Verbalplanet Reviews, Alternatives, Pricing, & Offerings in 2025

Verbalplanet is an online platform that connects language learners with live tutors for one-on-one lessons. Founded in 2006, this UK-based service has grown into a global marketplace for learning languages via video calls. In this article, we’ll explore Verbalplanet’s offerings in 2025 – including real user reviews, pricing details, unique features, drawbacks, and how it stacks up against alternatives.

Whether you’re a college student aiming to boost your foreign language skills or a parent in the US, UK, Gulf, or Australia seeking quality tutoring for your child, read on to get an in-depth, factual look at Verbalplanet.

Company Background and Mission

Verbalplanet was established in 2006 in Cheshire, United Kingdom. Its mission is to make learning a foreign language accessible and highly interactive by connecting students with personal tutors for live conversation practice. The platform centers on the idea that “learning a foreign language is all about real people engaging in real conversation.”

Unlike pre-recorded courses or apps, Verbalplanet emphasizes human interaction: students take live lessons (typically 45–50 minutes each) via video conferencing tools (initially Skype, now also Zoom or Teams) with native-speaking teachers. Over the years, Verbalplanet has built a reputation as an established e-learning provider.

The company remains privately held with a small core team (around 11–50 employees) managing the platform. The overall goal of the company is to blend technology with a human touch in language education, enabling students to learn any language from anywhere with a qualified personal tutor.

Global Reach and Languages Offered

As of 2025, Verbalplanet has a truly global reach. The platform hosts tutors and students from all around the world, transcending time zones and geography. It supports instruction in many different languages – essentially all of the world’s major languages and even some less common ones.

You can learn anything from ubiquitous languages like English, Spanish, French, or Arabic to more niche languages like Zulu, Yiddish, or Tuvaluan. Popular languages (such as English, French, Chinese, etc.) naturally have the most tutors available, but even if you’re interested in a less widely taught language, you can likely find at least a few tutors on Verbalplanet.

Verbalplanet’s worldwide community of tutors allows learners to find native speakers from the language’s country of origin, which adds cultural richness to the learning experience. Verbalplanet’s website and scheduling system are accessible to users in any country.

The service is especially popular among learners in affluent, English-speaking regions like North America, the UK, Western Europe, the Gulf states, and Australia. All lesson times are booked in the student’s local time zone for convenience, so a student in Dubai or London can easily schedule sessions without confusion.

Payments are handled in major currencies (USD, GBP, EUR, etc.), and the platform automatically converts tutor fees to the student’s currency. This global accessibility means a student in the U.S. could take Italian lessons from a tutor in Italy, or an Australian student could practice Arabic with a tutor in Dubai, all through the same platform.

Unique Selling Points (USPs) of Verbalplanet

• One-on-One Native Tutors: Verbalplanet provides live 1-on-1 lessons with native-speaking tutors for truly immersive practice. Each tutor is an individual teacher, so you get personalized attention and can build a relationship with your tutor.
• Wide Selection of Languages: The platform covers 100+ languages from common to rare, giving you more choice than many language schools. You can likely find a tutor for almost any language you wish to learn.
• Flexibility in Scheduling: You can learn on your own schedule. Tutors are available across time zones, and you pick lesson times that fit your lifestyle. There’s no fixed course timetable – you decide when and how often to have lessons.
• Pay-Per-Lesson, No Subscription: Verbalplanet does not lock you into long-term packages. You pay per lesson, and there’s no need to commit to an expensive course upfront. This is great for budgeting – take as many or as few lessons as you need.
• Affordable Trial Lessons: Most tutors offer a heavily discounted trial class (often 50%–70% off, or even free) for first-time students. This “try before you buy” approach lets you evaluate if the tutor and online setup suit you, without spending much.
• Transparent Pricing & Loyalty Discounts: Lesson prices are set by tutors, giving a range of affordable options. The average full lesson costs about $22 for 50 minutes. Additionally, Verbalplanet features a loyalty discount program – as you take more classes with a tutor, you can unlock discounts. This rewards regular learners with cost savings.
• Tutor Quality and Feedback: All tutors on Verbalplanet go through an application and approval process; the platform claims it only accepts quality teachers and even monitors their performance continually. Students rate their tutors after lessons, and those ratings are visible, so you can make an informed choice. After each lesson, tutors provide feedback and progress assessments to help you track improvement in skills like speaking, listening, reading, and writing (aligned with CEFR levels). These progress reports and personal feedback keep you motivated and aware of your growth.
• Human-Centered Learning: Verbalplanet’s core focus is live conversation practice. Lessons are conducted via Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar video platforms – meaning you get real-time interaction. This human element builds confidence and speaking fluency in a way self-paced apps can’t. Essentially, it brings the language to life through dialogue and personalized instruction.
• No Platform Commission for Tutors: Uniquely, Verbalplanet lets tutors keep 100% of their stated lesson fee; the platform adds a variable booking fee on top, paid by the student. For students, this means the price you see already includes all fees. For tutors, it’s attractive because they don’t lose a cut of their earnings (unlike many rival platforms that take 15–30% commission from tutors). This model can attract experienced tutors who want fair pay.
• Free Learning Resources: Even if you’re not in a lesson, Verbalplanet offers some public resources free for language learners (articles, language exercises, etc.) on its site. These can supplement your learning. While the community aspect isn’t as large as some language exchange apps, having extra learning materials is a nice bonus.

