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Preply Review [2024] Tutoring Pay, Reviews

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Are you a native English speaker? And are you struggling to find a low-stress job that you can do from anywhere in the world? 

Then I’ve got news for you! 

English is the most commonly studied second language in the world. And platforms such as Preply tutoring make it easy to teach English online by connecting tutors with students around the globe. 

So, whether you’re exploring online teaching options or even looking to learn a new language, this Preply review will help you decide if it’s the right platform for you.

What Is Preply?

Preply is a popular online platform that connects students with language tutors from all around the world. The Preply tutoring platform does a lot of the heavy lifting for you, from finding students to handling payments and scheduling.

It works by letting students search for tutors based on their needs. Students can view profiles, which include details like hourly rates, availability, ratings, and a short video introduction. 

Some of the available tutor profiles on the Preply website and app.
In addition to languages, Preply tutoring also offers tutoring in other subjects like math, music, and design. 
Source: Preply

So, whether you’re looking to teach others or learn a new language, Preply has got you covered.

Is Preply Legit?

Yes, Preply is a legit digital learning and teaching platform.

Preply is one of the most popular, well-regarded online platforms for teaching and learning languages. With over 44,000 tutors from over 180 countries and a solid 4.2-star out of 5 rating from more than 14,000 reviews on TrustPilot, it’s clear that many people trust Preply.

Preply tutoring provides an opportunity to earn money by teaching online. Preply also ensures that their tutors get paid securely.

And Preply maintains high standards for its tutors. The platform offers teaching support through free professional development courses and webinars. This helps tutors continue to improve so they can provide the best learning experience for their students.

So yes, the verdict of this Preply review is that Preply is definitely legit. 

Is Preply Worth It? / Is Preply Worth Working For?

If you’re thinking about becoming an online tutor, you might be reading this Preply review and wondering if Preply is the right platform for you. 

Preply tutoring is ideal for those who want a lot of flexibility. You get to set your own schedule and choose your hourly rate, and you can teach from anywhere in the world. 

It’s perfect if you have teaching credentials and specialize in a specific area of study. This allows you to charge more for your lessons and stand out from the other tutors on the website.

For example, if you’re able to tutor in a specialized area of the English language, you can potentially earn more. But if you’re just starting out or can only offer general (more conversational) English lessons, your earnings might be a bit lower. On average, English tutors on Preply charge between $15 and $25 per hour. 

Preply also offers free professional development courses and webinars to help you grow as a tutor. This can be really helpful, especially if you’re new to the whole online teaching gig.

Ultimately, if you value flexibility, control over your schedule, and setting your own rates, then Preply is a great option for you.

And if you’re a remote work enthusiast without a college degree, here are some of the highest paying work from home jobs that don’t require a degree.

Preply Become a Tutor

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help get you started as a tutor on Preply:

First, head over to Preply’s website and sign up using your email and name. 

Then, you’ll need to create your tutor profile to attract potential students. 

Here’s what you’ll need to include in your Preply tutor profile:

  • Basic information such as your work experience, background, and the languages you speak.
  • A clear, professional-looking headshot for your tutor profile picture. 
  • A catchy headline and a detailed description of yourself. Be sure to highlight your teaching experience, qualifications, and any specializations you may have.

Now, this next step might sound a bit intimidating, but it’s important. You’ll need to record a short (30-second to 2-minute) video introducing yourself. Talk about your background, your teaching style, and why you love teaching. This helps students get a feel for what it’s like to take a lesson with you.

Once you submit your profile, Preply will review it within five business days to make sure everything meets their guidelines and looks good.

And Preply uses PayPal, Payoneer, Wise, or Skrill to handle payments, so make sure you complete the payment verification by submitting a scan of your ID or passport when you set up your profile.

Once you’re approved, you can use Preply’s calendar to log the hours you’re available to teach. The more flexible you are with your schedule, the better your chances of attracting students from different time zones. (Most people learning English aren’t in the U.S.)

When a student books a lesson with you, send them a quick message to introduce yourself and ask about their learning goals. Make sure you prepare a lesson plan that suits their needs. And just like that, you’re a tutor!

The Preply website offering the opportunity to start making a living teaching in 3 steps: Sign up, get approved, start earning.
Preply makes the sign-up process for tutors simple and straightforward.
Source: Preply

How Does Preply Work?

As a tutor, you create a profile where students can browse and choose a tutor based on your expertise and teaching style. Remember: You get to set your own hours and curriculum.

But be aware that there is a free trial lesson feature, which allows students to test the waters before committing to a tutor. Trial lessons take place on Preply’s platform, which is similar to Zoom or Skype. This platform includes tools like a whiteboard and chat for interactive learning.

Preply’s commission structure is an important factor to consider. Initially, Preply takes 33% commission, but this drops with teaching experience, eventually capping at 18% after completing 400 teaching hours.

Teaching on Preply tutoring involves preparing lessons tailored to each of your student’s needs, whether it’s for conversational practice or specific skills.

