Deutsche Akademie Reviews, Best Alternatives, Pricing, & Offerings in 2025

Deutsche Akademie is an online German language school founded in 1999. It offers live group classes and private tutoring for all levels of German. The purpose of this article is to give students and parents insight into Deutsche Akademie’s services, helping them compare it to other tutoring platforms and make informed decisions.

Deutsche Akademie Reviews and Testimonials

Trustpilot: The school has 2 reviews (avg. 3.3/5). One 5-star reviewer said they were “extremely satisfied” and praised a patient, professional teacher. Another 1-star review complained of cancelled courses and delayed refunds. This shows mixed feedback: strong teaching quality but some customer-service issues.

Reddit (r/German): One student gave a B2 online course a 7/10. They liked the focus on speaking and interactive practice, but noted the class could use more grammar and listening practice. This suggests that learners benefit from small speaking-focused classes, though advanced skills may need extra work.

Other platforms: We found no large number of reviews on sites like Yelp or Facebook. The company’s own site does not list public testimonials. Based on available reviews, users generally find the teachers skilled and the methodology solid, but some mention issues with communication or refunds.

Is Deutsche Akademie legit? Yes. The positive reviews above come from students who took real courses. For example, one student described the school as “very professional” and would recommend it. No sources suggest it is a scam, though customers should note any mixed feedback. Overall, Deutsche Akademie appears to be a legitimate language school.

Deutsche Akademie Pricing

Pricing Range

Deutsche Akademie uses fixed course fees rather than a per-hour marketplace model. For adults, an 8-week intensive German course is around €295. Private tutoring packages start at about €456 (12 live sessions + 22 study hours). A premium “Pack Plus” (36 live + 70 study hrs + extra 30-min tutor) is €1,299. Children’s courses cost about €69/month (over 9 months). They also charge a one-time registration fee of €60 for students outside Germany.

What students say about pricing

Reviews suggest the pricing is fair for the course type. One user mentioned the intensive program was “extremely good” value (according to Yelp snippets), while another felt the courses “was not cheap”. In general, group courses (€295 for ~60 hours) work out to about €6–7 per hour, which is low compared to private tutor rates. So many find it reasonable for structured classes. (For comparison, 1:1 tutoring often costs $30–$50/hour.)

Hidden costs

The main extra fee is the registration fee of €60 for international sign-up. Textbooks are generally not included (some evening courses note materials are extra). If a group has only 3–4 students, class time may be shortened (15–30 min less per lesson), though students can request a switch or refund in that case. No cancellation fee is stated, but any course changes should be done in advance.

How Deutsche Akademie’s pricing works

Students typically pay for a block of classes upfront. Payment is accepted by credit card or bank transfer. There are no standard subscription plans or discounts listed. They do offer bundled packages like Pack Start and Pack Plus. Group discounts or promo codes aren’t advertised, and we found no special category (military, etc.) discounts on their site. Payment must be made in advance to reserve a spot.

Free Trial

Deutsche Akademie does not advertise a free trial class. They do offer a free placement test online to help choose the correct level. Other “trial” arrangements were not mentioned on their site.

Refund policy

The official policy guarantees a refund if a course fails to run. In practice, their Trustpilot shows a complaint that a student waited weeks for a promised refund, so the process may be slow. We found no user reports of receiving refunds for other reasons. Some reviews raised concerns about extra charges and mixed class delivery (cancellations without notice). In summary, the refund guarantee exists if Deutsche Akademie cancels a course, but some students report difficulty getting money back beyond that.

Deutsche Akademie Alternatives

Students may look for alternatives due to price, scheduling, or subject needs. While Deutsche Akademie focuses on German language learning, other platforms offer broader subject tutoring or different formats. Some popular alternatives include:

While Deutsche Akademie teaches German in structured classes, below we compare it to other platforms:

Lingoda

• Pros: Lingoda offers live online group or private classes in German (and other languages) 24/7. They have certified teachers and a modern platform. Flexible monthly subscription plans allow frequent classes.
• Cons: Subscription model means paying monthly, and courses run at set times. Pricing may be higher per class than DA’s group rate. Lingoda doesn’t use personal tutors – classes are pre-set groups. Overall, Lingoda gives more schedule flexibility and a global community, but Deutsche Akademie’s structured curriculum may feel more formal.

