• YEARS IN BUSINESS: 10
  • CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Email
  • BBB RATING: C+
  • MOBILE APP: Yes
  • FREE TRIAL: Yes
  • TYPES OF TEST PREPS: SAT, ACT, TEFL, CAE

2022's Preply Reviews, Pricing & Alternatives [Updated]

Fact-checked
  • YEARS IN BUSINESS: 10
  • CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Email
  • BBB RATING: C+
  • MOBILE APP: Yes
  • FREE TRIAL: Yes
  • TYPES OF TEST PREPS: SAT, ACT, TEFL, CAE

Best For

Those Living in Remote Areas

STRENGTHS

  • Low average hourly rate at around $50
  • There are more or less 47 000 tutors to choose from
  • Users can access a trial lesson which is 100% refundable

WEAKNESSES

  • You cannot transfer time or money between tutors
  • The bulk lesson plans are not flexible nor customizable.

Did you know that over 6 million Americans engage somewhat in online classes and courses? Companies like Preply have made major strides in moving learning tools to new platforms. Through this, they have made educational resources more accessible.

Preply was founded in 2012 and was praised as one of the most promising startups in Ukraine.

While the company initially focused on SAT and ACT tutoring, due to high demand, they transformed into a marketplace focused on online language learning with extra subjects.

Below we compiled a detailed Preply.com review for 2022 to help you figure out if you can benefit from their services. So, read on to learn about their pricing, courses, and summaries of other Preply reviews

Preply Key Features

Preply is above all focused on providing classes and educational support for people who live in remote areas. That said, the platform can work brilliantly for anyone who wants to learn more about a subject or skill.

Is Preply legit? We’d say yes. Preply’s long list of subjects and a vast community of tutors put the company in a class of its own. Check out the main features:

  • Preply boasts over 47 000 registered tutors.
  • They offer lessons on over 40 topics, including 27 languages. While many of the courses are about academic subjects and programming, they can also help you with hobbies like music.
  • The search results on the site are incredibly accurate. Users can fill in a detailed form that includes everything from the location to the subject.
  • Preply stands out far above the competition in its use of machine learning and algorithms to recommend the most suitable tutors for each user.
  • The preferred platform for lessons is Skype.
  • Unlike many of its competitors, the platform has tutors that can help you with conversational language as well as business terminology. We found more than one Preply language courses review that suggests this is especially useful for anyone that is learning a language to move abroad for work.
  • Luckily, Preply has an easy-to-use function that allows you to schedule lessons with a tutor in your timezone when it suits you.
  • Additionally, the platform has a specialized program called Preply Enterprise. This is a package that is tailored for corporate language training in businesses, teams, and organizations.
  • Preply Enterprise gives users access to a dashboard that can help you keep an eye on your team’s progress.
  • The organization has a manual process where they verify tutors by double-checking their identity.

Plans & Pricing

Let’s take a look at what you, as a potential student, should know.

Cost of lesson per hour Tutors choose how much they want to charge. This price varies between $1 and $100 based on the individual’s experience, education, and so on. Our research shows that Preply tutoring usually costs around $50.
Payment methods Mastercard/Visa, or Paypal.
Refund policy You can get a 100% refund if you’re not satisfied with the lesson.
Buying lessons You then need to buy lessons in bulk. There are 5 hours, 10 hours, 15 hours, 20 hours plans.
Discounts Generally, there will be a discount on these packages, which scales as the number of hours go up. The 100% refund policy still applies.
E-learning It has a trial system, although most Preply customer reviews suggest that it isn’t ideal.

If you have a student credit card or card with no interest or no annual fee you can pay with one of those, you’ll likely get some additional benefits out of it. 

The pricing structure is quite different for Preply Enterprise, where the costs depend on a number of factors, including the number of students.

Preply Tutors also have more than one option to withdraw their money. They can choose PayPal, Payoneer, or Skrill. Unfortunately, the site charges a steep commission. When it comes to Preply fees, the company takes 100% of the payment for the first lesson. Thankfully, the commission charge does go down. After this, they take 33%. The rates continue to decrease the more hours you teach until it reaches 18%, according to numerous Preply tutors reviews.

