Preply is a good place to find a French tutor at almost any price, with private French lessons from $3 and an average of $21 per lesson according to Preply's French tutors page (checked 9 October 2026), but it nudges you into weekly plans, so pick your tutor carefully before you commit.
Checked October 2026 · Preply price: Set by each tutor; from $3, average $21 per lesson (checked 2026-10-09 (preply.com/en/online/french-tutors))
How it works
You browse French tutors, filter by price, availability, native speaker and specialities such as conversation, business French or exam preparation, and book a trial lesson. Lessons are online video calls, usually 50 minutes. After the trial, Preply asks you to choose a plan of a set number of lessons each week with that tutor, paid in advance.
If the first tutor is not a match, Preply says you can try up to two more for free.
What it costs
Each tutor sets their own price. Preply's French tutors page says private lessons start from $3, with an average of $21 per lesson. The same page shows French tutors from France at about $35 an hour, and native speakers at about $34 an hour against about $25 for non-native tutors.
A cheaper tutor is not a worse one, especially for conversation practice. A higher price usually buys experience with structured courses or exams.
How to pick a tutor
Use the trial lessons to compare two or three tutors. Choose one who makes you speak most of the lesson, corrects the mistakes that matter and sends notes afterwards. Tell them your level and goal in your first message, and ask how they would plan the first month.
Be careful with the weekly plan: start with the smallest number of lessons a week you can keep up, and raise it later. Note the renewal date, as plans renew automatically.
Preply or italki?
Both are marketplaces with tutors at every price. Preply's weekly plans suit learners who want a fixed rhythm; italki's pay-per-lesson and packages suit people whose weeks vary. See italki vs Preply and italki French tutors.
Between lessons, train your ear on real French: a show on Lingopie, or a podcast from our podcasts page.
Who it's for
Learners who want a regular one-to-one lesson at a price they choose, like a fixed weekly rhythm, and will take time to try a few tutors first.
Who it's not for
Learners whose schedule changes every week, who may prefer italki's pay-per-lesson approach, and anyone who wants a structured group class on a timetable; see Lingoda vs Preply.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed French | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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 do Preply French tutors cost?
Each tutor sets a price. Preply says private French lessons start from $3, with an average of $21 per lesson, checked 9 October 2026.
Does Preply have a free trial lesson?
Trial lessons are paid, but Preply says you can try up to two more tutors free if the first is not a match.
Do I have to subscribe on Preply?
After the trial, Preply asks you to choose a weekly plan of lessons with your tutor, renewed automatically.
More on Preply
The full listing: Preply: price, levels and who it suits.