We at Learn Languages From Home have always loved italki (this review is just one proof). It’s one of our favorite language resources and we often recommend it to those who are looking for online language tutors.
However, we also know that no language resource is perfect for everyone. Fortunately, there are lots of italki alternatives for language learners who are not quite sold on the platform.
Whether you’re looking for something different than what Italki offers, or simply want to widen your language learning arsenal, we’ve got you covered.
What is Italki and why look for alternatives?
Italki is a global language learning platform that connects language students and tutors for one-on-one online language lessons. It boasts over 5 million learners from 180 countries, over 20,000 teachers from 190 countries, and over 150 languages available to learn.
The site, which also has an iOS and Android app, has grown to be one of the biggest providers of online language lessons since it launched in 2006. Besides its large database of tutors and languages, italki is loved because of the flexibility it offers in terms of pricing and scheduling.
Despite its benefits though, italki is not your only option in the market. In fact, there are alternatives to italki that are also worth considering.
There are other sites like italki that can help you find a suitable language tutor for reasonable rates and flexible schedules. Some sites also offer slightly different features and tools that are not available on italki.
Language exchange apps are worth looking at, too. Although they don’t use the same “tutoring” structure, these apps give you access to language exchange partners who will not only help you study your desired language in a casual manner but also share cultural tidbits with you. And you’ll make friends!
Similarly, there are apps and free sites that can train your ears as you listen to native speakers. While these are not exactly formal online lessons, they help you immerse more in the language and maybe even supplement your italki lessons, if you’re still on it.
Best Italki alternatives for finding language tutors online
Looking for similar apps that provide live online lessons at affordable rates? Here are some of the best in the market.
1. Preply
Are you looking for italki alternatives that have similar features or structures? Preply is the closest. Both platforms let you choose language tutors based on their location, native language, other languages they can speak, specialties, preferred schedule, and rates.
Tutor profiles on both sites are also detailed and supported by reviews from previous students. What’s more, both companies are known to have strict vetting procedures for tutors. You know that you’ll be getting lessons for verified and well-trained teachers.
There are a few striking differences, however. The most obvious is that Preply’s tutoring services are not limited to languages. Over 140,000 tutors teach various subjects on Preply, from languages to math, science, art, and even marketing. If you plan on taking multiple subjects, why not consider doing it on just one platform?
Like italki, Preply offers affordable language lessons but on average, hourly rates on Preply are cheaper. Preply also offers a free replacement with any new tutor of your choice, at any price, if you didn’t like your trial lesson.
If you like the tutor, you can buy a set of hours with them in packages of 5, 10, 15, or 20 hours and choose dates and times for your next sessions.
Pricing: Varies per teacher and language but it can cost as low as $4. Try it now.
2. AmazingTalker
With over 7,500 language tutors specializing in 100 languages, AmazingTalker is one of the fastest-growing italki alternatives in the market. it provides private lessons catered to your schedule, budget, interests, and proficiency level.
What’s great about this site is the personalization. If you have a specific goal like pronunciation or test prep, tutors can also customize a course for you. The goal is to help you communicate more confidently.
To select a tutor, you can use filters like nationality, languages spoken, specialty, and rates. AmazingTalker will then match you to a highly-qualified tutor that meets your needs. If you like the match, you can schedule a class based on your availability.
With this site, you only need to buy lessons when you need them — no contracts. It also offers discounted trial lessons so you can see first if the tutor or platform is right for you before buying packages.
Pricing: On average, sessions cost $10-30/hour. However, rates vary by nationality, experience, and popularity of the tutor.
3. Wyzant
One of the best italki alternatives for students looking for US-based tutors, Wyzant offers both online and in-person tutoring. The platform connects you to experts in not just languages but also other subjects like chemistry, coding, history, and music. Lessons may also be taken for test prep.
Wyzant has a huge database of vetted tutors — 65,000 to date — so you’ll more than likely to find a good fit. But if you happen to be unsatisfied, Wyzant’s Good Fit Guarantee means you don’t have to pay for it.
