Choosing a tutoring platform isn't easy. It can make all the difference to your learning outcomes or your teaching income. There are so many out there, but two names that pop up often are Superprof and Preply. Both connect learners with tutors, but the key differences lie in pricing, lesson delivery, and experience.¹ Let's compare the two, how much they cost for students and tutors, and what they're like.
Key Takeaways
- Superprof is best for learners and tutors who want flexibility, a wide range of subjects, and direct control over pricing.
- Preply suits users who prefer a structured online classroom and a platform-led learning experience.
- Pricing models differ significantly: Superprof uses a Student Pass, while Preply applies commissions and platform fees.
- Tutors on Superprof keep complete control over rates, while Preply tutors trade flexibility for built-in tools and visibility.
Quick Comparison Table: Preply vs Superprof
Just like MyTutor, Tutorful, and FindTutor, Superprof and Preply operate online tutoring marketplaces, and they will all look similar at first glance. As you start to compare the two, you'll see the key differences emerge. Their core business models differ significantly in pricing structure, tutor control, and lesson delivery.
| Feature | Superprof | Preply |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model (students) | Monthly Student Pass + tutor-set lesson rates | Lesson price includes platform commission |
| Tutor commission | None | Commission-based |
| Number of subjects | Academic, languages, hobbies, skills | Strong focus on languages |
| Lesson delivery tools | Flexible (Zoom, Meet, in-person, etc.) | Built-in classroom |
| Tutor rate control | Full control | Platform-influenced |
| Student flexibility | High | Moderate |
| Best for students | Variety and flexibility | Structured language learning |
| Best for tutors | Independence and pricing control | Classroom tools and demand |
How Each Platform Works
How lessons are discovered, booked, and delivered is where the two platforms differ. One platform prefers flexibility and tutor independence, while the other prefers structure and platform-led learning tools. As you explore how each works, you'll see why pricing, lesson formats, and user experience differ so much between the two.
How Superprof Works
Superprof is an open tutoring marketplace.³ Students can search for tutors and contact them directly. Learners browse tutor profiles, compare prices, read reviews, and choose their tutor based on what they want. Once they've made contact, it's up to the student and tutor to decide how lessons will be offered, whether online or in-person, depending on what the tutor provides.
Students unlock access to tutors through a Student Pass.³ This allows them to message tutors and arrange lessons freely. Lesson pricing is set by the tutors, and payments for lessons are agreed between the student and tutor. This means that there's a lot of flexibility in how, when, and where tutoring takes place.
Tutors on Superprof create their profile, list what they offer, and set their rates. They're free to teach what they want to who they want and how they want. There's no commission on lessons, so the tutors keep everything they earn (after tax).³
How Preply Works
Much like Tutorful, Preply is a structured, platform-led model.² The focus is on online learning. Here, students search for tutors, book lessons through the platform, and use Preply's built-in classroom. Communication, scheduling, and payments all take place on Preply.²
Students get a guided learning experience with integrated tools, including video conferencing, messaging, and lesson notes. Prices shown include the platform's commission, simplifying the costs for students.²
Tutors teach exclusively online, deliver lessons using the platform's classroom tools, and are discovered at the platform's behest through its ranking systems and performance metrics. Tutors have reduced flexibility, but they can still use the built-in tools.
Pricing and Commissions
Pricing is where the two platforms differ. Each platform has its own pricing model, which will influence the cost, flexibility, and earning potential for tutors. Whether you're a student or a tutor, avoid surprises by understanding how these work.
Students
- Superprof: Monthly Student Pass to contact tutors, plus lesson fees set by tutors
- Preply: Lesson price includes platform commission
- Trial lessons available on both platforms (conditions vary)
Tutors
- Superprof: No commission on lessons
- Preply: Commission applied to each lesson, decreasing over time
- Tutor earnings depend on visibility and platform rules
Extras and Hidden Costs
- Superprof: Student Pass renews monthly unless cancelled
- Preply: Platform commission affects take-home pay
Preply uses a commission model in which tutors pay a percentage of each lesson fee to the platform.² The commission rate typically decreases as tutors deliver more lessons, rewarding long-term activity. This model funds Preply's classroom tools, student acquisition, and platform support.
Student Costs
On Superprof, students have to pay for the Student Pass to contact tutors and arrange lessons during the subscription period. On Preply, lesson prices are shown upfront with the commission included. The former gives students more freedom, whereas the latter is more clearly priced, even if it does make lessons more expensive.
