Tarun Nagar 
Are you moving to another country or region? Are you worried about how you can manage it with another language? It yes. Then, there is no need to take stress.
There is an app like Preply, which provides one-on-one learning of different languages, such as English, Spanish, German, Arabic, Thai, Japanese, Turkish, and more, with private tutors. With the help of this app, users can improve their grammar and pronunciation skills.
As per the global market, language learning applications were valued at around $13.32 billion in 2025. It is expected to grow around $34.22 billion by the end of 2034.
This collective data shows that building an app like Preply is a profit-making opportunity for businesses to touch new heights of success.
Get in touch with us to explore how to build an app like Preply, robust benefits, functionalities, monetization technique, cost, and more.
Let’s dive into the learning pool!
What is Preply?
Preply is an online platform that matches students with private tutors for personalized instruction. It provides lessons in a variety of areas, including languages, academic courses, and professional development.
Users can select tutors based on their experience, availability, and fees. If you create a mobile app like Preply, it provides flexible learning schedules, allowing students to learn at their own pace from anywhere.
- Personalized Learning Plans
- Tutor Profiles
- Video Chat Integration
- Flexible Scheduling
Market Analysis of Language Learning Applications
- In 2025, the estimated value of language learning applications was $13.32 By the end of 2034, it is anticipated to have grown by about $34.22 billion.
- As per a recent study, the language learning application is expected to grow around with a compound annual growth rate of 52% during the forecast period of 2025 to 2034.
- According to a report, North America’s market is projected to be the largest, with a valuation of 0 USD billion by the end of 2032.
- Rosetta Stone, Babbel, and Duolingo are a few of the leading companies in the language tutor apps market.
- The market for language learning applications will be driven by the English language and SaaS-based sector.
10 Top-Performing Language Learning Apps Like Preply
The following table lists the best language learning apps, such as Preply, together with information about their download counts, ratings, year of release, and platform accessibility:
| Applications | Download Users | Stores Ratings | Apps Launched On | Platform Accessibility |
| Duolingo | 500M+ | 4.7 | 2011 | Android, iOS, Web |
| Babbel | 10M+ | 4.6 | 2008 | Android, iOS, Web |
| Busuu | 100M+ | 4.6 | 2008 | Android, iOS, Web |
| Memrise | 50M+ | 4.6 | 2010 | Android, iOS, Web |
| Tandem | 10M+ | 4.5 | 2015 | Android/iOS |
| HelloTalk | 10M+ | 4.6 | 2012 | Android/iOS |
| Italki | 5M+
|
4.8 | 2007 | Android, iOS, Web |
| Rosetta Stone | 10M+
|
4.7 | 1992 | Android, iOS, Web |
| Lingoda | 1M+ | 4.8 | 2013 | Android, iOS, Web |
| Beelinguapp | 1M+
|
4.5 | 2015 | Android, iOS, Web |
Why Do Entrepreneurs Invest in Language Learning App Development?
Entrepreneurs invest in education app development for a variety of strategic reasons, including the growing demand for language education and technical improvements. Here are five benefits of mobile apps in education industry.
1. Rising Global Need for Language Skills
In an increasingly globalized world, language skills are becoming increasingly valuable for personal, intellectual, and professional development. People are always looking for effective ways to learn new languages, whether for vacation, work, or cultural interaction.
Entrepreneurs notice this demand and perceive an opportunity to create apps that cater to a large audience in multiple languages, resulting in a scalable product with worldwide appeal.
2. Accessibility and Convenience
To develop a student information system app that offers flexibility and convenience that traditional classes cannot match. Mobile apps allow users to learn at any time and from any location, fitting lessons into their schedules.
Entrepreneurs recognize the benefit in building products that allow consumers to study at their own pace and provide a personalized experience. The potential to provide immediate access to instructional content is a compelling reason to engage in app development.
3. Technological Advancements
E-learning apps are becoming more efficient and interactive as AI, machine learning, and speech recognition technologies advance. Entrepreneurs can use these technologies to develop novel features like real-time voice analysis, individualized education, and rapid feedback.
