Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Preply takes 18-33% commission (33% for new tutors, decreasing with hours taught)
- iTalki takes a flat 15% commission on all lessons
- Verbling takes approximately 15% commission
- On a $50/hour lesson, you keep $33.50-$42.50 depending on platform
- Annual difference between platforms can exceed $5,000 for full-time tutors
- Alternative: TutorLingua charges 0% commission on direct bookings
Introduction: Why Commission Rates Matter More Than You Think
If you're teaching 20+ hours per week on tutoring platforms, commission fees are likely your single biggest expense—often costing you $5,000-$15,000 per year.
The three major language tutoring marketplaces—Preply, iTalki, and Verbling—all take a cut of every lesson. But their commission structures vary significantly, and understanding these differences can help you make smarter decisions about where to focus your time.
This comprehensive guide breaks down exactly what each platform charges in 2025, how much you actually keep, and strategies for maximizing your tutoring income.
Preply Commission Structure (2025)
How Preply's Tiered Commission Works
Preply uses a sliding scale commission that decreases as you teach more hours on the platform:
| Hours Taught | Commission Rate | You Keep | |--------------|-----------------|----------| | 0-20 hours | 33% | 67% | | 20-50 hours | 28% | 72% | | 50-100 hours | 26% | 74% | | 100-200 hours | 24% | 76% | | 200-400 hours | 22% | 78% | | 400+ hours | 18% | 82% |
What This Means in Real Numbers
On a $40/hour lesson:
| Experience Level | Commission | You Keep Per Lesson | |------------------|------------|---------------------| | New tutor (0-20 hrs) | $13.20 | $26.80 | | Established (100-200 hrs) | $9.60 | $30.40 | | Top tier (400+ hrs) | $7.20 | $32.80 |
Preply's Hidden Considerations
- First lesson guarantee: If a student isn't satisfied with their first lesson, Preply refunds them and you may not get paid
- Payment delays: Typically 3-5 business days after lesson completion
- No control over pricing: Preply recommends prices and pressures tutors to match market rates
- Platform changes: Commission rates and policies can change with little notice
Time to Reach Lowest Commission
To reach Preply's best rate of 18%, you need to teach 400+ hours. At 20 hours/week, that takes approximately 5 months of full-time tutoring.
iTalki Commission Structure (2025)
iTalki's Flat Rate Model
iTalki keeps things simple with a flat 15% commission regardless of how many hours you've taught or how long you've been on the platform.
| Lesson Price | Commission (15%) | You Keep | |--------------|------------------|----------| | $20/hour | $3.00 | $17.00 | | $30/hour | $4.50 | $25.50 | | $40/hour | $6.00 | $34.00 | | $50/hour | $7.50 | $42.50 |
iTalki's Advantages
- Predictable earnings: Same percentage every time, no surprises
- No tiered system: New tutors pay the same as veterans
- Tutor flexibility: More control over your schedule and pricing
- Community features: Language partners and community discussions
iTalki's Drawbacks
- High competition: Massive tutor pool can make standing out difficult
- Lower student commitment: Easier for students to switch tutors
- Limited marketing tools: Fewer features to help you get discovered
- Withdrawal minimums: Must reach threshold before cashing out
Verbling Commission Structure (2025)
Verbling's Commission Model
Verbling charges approximately 15% commission, similar to iTalki. However, the exact structure has varied over time.
| Lesson Price | Commission (~15%) | You Keep | |--------------|-------------------|----------| | $20/hour | ~$3.00 | ~$17.00 | | $30/hour | ~$4.50 | ~$25.50 | | $40/hour | ~$6.00 | ~$34.00 | | $50/hour | ~$7.50 | ~$42.50 |
Verbling's Unique Features
- Built-in classroom: Video platform included (no Zoom needed)
- Smaller tutor pool: Less competition than iTalki
- Professional focus: Attracts more serious learners
- Clean interface: Well-designed platform experience
Verbling's Limitations
- Smaller student base: Fewer total learners than competitors
- Less brand recognition: Not as well-known as Preply or iTalki
- Limited language options: Focus on more common languages
- Stricter requirements: More selective about who can teach
Head-to-Head Comparison: The Real Numbers
Scenario 1: New Tutor Teaching 20 Hours/Week at $35/Hour
Monthly earnings (80 hours):
| Platform | Commission Rate | Commission Paid | You Keep | |----------|-----------------|-----------------|----------| | Preply | 33% | $924 | $1,876 | | iTalki | 15% | $420 | $2,380 | | Verbling | 15% | $420 | $2,380 |
Annual difference: iTalki/Verbling saves you $6,048 compared to Preply
Scenario 2: Experienced Tutor (400+ hrs) Teaching 30 Hours/Week at $50/Hour
Monthly earnings (120 hours):
| Platform | Commission Rate | Commission Paid | You Keep | |----------|-----------------|-----------------|----------| | Preply | 18% | $1,080 | $4,920 | | iTalki | 15% | $900 | $5,100 | | Verbling | 15% | $900 | $5,100 |
Annual difference: iTalki/Verbling saves you $2,160 compared to Preply
Scenario 3: Part-Time Tutor Teaching 10 Hours/Week at $40/Hour
Monthly earnings (40 hours):
| Platform | Commission Rate | Commission Paid | You Keep | |----------|-----------------|-----------------|----------| | Preply | 33%* | $528 | $1,072 | | iTalki | 15% | $240 | $1,360 | | Verbling | 15% | $240 | $1,360 |
*Part-time tutors on Preply often stay in higher commission tiers longer
Annual difference: iTalki/Verbling saves you $3,456 compared to Preply
Which Platform is Best for Your Situation?