Drawbacks of Verbalplanet

• Outdated Website Interface: Verbalplanet’s website looks and feels a bit dated and clunky. Navigation isn’t as modern or slick as newer platforms. There is no dedicated mobile app, so you must use a browser (the site is mobile-accessible, but not app-native in 2025). The somewhat archaic design can be confusing initially, as noted by some tutors and students.
• Limited On-Demand Support: Verbalplanet does not have live chat support or a 24/7 hotline for customers. The site provides a contact form and an email, and they even list a UK phone number, but in practice their customer support is slow and mainly via email. Some users have reported waiting days for a response. This lack of immediate support can be frustrating if you encounter an urgent issue (like a technical problem before a lesson).
• Tutor No-Shows or Cancellations: While most tutors are professional, a recurring complaint in reviews is that some tutors occasionally miss scheduled lessons without much notice. This unreliability is not the norm but it does happen. If a tutor fails to show up, you can request a refund or rebooking, but the missed session can disrupt your learning plans.
• Inconsistent Tutor Availability: Because tutors set their own schedules, you might find it challenging to book the same time slot each week if your tutor’s availability changes. Also, popular tutors can book up quickly, while new tutors might have lots of free slots but little feedback. Some students mention having to try a few tutors to find a consistent match, which can be time-consuming.
• Lack of Verification for Tutor Credentials: Verbalplanet does not display tutors’ diplomas or certifications on their profiles by default. There is an assumption that tutors are qualified (many mention their experience in bios), but documents aren’t publicly shown. Students have to take a tutor’s word for it or request proof directly. This is a contrast to some competitors that verify and show tutors’ certifications.
• No Group Classes or Course Structure: The platform is purely for one-on-one tutoring. If you’re looking for group classes or a structured multi-week course, Verbalplanet doesn’t offer that. It’s up to you and your tutor to structure lessons. Some learners might miss the peer interaction or formal curriculum that a class or language school provides.
• Payment and Receipt Issues: Since students pay tutors directly (through the platform’s booking system), getting formal receipts for lessons can be tricky. There have been comments that obtaining an invoice or receipt for company reimbursement or tax purposes is not straightforward on Verbalplanet. Additionally, all payments are handled via PayPal or credit card – if you prefer other methods or want to use a learning budget account, there might be limitations.
• High Tutor Competition (Tutor Perspective): For those interested in teaching on Verbalplanet, be aware that competition is high. Many tutors offer low rates (even as low as $5/hour) to attract students. A new tutor may find it hard to get initial students because established tutors have reviews and bookings. Indeed, some aspiring tutors on Reddit noted that the market is saturated and getting students was “few and far between” unless you start with very low prices. Moreover, Verbalplanet appears to be selective in approving new tutor applications – numerous applicants report their profiles were not approved without clear reason. This is good for quality control, but it limits new tutors.

