Preply

Preply

Global online language tutoring platform

Overview

Preply is an online platform that connects language learners with tutors from around the world. Learners choose tutors based on their needs and preferences and join video tutoring sessions to practice languages. The service works by matching students with suitable tutors, then providing scheduling, video calls, and payment handling through the platform, with data‑driven strategies to optimize tutor-student matches. What sets Preply apart from competitors is its large global pool of tutors, a focus on personalized matching, and a scalable infrastructure that supports high-quality, on‑demand language lessons delivered online. The company’s goal is to make language learning accessible and effective for everyone, no matter where they are.

About Preply

Simplify's Rating
Why Preply is rated
B-
Rated B on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Consumer Software

Education

Company Size

10,001+

Company Stage

Series D

Total Funding

$321.9M

Headquarters

Brookline, Massachusetts

Founded

2012

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Preply raised $150 million on January 21, 2026, funding AI and global expansion.
  • CEO Kirill Bigai said Preply was EBITDA positive for twelve months by January 2026.
  • OpenAI reported 75% of English learners use Lesson Insights, proving sticky AI engagement.

What critics are saying

  • Duolingo’s AI-first expansion and free Max features compress Preply’s pricing power by 2026.
  • OpenAI ChatGPT Translate and generic LLM tutors commoditize language help, eroding demand fast.
  • Kyiv disruptions threaten operations; 150 employees there faced January 2026 grid outages and shelters.

What makes Preply unique

  • Preply’s 100,000 tutors span 180 countries, making supply globally liquid.
  • January 21, 2026 Series D valued Preply at $1.2 billion, with EBITDA profitability.
  • OpenAI partnership powers Lesson Insights, Daily Exercises, and Scenario Practice across human tutoring.

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Funding

Total Funding

$321.9M

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

12 Rounds

Series D funding is typically for companies that are already well-established but need more funding to continue their growth. This round is often used to stabilize the company or prepare for an IPO.
Series D Funding Comparison
Above Average

Industry standards

$77M
$70M
Twilio
$80M
Handshake
$100M
Affirm
$150M
Preply

Benefits

Health Insurance

Relocation Assistance

Mental Health Support

Gym Membership

Wellness Program

Professional Development Budget

Paid Vacation

Company Equity

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

0%
WhalesBook Private Limited
Aug 23rd, 2026
Preply hits $1.2B valuation with $150M Series D, achieving EBITDA profitability

Preply has achieved unicorn status with a $1.2 billion valuation following a $150 million Series D funding round. The online language learning marketplace connects over 100,000 tutors with learners in 180 countries and reported turning EBITDA positive in the 12 months prior to the funding. The company remains private and is not listed on any stock exchange. Unlike traditional EdTech platforms, Preply operates as a marketplace between independent tutors and students, avoiding the high costs of proprietary content creation. The platform faces operational risks including competition from AI and automated translation tools. A significant portion of its operations and workforce is based in Kyiv, Ukraine, creating potential business continuity concerns. Quality control across its decentralised tutor network also requires constant oversight.

Preply
May 4th, 2026
Inside Preply’s First Employee Tender: How Equity Turned Into Real Value

Preply shares how its first employee tender gave staff early access to equity value, with insights from leadership and employees on why it matters.

PR Newswire
Jan 21st, 2026
Preply raises $150M at $1.2B valuation for AI-enhanced, human-led language learning

Preply, the global language learning marketplace, has raised $150 million in a Series D round led by WestCap, valuing the company at $1.2 billion. Goldman Sachs International acted as sole placement agent. The platform connects over 100,000 tutors with students in 180 countries, offering one-on-one lessons in more than 90 languages. Preply combines human tutoring with AI-powered tools, with research showing students progress up to three times faster than average benchmarks. The Preply 2025 Efficiency Study found 96% of learners consider human tutoring essential for progress. Since its Series C round, Preply has more than tripled its bookable tutors and added 40 new languages whilst achieving positive EBITDA. The funding will expand AI capabilities and accelerate global growth. Total funding now stands at approximately $299 million.

PR Newswire
Jan 21st, 2026
Preply Raises $150 Million to Shape the Future of Education through Human-Led, AI-Enhanced Learning

/PRNewswire/ -- Preply, the #1 global language learning marketplace, today announced the closing of its Series D round, securing $150 million in funding led by...

Brown Brothers Media
Dec 23rd, 2024
How To Achieve Sustainability In Gaming: The Gdev Approach

While video games entertain billions of people worldwide, they also have a downside. The industry leaves a heavy ecological footprint: manufacturing and energy consumption make digital gaming alone contribute to 3.7% of global greenhouse emissions.​​Environmental concerns aren’t the only problems: designed for fun and entertainment, game communities often become an arena for abuse and discrimination. 90% of gamers said they have experienced or witnessed emotional abuse or bullying, according to a Preply survey.On top of that, consumers and investors become more conscious and demanding about the ethical and ecological aspects of products. For example, investors use the ESG (Environmental, social, and governance) criteria to evaluate companies.Game holding GDEV ranked in the top 12% of 16,000 companies worldwide for low ESG risk (by Sustainalytics), recently released a sustainability report. It covers the company’s practices to adapt the business to ecological, social, and governmental issues.Green Light for Sustainable BusinessGDEV’s Sustainability Strategy outlines Three Pathways that reflect our impact on employees, local communities, and the global community across Four Focus Areas (our teams, our players, communities, and the environment) aligned with our interactions with the world.Games for Good PhilosophyGDEV’s Games for Good philosophy is simple but ambitious: games have the power to create positive change. It has three main foundations:Stress Relief: Games provide a safe space for players to recharge.Games provide a safe space for players to recharge

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