Choose Preply If:
- You plan to tutor full-time and can quickly reach 400+ hours
- You value Preply's marketing reach and student acquisition
- You're willing to trade higher initial commissions for potential long-term volume
- You prefer a more structured platform with student matching
Choose iTalki If:
- You're a new tutor who wants to keep more from day one
- You teach part-time and won't reach Preply's lower tiers quickly
- You value pricing flexibility and schedule control
- You want access to a large, global student base
Choose Verbling If:
- You prefer a smaller, more professional community
- You want an all-in-one solution with built-in video
- You teach popular languages (Spanish, French, German, etc.)
- You value quality over quantity in your student base
The Hidden Costs No One Talks About
Beyond Commission: Other Platform Expenses
- Payment processing fees: Additional 2-3% on some platforms
- Currency conversion: 1-3% if your currency differs from payment currency
- Premium features: Some platforms charge for visibility boosts
- Cancellation policies: Varies by platform, can impact earnings
The Opportunity Cost of Platform Dependency
Every hour you spend on a marketplace:
- Builds their brand, not yours
- Creates students who are loyal to the platform, not you
- Limits your ability to raise prices above market rates
- Gives you no control if the platform changes policies
The Alternative: Direct Booking Platforms
What If You Could Keep 100%?
Many successful tutors use marketplaces strategically—for discovery only—while building their own direct booking system for repeat students.
The Math:
| Booking Method | $50 Lesson | Annual (1,000 lessons) | |----------------|------------|------------------------| | Preply (33%) | $33.50 | $33,500 | | Preply (18%) | $41.00 | $41,000 | | iTalki (15%) | $42.50 | $42,500 | | Direct (0%)* | $48.55** | $48,550 |
*Via platforms like TutorLingua **After ~3% payment processing
Annual savings with direct booking: $6,050-$15,050
Note: Students benefit too—see our article on why booking your tutor directly saves students money.
How Direct Booking Works
- Use marketplaces to find new students
- Build relationships during initial lessons
- Transition repeat students to direct booking
- Keep 100% of revenue from loyal students
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform has the lowest commission?
iTalki and Verbling both charge approximately 15% commission, making them tied for lowest among major platforms. Preply can go as low as 18% but only after teaching 400+ hours.
How long does it take to reach Preply's lowest commission rate?
At 20 hours per week, you'll reach the 18% tier in approximately 5 months. Part-time tutors teaching 10 hours/week will take about 10 months.
Can I use multiple tutoring platforms at once?
Yes, many tutors teach on multiple platforms simultaneously. This helps you compare student quality, manage your schedule across platforms, and not be dependent on any single marketplace.
Do commission rates ever change?
Yes, platforms can and do change their commission structures. Preply has modified their tiered system multiple times. This is one risk of platform dependency.
Is there a way to avoid paying commissions entirely?
Yes—by building a direct booking system for repeat students. Platforms like TutorLingua let tutors accept direct bookings with 0% platform commission (you only pay standard payment processing fees around 3%).
Which platform is best for new tutors?
For new tutors, iTalki typically offers the best combination of low commission (15% from day one) and large student base. Preply's 33% starting commission significantly impacts new tutor earnings.
Conclusion: Make an Informed Decision
The commission you pay directly impacts your hourly rate and annual income. Here's the bottom line:
| If You... | Best Option | |-----------|-------------| | Are brand new | iTalki (15% vs Preply's 33%) | | Teach part-time | iTalki or Verbling | | Can commit full-time | Preply (if you'll hit 400+ hrs quickly) | | Have repeat students | Direct booking platform (0% commission) |
The smartest approach? Use marketplaces for what they're good at—finding new students—while building your direct booking infrastructure for repeat business.
Your repeat students are your most valuable asset. Once you've built a relationship, why keep paying 15-33% for an introduction that already happened?
Ready to Keep 100% of Your Tutoring Income?
TutorLingua helps independent tutors:
- Accept direct bookings with 0% platform commission
- Professional booking page and payment processing
- Automated scheduling, reminders, and student management
- Build your brand, not someone else's
Create Your Free TutorLingua Account →
Stop giving away 15-33% of your hard-earned income. Start keeping what you earn.
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