Preply vs iTalki

Why Switch from iTalki to Preply?

iTalki is a language learning platform that connects students with tutors worldwide. Originally founded in Shanghai and now owned by a Chinese parent company, iTalki processes user data outside EU jurisdiction. This means your personal information, learning progress, payment details, and lesson recordings are stored and processed under data protection regimes that do not meet EU standards. For European users, this creates a gap between the data protection they are entitled to under GDPR and the actual handling of their information.

Preply is an EU-headquartered language tutoring platform based in Barcelona, Spain. With over 35,000 verified tutors across 50+ languages, Preply offers AI-powered matching that pairs students with the ideal tutor based on learning goals, schedule, and budget. Unlike iTalki’s more unstructured marketplace approach, Preply provides structured learning plans, progress tracking, and a satisfaction guarantee. As an EU-based company, Preply processes all user data under GDPR, ensuring that your personal information and learning data remain protected by the strongest privacy regulations in the world.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Preply	iTalki
AI tutor matching	✅ AI-powered recommendations	❌ Manual search and filtering
Structured learning	✅ Learning plans and progress tracking	⚠️ Unstructured (tutor-dependent)
Tutor verification	✅ Verified credentials and reviews	✅ Community reviews
Trial lessons	✅ Free trial with select tutors	⚠️ Discounted trial lessons
Corporate programs	✅ Business language training	⚠️ Limited corporate offerings
Satisfaction guarantee	✅ Free tutor replacement guarantee	❌ No satisfaction guarantee
Community features	⚠️ Limited social features	✅ Language exchange community
Data location	EU (Spain) 🇪🇸	China 🇨🇳
GDPR compliant	✅ Full (EU entity)	❌ Not subject to GDPR (Chinese entity)

Pricing

Preply operates on a tutor-dependent pricing model where rates vary based on tutor experience, qualifications, and language:

• Lesson prices: From €5/hour — prices set by individual tutors based on their experience and qualifications
• Trial lessons: Free trial lesson available with select tutors to find the right match
• Package discounts: Discounts available when purchasing lesson packages (5, 10, or 20 lessons)
• Corporate plans: Custom pricing for business language training programs with reporting and analytics

iTalki offers similar tutor-set pricing, typically starting from around $4/hour for community tutors and $10+/hour for professional teachers. However, iTalki’s pricing advantage for the cheapest tutors comes with the trade-off of unverified qualifications for community tutors and data processing outside the EU.

Privacy & Data Sovereignty

Preply’s EU headquarters provides clear advantages for data protection:

• Headquartered in Barcelona, Spain — fully under EU and Spanish jurisdiction
• All user data processed and stored under GDPR regulations
• Not subject to Chinese data access laws or the US CLOUD Act
• Transparent data processing with clear privacy policies
• Payment data handled through EU-compliant payment processors
• Lesson data and learning progress protected under EU privacy law
• Users have full GDPR rights including access, portability, and deletion

iTalki’s Chinese ownership means user data is subject to Chinese data access laws, which require companies to provide data to government authorities upon request. For European users, this represents a fundamental gap in privacy protection that cannot be bridged by privacy policy language alone.

Migration Guide

Moving from iTalki to Preply is straightforward since there are no complex data migrations involved:

1. Create your Preply account — sign up at preply.com with your email. Fill in your language learning goals, preferred schedule, and budget to activate the AI matching system.
2. Use AI matching to find your tutor — review the AI-recommended tutors based on your profile. Check their introduction videos, qualifications, and student reviews. Shortlist 2-3 tutors for trial lessons.
3. Book a trial lesson — schedule a free trial lesson with your top-choice tutor. Use this lesson to assess teaching style, communication, and whether the tutor aligns with your learning objectives.
4. Set up your learning plan — once you have chosen your tutor, work with them to create a structured learning plan with clear milestones. Preply’s progress tracking tools will help you monitor your advancement.
5. Purchase a lesson package — select a package (5, 10, or 20 lessons) to receive a discount. Set up recurring lesson slots in your calendar for consistency.

Estimated time: 30 minutes to set up your account and find a tutor; 1 week to complete your first trial lesson and establish a learning plan. Difficulty level: Easy — no technical skills required, the platform guides you through every step.

Real-World Use Cases

• A Belgian consulting firm enrolled 40 employees in Preply’s corporate language program to improve their French, Dutch, and English communication. The structured learning plans and management dashboard allowed HR to track progress across teams, resulting in measurable improvements in cross-office communication within three months.
• A Spanish university student preparing for a semester abroad in Germany used Preply to find a certified German tutor matched by the AI system. The structured lesson plans and progress tracking helped her reach B2 level in six months, compared to the year she had spent on informal conversation practice on other platforms.
• A Polish remote worker needed to improve business English for a promotion. Preply’s AI matched him with a tutor specializing in professional English, and the flexible scheduling allowed him to take lessons during lunch breaks. His GDPR-conscious employer appreciated that all learning data remained within EU jurisdiction.

