As the global online language learning market surges toward projected growth of hundreds of billions by the 2030s, two pioneering marketplaces — Preply and iTalki — remain dominant choices for learners seeking personalized, one-on-one instruction via video.

Preply, the Ukrainian-founded edtech unicorn that hit $1.2 billion valuation in January 2026 after a $150 million Series D round, emphasizes AI-enhanced tools and structured progress tracking. iTalki, the longer-established Hong Kong-based platform launched in 2006, prioritizes vast tutor variety, pay-per-lesson flexibility and a massive user base exceeding 10 million learners.

Both connect students with private tutors for conversational practice, exam prep, business skills and more across dozens of languages. Yet differences in pricing models, tutor vetting, features and corporate offerings make one potentially better suited depending on learner goals, budget and commitment level.

Here are the key points of comparison between Preply and iTalki based on the latest 2026 data, user feedback and platform updates.

1. Company Background and Scale Preply, founded in 2012 in Kyiv and now headquartered in Brookline, Massachusetts, boasts over 100,000 tutors teaching more than 90 languages to learners in 180 countries. It became EBITDA profitable and achieved unicorn status in early 2026 with backing from WestCap, Horizon Capital and others. iTalki, operating since 2006, connects over 10 million learners with more than 30,000 teachers and community tutors across 150+ languages — including many niche and endangered ones. It has raised modest funding (around $3 million historically) and focuses on organic growth without recent major rounds.
2. Tutor Network and Quality Control Preply maintains a network exceeding 100,000 experienced tutors, with structured onboarding, training and AI-assisted matching based on learning style, goals and availability. Tutors often build long-term student relationships for consistent progress. iTalki divides tutors into “Professional Teachers” (requiring credentials like TEFL/certification) and “Community Tutors” (native speakers for casual conversation). This yields greater variety but more variability in quality, as users frequently note on forums.
3. Pricing and Payment Models Both operate as marketplaces where tutors set rates, typically ranging from $10–$80+ per hour. Preply often features higher average rates and uses a subscription-like package system for bulk purchases, with platform fees of 18–33% (decreasing with volume) plus 100% commission on trial lessons. Learners pay upfront for packages. iTalki offers pure pay-per-lesson flexibility with a flat 15% commission, no subscriptions required, and discounted trial lessons. Many users prefer iTalki for occasional or low-commitment study, though Preply’s model suits dedicated learners planning regular sessions.
4. Lesson Features and Tools Preply integrates AI-powered tools for lesson planning, progress tracking, feedback and personalized recommendations, claiming users achieve up to 3x faster fluency gains in studies. It provides built-in materials, satisfaction guarantees and easy rescheduling. iTalki focuses on straightforward video lessons with optional classroom recordings (updated AI features in 2026 policies) but offers fewer integrated progress tools. Users praise its simplicity for casual practice, though tracking relies more on tutor initiative.
5. Corporate and B2B Offerings Preply Business serves over 1,000 companies with centralized dashboards, reporting, onboarding and custom programs tailored to team upskilling — a key differentiator in 2026 comparisons. iTalki lacks dedicated enterprise features, making it less ideal for structured corporate training despite individual use by professionals.
6. User Experience and Satisfaction Preply earns high marks (often 4.8+ on app stores) for matching algorithms, progress data and tutor consistency, with 300,000+ five-star reviews. Learners report strong results in 12-week studies. iTalki users value tutor diversity and no-commitment booking but cite occasional quality variance and platform interface datedness in 2026 Reddit discussions.
7. Trial Lessons and Getting Started Both platforms offer discounted or trial first lessons (often 30 minutes) to test tutors. Preply includes satisfaction guarantees with refunds or rematches if unsatisfied. iTalki emphasizes easy browsing of teacher profiles, videos and reviews for quick selection.
8. Strengths for Different Learner Types Preply suits motivated learners seeking structured, measurable progress — ideal for exam prep (TOEFL, IELTS), business English or long-term fluency goals. Its AI enhancements and corporate tools appeal to serious users. iTalki excels for casual conversation practice, niche languages, flexible scheduling and budget-conscious learners who prefer one-off sessions or exploring multiple tutors.
9. Tutor Perspective and Earnings Tutors report higher potential earnings and more consistent bookings on Preply in some 2026 Reddit threads, though with steeper initial commissions. iTalki offers lower fees and more control over rates, attracting those preferring independence but sometimes lower volume.
10. Market Position and Future Outlook Preply leads in innovation with AI-human hybrid approaches and rapid scaling post-unicorn funding, positioning it for continued dominance in personalized edtech. iTalki maintains strength through sheer scale, legacy and flexibility in a competitive field including Cambly, Lingoda and others. Both platforms updated policies in early 2026 to address AI recording features amid privacy concerns.

Neither platform universally outperforms the other — choice depends on priorities. Dedicated learners favoring structure and tech aids often lean toward Preply, while those wanting maximum variety and minimal commitment gravitate to iTalki. As AI continues reshaping education, both are adapting to deliver more effective, accessible language mastery in 2026 and beyond.