Preply

• Pros: Preply is a tutor marketplace with thousands of German tutors. Students can pick a tutor by price, rating, or background and book 1:1 lessons. It covers many subjects and languages, not just German. Preply often has lower hourly rates and flexible scheduling.
• Cons: Quality varies by tutor since it’s a marketplace. It can be hard to compare tutor qualifications. Prices are per hour (as low as $10-$20/hr for entry-level) with a 18% commission fee. Unlike DA’s group courses, Preply focuses on one-to-one lessons, so it lacks group interaction. If you want community or exam preparation, DA may offer a more cohesive program.

Chegg Tutors

• Pros: Chegg offers on-demand 1:1 help in many subjects (math, science, etc.) through its online platform. It has a large tutor pool and a straightforward pay-as-you-go model. The interface is easy to use, and there’s homework help and textbook solutions included.
• Cons: Chegg is more focused on homework help than formal learning. Tutors may not be native German teachers. Prices are usually around $30/hr for general subjects. Chegg does not have group classes or language certification prep. For intensive language courses like DA, Chegg is less specialized. DA provides structured courses, whereas Chegg is more like an 24/7 on-demand help system.

My Engineering Buddy

• Pros: My Engineering Buddy (MEB) offers 1:1 tutoring and homework help in advanced subjects (engineering, math, science) worldwide. It guarantees highly qualified tutors (often PhD-level) and flexible scheduling, which is ideal for STEM fields. Many users praise the easy signup process and supportive tutors.
• Cons: MEB does not offer language courses or group classes. Pricing is per hour and can be higher. If you only need basic language learning, DA’s courses might be more cost-effective. Also, MEB’s focus is English and technical subjects; it won’t help with German certification.

Wyzant

• Pros: Wyzant is a large US tutoring marketplace covering many subjects. Tutors set their own rates, and students can read profiles and reviews. It offers both online and in-person lessons. For general subjects, Wyzant has wide coverage, including some German tutors.
• Cons: Since tutors choose rates, prices vary widely ($30–$100+ per hour) and can be high. The quality depends on each tutor. Wyzant has no structured courses or group sessions like Deutsche Akademie. It lacks guaranteed course content or exam prep. For a learner wanting a fixed German curriculum, a language school model (like DA) is more reliable.

How it Works?

For Students

Students start by registering online. They take the free placement test on the website to find the right level. Next, they choose a course (intensive, evening, private, etc.) and pay the fee. Deutsche Akademie then assigns them to small group classes (typically 8–12 students) or a one-on-one tutor if booked. Classes run at fixed times via video call. If a student needs to skip a session, they must notify 24h in advance to arrange a make-up. In summary: sign up ➔ test ➔ pay ➔ attend scheduled live classes online.

For Tutors

Becoming a tutor at Deutsche Akademie is not like joining a marketplace. They hire certified, native German teachers with education degrees or exam credentials. To apply, interested teachers would contact the school directly (via their email or website) and likely undergo an interview. The company provides continuous training and support for its teachers. There is no public sign-up form; instead, tutors collaborate through invitation or their own teacher-training programs. (Teachers can learn more on the training/“Who are we” pages) Once hired, tutors are scheduled to teach courses. They do not set their own rates – pay is fixed by the school.

FAQs

Can tutors set their own fee or is it fixed by the company? Tutors at Deutsche Akademie are employees or contracted teachers, so they do not set their hourly fee. The company determines compensation based on the course.

How much can a tutor expect to earn per hour? The exact pay isn’t public. One intern review noted minimal compensation. Experienced German teachers in Berlin usually earn modest hourly wages (often €20–€30), but this can vary by contract.

How many tutoring hours can one get per month? A full-time tutor might teach 35–40 hours per week (160 hours/month), including lesson prep time. Part-timers teach fewer. (The one intern review mentioned an 8-hour workday, suggesting a full schedule.)