How Verbalplanet Works

For Students

Sign-up: Students can create an account on Verbalplanet for free with an email address (no lengthy paperwork). Once logged in, you select the language you want to learn and can browse a list of available tutors.

Finding a Tutor: The platform provides filters to help you find a suitable tutor. You can sort or filter tutors by criteria like their availability, price per lesson, teaching experience, location (for time zone), and student feedback ratings. Each tutor has a profile page where you can read about their background, see the languages they speak, their approach to teaching, and read reviews from other students. Many tutors introduce themselves with a written bio and sometimes a short video greeting.

Booking a Lesson: When you find a tutor you like, you can typically book a trial lesson or go straight to booking a standard lesson. Trial lessons are either free or discounted (e.g. 50%–70% off) in most cases. Booking is done through an online calendar: you choose an open time slot from the tutor’s schedule. The system will show the lesson price (in your currency) and prompt you to pay to confirm the booking. You pay online using PayPal or a credit/debit card right on the site – payment is required to reserve the lesson.

Taking the Lesson: At the scheduled time, you meet your tutor virtually. Verbalplanet does not have its own video classroom built-in; instead, you and the tutor connect via a third-party tool. Most tutors use Skype by default, but many are open to Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or similar (you can discuss and agree on the platform beforehand).

You’ll typically exchange contact details (like Skype ID) with the tutor once the lesson is booked. Then the lesson happens live at the agreed time. It’s a face-to-face video call, often with tools like screen sharing or chat to send notes. Lessons last 45 or 50 minutes as a standard unit.

Feedback and Follow-up: After the session, the tutor will mark the lesson complete and usually provide feedback/rating on your performance through Verbalplanet’s system. You can log in to see your progress dashboard, where the tutor evaluates your skills (speaking, listening, etc.) and might leave comments.

As a student, you are also encouraged to leave a review for the tutor. If you enjoyed the lesson, you can continue scheduling future lessons with the same tutor (or try different tutors – it’s your choice, lesson-by-lesson). The platform keeps track of how many lessons you’ve taken, and any loyalty discounts will automatically apply once you hit the threshold with that tutor.

For Tutors

Tutor Application: Teaching on Verbalplanet requires an application. Would-be tutors fill out a profile with their qualifications, teaching experience, and a self-introduction. Verbalplanet mentions that it only admits a fraction of tutor applicants, focusing on those who are truly qualified and fluent in the language they will teach. (In fact, some tutors have complained about getting rejected without detailed explanation.)

The platform looks for experienced or certified language teachers, or at least native speakers with teaching aptitude. However, at the time of writing this post, it is not accepting new tutor applications.

Setting up Profile: Once approved, a tutor creates their profile which students will see. The tutor can set their own hourly lesson rate (in their local currency or a major currency). They also set available times in an online calendar. Tutors typically offer a reduced-price trial lesson to attract new students – the tutor can choose the discount (50% off, 70% off, or even free trial).

They might also opt into the loyalty discount scheme that automatically gives returning students a discount after a certain number of lessons (these discounts are essentially absorbed by the tutor as a marketing strategy, but it can help retain students).

Earnings and Payment: A big plus for tutors on Verbalplanet is that the platform doesn’t take a cut from their listed lesson price. Whatever price the tutor sets for a full lesson, they receive 100% of that amount. Verbalplanet adds a small booking fee on top, charged to the student, so the tutor’s rate is protected. Payments from students go through the platform at booking, but effectively the student’s payment is forwarded to the tutor.

Tutors get paid directly by students via PayPal after each lesson (the student’s payment is typically processed immediately when they book). There’s no monthly paycheck or waiting period – it’s a direct transaction per lesson. Note that tutors are responsible for any PayPal fees on their end and for handling their own taxes, since they are independent contractors.

Conducting Lessons: Tutors teach lessons using Skype or other agreed video platforms, just as described for students. The tutor is expected to show up on time and deliver the lesson professionally. If a tutor must cancel a lesson, they can do so through the system (ideally with at least 24 hours notice to the student). Reliability is very important – tutors who miss lessons can get negative reviews, and Verbalplanet could remove tutors who frequently no-show.

