A different kind of learning experience
Preply and Lingoda both offer live Spanish instruction from qualified speakers — but they're fundamentally different products. Preply is a tutoring marketplace: you choose a tutor, book a time, and the lesson is whatever you and your tutor decide. Lingoda is an online school: you join a pre-planned class on a specific topic, with a set curriculum, alongside other students.
When Preply is better
Preply excels at personalisation. If you have a specific goal — preparing for a DELE exam, learning vocabulary for your industry, working on your subjunctive, or simply practising conversation — a Preply tutor can tailor every minute of every session to that goal. You're not following a generic curriculum; you're getting exactly what you need.
Scheduling flexibility is another Preply advantage. You can book sessions at any time that suits you, with any tutor on the platform. Miss a week? No problem. Have a window on Saturday morning? Book it. Lingoda's fixed class schedule can be harder to fit around an unpredictable life.
When Lingoda is better
Lingoda's structured curriculum is valuable for learners who aren't sure what they need. If you're at A2 and want a clear, systematic path to B1 — with certified teachers, prepared materials, and a formal completion certificate — Lingoda provides that scaffolding in a way that a tutoring marketplace cannot.
The group class format also provides something 1-on-1 tutoring cannot: the social dimension of learning with other students, hearing other learners' questions (which are often your questions too), and developing the skill of speaking Spanish when you're not the centre of attention.
Lingoda's Sprint challenges — complete a class every day for a month — are remarkably effective accountability mechanisms. Many learners make their greatest progress during these intensive periods.
Price comparison
Lingoda's group classes (~€10–14/hr) are more affordable than typical Preply 1-on-1 rates for comparable teaching quality. Private Lingoda lessons are priced similarly to Preply. If budget is a constraint, Lingoda's group option provides excellent value for structured learning.
The verdict
Your choice depends on your learning style. If you're self-directed, know what you want to work on, and value flexibility, Preply is the better fit. If you want structure, accountability, and the school-like experience of a CEFR-aligned curriculum with certified teachers, Lingoda is hard to beat. Many committed learners have used both: Lingoda for structured progression, Preply tutors for specific weak spots.