These enhancements make the learning experience more interesting and effective, resulting in higher user satisfaction and retention rates.
4. Multiple Monetization Options
Language learning app like Lingvano generate revenue through a variety of channels, including subscriptions, in-app sales, premium content, and advertising. Entrepreneurs may easily monetize these apps by providing free trials, freemium features, or subscription-based models, ensuring a consistent source of revenue as the user base expands.
5. Market Scalability
Creating a language learning software enables entrepreneurs to access a worldwide audience with minimal overhead. Apps may scale swiftly with the correct marketing strategy, providing localization for multiple regions and languages and extending into new markets throughout the world.
The potential for a large user base makes investing in E-learning app development tempting for entrepreneurs hoping to make a long-term impact in the ed-tech sector.
7 Major Steps to Build an App Like Preply
To build a language learning app like Preply with futuristic functionalities, businesses need to observe each step of the development process. It starts from market observations to the post-launch maintenance services. So, let’s take a look at the below important steps of the education app development process:
1. Specify the Demands and Requirements
Let’s start the development process, detect the project’s essential requirements, and create a proper sheet of requirements to reduce errors and misunderstandings. Then, research what types of language learning apps are most trending and successful in this competitive market.
| What are your app’s basic or core requirements? |
| Clear your app’s future goals. |
| Which e-learning apps are more successful and trending in this competitive market? |
2. Identify the Features
Let’s move to the second stage of development: identify the core and advanced features of your language learning app. Hire dedicated developers to implement features such as video chat integration, live classes, offline mode, progress tracking, and real-time messaging.
| What are your app’s basic or premium features and functions? |
| Observe the existing education delivery apps for the best features. |
| Make an organized sheet of features and functions to reduce data redundancy. |
3. Select Tech Stacks
Connecting to the third stage of development, choosing the right tech stacks is a vital part of the overall development process. It includes various technologies such as databases, cloud storage, backend and frontend languages, APIs, testing, security, and more.
| Which type of tech stacks are used in your Preply clone app development? |
| Define your scalability requirements. |
| Choose advanced or basic tech stacks. |
4. Design UI/UX
Let’s move to the fourth stage of development. Hire mobile app developers to design a simple user interface that can enhance the users’ and businesses’ experience. Use the best design tools, such as Sketch, Adobe XD, and Figma, to give a language learning app a complex and premium look.
| What are wireframes in UX design? |
| What tools do you use for prototyping? |
| How do you ensure a responsive design? |
5. App Development
Entering the fifth stage of development, assemble a highly experienced development team to integrate the phases in your project. In this phase, begin the real coding for a customized app development and create a strong backend to handle the high of users and operations at the same time.
| Do you want to create hybrid or native apps? |
| Choose highly talented mobile app developers. |
| Integrate a high number of features and functions. |
6. Testing and QA
In the second last stage of development, hire a mobile app development company to test the app under robust testing techniques such as security, functional, and integration testing. QA makes sure of a seamless user experience and fixes the bugs and issues before launching the app.
| Make sure that all features and functions are working properly |
| Use various testing methods, such as functional and usability testing. |
| Check the app’s security measurements. |
7. Releasing and Maintenance
It’s the right time to launch the app on the selected platforms, such as Android and iOS. After that, conduct maintenance services such as solving errors, adding new functions, updating the older version features, ongoing updates, and more.
| Launch your app on selected platforms like Android and iOS. |
| Use the best marketing techniques. |
| Assign the post-maintenance phases to maintain the app’s performance. |
10 Must-Have Essential Features of Apps Like Preply
Here are ten must-have key features for apps like Preply, which connect students with tutors to provide individualized learning experiences:
1. User Profiles
Preply alternatives allow both students and tutors to have customized profiles that include information about their qualifications, teaching styles, availability, and reviews.
2. Search and Filters
Preply alternatives allow users to quickly discover the ideal teacher or student by using advanced search options that include filters for subject, experience level, pricing, and availability.
