Introduction
Choosing the right tutoring platform isn't just about student volume—it's about what you actually take home after fees. The difference between platforms can mean thousands of dollars per year in your pocket.
This guide compares the three major language tutoring marketplaces from a tutor's financial perspective: commission rates, payment terms, and the hidden costs that affect your real earnings.
Quick Comparison: The Numbers
| Factor | iTalki | Preply | Verbling | |--------|--------|--------|----------| | Commission | 15% flat | 18-33% tiered | 15% flat | | Trial Lesson | You set terms | 100% to platform | You set terms | | Payment Frequency | 2x/month | Weekly | 2x/month | | Minimum Payout | $30 | $30 | $20 | | Payment Methods | PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill | PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill | PayPal, Payoneer |
Winner on pure commission: iTalki and Verbling (tied at 15%)
iTalki: The Community-Focused Platform
Commission Structure
iTalki charges a flat 15% commission on all lessons, regardless of how long you've been teaching. This simplicity is refreshing compared to tiered systems.
Example: $30/hour lesson
- You receive: $25.50/hour
- iTalki takes: $4.50/hour
Trial Lessons
Unlike Preply, iTalki doesn't mandate free or discounted trial lessons. You can:
- Offer trial lessons at any price you choose
- Keep 85% of trial lesson fees (15% commission still applies)
- Or skip trials entirely
This gives you much more control over your trial strategy.
Teacher Types
iTalki distinguishes between:
- Professional Teachers: Verified credentials, can charge higher rates
- Community Tutors: Lower barrier to entry, typically lower rates
Both pay the same 15% commission.
Pros
- Lowest consistent commission rate
- Flexible trial lesson policies
- Large, engaged student community
- Good for less common languages
Cons
- More competition (larger teacher pool)
- Students expect lower prices due to market dynamics
- Less marketing support than Preply
- Interface can feel dated
Preply: The Marketing Machine
Commission Structure
Preply uses a tiered commission system based on teaching hours:
| Hours Taught | Commission | |--------------|-----------| | 0-19 | 33% | | 20-49 | 28% | | 50-199 | 25% | | 200-399 | 22% | | 400+ | 18% |
Example: $30/hour lesson
- New tutor receives: $20.10/hour (33% commission)
- Veteran tutor receives: $24.60/hour (18% commission)
Trial Lessons
Preply takes 100% of your first lesson with each new student. This is essentially a customer acquisition fee—you teach for free in exchange for the student connection.
The Real Cost Comparison
Let's compare a new tutor on each platform teaching 100 hours:
iTalki (15% commission):
- Gross: $3,000
- Commission: $450
- Net: $2,550
Preply (33% commission, assuming 10 trial lessons):
- Gross: $3,000
- Trial lessons lost: $300 (10 lessons × $30)
- Commission on remaining 90 lessons: $891
- Net: $1,809
Difference: $741 more on iTalki
Even at Preply's best rate (18%), the trial lesson policy still costs you.
Pros
- Excellent marketing and student acquisition
- Modern, polished interface
- Strong brand recognition
- Good scheduling and video tools
Cons
- Highest commission rates
- 100% trial lesson fee
- Takes 400+ hours to reach best rate
- Package discounts come from your cut
Verbling: The Quality-Focused Middle Ground
Commission Structure
Verbling charges a flat 15% commission—matching iTalki and significantly better than Preply for most tutors.
Example: $30/hour lesson
- You receive: $25.50/hour
- Verbling takes: $4.50/hour
Trial Lessons
Verbling allows you to set your own trial lesson terms. Many tutors offer 30-minute trials at reduced rates, keeping 85% of whatever they charge.
Platform Focus
Verbling positions itself as premium, with:
- Built-in video classroom with good quality
- Integrated whiteboard and screen sharing
- Focus on serious language learners
- Smaller but more engaged user base
Pros
- Low 15% commission
- High-quality video platform
- Flexible trial policies
- Professional student base
Cons
- Smaller student pool than competitors
- Periodic application-only teacher acceptance
- Less brand recognition
- Can be harder to get initial students
Head-to-Head: Annual Earnings Comparison
Let's model a tutor teaching 20 hours/week at $30/hour for a full year:
iTalki
- Annual gross: $31,200
- Commission (15%): $4,680
- Annual net: $26,520
Preply (New Tutor → Veteran)
- Annual gross: $31,200
- Trial lessons (~50 new students): $1,500 lost
- Commission (blended ~25%): $7,425
- Annual net: $22,275
Verbling
- Annual gross: $31,200
- Commission (15%): $4,680
- Annual net: $26,520
The Preply penalty: $4,245/year compared to iTalki or Verbling.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Choose iTalki If:
- You want the lowest consistent fees
- You teach less common languages
- You're comfortable competing in a larger marketplace
- You want control over trial lesson pricing
Choose Preply If:
- You're new and need students quickly
- You don't want to do any self-marketing
- You're willing to invest in trial lessons for long-term students
- You teach high-demand languages (English, Spanish)
Choose Verbling If:
- You want low fees with a quality focus
- Video lesson quality matters to you
- You prefer a smaller, more engaged community
- You can wait for their teacher acceptance windows
The Multi-Platform Strategy
Many successful tutors don't choose just one platform. Here's a strategic approach:
Stage 1: Build Your Base
Use Preply's marketing power to get your first students quickly. Accept the higher fees as a student acquisition cost.
Stage 2: Diversify
Once you have consistent students, add iTalki or Verbling profiles to capture students with lower commission.
Stage 3: Go Direct
For long-term repeat students, offer a direct booking option. You'll save 15-33% on every lesson with students who already trust you.
This isn't about "beating" the platforms—it's about using each channel for its strengths:
- Preply: Discovery and first contact
- iTalki/Verbling: Lower-fee marketplace option
- Direct booking: Maximum earnings on repeat students
Beyond Commission: Other Factors
Student Quality
- Preply: Wide range, includes many casual learners
- iTalki: More serious students, community-focused
- Verbling: Typically committed, quality-focused
Payment Reliability
All three platforms have reliable payment systems. The main differences:
- Preply pays weekly (fastest)
- iTalki and Verbling pay twice monthly
Competition Level
- Preply: High competition, but high student volume
- iTalki: Very high competition (largest teacher pool)
- Verbling: Lower competition, but smaller market
The Bottom Line
On pure commission, iTalki and Verbling win at 15% flat, compared to Preply's 18-33%.
On student acquisition, Preply's marketing machine brings more new students, especially for popular languages.
On total earnings, a diversified approach using multiple platforms—plus direct booking for repeat students—maximizes your income.
Don't marry a single platform. Use each one strategically based on your business stage and goals.
Build Your Direct Booking Channel
The lowest commission? Zero. TutorLingua helps you accept direct bookings from students who find you through any channel—keeping 97%+ of every lesson.
También disponible en español: iTalki vs Preply vs Verbling: ¿Cuál Cobra Menos?
Également disponible en français : iTalki vs Preply vs Verbling
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