What's in this guide
This page lists and compares the main online English‑teaching platforms as of 27/09/2026. Check platform terms and local tax rules before signing; this guide summarizes platform models, entry rules and limits from the sources consulted on 27/09/2026.
Criteria used for the ranking
The ranking below is built on explicit criteria chosen for their practical impact on a teacher’s day‑to‑day work. Each criterion is explained so you can weigh trade‑offs according to your priorities.
Criteria list
The ranking
Each entry below follows the structure: who it’s for / what sets it apart / honest limitation. Sources were consulted on 27/09/2026 as noted after each factual item.
Cambly
Who it’s for: conversational tutors and teachers seeking highly flexible, on‑demand sessions that can be started immediately.
What sets it apart: Cambly pays tutors “per minute” and operates a model that supports very flexible, drop‑in conversations; payouts are processed weekly via direct deposit per the tutor page.
Honest limitation: the per‑minute model and high availability of tutors can lead to lower effective hourly earnings for those relying solely on Cambly for income.
- Quick facts: payout model = per minute; payout cadence = weekly via deposit.
Preply
Who it’s for: tutors who want a marketplace with profile pages, the ability to set lessons and attract repeat students, and a clear graduated commission schedule.
What sets it apart: Preply applies a variable commission that is higher on initial hours and decreases with student repeat hours (example given: 33% → 18% as a commission curve), and supports payments via PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill and Wise.
Honest limitation: Preply requires tutors to be at least 18 years old to register as tutors.
- Quick facts: commission = variable (example 33% → 18% per Preply documentation); payment methods = PayPal / Payoneer / Skrill / Wise; minimum age = 18.
italki
Who it’s for: teachers who want to build a profile, offer repeat private lessons and choose between different teacher statuses.
What sets it apart: italki distinguishes two teacher statuses — “Community Tutor” and “Professional Teacher” — and allows teachers to set their own rates; the Teacher Handbook documents these statuses and gives guidance on pricing.
Honest limitation: the platform relies on teachers to set competitive rates and attract students, so initial visibility and bookings depend on profile setup and marketing by the tutor.
- Quick facts: teacher statuses = Community Tutor / Professional Teacher; pricing = teacher‑set (see Teacher Handbook).
Verbling
Who it’s for: teachers who want to set their own prices while using a platform with an integrated classroom and established payout options.
What sets it apart: Verbling applies a commission on teacher rates (≈15% is indicated in platform documentation) and supports payments via PayPal, Wise (Payoneer) and Verbling Credit; teachers fix their own tariffs.
Honest limitation: commission reduces net revenue per lesson; teachers must set competitive rates and rely on the platform to generate student demand.
- Quick facts: commission ≈15%; payment methods = PayPal / Wise / Payoneer / Verbling Credit; teacher pricing = teacher‑set.
Outschool
Who it’s for: teachers of classes primarily aimed at children — instructors who design classes, schedule them and manage enrollments.
What sets it apart: Outschool uses a “Teacher Fee” take rate — the platform retains 30% and pays teachers 70% of class price; payment timing varies and some formats show a 7–8 day delay for specific payouts as documented in teacher earnings and payments policy.
Honest limitation: Outschool’s focus on children’s classes implies additional responsibilities for child‑safeguarding and platform policies; the teacher fee affects net revenue per class.
- Quick facts: teacher share = 70% (platform fee 30%); payment timing = some formats with a 7–8 day delay noted in policy; audience = mostly children/classes for learners.
VIPKid (historical note)
Who it’s for: historically, teachers working with K‑12 learners in programs tied to the Chinese market. This entry is a cautionary note, not an open recommendation for teachers outside China.
What sets it apart: VIPKid underwent significant changes affecting K‑12 offerings for teachers based outside China; Wikipedia documents that some activities ceased or changed in 2021.
Honest limitation: the precise commercial status and market presence of VIPKid outside China in 2026 is not established here and requires confirmation from official VIPKid channels; do not assume universal availability for teachers based outside China.
- Quick facts: historical changes affecting K‑12 offerings for teachers based outside China were noted in 2021.
Summary table
Cambly
Preply
italki
Verbling
Outschool
VIPKid (note)
How to choose based on your scenario
If you want highly flexible side income with minimal scheduling, consider Cambly for per‑minute conversational work because of its on‑demand model and weekly payouts.
If you want to build repeat private students and set prices, consider Preply or italki: Preply offers a marketplace with a graduated commission schedule and multiple payout methods; italki provides distinct teacher statuses and teacher‑set pricing.
If you teach children and plan scheduled classes, Outschool targets class‑based instruction for minors and documents a teacher fee model where teachers receive 70% of the class price.
Legal & tax warnings
Check each platform’s terms of service and payment rules before accepting lessons. Verify local tax obligations for income earned online in your jurisdiction; tax rules vary by country and are outside the scope of this page.
For K‑12 work tied to the Chinese market, platforms underwent regulatory and business changes in 2021 that affected teacher eligibility and offerings; do not assume universal access for teachers outside China without confirmation from the platform (historical note: VIPKid changes reported 2021).
What we could not establish
⛔ The following items were not established from the sources consulted and are therefore not stated here:
- Average monthly earnings per platform for teachers in 2026 — no reliable primary source for global averages was found.
- The complete, current commercial status of VIPKid outside China in 2026 — Wikipedia documents changes up to 2021 but an authoritative 2026 status was not available in the sources used.
- Full, dated market share figures (active users per platform) for 2026 — not available in the consulted sources.
- Local tax rules that apply to a teacher in a specific country for each platform — these vary by jurisdiction and must be confirmed with local tax authorities.
- Any legal or regulatory developments that occurred after 27/09/2026.
This page is informational and not a job‑placement service. Verify each platform’s current terms and local legal obligations before teaching.
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Priya Nakamura
Priya has trained new TEFL candidates and assessed teaching practice for in-person and online courses for over eight years. She specialises in the unglamorous part of choosing a course: hours, observed practice, and who…
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