italki has been a staple in the online language learning world since 2007. The platform connects students with language tutors and community teachers for one-on-one video lessons in over 150 languages — from widely studied ones like English, Spanish, and Mandarin to niche options like Welsh, Esperanto, and Haitian Creole.
The marketplace distinguishes between “Professional Teachers” (certified, experienced educators) and “Community Tutors” (native speakers who offer conversational practice at lower rates). This two-tier system lets students choose based on their learning stage and budget. Professional teacher rates typically run $15-40/hour, while community tutors often charge $8-15.
italki doesn’t impose a curriculum. Teachers and students work together to design lessons around specific goals — whether that’s preparing for a proficiency exam, polishing business communication, or simply getting comfortable with everyday conversation. This flexibility is one of the platform’s biggest draws.
The company uses italki Credits as its payment system. Students purchase credits, book lessons, and pay teachers after each session. italki takes a 15% commission from teachers. There are no subscriptions, no packages, and no minimum commitments.
italki also features a community section with language challenges, notebook entries that native speakers can correct, and discussion forums. These free features complement paid lessons and help learners practice between sessions.
With over 30 million registered users and 30,000+ teachers, italki is one of the largest language tutoring marketplaces in the world. The company operates from Hong Kong and Shanghai, with a user base that skews heavily toward Asia and Europe.