Usability

As in any other of our reviews, our Preply review also has a section dedicated to usability. It is a critical aspect of any online platform, and Preply doesn’t disappoint on this count.

Their website might not be the most exciting, and the navigation system might not always be the clearest. But overall, it is quite pleasing to the eye, and generally very accessible. The design is minimalistic. What’s more, with the Preply dashboard in the Preply Enterprise plan, you can track the effectiveness of your team.

All in all, the best feature of the site is its extensive, yet easy-to-use search system.

The search parameters include the following:

  • The subject the tutor teaches
  • Price range per hour
  • Country of origin
  • The days and times they are available
  • Whether they are a native speaker or not
  • You can filter the tutor’s specialty. OnePreply English course review particularly praised this feature as it allows you to choose between options such as TEFL and CAE.

You can also access Preply Space on your mobile phone and tablet too. From here, you can use a host of functions such as file sharing, video calls, and messaging. If you have a kid using these services, you may want to make sure you’re not spending your money in vain. 

Help & Support

Preply provides support via email but not via phone. Also, they have a comprehensive library of FAQs both for tutors and students, and at the bottom of any page, you can find a live chat. The team is available from 6 am to 11 pm on weekdays and between 8 am and 6 pm on weekends. The Preply.com customer service reviews we found praise the company for getting back to users in a matter of minutes.

Preply User Reviews & Testimonials

We researched Preply course reviews by real students as well as Preply tutors to learn about the platform.  Positive reviews praised the usability and the option to choose a tutor. When it comes to negative things, some tutors commented that the commission rates are high, while in some Preply negative reviews, users are adamant that the bulk lesson plans are too inflexible.

Preply Competitors

Now that we’ve given an overview of Preply reviews, it’s time to move on to discussing alternatives. Overall, the e-learning site receives rave reviews and provides high levels of service. But one platform isn’t necessarily suitable for everyone.

Company Win Lose Best for
Preply Offers a refund. Bulk lesson plans aren’t flexible. Offers a variety of lessons.
italki Lower rates. It doesn’t offer a refund. Flexible scheduling.
Verbling There is a free trial lesson. Offers only language lessons. Paying for each lesson separately, not in advance.
Pluralsight Affordable prices. Offer lessons mostly about technology. Premium version that comes with great features.

With the variety of topics and 27 language courses offered, affordable prices, refund policy, and other things, this company is a great choice for anyone who wants to learn and grow. 

Summary

This company is one of the most well-known online marketplaces for language tutoring, and Preply ratings will vouch for that. Unlike many rivals, you can find tutors for a lot of other subjects too. Their convenient scheduling system further helps them to stand out from the pack. However, you have to buy lessons in bulk, and they aren’t transferable between tutors. All things considered, as Preply reviews show, they offer great value for money.

FAQ

Is Preply a safe website?

Yes, it is. Preply puts a lot of effort into making their website safe both for the students and the tutors. As we mentioned in our Preply review, the high ratings on websites like TrustPilot only serve to prove that. If you feel uneasy sharing personal information with an online company, an identity theft service can help you feel safer.

Does Preply use Skype?

Yes, Preply uses skype as its video calling service. Therefore, this is also where lessons will be hosted. Users find this very beneficial since the software is free and very accessible.

How many hours of tutoring are recommended?

When it comes to education, there is no one size fits all solution. The number of hours you need depends on your knowledge and experience and the tutors’ style and specialization. It is recommended that you discuss this with the specific tutor you want to hire.

How good is Preply?

One of the most efficient ways to measure that is based on what users have to say about the platform. Generally, the majority of Preply reviews are on the positive side. Both customers and tutors have had beneficial experiences with the platform.

ABOUT AUTHOR

I am a curiosity-driven creature searching for answers — and questions — in the digital realm. From marketing through online business creation to software tools — I am fascinated by everything that can make life easier. When not looking for meaning, yoga and good food keep me grounded.