Student Feedback and Tutor Ratings: After lessons, tutors write a brief progress report for the student. This includes rating the student’s proficiency across core skills and commenting on what to work on next. It’s a way to add value and keep students coming back. In turn, students rate tutors on a 5-star scale and can leave short public reviews.

Maintaining a high rating (close to 5 stars) is crucial for a tutor’s success on the platform, as new students heavily consider past feedback. The profiles we saw often display “100% positive” for established tutors, indicating consistently good reviews. Verbalplanet’s team also monitors these ratings and can intervene if a tutor’s performance drops significantly.

Policies for Tutors: Tutors must abide by Verbalplanet’s rules, such as not conducting off-platform transactions with students. Trying to take a student “off-platform” to avoid fees is prohibited and can result in account termination for both tutor and student. Tutors also should adhere to professional conduct – being prepared for lessons, providing the service promised, etc. Essentially, tutors operate as freelance teachers under Verbalplanet’s marketplace umbrella.

Verbalplanet Pricing and Payment Details

Lesson Rates: Verbalplanet does not have a fixed price for lessons – each tutor sets their own hourly rate. This means prices can vary widely. On the low end, some tutors (often new tutors or those from lower-cost-of-living regions) might charge around $10–$15 per lesson. On the higher end, very experienced tutors or those teaching in-demand languages can charge $30 or more for a 50-minute session.

The site reports that the average price of a standard 50-minute online lesson is about $22 (before any discounts). For popular languages like English, you’ll typically see tutors in roughly the $20–$40 per hour range. Niche language tutors might charge a premium if they are one of the few available in that language.

Trial Lesson Cost: Almost every tutor offers an initial trial lesson at a discount. The common discounts are 50% off or 70% off the normal price. Some tutors even offer the first lesson free. For example, if a tutor’s normal price is $30, a 50% off trial would be $15. The trial lesson is a great way to see if the tutor is a good fit without paying full price. Note that trial lessons are usually the same duration (45–50 minutes) unless specified otherwise.

No Subscription, Pay-as-You-Go: Verbalplanet doesn’t require any subscription fees or monthly charges. You simply pay per class booked. There’s also no sign-up fee to join the site. This is different from some language services that might have monthly plans. On Verbalplanet, if you want to take just one lesson, you can do that. If you want to take ten lessons, you’ll pay for each of those individually (or you can sometimes book a block if arranged with the tutor, but the payment still happens per lesson).

Platform Fees and Commission: When looking at a tutor’s listed price, remember it already includes Verbalplanet’s platform fee. The company adds a variable booking fee on top of the tutor’s base rate. For example, suppose a tutor wants $20. Verbalplanet might add a few dollars as a fee and show the lesson price to students as say $22. The student pays $22, the tutor gets $20, and Verbalplanet keeps $2 as its revenue.

This is done automatically – the “total price” you see on the site is inclusive of all fees. As a student, you don’t have to calculate anything extra; just be aware that part of what you pay goes to the platform (that’s how they sustain the service).

Payment Methods: You can pay for lessons using major credit or debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, etc.) or through PayPal. During the booking checkout, you’ll have an option to pay securely. Many users choose PayPal for convenience, but if you prefer card, the site will process it (likely also via PayPal gateway or Stripe).

Currently, other payment methods like Google Pay, Apple Pay, or bank transfer are not directly supported. The transactions are typically in the currency you select (USD, GBP, EUR, etc.), and if your card is in a different currency, your bank will do the conversion.

Loyalty Discount Program: Verbalplanet incentivizes ongoing learning by offering loyalty discounts. The way this works: for many tutors, after you complete a certain number of lessons with them, the platform will apply a discount to future bookings with that same tutor. These discounts are cumulative and reward loyalty. The typical scheme is:

• After 5 lessons with a tutor – about 5% off future lessons
• After 10 lessons – ~7.5% off
• After 15 lessons – ~10% off
• After 35 lessons – ~12.5% off
• After 55 lessons – ~15% off on an ongoing basis

So if you stick with one tutor for dozens of classes, you’ll end up paying 15% less than the base rate for each lesson beyond 55. The nice thing is this is automated – the website keeps track of how many lessons you’ve done with Tutor X and adjusts the price when you book. It works whether you buy one lesson at a time or schedule many; the system counts total completed classes. Not all tutors participate in the loyalty program, but most do (it’s a standard feature site-wide).

