Essential Features for Building a Tutoring Website Like Preply

The global demand for eLearning has been growing at an unprecedented pace over the last few years. With more students embracing digital education and more teachers adopting flexible, remote tutoring, platforms like Preply have emerged as powerful drivers of this shift. Thus, for entrepreneurs, building a tutoring website like Preply presents a lucrative opportunity to tap into a rapidly growing sector that is estimated to reach $842.64 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19.0% from 2025 to 2030, as per Grand View Research. 

However, building a platform that can truly compete with giants like Preply requires a thoughtful approach, strategic planning, and the right technology. Beyond just a clean interface or scheduling tools, a successful tutoring website needs a solid feature list that enhances user experience, boosts engagement, and streamlines admin operations.

In this comprehensive blog, you will get to know all about the essential features that you must include while developing a tutoring website like Preply. Additionally, you will explore best practices, monetization considerations, and how modern solutions pave the way to building a tutoring website like Preply. 

What Makes Preply So Successful? 

Before you begin building your own tutoring platform, it is crucial to study how Preply positioned itself as one of the leading online tutoring marketplaces worldwide. 

Preply’s success is not rooted in luck; it’s a result of strategic feature development, strong product-market fit, and commitment to user experience. Henceforth, understanding these pillars will help you build a platform that is not just functional but competitive, engaging, and scalable.

1. A High-Performing Tutor Marketplace With Global Diversity

Preply has mastered the art of building a global tutoring marketplace, one where learners can connect with thousands of tutors across languages, academic subjects, competitive exam preparation, and professional skill-building.
This diversity increases the platform’s appeal, giving students more choices while enabling tutors to cater to the global demand. The more options learners have, the higher the platform’s engagement and conversion rates.

2. Precision-Driven Search that Helps Learners Find the Right Tutor

One of Preply’s strongest advantages is its highly intuitive, advanced search and filtering system. Learners can narrow down their search using filters like:

• Price per hour
• Tutor location and nationality
• Languages spoken
• Teaching experience and certifications
• Availability by time zone
• Student reviews and ratings
• Specializations (e.g., IELTS prep, Business English, Grammar improvement)

This sophisticated filtering ensures that students find tutors whose skills align exactly with their learning goals, leading to more bookings and long-term retention.

3. A Seamless Scheduling Experience with Time-Zone Intelligence

Preply addresses one of the biggest challenges in global learning: time-zone mismatches. Its intelligent scheduling engine ensures:

• Real-time availability display
• Automatic time-zone conversion
• Instant booking
• Calendar sync options
• Easy rescheduling

This ensures a seamless experience for both learners and tutors, making global tutoring as convenient and efficient as possible.

4. Integrated Video Classroom that Enhances Learning Quality

Unlike platforms that rely entirely on third-party tools, Preply offers its own built-in video learning environment. This enables:

• Real-time video sessions
• Interactive whiteboards
• Chat and file sharing
• Screen sharing
• Stable, distraction-free learning
• Session tracking and monitoring

By keeping lessons within the platform, learners enjoy a smooth, uninterrupted experience. Additionally, it enables tutors to easily manage sessions and track progress.

5. Flexible Monetization that Appeals to All Types of Learners

Preply understands that different learners prefer different purchasing models. That’s why it offers:

• Trial lessons
• Pay-per-lesson
• Lesson packages
• Subscription bundles
• Long-term learning plans

This flexibility allows learners to choose what works best for them, while giving tutors multiple ways to monetize their skills effectively.

6. A Trust-Building System that Encourages Transparency

Trust is essential in online education, and Preply places strong emphasis on making the platform dependable. It uses:

• Verified tutor profiles
• Introductory tutor videos
• Student ratings & reviews
• Tutor performance metrics
• Response time indicators

These features build confidence for learners and foster long-term engagement, making it easier to match the right tutor with the right student.

7. Data-Driven Personalization for a Tailored Learning Journey

Preply doesn’t just match tutors, it personalizes the entire learning journey. By analyzing browsing behaviour, learning patterns, and past choices, the platform recommends:

• Relevant tutors
• Subjects and topics
• Ideal learning frequency
• Lesson plans

This personalized approach ensures each learner receives tailored guidance, improving satisfaction, retention, and overall learning outcomes.

8. Strong Communication Channels that Improve Engagement

Preply’s built-in messaging system allows tutors and learners to communicate freely before and after lessons. Moreover, students can ask questions, discuss goals, or share materials without having to leave the platform.

