Preply vs Upwork: Honest Comparison
Two options, side by side, with the real costs and the honest downsides. No hype, just what I'd want my own family to know before they choose.
| Preply | Upwork | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 3.5 | 4✓ |
| Monthly cost | $0 | $0 |
| Category | Freelance marketplace | Freelance marketplace |
| Pros | Free to join, with no upfront fees; Set your own hourly rate and schedule; Commission drops the more hours you teach; Steady demand for language tutors | Free Basic plan to get started; Access to larger, longer-term client projects; Supports both hourly and fixed-price contracts; Payment protection through Upwork contracts |
| Cons | Preply keeps 100% of every trial lesson with a new student; Commission starts at 33% for new tutors; Lots of competition on price; You trade time for money | Freelancer service fee of 0% to 15% per contract; Proposals cost Connects, about $0.15 each beyond the free monthly ones; Very competitive for new freelancers; Optional Freelancer Plus plan costs $19.99 a month |
| Verdict | Preply is a flexible way to earn by teaching what you know, especially a language. The high starting commission gets better over time, so it rewards tutors who stick with it. | Upwork is a good fit for skilled freelancers who want bigger, ongoing projects rather than small gigs. Bidding takes time and Connects, so a focused profile and well-targeted proposals make a big difference. |
Choose Preply if you want to tutor one-on-one, especially a language, and set your own rate. Choose Upwork if you want bigger, ongoing projects and will write well-targeted proposals.
Preply
An online tutoring marketplace where tutors teach languages and other subjects one-on-one and set their own hourly rates.
Upwork
A freelance marketplace where freelancers and agencies bid on hourly and fixed-price projects from clients around the world.
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