Hidden Costs or Extras: Generally, Verbalplanet is straightforward about costs. There are no hidden subscription fees or sign-up charges. The price you see for a lesson is what you pay (again, it already factors in any platform service fee). One thing to note: if you or the tutor have currency conversion, PayPal might take a small fee or give a slightly less favorable exchange rate – that’s outside Verbalplanet’s control.

For example, if a UK tutor lists £20, a student viewing in USD might see ~$25 based on current rates. The platform does that conversion for you. Just be mindful of your own bank or PayPal currency fees if applicable. But aside from that, there aren’t sneaky charges. Tutors are independent, so they don’t try to upsell you on anything outside of lessons (occasionally a tutor might suggest buying a textbook, but often they provide materials for free via email).

Promo Codes: As of 2025, Verbalplanet itself isn’t known for circulating general promo codes or site-wide sales. The main “promo” opportunities are the individual tutor trial discounts and the loyalty discounts described above. You won’t typically find a random coupon code for Verbalplanet online, since the pricing is decentralized to tutors.

The one exception might be referral credits – Verbalplanet does have a basic referral system where if you invite a friend, you might get a free lesson credit and so might they. But this isn’t heavily advertised on the site. It’s not a big part of their model (which contrasts with some ed-tech companies that do aggressive promo code marketing).

Refund Policy: Verbalplanet’s refund and cancellation policy is something you should understand before booking. Here’s the gist:

• If you as a student need to cancel or reschedule a lesson, you must do so at least 24 hours before the lesson time via the website. You can reschedule for free if it’s >24 hours in advance. However, if you cancel with short notice (less than 24 hours) or simply miss the lesson, you will still be charged and no refund is given. The policy states that tutors invest time preparing, so late cancellations/no-shows by students are not refunded. Essentially, within 24 hours of the lesson, the payment is locked in (barring exceptional circumstances).
• If the tutor cancels or doesn’t show up for a lesson, you are entitled to a full refund for that session. In practice, the easiest way is usually to contact Verbalplanet support through their contact form if a tutor fails to appear. They will either refund your payment to your original method or possibly as lesson credit – but generally you can get your money back if the teacher was a no-show. According to Verbalplanet, if a lesson is disrupted by technical issues or a tutor’s absence, you can report it within 24 hours using the lesson dispute function of your account. Any lesson which is not disputed within 24 hours using the correct procedure will be deemed successful and complete.
• If a tutor is running late or has technical problems during a lesson, usually the tutor will make it right (either by extending the time or scheduling a make-up). The platform itself doesn’t automatically refund partial issues; it’s up to communication between student and tutor. But if something went really wrong, you could escalate to support.
• If a lesson was completed but you were unsatisfied with the quality, official refunds are not guaranteed. Verbalplanet doesn’t have a “money-back guarantee” on learning results. However, because you pay per lesson, your recourse is to leave an honest review and perhaps switch tutors next time. There isn’t a formal system for disputing a completed lesson’s quality – refunds are mainly for when a service failure occurred (like cancellation or no-show).

For more details, you can check Verbalplanet’s refund policy in their terms (under “Students – Refunds, Cancellation and Rescheduling”). Overall, the policy favors tutors in terms of protecting their time, which is standard in the industry.

Customer Support and Policies

Support Channels: Verbalplanet’s customer support is primarily via email. They have a Help & Support page on their website with a contact form for inquiries. The most reliable way to get help is to send a message through the online form or email and wait for a reply.

Support Responsiveness: One of the criticisms of Verbalplanet is slow support response times. Since they don’t offer live chat or 24/7 customer service, you might wait a day or two (especially if you’re in a different time zone from the UK) to get a response.

They do tend to respond to public complaints on sites like Trustpilot, which indicates they monitor their reputation, but direct support is not as instantaneous as some bigger platforms. If you have an urgent issue (e.g., trouble logging in right before a lesson), you may have to rely on self-help or reaching out to the tutor directly to reschedule.