9. A Continuously Evolving, Globally Scalable Platform

Preply invests heavily in platform upgrades, UI enhancements, feature rollouts, and new user-centric tools. Additionally, its multilingual support and multi-currency capabilities ensure that the platform serves learners across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond.

Core Features Every Tutoring Website Like Preply Must Include

To build a tutoring platform like preply that can compete with top global learning marketplaces, it’s essential to incorporate a comprehensive set of features. These features not only enhance the user experience for learners and tutors but also streamline platform management, boost engagement, and drive revenue.

Below is a deep dive into features that your tutoring platform must have if you want to compete with high-quality global learning marketplaces.

1. User Registration & Profiles

All types of users should be able to sign up easily using email, phone, or social logins. Additionally, tutors must have detailed profiles with photos, intro videos, experience, pricing, and language skills to help learners make informed decisions.

Registration & Profile Options:

• Email & password signup
• Social logins (Google, Facebook, Apple ID)
• Phone verification
• User dashboards

Tutor Profile Details:

• Profile photo & introduction video
• Tutor bio & teaching experience
• Spoken languages
• Subjects offered
• Per-hour pricing
• Ratings & reviews
• Qualification uploads

2. Tutor Onboarding & Verification

A structured onboarding process ensures that only qualified tutors join the platform. Furthermore, document uploads, ID verification, and admin approval build trust and maintain platform quality.

Onboarding & Verification Steps:

• Step-by-step onboarding
• Document upload (ID proof, certifications)
• Profile approval workflow
• Training materials for teachers

3. Advanced Search & Filters

Learners must be able to filter tutors based on price, rating, availability, language, and specialization. This improves search accuracy and increases conversions by helping users find the right tutor quickly.

Search & Filtering Options:

• Subject/category
• Tutor nationality
• Languages spoken
• Price range
• Ratings
• Availability (time/day)
• Specializations (IELTS, Test Prep, Grammar, etc.)
• Teaching proficiency level (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)

4. Real-Time Availability & Scheduling

A dynamic calendar system lets students view tutor availability instantly. Additionally, automatic time-zone conversion ensures seamless global scheduling and avoids confusion.

Scheduling & Calendar Features:

• Tutor timezone-based availability
• Live calendar sync
• Student booking options
• Automatic time-zone conversion
• Rescheduling & cancellation options
• Integration with Google Calendar/iCal

5. Multi-Currency & Multi-Lingual Support

To attract international users, the platform should display content in multiple languages and support various currencies. This enables tutors to cater to a global range of learners and enhances accessibility.

International Access & Localization Features:

• Dynamic price conversion
• Support for global currencies
• Localized UI in multiple languages
• LTR (Left-to-Right) and RTL (Right-to-Left) support

6. Secure Payments & Wallet System

Multiple payment gateways, including Stripe, PayPal and more, a digital wallet, and reliable tutor payouts are essential. A transparent transaction flow increases trust and reduces disputes.

Payment & Wallet Capabilities:

• Credit/debit cards
• PayPal
• Stripe
• Razorpay, Paystack (for region-specific payments)
• Platform wallet
• Automatic payout to tutors
• Commission management
• Refund handling

7. Integrated Video Conferencing

A built-in video classroom enhances learning by offering whiteboard tools, chat, screen share, and file sharing. Keeping lessons inside the platform improves user experience and retention.

Video Classroom Features:

• HD video calls
• Whiteboard
• Chat box
• Document sharing
• Screen sharing
• Session recording
• Lesson tracking

8. Ratings, Reviews & Feedback

Students should be able to leave ratings and written reviews after lessons. This builds credibility and helps future learners choose reliable tutors and make an informed decision.

Feedback & Rating Features:

• Rating system (out of 5)
• Written reviews
• Review approval system
• Tutor performance statistics

9. Lesson Booking & Rescheduling

Students must be able to book trial lessons, single sessions, or packages. Easy rescheduling and automated reminders keep the learning journey smooth and organized.

Booking & Scheduling Features:

• Book single lessons
• Book multiple lessons (packages)
• Trial lessons
• Automated reminders
• Reschedule or cancel with platform-defined rules

10. Messaging & Notifications

A secure chat system allows students and tutors to communicate before and after lessons. Furthermore, notifications through email, SMS, and app alerts ensure timely updates.

Communication & Alert Tools:

• Tutor-student chat
• File sharing
• Voice notes (optional)
• Email alerts
• SMS reminders
• Push notifications

11. Tutor Performance Analytics

Dashboards showing earnings, bookings, student ratings, and performance metrics help tutors improve. Additionally, reports and insights empower tutors to optimize their teaching strategy.

