Lingoda vs Preply: My Honest Take After Learning Spanish on Both

If you’re a digital nomad, part-time traveler, or just someone who loves learning languages as a hobby, this breakdown is for you.

Over the past few years, I took more than 50 Spanish classes with Lingoda and used Preply for over 3 years. And while both platforms have their perks, they’re very different when it comes to price, flexibility, and transparency — the three things I care about most when choosing a language app.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the real pros and cons of each platform from my firsthand experience. We’ll cover how the pricing actually works (without the marketing fluff), how easy (or not) it is to book and cancel classes, and which one I’d recommend for travelers and digital nomads looking to learn without losing their minds — or their money.

Spoiler alert: Preply is my favorite platform!

Let’s get into it.

What Are Lingoda and Preply?

Here’s a quick breakdown of what each platform actually is — and how they’re structured differently.

Lingoda at a Glance

Lingoda offers live, online classes with real teachers. Most classes take place in small groups, though you can also book one-on-one lessons. They’ve got structured learning paths for levels A1 through C1, and you can choose from several languages like Spanish, French, German, Italian, and English.

I took over 50 Spanish classes with Lingoda during my “I’m determined to become conversational” phase. Everything was very structured and well put together. If you’re someone who thrives in a classroom-style setting with a curriculum, you might like Lingoda a lot.

But just a heads up: you can’t always control who your teacher is, and switching between instructors every lesson can get a little chaotic if you’re trying to build on what you learned last time. Plus, it feels less personal.

Preply at a Glance

Preply is different because you scroll through profiles of available tutors, check out their videos and rates, and book one-on-one sessions. The tutor makes the curriculum, which means they can tailor it to your preferences, interests, and learning style, combined with their tried-and-true methods.

I’ve used Preply consistently for 3+ years to keep up my Spanish. I loved being able to stick with the same tutor, focus on what I actually wanted to say, and skip topics I wasn’t as interested in.

Staying with my same tutor, Emmanuel, also held me accountable. I’d feel bad if I had to miss a class. And, I was always looking forward to showing up, improving my Spanish, and making him proud.

And the nice thing is, Preply is super flexible. You can schedule classes whenever works for you, reschedule easily, and even take lessons while you’re actually traveling through Mexico City, Medellin, or even walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain!

🧠 Wondering which style fits you best?
If you love structure, Lingoda might be your vibe. But if you want a casual, one-on-one setup where you’re not just another name on a Zoom call, Preply’s private lessons are where it’s at.

• You have to book in advance or risk not finding a class at your level or preferred time.

• There’s also their infamous “Sprint Challenge” — pay upfront for a 2-month challenge and get up to 50% of your money back if (big if) you attend all your classes without missing a single one. I never tried it, but many people like the competitive feeling of this and say it’s motivating.

One major downside? Canceling your plan isn’t easy. I had to jump through multiple hoops just to stop being charged. I didn’t love that.

Preply Pricing

Preply gives you more control over your budget. Tutors set their own hourly rates, so you’ll see a wide range — I’ve seen anywhere from $5 to $40+ per hour, depending on the tutor’s experience and location.

• You only pay per lesson — no subscription trap

• Most tutors offer discounted trial lessons (around $5–$10)

• You can filter by price range, which is great if you’re trying to stay on a budget before (or during) traveling.

Preply also just felt more transparent. I knew what I was paying, who I was paying, and how to cancel or reschedule.

💸 Trying to learn but on a tight budget?
Preply lets you choose your tutor and price point — and right now, you can get up to 70% off your first lesson if you sign up before January 31. Use my exclusive discount code JENON70.

If you’ve ever tried booking a class while hopping time zones or dealing with last-minute plans, you know how unfun rigid schedules can be. Here’s how Lingoda and Preply compare when it comes to keeping up with life on the move.

Lingoda: Structured, but Strict

Lingoda gives you access to tons of group classes across time zones — which sounds flexible, but here’s the catch:

• You have to book your classes ahead of time, or risk them filling up.

• Miss a class? It’s gone. No refund, no redo. 🙃

• Cancelling or rescheduling often comes with time restrictions, and if you’re doing a challenge like the Sprint, one missed class means no refund.

It’s built like a traditional school — which is great if you thrive on structure, but not so great if you live out of a carry-on and sometimes forget what day it is.

Preply: More Flexibility

Preply was made for people like me who say, “I’m free Tuesday at 3 p.m. … wait, no, Thursday at 9 a.m. … wait…” (that’s me, btw).

• You choose your tutor’s availability and book when it works for you.

• Most tutors let you reschedule within 4-12 hours notice.

• You can go all-in with weekly lessons or ghost for a month without losing money or getting emails like, “Are you okay?”

It’s hands-down the better choice if you need a platform that works around your schedule.

🕐 Need to cancel or reschedule without writing an essay to customer support?
Preply makes it simple. Book when it works for you — no guilt trips, no lost credits. Try it now and thank yourself later.

The Actual Learning Experience

When it comes to actually learning the language, the way each platform structures its teaching experience is pretty different. Here’s how Lingoda and Preply compare, from my point of view as a longtime student who’s used both platforms for extended periods of time.

Teachers and Consistency

Lingoda:

• Almost every class is with a different teacher, unless you get lucky and rebook someone.
• This gives you exposure to different accents and styles — which is great in theory.
• In practice? It felt like starting over every time. You can’t build rapport or momentum when the teacher has no idea where you left off.
• I became very disinterested in Lingoda, and it felt like a grind after a while because classes felt repetitive and boring.

