italki is an online marketplace for one-to-one language lessons, covering well over 100 languages. Teachers join as either professional teachers, who need teaching qualifications, or community tutors, who need fluency but no formal credentials. Everyone sets their own prices and schedule, and italki takes a commission on lessons. Its commission has long been lower than some rivals, and it doesn’t charge commission on trial lessons.
At a glance
| What it is | An online language lesson marketplace |
| Teacher types | Professional teachers (qualified) and community tutors |
| How you earn | Your own lesson prices, minus italki’s commission |
| Commission | Long published as 15%; teacher reports suggest changes, so check current terms |
| Trial lessons | No commission on trials, per italki’s support pages |
| Languages | Over 100 |
| Where it works | Remote, worldwide |
Professional teachers and community tutors
Professional teachers must show teaching credentials, such as a language teaching certificate or relevant degree, and can offer structured lessons, exam prep and courses. Community tutors focus on conversation practice and informal lessons and don’t need credentials. Both set their own rates within italki’s limits; professional teachers usually charge more.
How it works
You apply with a profile, introduction video and, for professionals, your qualifications. Once approved, you create lesson types and packages, set prices, and open your calendar. Students browse profiles, often book a discounted trial lesson, and then buy single lessons or packages. You can teach through italki’s classroom or other approved tools, depending on current policy.
Commission and pay
For many years italki published a 15% commission on lessons. Some teacher community reports in 2026 suggest changes to commission on certain lesson types, so check italki’s current teacher policy for the exact rates. italki’s support pages say it doesn’t take commission on trial lessons, which is a key difference from Preply.
Payouts
Earnings move to your italki balance after each completed lesson and can be withdrawn through supported methods such as PayPal and others, depending on country. Withdrawal fees may apply depending on the method.
What teachers say
Teachers like the freedom to set prices, the large range of languages and the fairer trial policy. Complaints focus on competition, especially for English and Spanish, and the effort needed to build a student base from scratch.
Tips
Teach a less common language if you can; competition is lower. Make a clear introduction video, set a fair trial price and offer packages to encourage regular bookings. Specialise in areas like business, exams or travel to stand out.
Getting started
Decide whether you qualify as a professional teacher or should start as a community tutor. Record a short, friendly introduction video in the language you teach and in English if possible. Set a trial price, create one or two lesson types with clear descriptions and open your calendar. Respond quickly to the first messages and bookings to build momentum.
Packages and courses
Offering lesson packages encourages students to commit to several lessons and gives you more predictable income. Many teachers create separate lesson types for conversation, grammar, exam prep and business language, each with its own price.
Taxes
Teachers on italki are independent and handle their own taxes. Keep a record of earnings and withdrawals for your tax return.
Rescheduling and cancellations
Set clear policies in your profile and stick to them. italki has rules on late cancellations and no-shows; read them so you know when you’re still paid.
Owen’s take
italki is one of the best marketplaces for language teachers, especially if you speak a language with fewer tutors. Its trial policy is kinder than Preply’s, and you control your rates. Like any marketplace, the first months are about building reviews and regular students.
Who it suits
It suits language teachers and fluent speakers who want to set their own prices and build their own student base. It suits less well people who want fixed hours and no marketing.
Similar options
- Preply is a large tutoring marketplace.
- Verbling has a flat commission.
- Cambly pays a fixed rate for English conversation.
- Lingoda hires certified teachers for scheduled classes.
More options are in Tutoring & Coaching.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Set your own prices
- No commission on trial lessons
- Over 100 languages
Cons
- Competition in popular languages
- Commission terms can change
- You must build your own student base
FAQ
What’s the difference between a professional teacher and a community tutor on italki?
Professional teachers need teaching credentials; community tutors need fluency only.
How much commission does italki take?
It long published 15%; check its current teacher policy for exact rates.
Does italki take commission on trial lessons?
Its support pages say no.
How do italki teachers get paid?
From their italki balance, withdrawn through supported methods by country.
Is italki legit?
Yes, it’s a long-running language lesson marketplace.