Analytics & Performance Insights:

• Total lessons booked
• Earnings dashboard
• Popular subjects
• Student satisfaction score
• Repeat booking data

12. Admin Dashboard & Controls

Admin/s should be able to manage users, approve tutors, oversee payments, moderate reviews, and handle refunds. Hence, a centralized analytics strengthens decision-making.

Admin Dashboard Features:

• Manage users
• Approve tutor profiles
• Commission setup
• Payment controls
• Review moderation
• Course/category management
• Reports & analytics
• Dispute management

13. Content Management System (CMS)

Admins should be able to update banners, FAQs, blog posts, SEO settings, and pages easily. A flexible CMS reduces dependency on developers and accelerates updates.

CMS & Content Control Features:

• Homepage banners
• FAQs
• Blogs
• Static pages
• SEO settings

14. Mobile Responsiveness

A mobile-friendly layout ensures students and tutors can access the platform anytime. Responsive design improves usability and increases session completion rates.

Mobile Optimization Features:

• Mobile-first UI
• Adaptive video classroom
• Fast-loading pages
• Touch-responsive controls

15. Security Features

SSL, encrypted payments, two-factor authentication, and data privacy compliance protect user information. Strong security boosts user confidence and platform reliability.

Security & Privacy Measures:

• SSL encryption
• Secure payment gateways
• Data privacy compliance (GDPR)
• Two-factor authentication
• Profile identity checks

A tutoring platform succeeds by combining a seamless user experience with robust features. Hence, your platform must prioritize the above-mentioned core functionalities to build trust, boost engagement, and position your platform for growth, making it competition-ready in the global online education market.

Advanced Features to Elevate Your Preply-Style Tutoring Platform 

Apart from the core features, your tutoring website must include the following advanced features to elevate the platform and provide a seamless experience to the learners. 

1. AI-Based Tutor Matching

An AI-driven recommendation engine analyzes learner goals, behaviour, and preferences to suggest the most suitable tutors. This improves matchmaking accuracy and boosts booking conversions.

2. Subscription & Membership Plans

Offering monthly or yearly subscription models provides predictable revenue and encourages long-term learning. Additionally, students benefit from flexible plans and discounted lesson bundles.

3. Group Classes & Workshops

Allowing tutors to conduct group sessions helps them increase earnings while giving learners affordable learning options. It also builds community engagement within your platform.

4. Learning Paths & Structured Progress Tracking

Pre-designed learning paths guide students through step-by-step skill development. Furthermore, progress tracking and completion milestones improve motivation and course completion rates.

5. Homework, Notes & Assignment Tools

In-built tools for sharing homework, assignments, and notes keep all learning material organized. This adds academic depth and strengthens the overall learning experience.

6. Gamification Elements

Badges, streaks, rewards, and progress levels make learning more interactive. In addition to it, gamification boosts student engagement and encourages consistent participation.

7. Push Notifications (Web & App)

Instant alerts for upcoming lessons, messages, or offers help users stay active and informed. Timely reminders significantly reduce missed lessons and improve retention.

8. Affiliate & Referral Programs

Referral bonuses motivate users to invite friends and expand the user base organically. Affiliate tools help attracting partners to promote your platform more effectively.

9. Corporate/Enterprise Learning Module

A dedicated space for companies to train teams opens the door to high-value clients. Corporate dashboards, bulk booking, and performance analytics add a strong B2B revenue stream.

10. Tutor Marketing Tools

Providing tutors with promotional tools, like custom landing pages and visibility boosts, empowers them to grow. This improves tutor satisfaction and strengthens platform loyalty.

Step-by-Step Guide For Building a Website Like Preply

Building a platform like Preply requires strategic planning, the right technology, and a clear business roadmap. Furthermore, to successfully launch a tutoring marketplace, you need to align your vision with key features, user needs, and market trends. Here are the essential steps to guide you through the process:

Step 1: Conduct Market Research & Define Your Niche

Before starting to build your tutoring platform, it is essential to conduct thorough market research and analyze existing platforms like Preply, Cambly, and Varsity Tutors. The analysis of these giants will help you identify key features, pricing trends, user needs, and unserved market gaps. Additionally, understanding the expectations of both tutors and learners will enable you to create a platform that is more aligned with user needs and better positioned to compete in the market.