So, if you’re looking to teach or learn online, Preply may be the platform you’ve been searching for. 

Want to learn about more ways you can work from home? Check out this article on how to make money while on disability.

What Is The Catch With Preply?

The “catch” with Preply tutoring is its commission structure — which starts at 33%. But the more hours you teach, the lower the commission rate becomes, capping at 18%. Also, trial lessons are unpaid for tutors (and free for students). 

Looking for more ways to earn money on the internet? Here are some apps that pay $100 a day.

Is Preply Safe?

Yes, Preply is a safe platform. Signing up is quick using just your email, and Preply ensures secure transactions for payments. 

With a strong reputation and a 4.2-star out of 5 rating on TrustPilot with over 14,000 reviews, Preply is trusted by over 1 million students worldwide. 

Preply Pros and Cons

No Preply review would be complete without a pros and cons list! Here are the pros and cons of the Preply tutoring platform:

Pros:

  • There’s lots of flexibility. Tutors and students can set their own schedules and teach/learn from anywhere in the world.
  • Tutors get to be their own boss. As a Preply tutor, you get to manage your rates and lesson plans and customize your teaching approach.
  • There’s mutual support. Tutors have access to free courses and webinars for their professional development — and this helps students learn from the best. 
  • Preply can be used anywhere. Students can connect with Preply tutors from all over the world.

Cons:

  • There are high commission fees. Preply takes a 33% commission from a tutor’s earnings for the first 20 hours they teach, then it drops a little to 28% commission. The commission drops gradually with more hours worked, finally reaching 18% after 400 hours. 
  • There’s a lot of competition for tutors. There are a lot of tutors on the Preply tutoring site, especially for popular subjects like English, which means standing out to students can be a challenge. 

Preply Reviews

On Trustpilot, Preply has been reviewed over 14,000 times and maintains a 4.2-star out of five rating. 

So, what do those Preply reviews say? Let’s take a closer look!

In this 5-star Preply review, a user calls Preply “the best platform out there to teach both English and foreign languages.”

A 5-star Trustpilot review from a Preply user who feels Preply is the best platform for teaching languages and provides many resources for tutors.
Julie, a happy Preply tutor, says, “I plan to continue teaching with Preply for years to come!”
Source: Trustpilot

Another Preply tutor shared that their problems with Preply had been resolved quickly by Preply’s stellar support team. 

A 5-star Trustpilot review from a Preply user who has found Preply support very useful over the past 4 months they've been using the platform.
This five-star review praises Preply’s support team, saying they “responded to my issue in a timely manner.”
Source: Trustpilot

Not everyone has had a great experience. In this 1-star Preply review from someone on the Google Play store, the user praised the site’s tutors but called Preply’s customer service and billing department “awful.”

A 1-star Google Play review from a Preply student who loved the tutors but was frustrated with extra charges and difficulty getting help from customer service.
A disgruntled student said that Preply was slow to resolve their billing issues. 
Source: Google Play

In a Reddit thread I found, a tutor called Preply’s commission model “ouchy” but had positive things to say about the platform overall.

A Preply tutor posting on Reddit about how they mostly enjoy the experience and feel their pay is fair, although they wish the free trial situation would change.
A Preply tutor was “down to 18% commission” and shared that their students were “amazing.”
Source: Reddit

Commonly Asked Questions About Preply

Preply Competitors / Alternatives To Preply / Similar To Preply? 

Here are a couple of popular alternatives to Preply, each with its own set of perks and considerations:

  • LanguaTalk: Commission rates are usually lower, but the tutor selection process is more rigorous.
  • italki: Requires professional qualifications and experience to become a tutor, but that also means you can charge a higher rate.

Is Preply a Scam?

No, Preply is not a scam. Some tutors complain about commission fees, but it’s a legit platform. Payments are secure, and lots of people use Preply happily. Reviews on Trustpilot back this up.

You can also check out these unconventional ways to make money.

Preply Customer Service?

Preply offers 24/7 chat support to assist both students and tutors. You can also email the support team at support@preply.com. Preply says they aim to respond in under 10 minutes via chat and within 2 hours for emails.

Preply vs Italki?

Preply and italki are both popular platforms for online tutoring. There are a few key differences to consider:

Preply:

  • Has a more lenient acceptance process for tutors.
  • Charges higher commission fees (33% for new tutors).
  • Offers access to students from various time zones.

italki:

  • Requires stricter qualifications (like a degree and TEFL certification).
  • Primarily serves Chinese students, who are often ready to learn during nighttime hours in North America.

Preply Cancellation Policy?

If you need to cancel a lesson, you must do so within 12 hours before the lesson begins to avoid charges. Tutors can decide whether to charge students for missed lessons without notice.

How Do Preply Tutors Get Paid?

After you teach a lesson, your student confirms it by clicking “Confirm” on your profile’s My Lessons page. Once it’s been confirmed, the payment for that lesson lands in your internal Preply wallet. You can withdraw your earnings using Wise, Payoneer, PayPal, or Skrill.