Finding a good online tutor can take a lot of work. You want to practice speaking, but you also want to save money and avoid scheduling headaches. If you have looked for tutors online, you have likely seen italki and Preply. Both sites connect you with native speakers from around the world, but they work in very different ways.
One site lets you pay for each lesson as you go, which gives you total freedom. The other site uses a monthly subscription to keep you on track with regular classes. Choosing between them depends on how you like to study, how much help you need, and how you want to spend your money.
Verdict: Choose italki if you want to pay as you go and choose between certified teachers or cheaper conversation partners. Choose Preply if you want a set weekly routine with built-in study tools and do not mind paying a monthly subscription.
| Feature | italki | Preply |
|---|---|---|
| Billing Model | Pay-as-you-go model with no subscription required and optional multi-lesson packages. | Recurring 28-day subscription requiring weekly commitment; unused lessons expire. |
| Tutor Tiers | Strictly divided into Professional Teachers and cheaper Community Tutors. | Unified catalog requiring manual search for professional or super tutor badges. |
| Classroom Native Tools | Built-in classroom exists but often defaults to external tools like Zoom. | Built-in Preply Space features collaborative whiteboards, note sections, and real-time chats. |
| AI Integration | Basic AI study features available via optional italki Plus subscription. | Deeply integrated AI generates Lesson Insights, Daily Exercises, and Scenario Practice. |
| Out-of-Class Retention | Relies on whatever materials or homework your individual teacher manually assigns. | AI automatically extracts vocabulary and grammar points into customized flashcards. |
| Pedagogical Structure | Flexible: Student-led or teacher-led. Better suited for casual, spontaneous conversation. | Standardized tracks driven by placement tests and CEFR-leveled materials. |
| Free Community Ecosystem | Excellent: Free language exchange directories, community writing correction boards, and podcasts. | Limited to static blog posts, vocabulary lists, and placement tests. |
| Trial Lesson Risk | Low-Cost Sample: Buy up to 3 short, discounted trial lessons directly. | Happiness Guarantee: Pay standard hourly rates; free replacement trial if unsatisfied. |
| Language & Dialect Variety | Extensive: Supports 150+ languages, including niche regional dialects. | Broad: Supports 90+ major languages, plus academic and school subjects. |
| Group Classes | Built-in: Offers live, themed group classroom sessions in major languages. | Limited/Not Core: Focus is almost exclusively on private 1-on-1 tutoring. |
| Price | Tutor Rates: $5 to $40+ per hour | Tutor Rates: $3 to $40+ per hour |
_Prices checked 2026-07-27._
Where italki wins
If you want to control your own schedule and wallet, italki is a great choice. The site does not force you to sign up for a monthly plan. Instead, you just pay for each lesson as you take it. You can buy one lesson at a time or get a package whenever you want, which makes it very easy to manage your money.
Italki also groups its tutors in a very clear way. It splits them into two types. Professional Teachers have official teaching certificates, while Community Tutors offer cheaper conversation practice. This setup makes it easy to find exactly what you need.
You can find over 150 languages on italki, including rare local dialects. The site also has a free community area where you can practice. You can find language partners, get other students to correct your writing, and listen to podcasts. You can visit https://support.italki.com/hc/en-us/articles/900007728643-How-to-schedule-a-lesson-on-italki to see how to book a class.
Where Preply wins
Preply is better if you want a highly structured plan. The site uses quick tests and study tracks to guide your learning, which helps you see your progress over time.
The classroom on Preply is also very easy to use. On italki, students often have to use other video apps because of technical bugs. Preply has its own built-in tool called Preply Space. This classroom includes shared whiteboards, a place for notes, and a live chat.
Preply also uses smart computer tools to help you study outside of class. The system takes words from your lessons and turns them into flashcards. You also get extra practice tools to test your skills. If you do not like your tutor, Preply has a Happiness Guarantee. They will give you a free trial lesson with a new tutor. You can check out their classes at https://preply.com/en/classes to learn more.
Image: preply.com.
Price and value compared
The two sites look similar at first, but they charge you in very different ways. On italki, tutors cost anywhere from $5 to over $40 per hour. You only pay for the lessons you book, which is perfect if your schedule changes a lot. But keep in mind that if you ask for a refund, italki gives you site credit instead of sending the money back to your bank card.
On Preply, tutors cost between $3 and $40 per hour. But Preply makes you sign up for a monthly plan that renews every 28 days. This plan requires you to study every week. If you do not use your lessons before the 28 days are up, you lose them. This strict rule can be hard to manage if you have a busy life.
The two sites also pay their teachers differently. Preply takes all the money from your very first trial lesson with a new tutor. On the other hand, italki only takes 21 percent of what the tutor makes. If you want to support teachers directly, this is an important detail to keep in mind.
How they teach and structure lessons
The way you learn on each site depends on what you want. Italki is very flexible. You can lead the lesson yourself or let the teacher guide you, which is great for casual chats. If you want to practice speaking with different people, italki also offers live group classes.
Preply takes a much more structured path. Your lessons are based on test results and set study plans. This is helpful if you want a clear guide, but it leaves less room for casual talking. Preply also focuses almost entirely on private, one-on-one classes.
Finding a teacher is also different on each site. Italki clearly separates certified teachers from casual conversation partners. Preply puts everyone in one big list, so you have to look for special badges to see if a tutor is certified.
Which one should you pick?
Choose italki if:
- You want to pay as you go with no monthly plans.
- You want to find cheap conversation partners for casual practice.
- You want to learn rare local dialects from a list of over 150 languages.
- You want to use free tools like message boards and language partner lists.
Choose Preply if:
- You want a set study plan with quick tests to guide you.
- You want smart tools that automatically make flashcards from your lessons.
- You want a free replacement lesson if your tutor is not a good fit.
- You want a weekly subscription that forces you to practice regularly.
Preply is the better choice if you need help staying disciplined. Its weekly plan forces you to take lessons, which helps you build a strong habit. It is also great if you want smart tools to make custom flashcards and track your progress between classes.
FAQ
Is Preply or italki cheaper?
It depends on how you want to pay. On italki, you pay as you go, and tutors cost between $5 and $40 per hour. Preply uses a subscription plan with rates from $3 to $40 per hour, but you lose your paid lessons if you do not use them within 28 days.
Which is better, Preply or italki?
Neither site is better for everyone because they help different kinds of students. Italki is best if you want to pay as you go and have casual chats with conversation partners. Preply is better if you want a set study path with smart tools and a weekly plan that keeps you on track.
Can you learn to speak a language using AI?
Computer tools are great for extra practice, but they work best alongside real human conversations. Preply offers built-in tools to help you practice real-world scenes and track your lessons. If you want to focus on speaking, you can also use simple audio tools to build your confidence.
Do tutors get paid for trial lessons on Preply and italki?
Tutors on italki get paid for the trial lessons you book. But Preply takes all the money from your very first trial lesson with a new tutor. This means Preply tutors do not get paid for that first hour of teaching.
Finding the right balance between live tutoring and daily practice can be hard. If you want to build speaking confidence without high costs or video calls, try HearSay. It sends custom audio lessons straight to your WhatsApp.