Is it easy to get students as a tutor? Yes – Deutsch Akademie provides the students. Tutors are assigned to scheduled classes, so they don’t need to recruit learners themselves. The school enrolls students through its courses.

Tips on how to get more students on Deutsche Akademie? As a tutor you don’t need to find students; the school manages enrollment. Instead, focus on teaching quality. (Deutsche Akademie doesn’t allow tutors to independently bring in students.)

What tutors like about Deutsche Akademie: Reviews mention a friendly, supportive work environment. An intern said the staff was “super friendly” and appreciated strong relationships at the company. Teachers also value the structured curriculum and professional atmosphere.

What tutors do not like about Deutsche Akademie: Some say workload can be uneven. For example, a reviewer found the 8-hour days long when there wasn’t much to do. Because classes may be canceled or small, tutors might sometimes have unexpected breaks. Pay may also be lower than in private tutoring.

Deutsche Akademie: Company Information

Founding and background: Deutsche Akademie (often called DADO) began in 1999. It started as a Spanish-German project and evolved into an online German language academy (DAS Akademie).

Founder and leadership: The director is Martin Gerß, who has engineering and project-management degrees. (He leads the courses and teacher training.) No other founder details are listed.

Mission: Their mission is to enable students anywhere in the world to learn German easily and comfortably. They aim to provide personalized, enjoyable teaching so that learners make real progress from day one. Vision: Deutsche Akademie envisions becoming a leading global online German school, focusing on effective communicative methods. (This is inferred from their emphasis on global accessibility and modern teaching.)

Scale of operation: Headquartered near Barcelona (Spain), with a collaborating center in Berlin and an official Telc exam center in Germany. They operate globally via online courses (students from 60+ countries). Exact tutor/employee counts aren’t public. They have served thousands of students, though current numbers aren’t listed.

Services offered: Their main services are live online German courses and exam prep. They offer group classes (intensive, evening, conversation), 1:1 private lessons, and teacher training programs. They also provide consultation for schools and German exam certification (TELC center). They do not offer non-language subjects.

Subjects offered: They teach German at all levels. (The parent company also runs English, Spanish, and Turkish courses, but this online branch focuses on German.) For children and teens, they have courses, and the same for adults:.

Unique features: Among their advertised USPs are personalized learning, small classes or one-on-one options, and a guarantee on lesson count. They boast native, licensed teachers and daily free support sessions. They are an official TELC exam center (so students can earn a recognized certificate). Many reviews confirm the quality of teachers and the extra tutoring support. For example, one user praised the free daily tutoring as “impressive and valuable”. The small group sizes (8–12) and tailored approach are also noted positively by students.

USP of Deutsche Akademie

• Official Exam Center: They prepare students for Telc certificates in-house. This is real – students can take exams through the school, a feature many competitors lack.
• Specialist German Focus: Entirely focused on German, with a proven curriculum since 1999. Reviews confirm their deep experience (native, trained teachers) in German instruction.
• Free Daily Support: Students get free German tutoring sessions (open hours 3–5pm CET). Trustpilot reviews highlight this as a “big plus” and valuable resource, so the promise of extra help holds true.
• Native Certified Teachers: Classes are taught by trained native speakers. Both the site and reviews mention professional instructors (e.g. one student praised her teacher’s patience and clarity:), fulfilling this claim.
• Guaranteed Lessons: They advertise a guarantee of full lesson hours. However, reviews and FAQs reveal a catch: if enrollment is low, they may shorten class time. So the “guarantee” of hours is not always met in practice.

Drawbacks of Deutsche Akademie

• Limited to German: They only offer German. Students needing other subjects (math, science, etc.) must look elsewhere.
• Refund issues: Some students reported having to wait long for refunds after canceled courses. Officially they refund cancellations, but trustpilot shows this isn’t always smooth.
• Shortened classes: If few students register, lesson time is cut (15–30 min off). This means less practice than expected.
• Pricey packages: Courses (e.g. 295€ per level or 1299€ package) may seem expensive to some. One reviewer noted “this course was not cheap”. Advanced or intensive courses can be a significant investment.
• Grammar focus: Some reviews (Reddit) mention the curriculum emphasizes speaking and may lack depth in grammar and listening practice. Advanced learners might need supplemental study.