Furthermore, to define your niche, consider specializing in: subject expertise (e.g., coding, math, SAT prep), education level (K-12, college, or professional development), geographic focus, tutoring style (one-on-one, group, or AI-driven), special needs education, or industry-specific tutoring (e.g., business, tech, medical). A focused niche helps you stand out and cater to underserved markets.

Step 2: Decide Your Business Model 

Before development, outline the core purpose of your platform and finalize revenue streams. Decide whether your platform will focus on school subjects, competitive exams, languages, professional skills, or a broad tutoring marketplace. Also, determine your revenue streams:

• Commissions (taking a percentage per session),
• Subscriptions (recurring fees for unlimited access),
• Pay-per-Lesson (one-time payment),
• Listing Fees (charge tutors to appear),
• Freemium (basic free access with premium upgrades).

Choose a model that supports your platform’s growth and provides stable revenue.

Step 3: Finalize Platform Features & Core Functionalities

Create a detailed list of features needed for both learners and tutors. Features usually include tutor listings, booking systems, time-zone synchronization, filters, in-platform messaging, video conferencing, reviews, and payment integration. This step helps in defining the project scope and budget.

In addition to them, prioritize the core modules, such as:

• User registration & profiles
• Tutor listings
• Advanced search & filtering
• Scheduling & calendar
• Communication tools (chat, video conferencing)
• Payment gateways
• Reviews & ratings

Step 4: Choose the Right Development Approach

When it comes to building your tutoring platform, you have two primary options: build from scratch or use a readymade solution like Yo!Coach.

• Custom Development: Building from scratch allows complete flexibility, enabling you to design a platform tailored to your unique vision, brand, and features. However, it requires significant time, technical expertise, and higher upfront costs. Additionally, you’ll need to continuously maintain and update the platform.
• Readymade Solutions: In contrast, using a ready-made solution like Yo!Coach can save you time and reduce costs. These platforms typically come with essential features (e.g., tutor profiles, scheduling, payment integration), enabling a quicker launch with less technical hassle.

Ultimately, selecting the right approach depends on your budget, timeline, and long-term goals.

Step 5: Launch the Platform & Onboard Tutors

Once your platform is ready, the next step is to onboard tutors. Start by offering promotional benefits such as discounted fees, premium placements, or marketing support to attract high-quality tutors. Make the onboarding process simple with clear, step-by-step instructions for creating profiles, setting rates, and scheduling availability. A smooth and supportive onboarding experience will set the foundation for long-term tutor engagement.

Step 6: Promote Your Platform With a Strong Marketing Plan

To promote your tutoring platform effectively, use a multi-channel marketing strategy. Focus on SEO to drive organic traffic, paid ads (Google, Facebook, Instagram) for targeted outreach, and social media to engage users with content and updates. Additionally, you can leverage partnerships with educational organizations and referral programs to encourage word-of-mouth growth. This approach will boost brand awareness and attract both learners and tutors, driving long-term success.

Why Entrepreneurs Prefer Building Tutoring Platforms with Yo!Coach

While you can custom-build your tutoring platform, it can be expensive and time-consuming. Instead, many entrepreneurs opt for a ready-to-launch, customizable solution like Yo!Coach, a leading readymade software for building tutoring, consultation, and language-learning marketplaces.

With Yo!Coach, entrepreneurs can launch faster and at a lower cost while still having the ability to customize features to suit their specific needs. The software offers a wide range of built-in tools such as tutor profiles, scheduling systems, payment integrations, and video conferencing, all essential features for running a successful tutoring business. Additionally, Yo!Coach’s scalable architecture ensures that the platform can grow with your business, supporting increasing user demands and offering a high-quality experience for both tutors and learners.

How Yo!Coach stands out naturally:

• Feature-rich architecture: Yo!Coach already includes essential Preply-like features: scheduling, tutor profiles, video classroom, payment processing, messaging, reviews, and more.
• Fully customizable & scalable: You can extend or modify the platform without limitations, critical for long-term success.
• Multiple business models: Commission, subscription, paid listings, and course sales, select the model that best suits your business.
• Integrated video conferencing: Integrated with advanced tools like Lessonspace, AtomChat, and Zoom.
• Strong admin control: Comprehensive dashboards that simplify platform management.
• Fast time-to-market: Launch within weeks instead of months.
• Global capability: Supports multilingual and multi-currency, enabling you to cater to a global learner base.
• Affordable compared to custom development: A fraction of the cost, yet robust and enterprise-ready.

Yo!Coach isn’t just a “Preply clone” but a flexible, advanced framework for any tutoring or consultation marketplace.

