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Preply

Top pick

The subscription platform to learn a language with a real teacher

By Victor · Independent review

8.3

/ 10

Overall score

My review

· Updated: May 2026

Preply Review 2026: my test after 3 months of subscription

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A while back, I was looking for a solution to truly unlock my speaking skills. After trying several methods, I ended up sticking with Preply. And if this platform has become my number one ally for progress this year, it's not by chance.

If I had to summarize why Preply is, for me, the best option on the market today, it comes down to one word: structure.

The subscription format: my engine for progress

The biggest obstacle when learning a language isn't the difficulty of grammar: it's consistency. In the past, I'd cancel lessons whenever my schedule got busy or my motivation dipped. Preply's subscription format radically changed the game.

Consistency through routine : My lesson hours are scheduled and committed through my subscription. I treat them as priorities, just like a work meeting.

Consistency above all : By maintaining a weekly rhythm, I went from a stagnating beginner to a regular practitioner.

Mental peace : No more choosing each week when to study. My slot is reserved, my teacher is ready, everything is already in place.

An all-in-one experience

Beyond discipline, it's the Preply ecosystem that won me over. From the virtual classroom to the teaching materials, everything is integrated in the same interface. No time lost with external tools or connection problems. The lesson is effective from minute one.

If you're like me, someone who needs a solid framework to avoid postponing language goals, the Preply model is simply unbeatable. It's the best investment I've made this year for my learning.

The platform

What exactly is Preply?

100,000+

certified tutors

120+

languages available

Since 2012

established platform

2M+

lessons given

How does it work?

1. Sign up : Create an account, define your level and goals (conversation, business, travel…).

2. Matching : Preply suggests certified teacher profiles filtered by language, level, availability and price.

3. Trial lesson : Test a teacher with a trial lesson at a reduced rate. If you click, continue with them.

4. Weekly subscription : Choose your pace (1 to 3 lessons/week). A fixed slot is automatically reserved each week.

Pricing

Preply pricing in detail

Average observed price

$16–$33/h

Depends on teacher experience. Community tutors available from $3/h if you just want conversation practice.

Preply's commission

18–33%

Taken from the teacher's pay. Not visible to the learner, but built into the displayed price.

Credit validity

28 days

Unused hours expire. The format is deliberately designed to enforce consistency.

The right move before paying

Always use the trial lesson before subscribing. Prices vary enormously between teachers. You can absolutely find an excellent certified teacher at $8/h if you take the time to look.

Comparison

Preply vs competitors

PlatformFormatAverage priceLanguagesBest for
PreplySubscription$16–$33/h120+Structured learning
italkiPer lesson$5–$27/h150+Total freedom

FAQ

Your questions about Preply

Can you cancel your Preply subscription easily?

Yes, you can cancel at any time from your personal account. Hours already purchased are not refunded, but you keep your remaining credits until they expire after 28 days.

Do unused hours expire on Preply?

Yes. Preply credits expire after 28 days. This is the main friction point: if you miss lessons in a busy month, you lose hours. The model is deliberately designed to enforce a regular learning rhythm.

What is the difference between Preply and italki?

Both connect learners and teachers, but with a different DNA. Preply = monthly subscription with a fixed slot, ideal if you need structure. italki = 100% per-lesson with no commitment, you pay for what you use, when you want. Preply is more expensive per hour, but guarantees consistency that italki cannot enforce.

Detailed scores

Ease of use
88/100
Value for money
85/100
Customer support
79/100
Reliability
85/100
Scalability
80/100

Performance radar

Who is it for?

Ideal for…

  • Learners who need a structured framework to avoid giving up
  • People who have tried before but stopped due to lack of consistency
  • Those wanting an all-in-one experience without juggling different tools

Not for…

  • Very irregular learners who prefer to pay only per lesson
  • People who want to try without monthly financial commitment
  • Those looking for very low rates (community tutors)

Pros & cons

Strengths

  • Subscription format that enforces real consistency
  • All-in-one ecosystem: virtual classroom + integrated teaching materials
  • Effective lesson from minute one, zero technical friction
  • Fixed weekly slot reserved automatically — consistency becomes a habit
  • Wide choice of certified teachers for all languages

Weaknesses

  • Monthly subscription = larger financial commitment than per-lesson payment
  • Less flexible if your schedule is very irregular
  • Higher hourly rate than platforms like italki

Final verdict

Our review of Preply

Preply is the platform for people who actually want to progress, not just sign up. The subscription format turns learning into a habit, and the all-in-one ecosystem makes every lesson effective from minute one. It's the best investment I've made this year for my language learning.

Get started with Preply

This is an affiliate link. If you click and subscribe, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Score: 8.3/10 · Pay per lesson

Independence pledge

I commit to never accepting payment to change a score, never publishing undisclosed "sponsored comparisons", and to immediately removing an affiliate link if the service declines.

Victor, founder of Le Labo