5 Best Preply Alternatives for Online Language Learning (2026)

Key takeaways

• italki offers the most multiple languages (150+) with flexible pricing plans and no subscription fee
• Verbling suits learners who prefer vetted professional teachers over Preply’s varied tutor quality
• Cambly focuses exclusively on English lessons with on demand conversation practice
• italki delivers the lowest hourly rates ($3-$25 vs Preply’s $4-$50+) without forcing weekly commitments
• Choose based on your learning goals, budget, and whether you need one on one lessons or group classes

You’re likely exploring Preply alternatives because the platform’s weekly subscription fee doesn’t fit your schedule, or you need access to more languages than Preply offers. Many language learners find Preply’s recurring commitment model limits flexibility when work, family, or travel disrupts routine.

The main issue: Preply requires weekly subscription hours whether you use them or not.

This guide compares 5 online tutoring platforms that address common frustrations: subscription commitments, limited language options, and fixed scheduling. You’ll see how italki, Verbling, Cambly, Lingoda, and AmazingTalker handle tutor’s qualifications, affordable pricing, and trial lessons, plus how they compare to Preply’s model.

By the end, you’ll know which platform matches your learning goals, budget, and schedule, whether you need certified professional teachers for test preparation or casual conversation practice.

If personalized learning through live lessons fits your style, consider exploring Spanish tutors, Japanese tutors, French tutors, or English tutors on italki to get direct guidance from day one.

italki vs Preply: Key differences at a glance

Before exploring alternatives, here’s how italki vs Preply compare directly:

Feature	italki	Preply
Pricing model	Pay per lesson, no subscription	Weekly subscription required
Languages	150+ languages	50-90 languages
Tutor types	Professional teachers and community tutors	Teachers and community tutors
Scheduling	Book individual lessons anytime	Weekly recurring schedule
Trial lessons	Discounted trials with multiple tutors	Paid first lesson with refund option
Best for	Flexible learners who value choice	Structured weekly routines

The main difference: italki gives you complete control over scheduling and spending without locking you into weekly commitments.

Quick comparison: Top Preply alternatives

Platform	Pricing Range	Languages	Tutor Types	Best For
italki	$3-$25/hour	150+	Professional teachers & community tutors	Personalized learning and flexibility
Verbling	$6-$75/hour	70	Vetted expert tutors	Structured learning path
Cambly	$38-$53/month	English only	Native speakers	On demand conversation
Lingoda	$4.49-$29.99/class	5 languages	TEFL/CELTA certified	Group classes with curriculum
AmazingTalker	$11-$30+/hour	100+ (Asian focus)	Professional & community	Asian language skills

Best Preply alternatives compared

1. italki: Best for personalized one-on-one lessons

italki is the leading online tutoring platform connecting language learners with over 20,000 qualified tutors across 150+ languages. Unlike Preply, you pay per lesson without subscription fees, giving you complete control over your learning budget and schedule.

What makes italki the best Preply alternative:

Pros:

• No subscription required: Pay only for lessons you book with credits that never expire
• 150+ languages: 3x more than Preply, including rare dialects and specialized tutors
• Two tutor types: Choose professional teachers (certified) or community tutors (conversation)
• Complete flexibility: Book 30, 60, or 90-minute tutoring sessions anytime
• Affordable pricing: Most tutors charge $3-$25/hour with transparent pricing
• Trial lessons: Discounted first lesson with each most tutors
• Active community: Practice exercises, language exchange, writing corrections
• Mobile learning: Full-featured iOS and Android apps

Cons:

• Tutor availability varies by time zone
• Self-motivation needed without weekly structure

Best for: Self-directed language learners who want personalized learning at their own pace without subscription fees, whether you’re a school student, professional, or casual learner.

Protip: Book discounted trial lessons with 2-3 different tutors to find the teaching style that matches your preferences before committing to regular sessions.

2. Verbling

Verbling provides online tutoring focused on structure through live lessons with vetted teachers.

