Best ESL Teaching Platforms in 2025: Preply vs Italki vs Cambly (Plus VIPKid, Wyzant & More)

Which ESL teaching platform is best in 2025?

It’s the question almost every online teacher types into Google after scrolling through job boards and

Facebook groups. The truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but there are clear winners if you look at traffic, pay, and hiring demand.

Platforms like Preply, italki, and Cambly attract millions of students every month. Wyzant and AmazingTalker act as hybrid marketplaces for teachers who want more control, while VIPKid (now VIPTeacher) still offers structured kids’ classes—though only for U.S. and Canadian teachers.

In this guide, you’ll find:

• The most popular ESL teaching platforms in 2025, ranked by monthly traffic.

• Pay rates, fees, and hiring requirements for each.

• A cautionary look at platforms that have shut down (like Allschool).

• Free and low-cost resources to help you survive—or move beyond—platform teaching.

👉 Pro Tip: Platforms change fast. Always double-check hiring pages and student demand before applying.

Most Popular ESL Teaching Platforms (Ranked by Traffic)

1. Preply — the volume play for ESL

• 🌍 Global reach, biggest traffic (≈19M visits/month).

• 💸 Pay: You set your own rates. Commission = 100% of the first trial lesson, then 18–33%.

• 👩‍🏫 Best for: Teachers who can handle competition and want the largest student stream.

• ⚠️ Watch out: High competition and steep commission.

2. italki — best for steady, long-term students

• 🌍 Large language-only marketplace (≈5.5M visits/month).

• 💸 Pay: Teacher sets rates; commission was 15%, but increased in 2025.

• 👩‍🏫 Best for: Tutors who want long-term learners and exam prep niches.

• ⚠️ Watch out: Some languages are waitlisted for new teachers.

3. Cambly — on-demand conversation, slower onboarding

• 🌍 Casual conversation hub (≈2.8M visits/month).

• 💸 Pay: Fixed rates—$10.20/hr adults, $12/hr Cambly Kids.

• 👩‍🏫 Best for: Teachers who prefer no-prep lessons.

• ⚠️ Watch out: Limited intake in 2025 → many applicants are on a waitlist.

4. Wyzant — U.S.-only hybrid that can bring locals

• 🌍 U.S.-based marketplace (≈1.7M visits/month).

• 💸 Pay: You set your rate; Wyzant keeps 25%.

• 👩‍🏫 Best for: U.S. teachers who want a mix of local + online clients.

• ⚠️ Watch out: Must reside in the U.S. with a valid SSN.

5. AmazingTalker — flexible but commission-heavy

• 🌍 Asia-focused hybrid marketplace.

• 💸 Pay: Commission starts high (~30–35%) but decreases as you teach more.

• 👩‍🏫 Best for: Teachers targeting East Asia with niche subjects.

• ⚠️ Watch out: You’ll need strong reviews to climb rankings.

6. VIPKid / VIPTeacher — structured kids’ pipeline

• 🌍 U.S./Canada-only (work authorization required).

• 💸 Pay: Typically $14–$22/hr for 25-min classes. Curriculum provided.

• 👩‍🏫 Best for: Teachers who like structured lessons with kids.

• ⚠️ Watch out: Strict eligibility—Bachelor’s, TEFL/TESOL, U.S./Canada authorization.

👉 Freebie: Want the full comparison at a glance?
📥 Download the Free ESL Platform Comparison Cheat Sheet ebook.

Platforms on the Decline

⚠️ Allschool — Once Promising, Now Offline

Allschool started strong as a Singapore-based option with gamified small-group lessons. Teachers set their own rates, and parents loved the “Class Pod” environment.

But by mid-2023, Allschool announced it was shutting down and no longer hiring. Teachers reported poor support and low student demand before its closure.

👉 Is Allschool still hiring ESL teachers in 2025? → No, Allschool shut down.

Why It Matters

• Don’t build your income on unstable platforms.

• Red flags include: inactive hiring pages, no student flow, and teacher complaints.

• Always diversify—or better yet, start building your own student base.

Survival Skills for Platform Teachers

Joining is easy. Thriving? That’s harder. Here’s where survival mode kicks in.

📝 The MUST-Haves for ESL Platform Applications

Before companies like VIPKid or Open English hire you, they want proof of:

• ✅ Certification (TEFL, TESOL, CELTA)

• ✅ Bachelor’s degree (exceptions exist for some platforms)

• ✅ Solid tech setup (laptop, webcam, wired internet)

• ✅ Professional teaching environment (quiet, well-lit)

• ✅ Clear English and professional communication

• ✅ Engaging demo video

👉 Resource CTA: Missing some of these? Grab the Expanded 25 MUST-Haves Guide with direct links to TEFL programs, budget-friendly gear, accent training, and demo prep → [Insert link]

Beyond Platforms → Building Your Own ESL Business

Why Go Independent?

• 💸 Higher pay ($30–60+/hr vs $10–20 on platforms).

• 📅 More flexibility (no penalties for scheduling changes).

• 🎓 Niche expertise (parents pay premiums for exam prep, pronunciation, etc.).

• 🌍 Safety net (no risk of a platform vanishing overnight).

The Independent Pathway

1. Pick a profitable niche (KET prep, business English, kids ESL).

2. Build a simple online teaching space (Google Site, Linktree, booking link).

3. Market directly to parents (FB, WhatsApp, WeChat, Pinterest).

4. Show measurable student progress (reports, CEFR-aligned checklists).

Tools to Help You Transition

• 👉🏼 Free Platform Comparison Cheat Sheet.— the best platform for you.

• 🎯 25 MUST-Haves Expanded Guide — fill every requirement gap.

• 🔎 Booked & Busy: ESL Platform Finder GPT — compare platforms + plan your transition.

• 🚀 Build It. Buzz It. Book It. GPT. — built to get independent teachers booked fast.

Conclusion

Platforms are great for getting started, but they’re not forever. Whether you stick with Preply, jump to italki, or test Cambly, the smartest teachers use platforms as launchpads—not destinations.

✨ Start free → grow fast:

1. Download the Free Platform Comparison Cheat Sheet.

2. Use the 25 MUST-Haves Guide to secure applications.

3. Are you for help to become independent? Move beyond platforms with the Build It. Buzz It. Book It. GPT.