Preply:

• You can pick one tutor and stick with them for the long haul.
• I had the same Spanish tutor for over a year, and it made a huge difference. He knew my level, my goals, my weird grammar habits. We built a rapport that added a fun element to learning, and I got to know about what his real life looked like in Colombia.
• That consistency helped me make actual progress, not just float through vocab lists.

Curriculum and Personalization

Lingoda:

• Comes with a full, leveled curriculum that’s the same across all teachers.
• Lessons follow slides — you log in, go through the material, do some exercises, and peace out.
• If you like structure and want to feel like you’re “moving through levels,” it’s pretty satisfying.

Preply:

• Some tutors bring their own materials or follow a loose structure, but you’re in charge of the direction.
• No universal curriculum — but that’s kind of the point.
• Your tutor can tailor each lesson to what you want. I focused on travel phrases, pronunciation, and things I’d actually say while living abroad. No filler, no fluff.

If you’re interested in reading my full-length review of Preply, you can check it out here.

Group vs. Private: The Big Difference

Lingoda is built around small group classes — usually 3 to 5 students. You can book private lessons, but that’s not the default.

• Group classes mean less time speaking. If one student dominates or needs extra help, the pacing gets thrown off.
• There’s some value in hearing different accents and learning from peers — but it can also feel like a Zoom breakout room where nobody wants to be the first to talk.
• It’s structured like a real class, with all the pros and cons that come with it.

Preply is entirely one-on-one — just you and your tutor.

• You get the full hour to talk, mess up, ask questions, and actually use the language.
• It’s way less awkward if you’re shy or introverted. No pressure to “perform” in front of strangers.
• If you’re traveling or have limited time, the efficiency of private lessons is a huge win.

For me, Preply helped build confidence faster. It felt more like real-life conversation practice — not school.

🗣️Want to actually talk during your lesson?
Group classes are fine, but nothing beats having the full hour to yourself. Book a Preply trial and see what it’s like to really speak the language, not just sit through slides.

Lingoda vs Preply: Pros and Cons

After using both Lingoda and Preply to learn Spanish — one with structured group classes, the other with flexible private tutoring — I’ve learned they each come with very different strengths. Lingoda gave me a sense of academic progress, but Preply gave me actual, real-life speaking practice. Here’s how they compare side by side:

👉 Still not sure which one’s right for you?
Try a class on both platforms and see what fits your brain (and schedule) best.

You can book a trial lesson on Preply or start a month on Lingoda — just make sure to check their cancellation terms so you’re not stuck like I was 🙃

Who Each Platform Is Best For

At the end of the day, the “better” platform depends on what kind of learner you are — and how chaotic your travel schedule is. Based on my experience learning Spanish with both, here’s who I think each one works best for:

Lingoda is best for you if…

• You love structure, rules, and checking off levels like it’s Duolingo with a diploma.
• You’re motivated by a clear curriculum and want to move through A1 to C1 with a plan.
• You don’t mind group classes and enjoy hearing others speak (even if it means less talking time for you).
• You’re consistent with scheduling and won’t rage-quit if you can’t cancel easily.

Preply is best for you if…

• You want personalized, one-on-one lessons with the same tutor every time.
• You need flexibility — like, “I’m booking from a hostel bunk bed in Peru” flexibility.
• You care more about practical speaking skills than grammar charts.
• You want to learn at your own pace, based on your life, not a rigid course outline.

Do you like structure or need total flexibility?
Pick the platform that fits your lifestyle — not the other way around. Preply is my go-to for learning on the road, and you can get 70% off your first lesson with code JENON70 (valid through January 31!). Book a trial lesson now

Final Recommendation

So, Lingoda vs Preply — which one wins?

For me, it’s Preply. After years of traveling and trying to keep up with Spanish, I realized I needed a platform that worked with my life — not one that punished me for missing a Tuesday class because I was stuck on a bus with no wifi. And now, I’m even learning Italian on Preply, too!

Preply gave me:

• A consistent tutor who actually remembered what I was working on
• Flexible scheduling (aka, not making me feel guilty for living my life)
• And the freedom to focus on what mattered — like being able to order wine correctly and not accidentally ask for a library

You’re just another number on Lingoda. That said, Lingoda can be great if you want structure, clear milestones, and don’t mind group classes or strict cancellation policies.

If you’re still unsure, try them both! Preply offers affordable trial lessons, and Lingoda often runs promos. Just don’t be like me and forget to cancel your Lingoda plan — unless you want surprise charges and mild regret.

🎉 Limited-Time Deal:
If you’re leaning toward Preply, now’s the time — they’re offering up to 70% off your first lesson when you sign up before January 31. That’s basically less than the price of a sad airport sandwich.
👉 Grab the discount and try Preply now

Read More About Language Learning:

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• Learning Spanish for Travel: Phrases That Actually Help You Meet People
• 10 Best Language Learning Tools (That Actually Help You Speak the Language)
• I Tried Lingopie for 2 Weeks & Now I’m Spilling the Tea — A Lingopie Review
• I Took 50 Classes on Lingoda: My VERY Honest Lingoda Review
• Preply Review: 3 Years of Spanish Classes—The Honest Truth from a Student & Tutor
• Babbel Italian Review: 30 Days In, Would I Still Recommend It?
• I Practiced Spanish with Babbel Every Day for Two Weeks — An Honest Review
• Babbel vs. Duolingo: Which Language Learning App is Best for Travelers?
• Lingoda vs Preply: My Honest Take After Learning Spanish on Both
• MakesYouFluent Review: I Tried It for 2 Weeks—Here’s the Truth