italki is the cheapest reliable way to speak French with a person every week, with French tutors at $4 to $60 an hour according to italki's own French teachers page (checked 9 October 2026); whether it is good value depends almost entirely on the tutor you pick.
Checked October 2026 · italki price: Set by each tutor; italki says $4 to $60 an hour for French (checked 2026-10-09 (italki.com/en/teachers/french))
Teachers or community tutors
italki lists two kinds of French tutor. Professional teachers have teaching qualifications or experience and usually plan lessons, correct you systematically and follow a course or exam syllabus. Community tutors are native or fluent speakers who offer conversation practice, often more cheaply.
Below about B1, a professional teacher is usually worth the extra: you need structure and explanations. From B1, a good community tutor is often the better buy, because what you need most is hours of speaking.
What it costs
Each tutor sets their own price. italki's French teachers page says lessons cost between $4 and $60 an hour, depending on experience and format; most tutors also offer a discounted trial lesson, and italki says no tutor gives fully free lessons. You pay per lesson or buy packages of several lessons from one tutor.
Thirty minutes once a week with a mid-priced tutor costs less a month than most app subscriptions plus a tutor would, and does more for your speaking than any app.
How to pick a tutor
Book two or three trial lessons with different tutors before buying a package. Look for a tutor who makes you talk more than they do, corrects you without stopping every sentence, and sends notes or new words after the lesson.
Tell them your level and goal in the first message: a trip, an exam, a job, following French TV. A tutor without a plan quickly turns lessons into small talk, which feels pleasant and teaches little.
Check the tutor's own video: if you cannot follow them at A2, choose someone who speaks more slowly, or ask them to.
Making it work
Prepare one topic per lesson and reuse the new words before the next one. Pair the lessons with real listening between them: a show at your level on Lingopie or a podcast from our podcasts page. Lessons teach you to speak; listening teaches you to understand the answer.
Comparing marketplaces? See italki vs Preply and Preply French tutors. For timetabled group classes instead, see italki vs Lingoda.
Who it's for
Learners from A2 up who need to speak with a person every week and want to choose their tutor and price, and beginners who want a professional teacher to guide them.
Who it's not for
Anyone who will not book regularly: one lesson a month does little. If you need a fixed timetable to stay motivated, a class-based school such as Lingoda may suit you better.
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. |
| Lingoda | From €184.99 per 4 weeks (5 group classes) | A1–C1 | Yes | Real classes on a timetable; costly per minute of speaking. |
| Verbling | Set by each tutor; French lessons from €6.23 an hourchecked 2026-10-09 (verbling.com) | A1–C2 | Yes | One-to-one French tutors in a built-in video classroom; choose the teacher 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.
Questions
How much is a French tutor on italki?
Each tutor sets a price; italki says $4 to $60 an hour for French, checked 9 October 2026. Trial lessons are usually discounted.
Professional teacher or community tutor on italki?
A professional teacher below about B1, for structure; a community tutor from B1 if you mainly need speaking practice.
How often should I book italki lessons?
Once or twice a week, with the same tutor, works better than occasional lessons with different ones.
More on italki
The full listing: italki: price, levels and who it suits.