Starting to take private lessons online, whether for academic, professional, or personal reasons, is a brilliant investment in yourself. It helps you develop new skills, build confidence, and fuel your creativity, all with the support of a qualified tutor who can tailor the learning experience to your needs and learning style.
With so many online teaching platforms now available, offering online lessons and in person tutoring, it can be time-consuming to choose the right one. In this article, we compare two of the most popular tutoring platforms in the UK: Preply and Superprof, helping you understand the key differences so you can find the right tutor for your goals.
Key Takeaways: Online Teaching Platforms
📌 Here’s what you’ll learn in this comparison between Preply and Superprof:
- Preply specialises in language learning and connects students with language tutors around the world. It supports features like placement tests, virtual whiteboards, and introductory videos, making it one of the most tech-forward online tutoring marketplaces.
- Superprof offers tutors in over 1,000 subjects, including hobbies and computer science, and gives learners access to both online classes and in person tutoring. Superprof tutors set their own rates and offer a flexible approach.
- Trial lessons differ: Preply charges for all trials, while Superprof lists tutors who may offer a free trial class.
- Both Preply and Superprof are tutoring marketplaces where individual tutors set prices and students pay per lesson.
- Which is better: Preply or Superprof? It depends. Preply is ideal for language learners; Superprof offers more subject variety, including in-person lessons.
Preply vs Superprof: Pros and Cons
Preply and Superprof are popular platforms that offer private lessons for a wide range of subjects. While they all aim to make private tutoring accessible, each has its own strengths and limitations. Let’s explore what sets them apart.
Preply: Online Tutoring Marketplace Specialising in Language Learning

Preply is a global platform focused primarily on language learning. Founded in 2012, it connects learners with native-speaking tutors for online lessons, often with added learning tools.
💚 Pros:
- Stylish, user-friendly interface
- Large number of tutors, with filters for language, price, availability, and accent
- Integrated virtual classroom with flashcards and vocabulary tools
- Some support for academic and business subjects
🔴 Cons:
- Online only, no in-person tutoring
- Narrower subject selection compared to Superprof or GoStudent
- Trial lessons are always paid
- Tutors pay a commission to the platform
Superprof: In-person and Online Tutoring Marketplace

Superprof is a tutoring marketplace that offers both in-person and online classes. Founded in France in 2013, it has become a go-to platform in the UK for tutoring across academic subjects, languages, hobbies, and creative skills.
💚 Pros:
- Over 1,000 subjects, including languages, sport, art, music, and academic support
- Offers in-person lessons across the UK
- Students can post ads to find tutors
- Tutors set their own prices; many offer the first lesson free
- Limited support for placement tests or structured assessments
🔴 Cons:
- Platform lacks advanced integrated learning tools (e.g. whiteboards or lesson tracking)
- Quality control can vary depending on the tutor.
- To contact a tutor on Superprof, students must activate a £39/month Student Pass, which gives them access to the platform and its global network of tutors. While creating an account and browsing tutor profiles is free, the subscription is required to initiate contact.
Why Choose Online Language Learning?
Both platfroms, Preply and Superprof, allow you to connect with language tutors for popular subjects like English, Spanish, French, and start learning a new language from the comfort of your home. All you need to do is log in to the online lessons platform and interact with your private tutor once or several times a week. Here’s why we believe giving online lessons a try is well worth it!
🕐 Flexibility and Convenience
- Online language tutoring offers both flexibility and convenience. You don’t need to travel, and you can take your lesson wherever you are.
- Students can decide when and where to study. Time is gold, and today’s tutoring platforms are designed to give you the best possible experience. That’s why they let you book lessons at the times that suit both you and your tutor.
- Lessons are accessible from any device connected to the internet. PC, tablet or smartphone, if you’re online, you’re ready to learn.📱
🌍 Access to Native-Speaking Tutors
- Online language tutoring gives you access to native-speaking tutors from across the UK and around the world. Even if you live in a small town, there's no need to travel to the city to receive high quality tutoring, everything happens online. 🌍
- Students can choose from a wide range of language tutors and find the one who best matches their level, goals, and learning style.
🎯 Personalised Learning
- Online language learning gives you even more control over your lessons. You can choose the video calling platform you’re most comfortable with and learn at your own pace.
- Students can take a placement test online with guidance from their tutor and make use of a wide range of digital resources to support their learning. 🧑🏫
- Every lesson is tailored to suit the individual needs of each student, making the experience both effective and personalised.
Preply vs Superprof: Detailed Comparison
Let’s now take a closer look at some of the most interesting features of these three online tutoring platforms side by side. 🆚
Choosing and Contacting a Tutor
- Preply: You can find tutors by browsing filters like price, availability, accent, and subject. Preply tutors often include a short video and display reviews, experience, and teaching skills.
- Superprof: Students search by subject and location, then message individual tutors directly. If you're a tutor, Superprof also allows you to attract students by posting a profile and setting your own rates.
Tutor Profiles
- Preply: Profiles include introductory videos, star ratings, tutor qualifications, and tutor availability, helping students evaluate teaching styles.
- Superprof: Tutors provide bios, rates, locations, subjects, and reviews. Since superprof tutors manage their own listings, profile quality can vary.
Booking Lessons
- Preply: After your first trial, you book lessons through the tutor’s calendar and can subscribe for regular lessons.
- Superprof: Booking is arranged directly with the tutor after contact is established. The platform does not manage lesson times or communication tools.
Student Reviews
Student reviews are a key element when choosing the next tutor for your lessons! There’s nothing more reliable than seeing how tutors present themselves during lessons, understanding their teaching methods, and reading the impressions of other students like you.
- GoStudent displays reviews via Trustpilot and internally.
- Preply includes individual tutor reviews and ratings.
- Superprof features student-written feedback on each tutor’s profile.
Lesson Pricing
The cost of private tutoring varies across platforms and depends on factors such as the subject, tutor experience, and the mode of delivery (online or in-person). In-person lessons, especially in major cities like London, may be priced higher due to additional travel or location-related costs. However, online lessons often present a more affordable alternative by removing these extra expenses.
- Preply: Offers flexible pricing, usually between £15 and £50 per hour, with each tutor setting their own rates. The platform works on a monthly subscription model that automatically renews based on the number of hours you book with a tutor.
- Superprof: Lesson prices typically range from £10 to £40 per hour, with Superprof tutors managing their own pricing. To contact tutors, students need to pay a £39/month Student Pass, which grants full access to the platform. Many tutors offer the first lesson free, especially for new students.
📊 2025 Pricing Comparison: GoStudent vs Preply vs Superprof
Platform |
Price Range (Per Hour) |
Subscription Fee |
Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Preply |
£15 – £50 |
Flexible monthly subscription (auto-renews) |
Tutors set their own rates; subscription adjusts based on chosen hours and tutor. |
Superprof |
£10 – £40 |
£39/month Student Pass (UK only) |
Tutors manage their own rates; Student Pass required to contact tutors. |
In-Person vs Online Lessons
While Preply also offers only online lessons, it uses a standard integrated virtual classroom and leaves most tools and teaching choices to individual tutors. In contrast, Superprof gives tutors and students the option of in-person tutoring across the UK, which can be useful for learners who prefer face-to-face interaction. However, the quality and setup of these lessons vary widely depending on the tutor and location.
GoStudent: A Structured Alternative to Preply and Superprof

