How to Develop a Language Learning App Like Preply: A Complete Guide

September 3, 2026

Language learning is moving beyond traditional classrooms as learners increasingly look for flexible, personalized, and one-to-one learning experiences. Platforms like Preply have turned this demand into a scalable marketplace by connecting learners with tutors based on language, expertise, availability, pricing, and learning goals.

For entrepreneurs, a Preply-like app offers an opportunity to build a two-sided language learning marketplace where students can discover tutors, book lessons, communicate online, and continue learning through the platform. However, building a successful platform requires more than basic video lessons—it needs a reliable booking system, secure payments, tutor management, communication tools, and an experience that keeps both learners and tutors engaged.

In this guide, we’ll explore Preply’s business model, essential features, development process, estimated costs, and key considerations for building a language learning app like Preply.

About Preply and Its Business Model

Preply operates as a language tutoring marketplace that connects learners with tutors from around the world. Instead of providing traditional classroom-based courses, the platform brings students and independent tutors together through search, booking, online lessons, and recurring learning plans. This marketplace approach allows Preply to generate revenue while providing flexibility to both learners and tutors.

Tutor Commission Model

Preply earns revenue by taking a commission from tutors when they teach students through the platform.

• Tutors create profiles and set their hourly rates.
• Preply charges a 100% commission on a new student’s trial lesson.
• Commission on subsequent lessons ranges from 18% to 33%, depending on the tutor’s completed teaching hours.
• This model allows the platform to generate revenue as tutoring activity increases.

Subscription-Based Learning

Preply encourages learners to continue with regular lessons through recurring subscriptions tied to individual tutors.

• Students choose a tutor and select a lesson plan.
• Subscriptions renew every 28 days.
• Plans are based on the number of lessons selected with the tutor.
• Students can adjust, pause, or cancel their plans according to the platform’s rules.

Trial-to-Regular Conversion

Trial lessons work as an important part of the customer acquisition journey. They allow learners to evaluate a tutor before committing to regular lessons.

• The learner discovers a suitable tutor.
• The student books a trial lesson.
• The tutor understands the learner’s goals and requirements.
• Satisfied learners can continue through a recurring lesson plan.

This approach helps convert first-time users into longer-term customers.

Marketplace Model

Preply acts as the technology platform connecting two primary user groups: learners looking for tutors and tutors looking for students.

• Learners search and compare tutors.
• Tutors create profiles and manage their availability.
• The platform facilitates bookings, payments, communication, and online lessons.
• Preply provides the infrastructure and tools that support the marketplace.

B2B Revenue Opportunity

Preply has also expanded beyond individual learners through Preply Business, which provides language training for companies and their employees.

• Businesses can provide language learning to employees.
• Employees can be matched with tutors based on their goals.
• Companies can track learning and engagement.
• This creates an additional B2B revenue opportunity alongside the consumer marketplace.

Features For a Language Learning App Like Preply

A good language learning app requires features for students, instructors, and the platform owner. Finding teachers, arranging classes, studying online, and administering the platform should be easy. What features must Preply, a language learning software, have? Explore below:

Student Features

• User registration and login
• Language and tutor search
• Tutor filters
• Tutor profiles
• Tutor introduction videos
• Tutor ratings and reviews
• Tutor availability
• Trial lesson booking
• Lesson scheduling
• Online video classes
• In-app messaging
• File sharing
• Online payments
• Lesson history
• Learning progress
• Push notifications

Learning Features

Learning tools can help students continue practicing outside their regular classes and make the overall experience more engaging.

• Personalized learning plans
• Vocabulary practice
• Flashcards
• Learning materials
• Lesson notes
• Homework
• Learning goals
• Progress tracking
• Lesson feedback
• AI-powered language practice
• Personalized learning suggestions

Preply currently offers tools such as chat, notes, vocabulary flashcards, screen sharing, an interactive whiteboard, learning materials, and lesson insights within its learning experience.

Tutor Features

Tutors need simple tools to create their profiles, attract students, manage classes, and keep track of their earnings.

• Tutor registration
• Profile creation
• Qualification details
• Introduction videos
• Language and subject selection
• Availability calendar
• Lesson management
• Video classes
• Student messaging
• File sharing
• Lesson notes
• Homework sharing
• Earnings tracking
• Payment history
• Student reviews
• Notifications

Admin Features

The admin panel gives the business control over users, tutors, lessons, payments, and the overall platform.

• Student management
• Tutor management
• Tutor verification
• Language management
• Lesson management
• Booking management
• Payment management
• Commission management
• Subscription management
• Review management
• Content management
• Reports and analytics
• Notifications
• Platform settings

Advanced Features

Businesses can add advanced features to make their language learning platform more personalized and competitive.

• Smart tutor recommendations
• AI language assistant
• AI-powered practice
• Personalized learning suggestions
• Interactive whiteboard
• Screen sharing
• Speaking practice
• Vocabulary exercises
• Learning progress reports
• Corporate language learning
• Multiple language support
• Multiple payment options

Steps to Develop a Language Learning App Like Preply

Creating a Preply-like software involves more than video lessons and tutor profiles. Before development, businesses must design the marketplace model, user experience, primary features, payment mechanism, and instructor management. A proven step-by-step development process simplifies platform launch and scaling.