Help Resources: Verbalplanet provides a FAQ and a few help articles on their site covering basic topics like “How to schedule a lesson,” “What if I need to cancel,” technical requirements (they remind users you need a good internet connection and Skype/Zoom installed), etc. The help content is useful for new users to understand the process. They also have some blog articles about language learning tips and success stories, but those are more educational than support-oriented.

Policies and Terms: As a user (student or tutor), you agree to Verbalplanet’s Terms and Conditions when signing up. A few key policies to note:

• Account and Conduct: Users must be 18 or older (or have parental consent) to use the platform. You’re expected to behave respectfully in communications. Any abuse, harassment, or violation of terms can result in account termination.
• Privacy: Verbalplanet has a privacy policy stating they use your personal info only for running the service. As a student, your profile info is minimal (usually just name and perhaps the country/time zone). Tutors display more info publicly. Verbalplanet does not share your contact details with third parties except the tutor (who gets your Skype/email to conduct class). No sensitive financial info is stored by Verbalplanet themselves – payments go through secure third-party processors.
• Payment Security: The site uses secure payment processing (SSL encryption, etc.). Paying via PayPal or credit card on Verbalplanet is generally safe – if a lesson is not delivered, you have the aforementioned refund recourse. They also mention that payment methods like credit cards or PayPal often have buyer protection, which adds an extra layer of safety.
• Cancellation Policy: As discussed in the pricing section, students can reschedule lessons up to 24 hours in advance without penalty, but cancelling within 24 hours means you’re still charged. Tutors are asked to abide by the same courtesy – they shouldn’t cancel late either, but if they do, the student gets refunded. It’s a good practice to communicate with your tutor if something comes up. Many tutors are willing to reschedule even if you are just inside the 24-hour window, but officially the policy doesn’t require them to.
• Prohibited Usage: Verbalplanet prohibits users from bypassing the platform. So you should not pay a tutor off-site or arrange lessons outside the system once you met the tutor on Verbalplanet. The platform actively monitors messages to some extent; if a student tries to share contact info and skip the booking system, they can get banned. This policy ensures Verbalplanet gets its fee and maintains quality control.
• Guarantee: Verbalplanet doesn’t guarantee specific outcomes (like “you will be fluent in 3 months”). Your progress is your responsibility as a learner, though they facilitate it. That said, the presence of qualified tutors and progress tracking is meant to help you reach your goals efficiently. Always set realistic expectations and maybe discuss a learning plan with your tutor.

Customer Experiences with Support: From user reviews, it appears Verbalplanet’s team does read external reviews and sometimes replies to them, suggesting they care about issues raised publicly. If you have a bad experience, posting on a site like Trustpilot may get a response. However, ordinary support tickets (emails) can be slow.

So, while Verbalplanet is reliable in processing bookings and payments automatically, it’s not the most hands-on service when it comes to personal support. As a student, you’re largely dealing directly with your tutor for day-to-day issues. Fortunately, most things – scheduling, payments, etc. – are handled by the system smoothly, so you might rarely need to contact support at all.

Verbalplanet Reviews from Real Users

Verbalplanet has been around for well over a decade, so it has accumulated reviews on various platforms. Let’s summarize what students and tutors are saying in 2025 about the service, drawing from multiple sources (Trustpilot, Glassdoor, Reddit, and more):

Overall Satisfaction: The general sentiment among students is positive. On Trustpilot, Verbalplanet holds an “Excellent” rating with an average 4.4 out of 5 stars based on hundreds of reviews. Users often praise the quality of the tutors and the effectiveness of the one-on-one lessons. For instance, many reviews mention that they were able to noticeably improve their fluency or confidence in a language thanks to their tutor’s guidance. The platform’s Trustpilot page shows a lot of 5-star comments about helpful and professional teachers. Similarly, on Real Reviews (another review aggregator), Verbalplanet is rated highly ( 4.4/5 as well) albeit with a smaller number of reviews.

