Is Preply legit? Pay, payouts and red flags, with sources
Largest language-tutoring marketplace: you set the rate, Preply takes the trial lesson and a 33%→18% commission.
Grade C: Self-reported. The grade says how well-sourced this page is, not how good Preply is. How well-sourced a page or fact is. Not a rating of the company. More in the glossary
Updated Checked Checked: we looked again and it was still right. Updated: something changed. More in the glossary
Preply is the largest online tutoring marketplace for languages and school subjects. You set your hourly rate; Preply keeps the whole trial lesson plus a commission that falls from 33% to 18% as your total taught hours grow.
How much does Preply pay?
Pay figures are what platforms advertise or what workers report, each with its date. They are not typical or guaranteed earnings: yours depend on your skills, hours, location and how much work is available.
Note After commission: on a $35 lesson you keep $23.45 (0–20h) up to $28.70 (400h+). Trial lessons pay $0.
How and when does Preply pay?
Who can join Preply?
Where it's open: Worldwide.
Regions: global
- Minimum age
- 18
Most platforms here require you to be 18 or older.
How to get accepted
- Record a short, warm intro video
- Start slightly below your target rate to win first reviews, then raise it
- Specialize (exam prep, business English, kids)
Is Preply legit?
What we can confirm
- Commission (official): Trial lessons with new students 100%; afterwards 18–33% of your rate: new tutors 33%, 28% after 20 hours, down to 18% at 400+ hours (e.g., $10 lesson → $6.70 new, $8.20 at 400+ h) 2
- Intermediate tiers (third party): ~25% (50–200 h) and ~22% (200–400 h) 1
What to watch
- Trial lessons pay nothing
- High commission at the start (33%)
- Price competition in common languages
Lawsuits and complaints are allegations unless a court has ruled. We report their status with dates and sources and update it when it changes.
What people like
- Steady demand for languages
- You set your own rate and schedule
Alternatives to Preply
- Forward-deployed engineer ≈ $75–200/h · first money 30–120 days
The proof
Every fact on this page with its type, grade, date and source. Report an error
Sourced facts 2 facts · type · grade · as of
- From the company Commission (official)
Trial lessons with new students 100%; afterwards 18–33% of your rate: new tutors 33%, 28% after 20 hours, down to 18% at 400+ hours (e.g., $10 lesson → $6.70 new, $8.20 at 400+ h) 2 Changed 13 OCT 2026
- Press & research Intermediate tiers (third party)
~25% (50–200 h) and ~22% (200–400 h) 1
Competitor's breakdown; the official tier table is an image
Sources 2 sources · type
- Preply commission model (Help Center) Watched weekly, last check , changed 14 Oct 2026
Grade C (self-reported) · checked 14 Oct 2026 · re-checked every 120 days · how grades work · report an error
Changelog
Every change to this page, newest first. In the full changelog
- re-checked, still correct last_verified
Every A/B fact was found unchanged on its official page.
- grade raised facts.Commission (official)
Confirmed on Preply's Help Center: trial lessons 100%; 33% → 28% after 20 h → 18% at 400+ h. Intermediate tiers stay third-party (D).
- added all
Keep exploring
On the ladder
Step 2 of 5 · Sell your skill. You set your price and win clients, students or employers through a marketplace or network.
Where this leads
- Paid community & membership around an identity Your best students want more than lessons: a community and resources around the goal.
- AI workshops, meetups & office hours Uses the same skills: teaching, public speaking.
- YouTube Partner Program Uses the same skills: teaching, public speaking.