1. Define Your Business Model

Start by deciding how your language learning platform will make money and who it will serve.

• Choose your target audience
• Decide which languages to offer
• Choose a marketplace or subscription model
• Decide on tutor commission or platform fees
• Define your main revenue sources
• Identify your unique value proposition

2. Research the Market

Study existing language learning and tutor marketplace apps to understand what users expect and where you can offer something different.

• Analyze competitors like Preply
• Study student requirements
• Research tutor expectations
• Identify market gaps
• Compare competitor pricing and features
• Define your target market

3. Plan the App Features

Decide which features are essential for your first version and which can be added later.

• Student features
• Tutor features
• Admin features
• Lesson booking
• Video classes
• Online payments
• Chat and file sharing
• Ratings and reviews
• Learning progress

Starting with essential features can help businesses launch faster and test the idea before investing in advanced features.

4. Design the App

Create a simple and easy-to-use design for students, tutors, and administrators.

• Design the student app
• Design the tutor area
• Create the admin dashboard
• Plan the booking journey
• Design tutor profiles
• Make the learning experience easy to navigate

5. Develop the Platform

Once the design and features are finalized, development can begin.

• Build the student app
• Develop the tutor side
• Create the admin panel
• Build the booking system
• Add video classes
• Add chat and file sharing
• Connect payment services

6. Add Important Integrations

A Preply-like platform needs several third-party services to support smooth operations.

• Payment gateways
• Video calling
• Push notifications
• Email and SMS services
• Calendar services
• Analytics tools

7. Test the App

Before launch, test the platform carefully to make sure students and tutors can use it without problems.

• Test registration and login
• Check tutor search
• Test lesson booking
• Test video classes
• Check payments
• Test notifications
• Check different devices
• Fix bugs and usability issues

8. Launch the App

After testing, launch the first version of the platform and start attracting students and tutors.

• Publish the app
• Onboard tutors
• Promote the platform
• Attract your first students
• Monitor user feedback
• Track bookings and activity

9. Improve and Scale

After launch, use user feedback and platform data to improve the experience and add new features.

• Add new languages
• Improve tutor recommendations
• Introduce AI learning tools
• Add personalized learning
• Expand payment options
• Introduce corporate learning
• Improve the learning experience

Cost to Develop a Language Learning App Like Preply

As per current industry estimates, language learning app development cost ranges anywhere from $30k to $150k+, with more advanced platforms costing significantly more.

The cost to build a language learning software like Preply will mostly rely on its features, the number of user panels, video learning tools, payment choices, the platform type, and the amount of customisation. 

A basic MVP may include core instructor finding and lesson booking. A full-fledged platform with AI, live classrooms, customized instruction, and smart tutor suggestions would need a bigger investment. 

Estimated Development Cost

These are general estimates. A Preply-like marketplace can cost more than a basic language learning app because it needs features for students, tutors, bookings, payments, live classes, and administration.

What Affects the Development Cost?

Several factors can increase or decrease the overall development budget.

Features

More features mean more cost.

Student and Tutor Sections

Separate sections for students, tutors, and admins add to the work.

Video Classes

Live video classes and screen sharing can increase the cost.

Payments

Adding online payments, subscriptions, and tutor payouts can increase the cost.

AI Features

AI tutor suggestions and learning help can make the app more expensive.

Design

A unique design for your brand may cost more.

Platforms

Building the app for Android, iPhone, and web can increase the cost.

Extra Tools

Video calls, payments, and notifications may require additional services.

Learning Content

Lessons, videos, audio, and exercises can also add to the cost.

How to Reduce Development Costs

Businesses do not always need to launch with every Preply-like feature. Starting with an MVP can help control the initial investment.

• Launch with essential student and tutor features
• Start with one or a few target languages
• Use existing video and payment services
• Add AI features in later stages
• Prioritize the most important booking and learning features
• Launch first, collect user feedback, and expand gradually

This approach allows businesses to test the market, understand user demand, and invest in advanced features after gaining traction.

Ongoing Costs to Consider

Development is only one part of the investment. After launch, businesses may also need a budget for:

• App maintenance
• Server and hosting costs
• Video service charges
• Payment processing fees
• Security updates
• Bug fixes
• New feature development
• AI service usage
• Marketing and user acquisition

For a Preply-like platform, planning these ongoing expenses from the beginning can help create a more sustainable business model.

Conclusion 

As a leading education app development company, RichestSoft creates unique language learning applications and tutor marketplaces. Our team can help you choose features, create an easy-to-use interface, connect secure payments and video lessons, and create student, tutor, and administrator solutions.

We employ a practical development approach to help firms build an MVP, test concept, get user feedback, and add additional features. RichestSoft can help you develop a safe, scalable, and user-friendly solution that meets your company objectives, whether you require a custom language learning software or a Preply-like platform.