progress fast and engaging.

The best part? You can book your first lesson in minutes. With flexible scheduling and trial options, diving into a new language is simple. Plus, mobile apps let you learn anywhere, anytime.

Key Takeaways

• Connect with 100,000+ tutors across 180 countries
• Choose from 50+ languages with personalized lessons
• Start learning quickly with easy booking
• Access lessons via mobile apps on iOS and Android
• Try discounted trial lessons to find your perfect tutor

What Is Preply?

A global education platform is transforming how students connect with teachers. Powered by machine learning, it pairs language learners with ideal tutors based on goals, budget, and schedule. The system analyzes thousands of profiles to ensure the best fit.

Overview of the Platform

Lessons happen in Preply Classroom, a built-in hub for video calls, chat, and screen sharing. No third-party apps are needed. The platform also serves businesses through Preply Business, offering corporate language training.

In 2023, an AI assistant launched to help tutors create grammar exercises instantly. With tutors in 180 countries, learners can study niche dialects or popular languages like Spanish and Mandarin.

Founders and Mission

Ukrainian entrepreneurs Kirill Bigai, Serge Lukyanov, and Dmytro Voloshyn launched the platform in 2012. Now headquartered in Brookline, MA, with offices in Barcelona and Kyiv, the team has grown to 675+ employees.

Their mission? “Make learning human through technology.” A $120M funding round in 2023 fuels this vision, expanding tools for both students and teachers.

Why Choose Preply? Key Benefits

Looking for a smarter way to master a new language? This platform delivers top-tier tutors tailored to your needs. Whether you’re starting fresh or polishing skills, its unique advantages set it apart.

Find the Best Tutors Worldwide

Over 100,000 tutors are rigorously vetted for credentials and teaching skills. Search filters let you pick by price, availability, or even accent preferences. Need a tutor specializing in business French? The platform has you covered.

User-Friendly Platform

Booking lessons takes minutes. The interface simplifies scheduling, payments, and progress tracking. Secure transactions and a refund policy add peace of mind.

Flexible Scheduling

Learn anytime, anywhere. Tutors across 180 time zones offer 24/7 availability. Reschedule effortlessly if plans change.

Personalized Learning Plans

Each language journey is unique. Tutors design custom curriculums with homework and AI exercises. Corporate partnerships extend these perks to 300+ companies.

Preply’s Standout Features

From tutor variety to cutting-edge tech, explore what makes learning here unique. The platform combines innovative features with flexibility, ensuring every lesson delivers value.

Vast Tutor Selection

Choose between Community Tutors for conversational practice or Certified Teachers for structured curricula. Search filters refine results by price, availability, and specialty—like business language coaches.

Over 100,000 tutors cover 50+ languages, including rare dialects. The 2024 update added speech recognition to fine-tune pronunciation during lessons.

Easy-to-Use Interface

The mobile app simplifies scheduling with reminders and in-app payments. Preply Space, the virtual classroom, includes an interactive whiteboard and document sharing for dynamic lessons.

Group sessions (2–5 students) offer affordable practice. Language assessments and certification prep tools help track progress.

Trial Lessons

Test-drive tutoring with 25-minute trial lessons at discounted rates. Over 70% of users convert to full sessions after experiencing personalized teaching styles.

AI-generated exercises and real-time feedback make these intros highly effective. Cancel or reschedule anytime—no rigid commitments.

Preply Pricing: How Much Does It Cost?

Discover transparent pricing structures for personalized language lessons. The platform offers flexible options to match different budgets and learning goals. Trial lessons let you test tutors before committing.

Individual Tutor Rates

Prices vary by tutor experience and language difficulty. Beginner Spanish might cost $15/hour, while advanced business Chinese could reach $40. Tutors set their own rates, creating competitive price ranges.

Filter by budget to find instructors within your range. The average falls between $20-$30 per hour for most popular languages.

Package Deals

Save up to 20% with lesson bundles. The 10-lesson package deals are most popular (56% of users). Larger bundles offer greater discounts but require upfront payment.

Five-lesson packages work well for short-term goals. Twenty-lesson bundles suit intensive learners needing regular practice.

Subscription Options

Preply Plus provides predictable monthly costs at $99 for four lessons. This subscription works well for consistent weekly learners. Corporate plans start at $299/month with customized curricula.

All plans include progress tracking and priority customer support. The platform guarantees price locks for returning students.

Trial Lesson Discounts

New users get discounted 25-minute trial sessions. These let you evaluate teaching styles before purchasing packages. Over 70% of students continue with their trial tutor.

The 100% refund policy applies if unsatisfied with your first paid lesson. Referral programs offer additional discounts for both parties.

Pros and Cons of Preply

Before committing to online language lessons, weigh these key advantages and limitations. User reviews and platform features reveal a balanced picture of what to expect.

Advantages of Using the Platform

Round-the-clock tutor availability eliminates scheduling headaches. Learners in any time zone can book sessions, whether for early-morning practice or late-night study.