3. Booking and Scheduling
The e-learning apps like Duolingo allow students to arrange lessons with tutors based on mutual availability, with calendar syncing to prevent double bookings.
4. Payment Integration
Preply alternatives offer secure payment gateways should be implemented to facilitate transactions. This could include credit/debit cards, PayPal, and digital wallets.
5. Video chat functionality
Preply similar apps integrated video conferencing tools for live courses ensure smooth, high-quality contact between students and educators.
6. Real-Time Messaging
A built-in chat function enables students and tutors to communicate before and after courses, sharing materials and clarifications.
7. Ratings and Reviews
An online learning platform like Udemy allows students to rate tutors after each class, assisting others in finding the finest instructors while maintaining high-quality standards.
8. Progress Tracking
Preply clone app enables students to monitor their learning progress, class history, and achievements throughout time.
9. Notifications
The Preply app clone allows students and tutors can receive push notifications to remind them of forthcoming lessons, new messages, and schedule changes.
10. Multilingual and Multi-currency Support
The similar app like Preply should support several languages and currencies to appeal to a varied audience and improve accessibility for international users.
What is the Cost to Build An App Like Preply?
The cost to build an app like Preply typically ranges from $8,000 to $25,000 or more. This depends on several factors, such as the app’s complexity, features, and design. Basic functionalities like user profiles, booking systems, and video chat integrations are more affordable.
In contrast, advanced features such as real-time messaging, payment systems, and personalized learning tools increase the Preply mobile app development cost. The platform (iOS, Android, or both), the development team’s location, and the time required for development can also significantly affect the final price.
| Payroll App Development | Estimated Cost | Time Frame |
| Basic App Development | $8000 – $12000 | 2 to 5 Months |
| Mid-Premium App Development | $14000 – $19000 | 6 to 8 Months |
| High-Premium App Development | $25000+ | 9+ Months |
What are the Factors That Affect Preply App Development Cost?
Several factors influence the cost to develop a language learning app like Preply. These characteristics influence how much time, effort, and resources are needed to create and maintain the platform. Here’s a summary of significant aspects influencing educational website development cost:
1. Back-End Development
Backend development is critical since it manages the app’s functionality, user data, payment processing, and lesson scheduling. Complex back-end infrastructure that supports real-time video conferences, secure payment gateways, and personalized learning systems necessitates additional development time and resources, increasing the cost.
Integrating third-party services, such as video conferencing tools and cloud storage, increases the cost to develop an education app like Preply.
| Backend Development | Cost Estimation |
| Basic Backend Process | $10,000 – $18,000 |
| Premium Backend Process | $20,000 – $28,000 |
2. Application Design
The design of the software, particularly UI/UX, has a substantial impact on development expenses. Custom-designed, user-friendly interfaces that offer seamless navigation, interactive components, and responsive layouts across several platforms (smartphones, tablets, etc.) necessitate more effort than basic design templates.
Designing with accessibility and customization in mind will increase eLearning app development costs, but it is necessary for a pleasant user experience.
| Design Quality | Cost Estimation |
| Basic Design | $8,000 – $12,000 |
| Complex Design | $15,000 – $22,000 |
3. Development Team
The size and expertise of the development team have a direct impact on costs. An experienced team, including mobile app developers, UI/UX designers, project managers, and quality assurance testers, guarantees that the app adheres to industry standards.
Hiring competent specialists, particularly those with experience developing educational or video-based apps, may result in higher hourly fees, which raises the whole education app development cost.
| Developer’s Experience Level | Cost Estimation |
| Entry-Level Developer | $15 – $18/ Per Hour |
| Mid-Level Developer | $18 – $22/ Per Hour |
| Senior-Level Developer | $25+ / Per Hour |
4. Support and Maintenance
Post-launch support and continuing maintenance are required to keep the app effective and secure. This includes bug repairs, app upgrades, security patches, and the introduction of new features.
