Preply takes payment upfront through credit card, debit card, or PayPal before your lessons begin

Preply is a tutoring platform where you book lessons with independent instructors. When you book a lesson package or single lesson, Preply charges your payment method immediately—not after the lesson happens. You pay Preply directly, not the tutor. The tutor receives their portion of the payment on a separate schedule, usually weekly or twice monthly depending on their agreement with Preply.

The payment goes to Preply's account first. Preply then deducts its commission (which varies by tutor and subject) and sends the remainder to the tutor's bank account or Preply wallet. This means your money sits with Preply between the time you pay and when the tutor gets paid.

Key Takeaways

  • Preply charges your card or PayPal account before your lesson starts, not after.
  • You can pay per lesson or buy a package of lessons at a discount, with the full package price charged upfront.
  • Refunds are available if you cancel within 24 hours of booking or if the tutor cancels.
  • If a lesson doesn't happen and you don't cancel, you lose the payment—Preply does not automatically refund no-shows.
  • Tutors receive their payment on a weekly or twice-monthly schedule, separate from when you pay.

Payment methods Preply accepts

Preply accepts credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, and PayPal. You enter your payment method when you create your account, and Preply stores it for future bookings. You can update or change your payment method in your account settings at any time.

Preply does not accept bank transfers, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other payment methods. If your card is declined, Preply will notify you and ask you to update your payment information before your next lesson. If payment fails twice, your account may be suspended until you add a working payment method.

How lesson packages and pricing work

You can book lessons one at a time or purchase a package. Packages typically offer a discount—for example, buying 10 lessons might cost less per lesson than booking 10 individual lessons. Preply charges the full package price upfront when you purchase it, even though you use the lessons over weeks or months.

Package lessons do not expire immediately, but Preply sets an expiration date (usually 12 months from purchase). If you don't use all lessons before the expiration date, you lose the unused balance. Preply does not refund unused lessons after expiration, so check the expiration date when you buy a package.

Lesson prices vary by tutor. More experienced tutors or those with higher ratings typically charge more per hour. Preply shows the price per lesson before you book, so you know the total cost before your card is charged.

Refunds and cancellations

Preply offers a refund if you cancel a lesson within 24 hours of booking. After 24 hours, the lesson is non-refundable unless the tutor cancels. If the tutor cancels, Preply refunds the lesson cost to your original payment method or as Preply credits you can use toward future lessons—you choose which when you request the refund.

If you miss a lesson without canceling, Preply does not refund the payment. The tutor may mark you as a no-show, and repeated no-shows can result in the tutor declining to teach you in the future. Always cancel through the Preply app or website if you cannot attend; do not simply skip the lesson.

Refunds to your card or PayPal account take 3 to 5 business days to appear. Preply credits (money in your Preply account) are available immediately and can be used to book another lesson right away.

How tutors receive payment from Preply

Tutors do not receive payment directly from you. Preply collects your payment, takes a commission, and pays the tutor the remainder. The tutor's payout schedule depends on their contract with Preply—most tutors receive payment weekly or twice monthly, usually on a set day like Friday or the 15th and last day of the month.

Tutors can request payment through bank transfer (ACH in the US), PayPal, or Wise (formerly TransferWise). Preply holds a minimum balance threshold before releasing payment—typically $10 to $20—so new tutors may not receive their first payout until they accumulate enough earnings. Tutors can see their earnings and payout schedule in their Preply dashboard.

Disputes and chargebacks

If you dispute a charge with your credit card company or PayPal, Preply will investigate. If you claim you were charged for a lesson you did not book or attend, Preply can check its records to see whether the lesson was scheduled and whether it took place. If the lesson was scheduled and the tutor was present, Preply will likely side with the tutor and deny your dispute.

If you file a chargeback (asking your bank to reverse the charge), Preply may suspend or close your account. Chargebacks are meant for fraud or unauthorized charges, not for disagreements about lesson quality or tutor performance. If you have a problem with a lesson, contact Preply support first—they can often resolve it faster than a chargeback.

Preply's dispute process typically takes 5 to 10 business days. During that time, the tutor may not receive their payment for the disputed lesson. If Preply rules in your favor, the charge is reversed and the tutor does not get paid.

Taxes and payment records

Preply does not withhold taxes from tutor payments. If you are a tutor earning money through Preply, you are responsible for reporting that income to the IRS or your country's tax authority. Preply sends tutors a 1099-NEC form (in the US) if they earn $600 or more in a calendar year, but tutors must report all income regardless of whether they receive a 1099.

As a student, your payments to Preply are not tax-deductible unless you are self-employed or running a business. Keep your Preply receipts and invoices for your records. You can download your payment history from your Preply account under "Billing" or "Transactions."

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my payment method is declined?

Preply will notify you by email and ask you to update your payment information. Your lesson will not be charged until you add a working card or PayPal account. If payment fails before your lesson starts, the lesson may be canceled automatically. Update your payment method immediately to avoid missing your lesson.

Can I get a refund if I'm unhappy with the tutor?

Preply does not refund lessons based on tutor quality or teaching style. You can cancel within 24 hours of booking for any reason and receive a refund. After 24 hours, your only option is to stop booking with that tutor and choose a different one. You can also contact Preply support to request a one-time exception if you had a serious problem.

Do I pay Preply or the tutor directly?

You always pay Preply, never the tutor directly. Preply handles all payments and sends the tutor their earnings on a separate schedule. Never send money to a tutor outside of Preply—this is against Preply's terms and puts you at risk of fraud.

How long does it take for my refund to show up?

Refunds to your credit card or PayPal account take 3 to 5 business days. Preply credits appear immediately in your account and can be used to book another lesson right away. If your refund doesn't appear after 5 business days, contact your bank or PayPal to check whether it was received.

What if the tutor cancels my lesson?

Preply refunds the lesson cost to your original payment method or as Preply credits. You can choose which option when you request the refund. The refund process is the same as if you canceled—3 to 5 business days for card or PayPal, immediate for credits.