Verified credentials and video introductions build trust. Tutors undergo rigorous screening, and their profiles showcase teaching styles upfront. A 92% satisfaction rate in 2024 surveys highlights consistent quality.

The integrated dashboard tracks vocabulary growth and fluency metrics. Payment security certifications (PCI DSS, SSL) ensure safe transactions. For corporate users, customized progress reports add extra value.

Potential Drawbacks

While the platform excels in flexibility, a few users note variability in tutor experience. Independent tutor pricing means beginners might face higher trial-and-error costs.

Group lesson options are limited compared to competitors. Some reviews mention occasional technical glitches in the virtual classroom, though updates aim to resolve these.

Preply Alternatives: How Does It Compare?

Not all language platforms offer the same features—here’s how they stack up. Whether you prioritize AI tools, pricing, or flexibility, this comparison helps you decide.

italki: Community-Driven Learning

With 10M users, italki focuses on community tutors for conversational practice. It lacks Preply’s AI enhancements but offers a broader list of niche languages.

Prices vary widely, and refunds are tutor-dependent. The platform is ideal for casual learners who prefer unstructured sessions.

Verbling: Premium Certified Teachers

Verbling’s average $45+/hour rate reflects its certified teachers. It’s pricier but excels in structured curricula for professionals.

Unlike Preply’s trial discounts, Verbling requires full payment upfront. Its language learning app integrates grammar drills but lacks speech recognition.

Duolingo and Babbel: Gamified Solo Learning

Babbel’s 10M subscribers enjoy bite-sized lessons, while Duolingo uses gamification. Both lack live teachers, making them supplements rather than replacements.

Preply’s AI advantage—like real-time pronunciation feedback—outshines these apps for interactive learning.

Key Takeaways:

• Preply’s AI tools beat italki’s basic interface.
• Verbling suits budgets over $45/hour; Preply offers wider price ranges.
• Duolingo/Babbel are cheaper but lack personalized tutoring.

User Experience: A Real-World Preply Review

Wondering what it’s really like to learn a language online? One student’s six-month Spanish journey reveals how the platform delivers results. From booking tutors to hitting fluency goals, here’s an honest breakdown.

Finding and Booking a Tutor

The search filters made it easy to compare tutors by price, accent, and specialty. After testing three instructors, the perfect match was a certified teacher from Mexico. Booking took under five minutes.

Technical setup required just a webcam and headset. The platform’s refund policy added confidence—no risk if the first lesson fell flat.

Lesson Structure and Tools

Each 60-minute session blended conversation practice with AI-generated grammar drills. The virtual whiteboard and shared documents kept lessons dynamic. Homework focused on real-world scenarios, like email drafting.

Switching tutors was seamless when scheduling conflicts arose. The experience proved flexible yet structured.

Results and Outcomes

Starting at 200 words, vocabulary soared to 2,500 in 50 lessons. B2 proficiency unlocked client negotiations in Spanish—a career game-changer. Total cost: $1,250, far below the $3,600 language school quote.

This review confirms that personalized tutoring accelerates fluency. For busy professionals, the ROI is undeniable.

Who Is Preply Best For?

Finding the right language learning solution depends on your unique needs and schedule. The platform serves diverse students through customized teaching approaches. Whether you’re starting fresh or refining skills, matching your objectives to the right tutor makes all the difference.

Language Learners

Over 60% of users come to master a new language for personal growth. The platform’s flexible scheduling suits those balancing studies with work or family. Beginners benefit from patient tutors who build confidence through gradual immersion.

Intermediate learners refine skills with conversation-focused sessions. Advanced students target specific weak points like idioms or technical vocabulary. The variety of teaching styles ensures everyone finds their ideal match.

Busy Professionals

With 68% of users being working adults, the platform excels at accommodating tight schedules. Busy professionals appreciate 24/7 availability across time zones. Lunch break lessons or late-night sessions fit around demanding careers.

Corporate clients use the platform for team training in business languages. Specialized tutors prepare executives for international negotiations. The mobile app makes learning possible during commutes or business trips.

Students With Specific Goals

Targeted learning drives results for 22% of users preparing for exams or milestones. Tutors create customized plans for DELE, CELTA, or TOEFL success. Immigration candidates practice interview scenarios with native speakers.

Other specialized goals include accent reduction and travel preparation. Heritage speakers maintain family languages through regular practice. The platform adapts to each student’s unique objectives.

Conclusion

Mastering a new language becomes effortless with AI-powered tools and vetted tutors. Unlike traditional schools, this language learning platform adapts to your schedule and goals.

Upcoming VR classrooms will make lessons even more immersive. Whether you’re a casual learner or a professional, personalized tutoring delivers faster results than apps or group classes.

Ready to take the next step? Try a discounted trial lesson today—limited-time offers make starting even easier. Your fluency journey begins with just one click.