How Yo!Coach Aligns with Must-Have Features of a Preply-Like Platform

To simplify your evaluation process, the table below highlights the essential features of a Preply-style tutoring marketplace alongside Yo!Coach’s capabilities. This makes it easier to compare requirements with a ready-to-launch solution.

Essential Feature	Why It Matters	How Yo!Coach Supports It
Tutor Profiles	Builds trust	Detailed profiles with intro video, skills, experience
Scheduling	Convenience	Live calendar, timezone auto-conversion
Payment System	Revenue Management	Multiple gateways + wallet + payouts
Video Classroom	Core learning feature	Built-in interactive classroom
Reviews & Ratings	Transparency	Post-lesson feedback system
Search & Filters	Easy tutor discovery	Dozens of filtering options
Admin Dashboard	Platform control	End-to-end admin tools
Messaging	Seamless communication	Secure chat between tutor & learner
Multi-Lingual	Global reach	RTL + multiple languages
Lesson Booking	Smooth operations	Trial, single, and package bookings

Conclusion

Building a tutoring website like Preply demands a well-planned strategy, intuitive design, and a feature-rich technological foundation. From user-friendly tutor profiles to secure payments and integrated video conferencing, every component plays a crucial role in delivering a seamless learning experience. With rising demand for flexible eLearning, now is the perfect time to create a Preply-like tutoring marketplace.

While building such a platform from scratch can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, solutions like Yo!Coach simplifies the journey. It comes with pre-built Preply-like functionalities, modern UX design, multiple video conferencing integrations, and full customization capabilities, helping entrepreneurs launch faster and scale efficiently. Whether you’re aiming for a niche tutoring space or a global learning marketplace, selecting the right technology partner will be the key to long-term success.

FAQs

Q 1. How much does it cost to build a website like Preply?

Ans. The cost to build a website like Preply depends on your selected development approach, features, and timeline. Where building from scratch can be expensive, using a ready-made solution like Yo!Coach significantly reduces development costs and time to launch.

Q 2. How long does it take to develop a Preply-like tutoring platform?

Ans. The time to develop a Preply-like tutoring platform depends on the approach you choose to build the platform. Custom development may take 6-12 months. In contrast, using Yo!Coach or another pre-built framework can help you launch within a few weeks, depending on customizations.

Q 3. Do I need advanced technical skills to run a tutoring marketplace?

Ans. No, you do not need advanced technical skills to run a tutoring marketplace. Modern solutions provide robust admin dashboards, automation tools, and intuitive controls, that help you efficiently manage the platform. Additionally, if you use Yo!Coach, most technical complexities are already handled.

Q 4. What features are essential for a Preply-style tutoring website?

Ans. Essential features for a Preply-style tutuoring website include: 

• Tutor profiles
• Search filters
• Lesson scheduling
• Session booking
• Ratings and reviews
• In-app messaging
• Video conferencing
• Multilingual and multi-currency support
• Secure payment gateways.

Q 5. Can I customize readymade solution to match my business needs?

Ans. Yes, you can customize a readymade solution to match your business needs. Solutions like Yo!Coach offers full customization, from design changes to new feature development, allowing you to tailor the platform according to your niche or target market.

Q 6. Which tech stack is best for building a tutoring website?

Ans. A scalable combination of PHP/Laravel, MySQL, WebRTC, and modern frontend technologies is best for building a tutoring website. Yo!Coach already uses an advanced and secure tech stack to ensure performance and reliability.

Q 7. How do tutors get paid on a Preply-like platform?

Ans. Tutors are usually paid through integrated payment gateways. Moreover, admins can set commission structures, payout cycles, or automated withdrawals through the platform.

Q 8. Can I add mobile apps later?

Ans. Yes, you can add mobile apps at a later stage. Starting with a web platform allows you to launch quickly, test your market, and refine features. Once your platform gains traction, mobile apps can enhance accessibility, engagement, and convenience for learners.

Q 9. How do I attract tutors and learners after launch?

Ans. To attract tutors and learners after launch, use SEO, targeted ads, referral programs, social media campaigns, and strategic partnerships. Additionally, highlight your platform’s unique benefits to stand out from competitors like Preply.

Q 10. Is Yo!Coach suitable for creating a global tutoring marketplace?

Ans. Yes, Yo!Coach is suitable for creating a global tutoring marketplace. It includes multi-language support, multi-currency options, timezone synchronization, and global payment coverage, making it ideal for international expansion.