Positive Themes: A few common pros mentioned in student reviews:

• Excellent Tutors – Students frequently commend the tutors for being knowledgeable, friendly, and encouraging. Many tutors on Verbalplanet are experienced teachers or native speakers with a passion for teaching, which comes through in reviews. Learners feel their tutor understands their goals and tailors lessons accordingly. This personal touch gets high marks.
• Flexible and Convenient – Users love the flexibility of scheduling lessons around their busy lives. College students and working professionals mention that it’s easy to fit a lesson in during a lunch break or in the evening, without having to travel anywhere. Being able to choose from tutors worldwide means someone is usually available at a convenient time.
• Effective Learning – Many reviews confirm that the live conversation format really helped them progress. One-on-one practice is repeatedly cited as improving their speaking skills more than apps or self-study had. Students also appreciate getting instant feedback on mistakes. For example, a student might note how their tutor corrected their grammar on the spot and helped them form better sentences, which accelerated their learning.
• Value for Money – Especially compared to traditional language schools or private local tutors, Verbalplanet’s prices are seen as reasonable. Reviewers like that they can find affordable options and that trial lessons are cheap. Several mentioned that not having to buy a bulk package (and risk losing money if they don’t use it) is a plus. Pay-as-you-go made them feel in control of their budget.

Negative Themes: Of course, some users have had less-than-perfect experiences. Key cons noted in reviews include:

• Missed Classes by Tutors – A number of 1- or 2-star reviews on Trustpilot revolve around tutors not showing up for scheduled lessons or canceling at the last minute. This leaves students disappointed. While they do get refunded upon request, it’s an inconvenience and wastes time. It appears to be a minority of cases, but enough that it’s a recurring theme. As one reviewer pointed out, the platform itself can’t control individual tutor behavior, but it’s still frustrating when it happens.
• Poor Customer Support – When issues like the above occur, some students complain that Verbalplanet’s customer support was hard to reach or slow to respond. Several reviews mention emailing support and not hearing back for several days. In urgent scenarios (like needing a refund or help connecting with a tutor), this lack of prompt support garnered complaints. On Trustpilot, the company does respond to many negative reviews, often apologizing and offering to resolve the situation, but direct communication could be improved.
• Website/Interface Issues – Especially in older reviews (and some current ones), people mention the website interface can be confusing. For example, some users weren’t initially sure how to navigate the booking calendar or where to find the tutor’s Skype ID after booking. The design is somewhat “old-school,” which can lead to user errors. However, once people learn the ropes, it generally works fine. It’s more of a first impression issue that popped up in comments.
• Application Rejections (Tutors) – On the tutor side, a number of Glassdoor reviews and forum posts by teachers indicate frustration with the application process. Potential tutors said that Verbalplanet rejected their profile with no or little explanation, even if they felt qualified. Some speculate Verbalplanet has too many tutors already in certain popular languages and thus isn’t accepting more, which could be true. While this doesn’t directly affect students, it’s part of the feedback ecosystem. The upside is that those tutors who are on the platform are likely to be well-vetted and meet quality standards, given the selectiveness.

Glassdoor (Tutor Perspective): On Glassdoor, Verbalplanet has mixed reviews (a rating of 4.6/5) from tutors (note: many tutors are freelancers, not employees, but they still left reviews about the platform). Pros mentioned include the freedom to set one’s own rates and schedule, and the ability to work from home teaching students globally. However, cons echoed what we’ve noted: the website infrastructure feels outdated, and some tutors struggle to get enough lesson bookings in the face of high competition.

One Glassdoor reviewer described the payment system as “confusing for students and tutors” – likely referring to how payment goes via PayPal and the way the platform fee is handled. Another issue raised was that Verbalplanet doesn’t generate as many new student leads as some bigger competitors, so tutors often have to be patient to build a student base.

Reddit & Community Discussions: On Reddit, in forums like r/OnlineTeaching or r/languagelearning, Verbalplanet is occasionally discussed. Tutors on Reddit have commented similarly about the oversupply of teachers. One tutor who used Verbalplanet in 2018–2019 said they enjoyed it but “classes were few and far between” until they built up regular students. They noted many tutors start with low rates (around $10/hr) to attract students, and that some eventually negotiate to teach students off-platform via PayPal directly once trust is established (though that’s against the rules).