If you're looking for more structure, academic alignment, and hands-on support, GoStudent offers a very different model from open marketplaces like Preply and Superprof.
Students begin with a free consultation call with an education adviser. Based on the student’s subject, level, learning goals, and personality, GoStudent matches them with a vetted, trained tutor. Lessons take place on GoStudent’s virtual classroom platform, which includes tools like a shared whiteboard, homework tracking, scheduling, and lesson recordings.
The platform is ideal for long-term support in Maths, English, science, languages, and exam preparation (GCSEs, A-Levels, IB, 11+). It’s also one of the few platforms with specific support for SEN learners and a dashboard for parental feedback.
Choosing and Contacting a Tutor
GoStudent takes a more guided approach compared to marketplaces like Preply and Superprof. The process begins with a free education consultation, where an adviser helps assess the student’s academic needs, learning style, and schedule. Based on this, GoStudent recommends a suitable tutor from its pool of vetted professionals.
While the platform focuses on personalised matching, students and parents can also browse tutor profiles within the platform, viewing information on subject expertise, experience, and availability. Communication with tutors is handled via the GoStudent dashboard, where you can also request changes or reschedule lessons.
Tutor Profiles
All GoStudent tutors are vetted, interviewed, and trained before joining the platform. Their teaching performance is regularly monitored through feedback and internal quality checks. Tutors on GoStudent often specialise in UK curriculum support, and many have experience with exam preparation, school catch-up, and special educational needs.
Booking Lessons
Lessons are booked through GoStudent’s internal scheduling system. Students and parents can manage upcoming sessions, reschedule if needed, and track overall progress within the platform. A personal adviser is also available for customer support, plan adjustments, or tutor changes if needed.
All lessons are recorded (unless opted out), so students can review past sessions or catch up if they miss one.
Student Reviews
GoStudent collects both internal feedback from students and parents and external reviews via Trustpilot. Reviews are part of the platform’s quality control process, and tutors with low ratings are removed or coached.
Students and parents can submit feedback directly through the dashboard after each session.
Lesson Pricing
GoStudent uses a subscription-based pricing model tailored to each student’s goals, academic level, and lesson frequency.
- 💰GoStudent prices start from £21.99 per 50-minute session
- 🧠 Packages are customised, more lessons per month typically reduce the cost per session
- 🎁 Includes access to the full learning platform: calendar, whiteboard, chat, homework tools, and recordings
- 🆓 Free trial lesson after initial consultation
Key Features: GoStudent vs Preply vs Superprof
Feature |
GoStudent |
Preply |
Superprof |
---|---|---|---|
Lesson Format |
Online only |
Online only |
Online and in-person |
Subject Range |
Academic subjects + language support (GCSE, A-Level, IB, 11+) |
Mainly language learning |
Over 1,000 subjects including academic, arts, hobbies, sports |
First Lesson |
Free trial after consultation |
Paid trial required |
Often free (set by tutor) |
Tutor Access |
Assigned through educational adviser consultation |
Tutor directory with filters |
Tutor directory with filters |
Learning Tools |
Integrated platform: scheduling, progress tracking, chat, recordings, whiteboard |
Virtual classroom with tools like flashcards and quizzes |
No built-in tools; tutors use external platforms (Zoom, Skype) |
Reviews |
Yes (Trustpilot + internal feedback) |
Yes (on each tutor profile) |
Yes (on each tutor profile) |
Tutor Commission |
Not applicable (tutors are paid by GoStudent) |
Tutors pay commission on lessons |
No platform commission for tutors |
Level Assessment |
Assessed during onboarding with adviser |
Some tutors offer placement tests or quizzes |
Depends on tutor – no platform-wide testing |
Is GoStudent better than Preply or Superprof?
GoStudent offers a more structured, school-aligned approach and is ideal for long-term academic support.
🔍 Summary
While Preply and Superprof are flexible, tutor-driven marketplaces, GoStudent stands out for those who want educational structure, expert guidance, and measurable outcomes. It’s not just about finding a tutor, it’s about finding the right tutor, with a complete academic support system in place.