Pros:

• Tutors vetted with verified teaching skills
• Structured curriculum organized by proficiency levels
• Integrated platform with video calls and assignments
• Clear learning paths from beginner to advanced

Cons:

• Higher pricing than other popular Preply alternatives
• Fewer language options (70 vs italki’s 150+)
• Package policies can be restrictive
• Less scheduling flexibility than pay-per-lesson platforms

Best for: Language learners who prefer formal online platform structure over flexible booking.

3. Cambly

Cambly offers exclusive English tutoring through drop-in sessions with native speakers.

Pros:

• On demand tutoring available 24/7
• Instant access to native English tutors
• Simple platform for direct conversation
• No advance booking needed

Cons:

• Higher cost compared to some alternatives
• Limited grammar instruction
• No free trial before subscribing
• English only, no other subjects or multiple languages
• Subscription required, no pay-per-lesson option

Best for: Language learners wanting casual English lessons without structured curriculum.

4. Lingoda

Lingoda provides small groups classes (2-5 students) and one on one lessons with certified teachers.

Pros:

• Group classes (2-5 students) for peer interaction
• 24/7 class availability
• Structured lessons with set syllabus

Cons:

• Higher cost than pay-per-lesson platforms
• Limited language selection (only 5 languages)
• Mixed skill levels in group classes
• Requires subscription fee commitment

Best for: Language learners who prefer structured learning with small groups over one on one tutoring.

5. AmazingTalker

AmazingTalker specializes in Asian languages like Mandarin, Korean, and Japanese with flexible on demand tutoring.

Pros:

• Strong focus on Asian languages
• Pay-as-you-go model, no subscription fee
• On demand booking with available tutors
• No long-term commitment required

Cons:

• Smaller tutor pool for less common languages
• Limited built-in learning tools
• Higher pricing than some alternatives
• Less comprehensive than larger platforms

Best for: Language learners focusing on Asian languages who want personalized learning without subscriptions.

Begin your journey towards fluency:

• Learn English online
• Learn French online
• Learn Spanish online
• Learn Japanese online

How to choose the right Preply alternative

Key factors to consider:

• Learning style: One on one tutoring vs group classes, structured vs flexible
• Budget: Subscription fees vs pay-per-lesson, monthly commitment
• Schedule: On demand booking vs fixed weekly times
• Languages needed: Common vs rare, single vs multiple languages
• Goals: Conversation practice, test prep, or academic subjects

Quick decision guide:

• Choose italki for: Pay-per-lesson flexibility, language variety, personalized tutoring
• Choose Verbling for: Structured curriculum
• Choose Cambly for: Instant English conversation without scheduling
• Choose Lingoda for: Group classes
• Choose AmazingTalker for: Asian language focus with flexible booking

Comparing language apps? See our Duolingo alternatives guide for platform comparisons.

Ready to become fluent in any language?

Learn any language at your own pace with personal guidance from 20,000+ expert tutors trusted by over 5 million learners worldwide across 150+ languages. Start learning with italki today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is italki or Preply better?

italki is better for most language learners because it offers 3x more languages, lower rates ($3-$25 ), and pay-per-lesson flexibility without subscription fees. Preply works if you prefer weekly routines with one tutor, but italki gives you more choice and control.

What is the #1 best language learning app?

italki is the #1 online tutoring platform for language learners who want real conversation practice and personalized learning with native speakers. With 150+ multiple languages, 20,000+ tutors, and pay-per-lesson pricing, it provides the most complete path for developing actual speaking skills.

What is the best alternative to Preply?

italki is the best Preply alternative with 150+ multiple languages (3x more than Preply), pay-per-lesson pricing, and no subscription fees. You get both professional teachers and community tutors, complete schedule control, and discounted trial lessons to find the perfect tutor.

Do these platforms offer free trials?

italki offers discounted free trial lessons (typically 50% off) with each new tutor. Preply charges full price for first lessons with refund options. Verbling and AmazingTalker also offer discounted trials, while Cambly requires subscription without trials.

Which platform has more languages?

italki offers 150+ languages, Preply covers 50-90, Verbling has 70, Lingoda offers 5, and Cambly focuses only on English lessons. For rare languages or specialized tutors, italki provides the most options.