What does each tutoring platform keep?
Platforms charge in three ways: a commission on each lesson (Preply, italki, Classgap), a commission only on what you're paid through them (Superprof), or a free listing with paid extras (Tusclasesparticulares).
Commissions checked on 10th of October 2026 on each platform's website. They change often, so check the source before you sign up.
| Platform | What it keeps | What the student pays | How you get paid |
|---|---|---|---|
 Preply | 100% of the trial lesson with each new student; after that, 33% down to 18% depending on the hours you teach | Check their site | Bank transfer (via Wise), Wise, PayPal, Payoneer or Skrill |
 italki | A variable commission it doesn't publish in its terms; it varies by lesson type, the number of lessons in the package and your performance | Check their site | To your italki wallet once the student confirms the lesson; the withdrawal method may charge its own fee |
 Superprof | 10% only if you're paid through Superprof, the listing is free | €29 monthly pass to contact tutors | To your bank account a few days after the lesson or at the end of the month, from €30 |
 Classgap | 32% (under 25 h) down to 16% (500 h or more in the last 2 years), depending on your paid lessons, and up to 100% of the first lesson depending on your visibility | Check their site | Every month, once you reach a minimum amount (see their site) |
 Tusclasesparticulares | Up to 3 free ads; extra ads have a yearly cost | Check their site | Directly with the student; the platform doesn't handle payment for lessons |
When is a tutoring marketplace worth it?
A platform is worth it when you need students more than you need to keep your full price: it finds them for you, and the commission is what that costs.
Think of the commission as the rent for a stall in a busy market: you pay for the people walking past. Whether it's worth it depends on where you are right now.
It's worth it if
- You're just starting out and don't have any students yet.
- You teach 100% online and want students from other countries.
- You'd rather pay a commission than spend your afternoons on ads.
Think twice if
- Your week is already full of regular students.
- Almost all your new students come from referrals.
- You want to set your own payment and cancellation rules.
What changes when you teach on your own?
On your own you keep your full price and make your own rules, but finding students and handling the admin become your job.
Your price. Nobody keeps a percentage of each lesson, so what you charge is what you set. Not sure what to charge for your language lessons? See how much tutors charge.
Your students. They find you through referrals, an ad or your own website. Here's how to advertise your lessons.
Your admin. Bookings, reminders, packs and chasing payments end up on your desk (usually at 11pm, I say from experience).
How to combine a marketplace with your own students
You can combine the two: platform students stay on the platform, under its rules, while you build your own group of students on the side. Word of mouth is very powerful.
- 1
Read the platform's terms
Each platform sets its own rules on contact and payments. Read them before your first lesson (yes, the small print too) and follow them.
- 2
Use the platform to fill your week
At the start, the commission buys you students and practice. As I like to say: "flight hours".
- 3
Find your own students separately
Referrals (word of mouth), a local ad, contacts made at an event or an online post (for example, in Facebook groups) bring you students.
- 4
Manage your students with your own tools
A booking link, packs and payment reminders keep that part of your work in order.
- 5
Review your numbers every month
Compare what you keep per hour on each side. Then decide where your next free slot goes.
Manage your own students without the paperwork
Try SmartCookie free for 14 days, no card: bookings, packs and payments for the students who are yours.