To find a Wyzant tutor, simply browse through profiles. You’ll be able to compare qualifications, hourly rates, reviews, and specialties. The great thing is that the site has pay-as-you-go pricing in place. Wyzant’s hourly rates are more expensive than others but there are no contracts or packages and you only pay after each lesson.
Pricing: Varies per tutor. On average, tutors charge $35-60/hour. Find a tutor now.
4. Verbling
Among italki alternatives, Verbling has one of the most stringent hiring processes. It requires all teachers to have previous experience and at least a C2 proficiency level. No wonder this site receives so many positive reviews.
Verbling’s community of over 10,000 expert tutors for over 70 languages means there’s a teacher that’ll meet your requirements. The tutor profiles here contain almost the same info that you’ll find on italki and other tutoring sites but the ability to see the teacher’s response time and attendance rate is a nice touch.
From registration to booking lessons to the classes, everything happens within Verbling. Verbling Video is the built-in classroom that allows you and your tutor to conduct the classes, send files, and review together. No need to download any other software!
Pricing: Lessons cost anywhere from $15-30 per hour. You may book the 30-minute free trial first.
5. Verbalplanet
Students in over 100 countries tap Verbalplanet’s database of 2,000 native-speaking tutors to learn over 30 languages.
Like the italki alternatives above, Verbalplanet also offers one-to-one language lessons at flexible schedules. You can choose to book just one lesson or one whole course that’s tailored to match your learning goals.
A unique feature of Verbalplanet is its rapid feedback and evaluation system. After each lesson, your tutor will leave feedback on each core language skill of speaking, listening, reading, and writing in line with the CEFR standards. This way, you can better visualize your progress.
Pricing: 45-minute lessons may cost anywhere from $15-30. You can get discounts for cumulative bookings.
6. Lingoda
So far, all of the platforms above specialize in private online lessons. Lingoda, however, gives you the option to take private classes or group sessions of 3-5 students. Hence, this is one of the best italki alternatives if you’re looking for a more interactive, almost classroom-like setup.
Classes are available online 24/7 so there’s always a class that’ll suit your schedule. The site gives you access to 1,500+ teachers, who are all native speakers and experienced. And even though sessions are done with a group, there’s always personalized feedback for each student.
Lingoda only offers four languages: German, French, Spanish, and English (with an option to take business English). While this may seem like a limitation for some, this specialization also means more attention is given to teaching those languages as effectively as possible.
Pricing: Monthly subscriptions start at $60. You may also sign up for a 7-day free trial.
7. Live Lingua
One of the best things about Live Lingua is its emphasis on immersion. Language tutors here help you be more comfortable in speaking the language by teaching practical vocabulary while also sharing cultural insights that add context to the lessons.
Live Lingua offers only seven languages but it makes sure to connect you to a university-educated teacher who can provide personalized lessons. You can schedule lessons when it suits you and you can choose how long you want it to be — 30 minutes, 1 hour, 1.5 hours or 2 hours.
To help you monitor your progress, your tutor will provide you with personalized feedback and a report after every 20 hours of lessons. This will inform you of where you are in the learning journey and keep you motivated as well.
Pricing: Starts at $20/hour. Sign up for a free trial now.
8. Rype
Offering bite-sized and personalized online language lessons, Rype is one of the best italki alternatives out there.
Rype provides 30-minute one-on-one lessons with handpicked professional teachers. The teachers are available 24/7, so you can learn on your time, no matter how busy you are.
Another awesome thing about Rype is its flexible plans. You can avail of any of three plans: four hours of private lessons per month (one hour per week), six hours per month, or 10 hours per month. But if you go on vacation, you can easily pause your plan and get back to it later.
Pricing: Starts at $14 per hour.
Language exchange apps
These italki alternatives do not exactly provide live one-on-one lessons. But they do give you access to two important tools in language learning — immersion and cultural context.
9. Tandem
The most effective way to learn a language is by actually using it. But not everyone has the chance to go abroad. The next best thing is to talk to someone who speaks the language. Tandem lets you do that.