Comparison with My Engineering Buddy (MEB)

My Engineering Buddy (MEB) differs significantly. It offers 1:1 tutoring in STEM and general subjects, whereas Deutsche Akademie only teaches German in groups. MEB’s tutors are often PhDs or experts, providing deep help in complex topics, while DA’s instructors are language teachers. MEB’s pricing is hourly pay-as-you-go (which some users call fair), compared to DA’s fixed course fees. Students have praised MEB for its easy signup and helpful tutors, and its interactive platform. In contrast, Deutsche Akademie excels at structured German learning but doesn’t cover engineering or other fields.

Customer Support and Policies

Deutsche Akademie provides email and phone support during office hours (CET/BST times listed). They also allow WhatsApp contact. Officially, they promise to assist with any tech issues but don’t specify response times. Their refund policy is clear: if a course is canceled by them, they refund the fee My Engineering Buddy, by contrast, advertises 24/7 support (including WhatsApp) and often responds faster in practice. Some users find MEB’s on-demand help more immediate than Deutsche Akademie’s business-hour contact.

Global Reach and Localization

Deutsche Akademie operates globally: their online German courses are available worldwide and the site is in multiple languages (English, Spanish, etc.). However, all instruction is in German. They cater especially to learners who read English/Spanish, etc., but need German. My Engineering Buddy also serves students globally (US, UK, Gulf, etc.) via an English platform. Both platforms are internationally accessible; DA’s main focus is global German learning, while MEB is global help for STEM, each in their own languages.

Deutsche Akademie’s future plans

No official announcements on AI or new tech were found. Deutsche Akademie’s blog suggests they will keep adding learning content (cultural articles and tips) but doesn’t mention AI integration. In the broader edtech world, many language schools are exploring AI tutors or chatbots, but we found no public info on DA doing so. The school will likely continue expanding its online courses and perhaps introduce new teaching tools, but details are not disclosed at this time.

FAQs About Deutsche Akademie

How does Deutsche Akademie compare to My Engineering Buddy? They serve different needs. Deutsche Akademie provides structured German language classes (with certification), while MEB offers personalized tutoring in engineering and sciences. DA’s courses are scheduled group classes; MEB has on-demand 1:1 help. According to user feedback, DA is praised for its professional German teaching, whereas MEB is valued for its expert tutors and ease of use.

Where is Deutsche Akademie located? Their head office is in Spain (Sant Cugat) with an exam center in Germany. All teaching is online.

Does Deutsche Akademie have courses for kids? Yes. They offer online German courses for children and teenagers, as well as adults.

What levels and schedules are offered? They run intensive (4 days/week), semi-intensive, evening, and private courses for all levels (A1–C2). For example, there are 8-week intensive courses and year-round evening courses. Exact schedules are posted on their site.

What is a placement test? Before enrolling, students take a free online placement test. This identifies the right level so you join an appropriate class rather than guessing your level.

What if a course doesn’t meet minimum students? If fewer than 5 sign up, the company may shorten each class (by 15–30 min) or convert to private tutoring. If these options aren’t suitable, students can request a refund.

What are the “Pack Start” and “Pack Plus” packages? These are bundled course plans. “Pack Start” includes 12 live lessons plus 22 self-study sessions (for €456). “Pack Plus” has 36 live lessons + 70 self-study + 30-min tutoring (for €1,299). These bundles offer extra practice hours compared to standard courses.

Conclusion

Deutsche Akademie offers professional German instruction with small classes and strong teacher quality. Its strengths are expert instructors, structured courses, and extra support. Weaknesses include limited scope (German only) and some customer-service issues (e.g. refunds). For students needing advanced or non-language help, My Engineering Buddy is a strong alternative. MEB provides top tutors in STEM fields, flexible scheduling, and high satisfaction, making it a great choice for complex tutoring needs.