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italki vs preply: which platform is best for teaching languages online? đ¤
if you're an online language teacher wondering which platform is better for youâitalki or preplyâyou're not alone. both platforms are popular, but each offers different benefits depending on your goals.
in this post, we'll compare italki and preply to help you decide where you fit best, and weâll introduce somos as an alternative if youâre looking to build your own online language teaching business beyond just 1-on-1 classes.
italki vs preply: what are the basics?
italki and preply are two of the most well-known platforms for teaching languages online. both are great for connecting with students worldwide, but they cater to different styles of teaching and learning.
italki is known for being flexibleâwhether youâre offering informal conversation practice or more structured lessons, you can find students who are looking for your style of teaching. plus, the community vibe on italki encourages language exchange and makes it easy to build a loyal student base.
preply, on the other hand, has a more structured approach, which means it's a great choice if you're looking to provide formal lessons and exam prep. they also take extra care in curating their tutor pool, making it a good option for teachers who want a more guided teaching setup.
but what happens when you want more control over your business? or if you want to diversify beyond 1-on-1 classes? letâs dig deeper into their features and pricing.
features comparison: how do italki and preply stack up?
italki lets you set your own rates and gives you access to thousands of potential students. you can build your student base and decide how structured you want your lessons to be. it's ideal if you love the idea of community learningâthereâs a ton of social interaction on the platform, like open discussion forums for language learners.
preply has a smaller pool of tutors but offers more guidance to both students and teachers. if you enjoy having a more formal lesson plan and prefer students who are looking for a structured approach, preply might be your go-to.
they also provide custom lesson plans that are tailored to individual goalsâmaking it an ideal option if you like a more guided experience.
both platforms are designed for 1-on-1 teachingâbut what if you want to teach more than just 1-on-1 classes?
our interactive tool helps you assess whether switching to a commission-free, all-in-one platform with a broader product suiteâlike group clubs, digital downloads, and premium 1-on-1 coachingâcould give you more control, better earnings and an improved sense of wellbeing!
pricing: what about commission rates? đ¸
italki and preply have different pricing structures that impact both students and teachers.
- italki lets teachers set their own rates, typically generally ranging between $4 and $75 per hour. teachers pay a 15% commission fee on each lesson (but doesnât charge commission on trial classes). there are also additional payment fees for students and teachers (learn more about payments at italki here.)
- preply's pricing starts at $5 per hour and goes up, usually sitting between $10-$50 for most tutors. their commission is higher, ranging from 18% to 33% depending on the number of lessons you've taught. they also charge 100% commission for every first class with a new student, which means you donât get paid at all for your time (learn more about payments at preply here).
if youâre choosing between these platforms, consider not only what youâll be charging but also how much commission will be deductedâthis can significantly affect your take-home income. and if you want to see whether building a more balanced suite of offerings would suit your business better, try out our interactive comparison tool.
user experience: community vs structure
both platforms have their strengths, depending on what kind of experience you're looking for as a teacher.
- italki is great if you love community-driven experiences. they have messaging tools and discussion forums that help build relationships with students.
- preply is ideal if you want a more streamlined teaching experienceâits intuitive dashboard lets you schedule lessons, message students, and keep everything in one place.
theyâre both great for 1-on-1 teaching, but neither is designed to support teachers beyond just those private lessons. and thatâs where somos comes in.
looking for an alternative? consider somos đą
somos is built for teachers who want more control. instead of taking a commission on every class you teach, somos offers you the chance to build an online teaching business in a way thatâs sustainable (and hopefully more interesting!) for you as an educator.
hereâs what makes somos different:
- giving you the tools to teach creatively: create a balanced teaching offer that includes group clubs, digital products, and even free community spaces for your students. 1-on-1 classes are still an option, but we help you diversify so youâre not putting all your eggs in one basket.
- helping you keep your earnings: as a teacher-first platform, we donât charge commission. your only charges are: payment processing fees to stripe + a 1% donation to our impact fund. somos charges 0% on transactions.
- control your refund, booking & cancellation policies: somos allows you to customize your refund, booking, and cancellation policies to match your needs as a teacher. this ensures your business operates on terms that work for you. our automated processes also allow for these to be handled for you in the back-end!
- generous referral scheme: when a language teacher joins through your referral link, you'll earn 20% of their subscription revenue every month... for as long as their subscription lasts! as an added bonus, you can make the incentive double-sided by including a discount code for your referralâs first payment!
the trade-offs:
- we know that building your own business can be challenging. finding students, marketing yourself, and managing the extra elements of an online teaching business isnât easy.
- but if youâre ready to make the jump, our guide to building a language teaching business beyond 1-on-1 classes is full of tips and insights to help you get started.
if you're tired of commission cuts and just want a platform that supports your growth on your terms, somos might be the right fit for you.
conclusion: italki vs preply, or something else entirely?
italki and preply are both excellent options if you're looking to teach languages online and youâre comfortable staying within the 1-on-1 class model.
- italki is for you if you value flexibility and the chance to build a community feel with your students.
- preply is a great choice if youâre into structured teaching and like a curated pool of students looking for formal learning.
but if you're ready to build your own brand and go beyond 1-on-1 teaching with no commission cuts, then somosis here to support your journey.
â interested in learning more? check out somos and see how you can grow your online teaching business today!
frequently asked questions đđžââď¸
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somos | independent + community driven đ
somos stands proudly as an independent company. weâre âcommunity-strappedâ & committed to co-ownership and collaboration đ by choosing somos, youâre supporting a social enterprise that: đđžÂ champions worker rights by hiring refugees in limbo
đđžÂ supports grassroots organisations by making them owners in the business
đđžÂ invites you to be become a co-owner, not just a customer
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