italki vs Preply: Are They Really The Same?
Maria Claudia Alvarado
Published on September 20, 2023
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If you want to learn a new language, finding a local tutor can be hard depending on where you live and which language you are studying. Luckily, there are many platforms that help you find someone to practice your target language from the comfort of your home. If you have been looking for one of these platforms, you may have heard about Preply or italki. They are both popular language learning websites that connect you with tutors for 1-on-1 online classes. However, only one has a secure platform that completely allows you to choose how many classes you want to take and when to take them, and that’s italki.
Editor’s Choice
italki and Preply are two massive online language learning platforms that connect you to a tutor no matter where you are. They are very similar, so it makes sense that people often compare the two. In this article, we’ll look at their pros and cons so you can decide where you want to go next.
italki vs Preply: A Quick Breakdown
Preply and italki both have a comprehensive selection of tutors and filters to help you find the right one for you. Both apps allow tutors to set their own prices and schedules, and create their lesson plans, but they have different booking systems. With Preply, you have to buy packages for a certain amount of class hours. italki has lesson packages, but you also have the option of buying one lesson individually. You can use Preply to study other subjects like art, literature, and science, whereas italki only has language classes available.
The table below shows you a direct comparison of italki and Preply based on their features, prices, and trial offers:
| italki | Preply |
|---|---|
| 150+ languages | 90+ languages |
| $4-$80 per lesson | $1-$40 per lesson |
| 1 trial lesson at a discounted price | 1 trial lesson at a discounted rate |
 | |
Preply vs italki: Cost Comparison
Each italki tutor sets the price for their lessons, which usually starts at $4.00 per lesson and goes up to $80.00 per lesson for more specialized topics. You can also get a discount if you buy multiple lessons at once. Most tutors offer a trial class at a discounted price to help you see if they are a good fit for you.
The price for Preply lessons can vary depending on the language you want to learn, but the range is often between $1-$40 per lesson. Each tutor chooses how much they charge per lesson, and Preply requires you to buy packages of a certain number of hours to take lessons with them. The app has 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20–hour packages. You can take a trial lesson at a discounted price to see if you like the tutor’s teaching method. If you are not happy with your trial, you can contact Preply and get another trial lesson with a different tutor for free.
While buying the exact number of classes you want might seem more flexible at first, especially if you’re just testing the waters with online tutoring, I’ve found that Preply’s lesson packages actually work better in the long run. Committing to a bundle of classes helped me stay consistent and make real progress, rather than drifting in and out of lessons. Preply is still flexible too, letting you reschedule, pause your plan, or even cancel if something comes up. On top of that, you get access to a bunch of extra learning resources. Preply is investing heavily in AI, so many of these tools are actually personalized based on your recent lessons with your tutor. If you’re serious about sticking with language learning, Preply makes it easier to stay focused and motivated.
If you’d like to see more options, we have more useful recommendations to help you achieve your language goals. Here are some similar alternatives:
italki vs Preply: How They Work
italki and Preply are language learning platforms that have a wide selection of tutors and languages. They both have scheduling charts to help you pick a teacher that fits your schedule and budget, as well as filters to find your perfect match. While iTalki uses regular filters, Preply uses machine learning to choose the tutor. italki allows you to take as many or as few lessons as you want. Preply offers a satisfaction guarantee but makes you buy packages.
Check out the table below to see how italki and Preply rate across the web:
| Reviews | italki | Preply |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Store | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Google Play | 4.4 | 4.7 |
| TrustPilot | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Total Average Score | 4.5 | 4.5 |
How italki Works
italki is an online learning platform and app that connects language learners with tutors from all around the world. It has filters that help you find