italki vs Preply at a glance
| italki | Preply | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Set by each tutor; italki says $4 to $60 an hour for Frenchchecked 2026-10-09 (italki.com/en/teachers/french) | Set by each tutor; from $3, average $21 per lessonchecked 2026-10-09 (preply.com/en/online/french-tutors) |
| Levels | A1–C2 (beginner to advanced) | A1–C2 (beginner to advanced) |
| Free to use | No (trial or sample only) | No (trial or sample only) |
| Real-speed French | Yes | Yes |
| Transcripts or subtitles | Not a feature | Not a feature |
| Taught in | French, English | French, English |
| Platforms | iOS, Android, Web | iOS, Android, Web |
| Best for | The cheapest way to speak French every week, if you choose the tutor well. | A huge choice of tutors at every price; pick carefully. |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Which is cheaper?
Prices overlap, because tutors on both set their own rates. On Preply we saw French tutors from about €2 to more than €36 for a 50-minute lesson. On italki each tutor sets their price and many offer discounted trial lessons, though italki says no tutor gives fully free lessons. For the same budget you will find a tutor on either.
Which is better for trying tutors?
Preply makes switching easier: if the first tutor is not a match, it lets you try two more for free. On italki you book discounted trial lessons with each tutor you want to test. If you expect to try several people before settling, Preply's guarantee is the more generous.
Which has better tutors?
Neither, as a platform: quality depends entirely on the tutor you pick. italki separates professional teachers from community tutors who offer conversation practice, which helps you choose. Preply lists thousands of French tutors at every price. On both, read the reviews and book a short first lesson before committing.
Which suits a regular weekly lesson?
Preply nudges you towards weekly subscriptions with a tutor, which suits people who need a fixed slot. On italki you book with each tutor directly, at the price they set. If you know you need a fixed weekly slot to show up, Preply's structure helps.
Can you use both?
Yes, at no extra cost beyond the lessons. Some learners keep a cheaper conversation partner on one platform and a professional teacher for grammar on the other.
What neither does
Neither gives you a course or a plan of its own: a lesson without preparation quickly becomes small talk. Bring a goal to each lesson, such as a topic, a text or mistakes to fix, and keep listening to real-speed French between lessons so the conversations get easier.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| italki | Set by each tutor; italki says $4 to $60 an hour for Frenchchecked 2026-10-09 (italki.com/en/teachers/french) | A1–C2 | Yes | The cheapest way to speak French every week, if you choose the tutor well. |
| Preply | Set by each tutor; from $3, average $21 per lessonchecked 2026-10-09 (preply.com/en/online/french-tutors) | A1–C2 | Yes | A huge choice of tutors at every price; pick carefully. |
| French with Amélie | Free weekly lesson; Premium $24/mo or $240/yr | B1–C1 | Yes, with a slow version and a transcript | Real-speed dialogues by email and a private podcast. Not an app. Visit |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
Read more
The full listings: italki (website) and Preply (website). More like these: Apps to practice speaking French.