The 7 Best Online English Tutoring Services of 2023

IntellectoKids is perfect for the youngest learners because they’ll get one-on-one tutoring that employs games, songs, and chants that help them build skills and make learning fun. Lessons are 45 minutes long, ideal for young attention spans. 

IntellectoKids offers more than just English tutoring, but its English program focuses on phonics, reading, writing, spelling, and language. The lessons align with the U.S. public school curriculum. 

You can book a free tutoring trial on the website before committing. You can access the company's apps with a $30 yearly subscription. Tutoring may have an extra cost, but you'll need to inquire with the company for more details.

Skooli is probably best known for being a flexible, interactive platform for a wide variety of subjects, particularly for high school and college students. But Skooli also offers ESL tutoring for any age and proficiency level.

If you want tutoring without being locked into a specific number or length of courses, Skooli’s services might be a good option. Students can work with a tutor on an ongoing basis or just log on for instant help with specific questions. Skooli’s rates are pay-as-you-go at about $1 per minute; you won't pay for a monthly or yearly subscription.

Although the platform itself is flexible, its standards for tutors aren’t. Instructors all have at least a bachelor’s degree and a valid teaching license, and many have a specialized certification in their field (in this case, some form of ESL teaching certification).

The platform allows you to use online classrooms to video chat, practice conversations, write on a virtual whiteboard, and more. For adult language learners who are probably looking for a no-frills approach that still has all the resources they need to learn, Skooli’s setup allows for a degree of independence, while still allowing them to connect with experienced tutors for learning and practice.

Verbling has a multi-faceted platform that facilitates learning at any level, but advanced students are particularly likely to find the extra features helpful.

The site has the usual offerings—video and text-based chat—but it also includes some extras that help tutors and students customize learning. The virtual classroom includes the ability to share files back and forth, so tutors can send worksheets and real-life text examples that can support learning. There’s even the option to create custom flashcards that you can use between live lessons.

Because Verbling leans on its reputation for using high-level pedagogy to improve the learning experience, it also has an unusually high percentage of top-tier teachers. All tutors must have a teaching certificate or verifiable language teaching experience, but most have both. The company will not accept inexperienced teachers, and the application process is competitive.

If you’re an advanced student seeking an experienced tutor, Verbling can offer that assurance—at lower prices. Tutors set their own rates; prices range from $5 to $75 per hour, but the average is $24.

If you’re looking for the perfect blend of practical, career-focused language learning and an actual class structure, Lingoda may be the right fit for you.

The platform is popular for its occasional "language sprint" promotion, which offers partial refunds for completing a certain number of classes within a given time span. Even if you’re not up for a language challenge, Lingoda's lessons are well suited for adults’ learning needs and schedules.

There are a variety of packages with different rates: Students taking three group classes per week pay about $150 per month (or roughly $330 for individual tutoring), while choosing one of the Language Marathon options allows students to pay around $880 for 60 classes, with a 100% cash-back option for students who attend every course.

The tutoring system at Lingoda is more structured than just one-on-one casual tutoring, but that’s what makes it work for adults who may be seeking classes they couldn’t take elsewhere. Students can sign up for one-on-one classes or small group classes (often about three to four students per class) and can choose individual, 60-minute classes based on what topics interest them the most.

The platform only accepts professional teachers with language teaching experience, so students at any proficiency level can rest assured they’re being taught not just by native speakers, but by trained teachers.

Advanced English students are likely to enjoy the customizable learning environment on Preply, a tutoring service that includes language learning as one of its biggest attractions.

Finding a tutor is pretty straightforward, but Preply works to make sure every student finds the right match for their needs. Since advanced learners are likelier to have more specific goals, the structure is perfect for them. Tutors set their own rates, ranging from about $20 per hour to around $70 or higher.

Students can browse tutors’ profiles, searching by language, price, availability, or other important factors, and they can also see feedback provided by past students. There’s an option to book a trial lesson, during which students can talk with a tutor to find out if their expertise matches the student’s goals. If it works out, they can work together to craft a lesson plan that addresses the student’s individual needs.

The emphasis is on customized, individual instruction, and although teachers aren’t required to have specialized certifications, many of the best tutors have language certificates and in-depth teaching experience.

If you’re not looking for formal, structured lessons, Cambly might be the tutoring service for you. The basic premise is simple: Instead of a classroom setting, English students can speak with native English speakers through live chats.

Students can practice talking about a specific topic, studying for the TOEFL or IELTS, or casually brushing up their skills. The focus is on real conversation with English speakers rather than heavily structured instruction. The platform does offer practical courses that are a little more structured as well, and they’re nearly all targeted at specific needs.

Lessons on informal conversation topics (such as family, hobbies, food, and more) and business English are also available. Additional courses for intermediate to advanced learners focus on more niche topics like pop culture, fitness, and technology. It’s a laid-back way to learn English in a practical sense, focusing on the types of conversations you’re most likely to have in the real world.

Cambly’s price plans are customized based on how frequently you want to use the service: choose from two, three, or five days per week and 15, 30, or 60 minutes per day to obtain a quote.

Italki, which offers tutoring for English among several languages, is another excellent option for students looking for a more informal approach alongside traditional learning.

Students can choose which level of tutoring they want: a Professional Teacher, who is required to be certified in teaching their native language as a second language, or a Community Tutor, who is simply a native speaker who teaches informally or acts as a practice conversation partner.

Italki's flexibility is one of its most appealing features, especially for learners who may not have space in their schedules for formal classes on a regular basis. Students can log on anytime, anywhere (as can tutors), and even the payment plan is flexible, allowing students to pay per lesson instead of signing up for a full course or monthly plan.

Rates are set by each tutor, and most range from about $15 to $40 per hour. Plus, you can get a feel for what each tutor is like before connecting with them since tutors must have a video introduction on their profiles. It’s a lower-risk option that can still yield great results.