italki is a paid language-learning website for beginner to advanced learners (A1–C2). The cheapest way to speak the language every week, if you choose the tutor well.
Checked October 2026 on the official site ·
About italki
italki is a marketplace of French tutors for one-to-one video lessons, from professional teachers to community tutors for conversation practice. Each tutor sets their own price, and many offer discounted trial lessons; italki says no tutor gives fully free lessons. It suits a learner who needs to speak with a real person every week. Quality depends entirely on the tutor you pick, and a lesson without a plan quickly turns into small talk.
How it compares
| App | Price | Levels | Real-speed audio | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| italki | Set by each tutor; italki says $4 to $60 an hour for Frenchchecked 2026-10-09 (italki.com/en/teachers/french) | A1–C2 | Yes | The cheapest way to speak the language every week, if you choose the tutor well. |
| Preply | Set by each tutor; from $3, average $21 per lessonchecked 2026-10-09 (preply.com/en/online/french-tutors) | A1–C2 | Yes | A huge choice of tutors at every price; pick carefully. |
| Lingoda | From €184.99 per 4 weeks (5 group classes) | A1–C1 | Yes | Real classes on a timetable; costly per minute of speaking. |
| Tandem | Free to join; Tandem Pro $14.99/mo or $69.99/yrchecked 2026-10-09 (US App Store in-app purchases) | A2–C2 | Yes | Free conversation partners, screened at sign-up; unstructured by nature. |
Prices as shown on the official site on the date given; they vary by country and change often.
