Preply expert review + alternatives to master Italian

Intro

Hey everyone! In this video, I’ll share my experience using Preply, an online platform where you can take one-on-one language lessons with tutors from around the world. If you’ve been curious about how it works — especially for learning Italian — this review is for you.

What Preply Is

So, what exactly is Preply? It’s an online tutoring platform that connects students with teachers for private lessons. You can learn pretty much any language here — but I tried it specifically for Italian. The platform claims to have thousands of tutors, all offering different rates, schedules, and teaching styles. Basically, it’s like a marketplace for language lessons, and you choose the person you want to learn from.

Getting Started

When you first create your account, you see a big list of tutors with intro videos, reviews, and hourly prices. I liked that you can filter your search by things like price range, country, availability, or even specific specialties like “business Italian” or “exam preparation.” It’s also easy to check if your tutor is a native speaker or speaks your native language — which is helpful if you’re a beginner. Once you find someone interesting, you can book a trial lesson. This is usually a full 50-minute class — and honestly, that felt a bit long for a first meeting. I kind of wish there was an option for a shorter 25-minute trial, just to test the chemistry.

Booking & Lesson Setup

After booking, Preply gives you access to its own classroom — no need for Zoom or Skype. It’s all built into the platform: video call, chat, notes, and even file sharing. Before my first lesson, I was able to test my level and set my learning goals directly inside Preply. The test was based on CEFR levels — so if you’re at A2 or B1, it’ll recognize that and show you a little progress tracker. Everything felt pretty organized and smooth. I also liked that I could sync lessons with my Google Calendar, so I didn’t have to worry about missing them.

My Experience Learning Italian

For my Italian lessons, I started with a tutor from Rome who had excellent reviews. The lessons felt relaxed and personal — we started with small talk in Italian and then moved on to grammar and vocabulary based on my level. The best part was how flexible it felt. My tutor adjusted every class depending on what I wanted to focus on that week — pronunciation, conversation, or even Italian culture. Preply also has a vocabulary section where I could save new words from class and practice them with short quizzes later. That was actually pretty helpful to review words between lessons. After the trial, the platform invited me to subscribe — meaning I pay monthly for a set number of classes per week. At first, I wasn’t sure if I liked that, because it feels like a commitment. But I have to say — it did keep me consistent.

Pros

What I really liked about Preply is how easy it was to find an Italian tutor who matched my preferences. I could filter by price, region, or even accent — so if I wanted to learn a Roman or Sicilian accent, that was totally possible. The one-on-one lessons gave me the space to speak freely without feeling pressured, and I noticed my confidence improving much faster than when I tried studying alone. The platform itself feels modern and reliable, with a clean interface, built-in video classroom, and calendar reminders that made scheduling simple. Another big advantage is that you can find tutors to fit nearly any budget, whether you want professional teachers or just casual conversation practice. Overall, the whole experience felt personal, structured, and encouraging — exactly what I needed to start using Italian more naturally.

Cons

Of course, it’s not perfect. The subscription model can feel a bit restrictive, especially if your schedule changes often or if you travel a lot. You have to cancel or reschedule lessons at least twelve hours in advance, which isn’t always convenient. The quality of tutors also varies quite a bit — some are certified teachers, while others are just fluent speakers — so you really need to take your time choosing the right one. I also found that taking multiple lessons per week can add up quickly, especially with more experienced tutors charging higher rates. Still, despite these downsides, I’d say most of the issues are manageable once you find a good tutor and settle into a rhythm.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Preply is a solid platform for learning Italian if you prefer personalized lessons and flexibility. It works best if you’re ready to stay consistent and speak regularly with your tutor. For complete beginners, it’s also nice to have someone explain things step-by-step in a natural way — and you can switch tutors anytime if one doesn’t fit your style.