Tutor Fees and Commissions
Superprof doesn't charge tutors a commission, so they keep what they charge. Preply charges a commission on each lesson, which decreases as tutors deliver more lessons. For tutors who want independence and transparent earnings, Superprof offers greater freedom.
Extras and Hidden Costs
Superprof is quite different from sites like Preply and FindTutors because of the Student Pass. This renews automatically, so students should make sure to cancel it when they no longer need it. On Preply, the costs are built into lesson pricing, meaning there's no subscription.
Tutor Experience and Earning Potential
For tutors, the overall experience depends on which platform they use. Superprof and Preply have very different approaches to the experience they offer tutors. Autonomy, visibility, and income potential for tutors are all key differences.
Tutor visibility differs between platforms. Superprof operates as an open marketplace where profile quality, responsiveness, and reviews influence exposure.³ Preply relies more heavily on platform-driven ranking and algorithmic placement, which can affect how quickly new tutors gain students.
Superprof
Preply
Getting Discovered by Students
On Superprof, tutors' visibility is determined by profile quality, responsiveness, and student reviews. On Preply, there's a lot of platform-driven ranking and algorithmic placement. Tutors on Superprof have more control over their visibility on the platform.
Control Over Rates and Availability
Tutors on Superprof fully control their lesson prices. Preply tutors can set their base rate, but have to work within the platform's structure and commission system. One platform offers flexibility while the other provides a consistent workflow at the expense of tutor freedom.
Student Experience and Lesson Quality
The key to any tutoring platform lies as much in the tutor experience as in the student experience. For students, Superprof and Preply are two very different platforms. This is mainly down to their booking systems, lesson formats, and review systems.
A university student looking for weekly English conversation practice may benefit from Preply's built-in classroom tools and structured sessions. Meanwhile, a GCSE maths student seeking in-person or hybrid lessons may find Superprof better suited, given the choice of tutors and lesson flexibility.
Superprof
Preply
Reviews and Tutor Quality
Superprof puts tutor profiles, reviews, and response rates at the forefront. Preply also uses tutor rating, but adds platform performance metrics.⁵ For both, reviews are front and centre.
Booking Lessons and Flexibility
Somewhat like First Tutors, Superprof lets students arrange their lessons directly with the tutors. Preply uses an integrated booking system. The former is better for those who want more freedom, while the latter is more limited.
Safety, Verification, and Support
Both tutors and students will be interested in safety, verification, and support. Both Superprof and Preply offer safeguards. Make sure you know what these are for, both of them, before booking sessions with a tutor.
Tutor Verification and Trust Signals
On Superprof, reviews, response rates, and identity checks are used to help students feel more confident in their tutors. Preply has a standardised verification process for tutors. Superprof prefers transparency, while Preply offers the kind of regulated environment most expect from online-only learning.
Customer Support and Dispute Handling
On Superprof, there's platform support for issues. Lesson arrangements are managed between students and tutors. On Preply, everything happens on-platform.
Which Platform Is Better for You?
Ultimately, the choice is yours, and it depends on what you value. Both platforms offer unique features, and we're not going to claim either is a perfect fit for every student. Look at both platforms and make up your own mind.
Superprof offers students the maximum choice and flexibility. Preply provides a guided, online-first learning experience. Which one should you choose? We'll let you decide.
Superprof gives tutors a lot of control over pricing, availability, and teaching style. Preply gives tutors a platform-led workflow. Commissions on Preply reduce take-home pay, but there are built-in tools. On Superprof, what tutors earn is theirs, with no commissions or fees.
Preply's primary focus is language learning through online lessons. Superprof offers almost every subject you can think of. Preply is definitely a specialist site, while Superprof is a tutoring site.
Final Verdict
Both platforms are undoubtedly good at what they do. However, Superprof stands out for its flexibility, subject range, and pricing model that favours more freedom for tutors to run their own tutoring businesses.⁴ Preply certainly offers a lot of convenience and consistency, and is a good option for language learning. Whether you're a tutor or a student, the choice is yours, but while you're here, why don't you have a look around the Superprof website?
References
- Preply - Preply vs Superprof
https://preply.com/en/blog/preply-vs-superprof/ - Preply Help Centre - How Preply Works for Students and Tutors
https://help.preply.com/ - Superprof UK Blog - How Superprof Works for Students and Tutors
https://www.superprof.co.uk/blog/how-superprof-works/ - GoStudent Blog - Superprof vs Preply: Which Tutoring Platform Is Better?
https://www.gostudent.org/en-gb/blog/preply-vs-superprof-comparison - Trustpilot - Preply Reviews
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/preply.com - Trustpilot - Superprof Reviews (UK)
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/superprof.co.uk
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