Typically, maintenance costs range between 15-20% of the initial kids learning app development cost every year. Regular updates guarantee that the software remains competitive and delivers a consistent user experience.
| Maintenance Phase | Cost Estimation |
| Simple Maintenance Phase | $2,000 – $4,000/year |
| Complex Maintenance Phase | $7,000 – $9,000/year |
5. Simple and Advanced Features
The complexity and variety of features have a direct impact on the cost to create a language learning app like Preply. Basic features like user profiles, booking systems, and lesson scheduling are generally simple and inexpensive to integrate.
However, adding advanced features such as video chat integration, AI-powered learning algorithms, real-time feedback, and analytics greatly increases development time and expenses. The more features included in the software, the greater the LMS app development cost.
| Features | Cost Estimation |
| Core Features(Search & Filter Options and Booking System) | $8,000 – $10,000 |
| Advanced Features(Real-Time Video Integration and Live Lesson Tracking & Feedback) | $13,000 – $19,000 |
How to Make Money From Language Learning Apps Like Preply?
Monetizing a language skill apps like Preply requires a variety of smart techniques, allowing businesses to generate cash while delivering essential educational services. Here are five efficient ways to earn money with language training apps:
1. Commission-Based Model
Commission-based models are one of the most frequent ways to generate revenue. The app deducts a percentage of the costs paid by students for each tutoring session. For example, if a student pays $30 for a lesson with a tutor, the app may charge a 10-20% fee. This assures a steady income stream as more people book lessons.
2. Subscription Model
Offering a subscription-based service is another popular approach. Students pay a recurring charge, usually monthly or annually, to have access to premium material like exclusive lessons, priority booking, or session discounts.
According to the on-demand app development company, a subscription model ensures consistent revenue, especially if the software is designed to keep students interested for extended durations.
3. The Freemium Model
A freemium model gives consumers free access to basic features like restricted training and introductory information.
Users can upgrade to a premium membership to access more sophisticated features such as personalized tutoring sessions, advanced learning tools, and offline content. This helps you to reach a large number of users and convert some of them into paying clients.
4. In-App Purchases
Offering in-app payments for additional content, such as specialized courses, lesson packs, or study materials, is another revenue-generating strategy. If you build library management software, users can purchase these additional resources as they move through their learning, enabling the potential for microtransactions within the program.
5. Advertising
Displaying adverts in apps with a significant user base can provide a consistent source of passive income. Ads can appear between courses, during waiting intervals, or on the app’s homepage. In-app advertising, especially when combined with a free version of the app, can be a non-intrusive approach to commercialize the platform while maintaining the user experience.
Conclusion
We are at the end phase of this blog. In this informative blog, we offered detailed information about how to make an app like Preply and what factors can affect the overall development cost. After that, we explored the high-tech functionalities of language tutor apps that help businesses get an idea of features. The language tutor app allows users to find a specific tutor and schedule the live classes according to their comfort and flexibility.
Lastly, if you are looking to develop an app like Preply, then you can connect with an education app development company to receive robust development solutions at a cost-effective budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How Much Does It Cost To Build An App Like Preply?
To create an app like Preply typically costs between $8,000 to $25,000, depending on factors like features, complexity, platform (iOS, Android), and the development team’s expertise. Advanced features and customization can raise the price further.
Q2. How Much Time Does It Take To Create An App Like Preply?
To make an app like Preply typically takes 3 to 6 months, depending on the complexity, features, and platform (iOS, Android), with customizations and integrations potentially extending the development timeline.
Q3. How Much Does It Cost to Hire Mobile App Developers?
The cost to hire mobile app developers typically ranges from $15 to $25 per hour, depending on their location, expertise, and experience. Rates vary between regions (e.g., North America, Eastern Europe, India).
Q4. What are the Essential Features for An App Like Preply?
Key features include user profiles, search and filter choices, booking and scheduling systems, real-time video integration, in-app messaging, payment connection, ratings and reviews, and progress monitoring.
