Two ways online teaching companies pay
Marketplaces (for example Preply, italki, Verbling, Superprof and Wyzant) let you create a profile and set your own lesson price. Students choose you, and the platform usually takes a fee or commission. Fixed-rate companies set your pay per class or per hour and usually give you students and materials.
Marketplace platforms in the directory
- Preply review Tutors set their own rate · No specific certification or teaching experience required
- italki review $15/hr · TESOL
- Native Monks review $25/hr · Degree
- Superprof review Tutors set their own lesson price · The tutor guide does not list a required degree or certificate
- Tutorfair review $30/hr · Degree
- V2US review N/A · Degree, Experience
- Verbling review Teachers set their own rate · Previous experience teaching the language is required. A teaching certificate is preferred
- Wyzant review Tutors set their own rate · A teaching certificate is not required
- AmazingTalker review $21/hr · Degree
- Face Talk review $20/hr · Degree
Each of these listings says teachers set their own price or rate. Check each platform's own page for its current fee or commission, because we don't list those.
How they compare
| Marketplaces | Fixed-rate companies | |
|---|---|---|
| Companies in the directory | 10 | 370 |
| Hire non-native speakers | 7 of 10 (70%) | 187 of 370 (51%) |
| Say no degree is required | 0 of 10 (0%) | 34 of 370 (9%) |
| Pay | You set your own price | Median confirmed rate $15/hr (269 companies) |
Which suits you?
- Pick a marketplace if you want to set your price, choose your students and build a client base over time. Expect to market your profile, and expect slower bookings at the start.
- Pick a fixed-rate company if you want students and lesson materials provided and predictable pay per class. Expect set schedules or minimum hours at some companies.
Many teachers do both. Start with beginner-friendly companies and read online ESL pay explained. If you build your own students, a personal teaching website helps (see website builders for teachers).
Tools for online teachers
Once you have shortlisted a few companies, it helps to have one page that shows who you are as a teacher. You can create a free online teacher profile page on Teacher4.me and share it with students, parents, and schools alongside your company applications.