Tandem is a language learning app and a social network rolled into one. It connects you to over 15 million language learners around the world and supports 300+ languages!
Once you find a language exchange partner, you can start talking via text, voice note, audio, or video call. While beginners can certainly use this app, the conversation would be more fluid if you’re at least at an intermediate level. In any case, there are in-app correction and translation tools to help you keep the convo flowing.
What’s more, Tandem is a channel for learners to meet people who know the joys and struggles of learning a language. Definitely something to consider if you want to practice what you’ve learned while also making friends.
Pricing: Free with limited features. Tandem Pro gives you access to unlimited translations and starts at $6.99/month.
10. HelloTalk
HelloTalk is like Tandem in many ways. It’s also a language learning app with a community of native speakers. You can partner up, chat with each other through text, audio, or video, and teach others’ language.
The main difference is the social network aspect. HelloTalk nails this down by coming up with Moments, a feature where you can post updates, questions, and photos. You can target speakers of your target language and connect to a larger audience.
HelloTalk also lets you chat not just with individual members but also with groups for a more collaborative learning experience.
Pricing: Free. For access to all features, get a VIP membership, which starts at $4.99/month.
Sites and apps for listening to native speakers
Live online lessons help you get more comfortable in speaking but so does listening. As you get more used to native accents and the nuances of the spoken language, you’ll find it easier to speak it, too!
11. LingQ
Looking for italki alternatives that provide language immersion and contextual learning? Look no further than LingQ.
This site does not provide private tutoring. Instead, LingQ gives you access to a vast library of audio materials in your preferred language. There’s a wide variety of topics and interests so you will be hearing native speakers talk about stuff you’re interested in.
To help you learn the language, each material comes with a transcript. LingQ also tests you on what you learned using spaced repetition method.
You may not have one-on-one lessons here but you can practice your listening skills as much as you want. When you’re alone, you can mimic the sounds to squeeze in some speaking practice.
Pricing: Select features for free. Monthly premium access starts at $12.99.
12. FluentU
Like LingQ, FluentU has a wealth of materials featuring native speakers.
With FluentU, you can train your ears (and eyes) by watching news clips, movie trailers, music videos, commercials, and more in your preferred language. You’ll study using the captions and translated subtitles and be quizzed about it after watching.
Also, the captions in the videos are interactive. You can click a word that interests you to see its definition, sample sentences, as well as other videos that uses that word. A word of warning though — you can easily go down the rabbit hole with this feature.
Pricing: Free for 14 days. Subscriptions start at $19.99/month.
Bonus: YouTube and Netflix
Want to take your language immersion to a whole new level? Take advantage of platforms that you already use frequently.
For many, apps like YouTube and Netflix are ways to kill time and unwind. But there’s no reason to not use them to progress in your language learning journey. Exposing yourself to native speakers helps you become more familiar with the sound of words and phrases in that language.
YouTube is home to videos from all over the world, which means it’s the easiest way to access authentic content that uses the language you’re studying. No need to limit yourself to videos featuring language teachers (although there are lots of them on YouTube). You can simply find the type of videos that interest you, be it a cooking show, a travel vlog, or a music video reaction. Just make sure the videos offer captioning.
The same goes for Netflix. You can search for movies, TV series, or documentaries in your preferred genre and language. Instead of watching dubbed content, listen to the original audio and just turn on the captions.
While exclusively binge-watching YouTube videos and Netflix shows will not make you fluent, it will help you pick up new words, improve your listening skills, and even inspire you to start practicing speaking, too.
Conclusion
Italki is a trusted tool for finding language tutors online, thanks to its large pool of tutors, its affordability, and the flexibility it offers. However, there’s nothing wrong with finding italki alternatives, especially if another site meets your needs.
By all means, study your options and go with the one that appeals to you more. Learning a language is a personal journey. Whether you choose to combine italki with other apps or go completely with another resource, your tools should serve you in the best way possible. Happy picking and most importantly, have fun learning!