Company Background

Preply was founded in 2012 in Kyiv, Ukraine, by Kirill Bigai, Dmytro Voloshyn, and Serge Lukyanov. The founders initially set out to create a marketplace connecting students with tutors across a range of subjects. Over time, the platform narrowed its focus to language learning, which proved to be the strongest use case. In 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Preply relocated its headquarters to Barcelona, Spain, solidifying its position as an EU-based company operating under European jurisdiction and GDPR regulations.

The company has raised over 100 million dollars in venture capital from investors including Owl Ventures, Hoxton Ventures, and Point Nine Capital. This funding has fueled rapid expansion of the tutor network, the development of AI-powered matching algorithms, and the launch of corporate language training programs. Preply has grown to serve millions of students across more than 180 countries, with a network of over 35,000 verified tutors teaching 50+ languages.

Preply employs approximately 600 people across offices in Barcelona, Kyiv, and other locations, with a significant engineering and product team focused on improving the AI-driven learning experience. The company’s corporate language training division (Preply Business) has become a significant revenue driver, serving enterprises across Europe that need structured language programs for their employees. Preply’s relocation to Barcelona and its commitment to GDPR compliance make it one of the few major language learning platforms headquartered within the EU, giving it a clear data sovereignty advantage over competitors based in the US or Asia.

Security & Compliance

Preply maintains security standards appropriate for a platform handling personal learning data, payment information, and video communications across millions of users.

• GDPR-compliant data processing as an EU-headquartered company (Barcelona, Spain), with all user data subject to European privacy law
• TLS/HTTPS encryption for all platform communications, including lesson scheduling, messaging, and payment processing
• PCI DSS-compliant payment processing through established EU-regulated payment providers, ensuring secure handling of financial data
• Video lesson security with encrypted connections for all live tutoring sessions conducted through the platform
• Data minimization practices collecting only the information necessary for tutor matching, lesson delivery, and payment processing
• User data rights fully supported under GDPR, including access, rectification, erasure, and data portability upon request
• Transparent privacy policy with clear disclosure of data processing purposes and third-party sub-processors

Integration Ecosystem

Preply’s integration ecosystem is primarily focused on delivering a seamless learning experience within the platform, with additional tools for corporate clients.

• Built-in video classroom with screen sharing, whiteboard, and chat functionality — no external video tools required
• AI-powered tutor matching algorithm that integrates learning goals, scheduling preferences, and budget to recommend optimal tutors
• Google Calendar and Outlook Calendar sync for automatic lesson scheduling and reminders across personal and work calendars
• Preply Business dashboard providing corporate administrators with progress tracking, usage reports, and team management tools
• Mobile apps (iOS and Android) with full lesson booking, messaging, and learning progress tracking capabilities
• Structured curriculum tools allowing tutors to create and share lesson plans, homework assignments, and learning materials
• Payment system integration supporting multiple EU payment methods including credit cards, PayPal, and localized payment options
• API access for enterprise clients enabling integration of Preply’s language training data with corporate HR and learning management systems

Who Should Switch?

Preply is ideal for:

• European language learners who want structured, goal-oriented tutoring with progress tracking
• Privacy-conscious students who want their learning data processed within the EU
• Busy professionals who benefit from AI-powered tutor matching to save time finding the right teacher
• Corporate teams that need organized language training with reporting and management tools
• Serious learners who value structured learning plans over casual conversation practice

The Bottom Line

Preply combines the convenience of a large tutor marketplace with the structure and technology that serious language learners need. Its AI-powered matching system takes the guesswork out of finding the right tutor, while structured learning plans ensure consistent progress toward language goals. The satisfaction guarantee — offering free tutor replacement if you are not happy — removes the risk from the first lesson.

iTalki has built a strong community around language exchange, and its community tutors can offer very low prices. But for learners who want structured progress, verified tutors, and the assurance that their personal data is handled under EU law, Preply delivers a more professional, privacy-respecting language learning experience built on a foundation of European data protection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Preply's AI tutor matching work?

When you sign up, Preply asks about your learning goals, preferred schedule, budget, and experience level. Its AI algorithm then recommends tutors who best match your profile, ranked by relevance. You can still browse and filter manually, but the AI matching saves considerable time compared to scrolling through thousands of profiles.

What happens if I am not satisfied with my tutor on Preply?

Preply offers a satisfaction guarantee that includes free tutor replacement. If your first lesson with a tutor does not meet your expectations, you can request a different tutor at no additional cost. This removes the financial risk from trying new tutors.

Is my personal data safer on Preply than on iTalki?

Yes. Preply is headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, and processes all user data under GDPR. iTalki is owned by a Chinese parent company and subject to Chinese data access laws. For European users, Preply offers significantly stronger privacy protections by design.

Does Preply offer group lessons or only one-on-one tutoring?

Preply primarily focuses on one-on-one lessons, which allows for personalized instruction. However, Preply also offers corporate group training programs for businesses that need team-based language learning with reporting and progress tracking.

Can I use Preply for less common languages?

Yes. Preply supports over 50 languages, including less commonly taught languages like Ukrainian, Polish, Turkish, and Arabic. The tutor pool for niche languages is smaller but still substantial compared to most platforms, and the AI matching helps you find the right specialist quickly.