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Preply vs Busuu: Quick Comparison

Pricing Compared

Preply charges per lesson, with prices starting from $10 per hour for community tutors. Professional teachers cost more, typically $20 to $40 per hour. Preply also charges a one-time registration fee for new students. If you take 4 lessons per month at $15 each, you are spending around $60 per month.

Busuu charges a flat subscription of $13.90 per month for Premium or $16.90 for Premium Plus. This gives you unlimited access to all lessons and features. For most learners, Busuu is significantly cheaper per month than regular Preply sessions. However, you get human interaction with Preply, which many learners find essential for speaking confidence.

Learning Format and Experience

Preply is built around live 1-on-1 video lessons with a tutor of your choice. You can filter tutors by country, price, specialisation, and availability. Lessons are personalised to your level, goals, and pace. Your tutor can focus on your specific weaknesses and adapt the lesson plan as you progress. This human element is Preply's biggest advantage.

Busuu is entirely self-study through its mobile app and website. You work through structured lessons organised by CEFR level. Each lesson includes vocabulary, grammar, reading, listening, and writing exercises. Premium Plus adds grammar feedback from native speakers. The experience is consistent and well-structured, but it lacks the personal touch of a real teacher.

Speaking Practice

This is where the two platforms differ most. Preply gives you real-time conversation practice with a native or fluent speaker who can correct your pronunciation, grammar, and word choice on the spot. You practise real dialogue, not scripted responses. This is the fastest way to build speaking confidence.

Busuu offers speaking exercises where you record yourself and submit the recording for feedback from native speakers in the community. This is better than nothing, but it is not live and you may wait hours or days for corrections. For serious speaking practice, Preply is far more effective.

Curriculum and Structure

Busuu wins on structure. Its CEFR-aligned curriculum gives you a clear path from A1 to B2 with specific learning objectives at each level. You always know what to study next and how you are progressing. The McGraw-Hill certificates confirm your level when you complete each stage.

Preply has no fixed curriculum. The quality of your learning path depends entirely on your tutor. A good tutor will assess your level, create a plan, and track your progress. A less organised tutor may just chat with you each lesson without clear progression. Finding the right tutor is critical to getting structured learning on Preply.

Grammar Instruction

Busuu offers comprehensive grammar explanations integrated into each lesson. Grammar points are introduced in a logical sequence based on CEFR level. You learn through examples, exercises, and contextual practice.

Preply grammar instruction varies by tutor. Some tutors prepare structured grammar lessons with worksheets and homework. Others focus more on conversation and correct grammar errors as they arise. If grammar is a priority, choose a tutor who specialises in grammar instruction and look for qualified teachers rather than community tutors.

Motivation and Accountability

Preply keeps you accountable through scheduled lessons. When you have booked a lesson with a real person, you are far more likely to show up and prepare. The human relationship with your tutor creates a sense of commitment that an app cannot replicate.

Busuu relies on self-motivation. The app sends reminders and tracks streaks to encourage daily practice, but there is no real consequence if you skip a week. For self-disciplined learners this works fine. For others, the structured schedule of Preply lessons is more effective.

Which One Is Right for You?

Choose Preply if you:

• Want personalised 1-on-1 lessons with a real teacher
• Need live speaking practice to build confidence
• Prefer scheduled lessons for accountability
• Have specific goals (exam prep, business English, pronunciation)
• Can invest $40-$120 per month for regular lessons

Choose Busuu if you:

• Want structured CEFR-aligned lessons at your own pace
• Have a limited budget (under $20 per month)
• Are self-motivated and can stick to a study routine
• Want an official certificate to prove your level
• Prefer learning independently without scheduled sessions

Verdict

These platforms serve different needs and are not direct competitors. Preply is best for speaking practice and personalised instruction. Busuu is best for structured grammar and vocabulary building at a low monthly cost.

The ideal approach is to use both. Subscribe to Busuu for daily grammar and vocabulary lessons, and take 2-4 Preply lessons per month for speaking practice and personalised feedback. This combination covers both structured learning and real conversation at a manageable cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

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