Students on Reddit have fewer posts about Verbalplanet, possibly because it’s a straightforward service and not as trendy as some app-based learning. But those who have used it generally confirm it’s legit and helpful for getting speaking practice. There was a discussion evaluating platforms where someone noted Verbalplanet might seem “too good to be true” (zero commission to tutors, etc.), but experienced users explained the catch is you have to find students in a competitive environment – for students, that just means there are many tutors to choose from, which is actually a benefit.

Verbalplanet’s Own Testimonials: On Verbalplanet’s website, they showcase testimonials and success stories from users. While these aren’t verified, they do highlight specific achievements: for instance, one student says Verbalplanet “enabled me to pursue my life-long ambition of learning Russian in a fun, effective and rewarding way,” and another mentions the service provided the structure for an “incredible educational experience” when they were struggling to progress on their own. These testimonials align with the independent reviews in that the personal interaction with native tutors is what made the difference in their learning.

Trust & Safety: Importantly, there are virtually no reports of Verbalplanet being a scam or unsafe. It is a well-established, legitimate platform. Students get the lessons they pay for, or refunds if something goes wrong. Tutors get paid for their work. The concerns are about quality and service speed, not about being cheated. For example, AcademicHelp gave Verbalplanet a thumbs-up for legitimacy and safety, noting the platform doesn’t ask for overly sensitive personal data and has clear policies, so users can feel secure using it. Overall, the trust factor for Verbalplanet is high.

Alternatives to Verbalplanet in 2025

While Verbalplanet is a strong platform for one-on-one language tutoring, it’s not the only option out there. Depending on your needs, you might consider some alternatives. Below we compare Verbalplanet with a few other tutoring services. Some of these alternatives focus on language learning like Verbalplanet, while others cater to different subjects or use different teaching models. (We’ll discuss My Engineering Buddy separately in detail, as it’s an alternative specialized in technical subjects.)

Preply

Preply is another popular global tutoring marketplace. Like Verbalplanet, Preply offers one-on-one online lessons with freelance tutors for languages (and also other subjects like school math, etc.). One key difference is that Preply is a larger platform and heavily marketed, so it has a huge number of tutors and students. On Preply, tutors also set their own prices, but Preply takes a commission from tutor earnings (starting at 33% for new tutors, then around 18-20% after some hours taught).

From the student perspective, Preply might sometimes come across as a bit more expensive for equivalent tutor quality, because tutors factor the commission into their rates. Preply has a slicker website and even a mobile app, making scheduling and messaging more modern. It also has an internal video classroom so you can do lessons right on the site/app.

In terms of reviews, Preply is well-regarded for its breadth of tutors and subjects, but some users have noted that Preply’s customer support and refund policies can be strict (for instance, unused lesson credits on Preply expire if not used in a certain time). If you are primarily interested in language tutoring, both Verbalplanet and Preply will give you lots of choices.

Verbalplanet’s advantage is potentially slightly lower cost per lesson (no middleman cut from the tutor = tutors can price a bit lower). Preply’s advantage is a modern interface and very active marketplace. Both have trial lessons (Preply usually requires you to pay for a trial and then you can switch tutors if it doesn’t work out). Overall, Preply is a close competitor, and many tutors actually teach on both platforms.

iTalki

iTalki is a well-known platform dedicated to language learning through one-on-one tutoring and language exchange. It has been around almost as long as Verbalplanet. On iTalki, you also find tutors for a huge variety of languages. iTalki distinguishes between “Professional Teachers” (certified teachers or experienced instructors) and “Community Tutors” (native or fluent speakers who may not have formal teaching credentials).

This gives you the option to perhaps pay less for conversational practice with a community tutor, or pay more for structured lessons with a professional. Verbalplanet doesn’t make that distinction – all their tutors are essentially offering professional tutoring (they’re vetted similarly). Price-wise, iTalki tutors set their rates in a marketplace fashion as well. You can find very cheap lessons (especially tutors from lower-cost countries teaching popular languages might charge $8-$15/hr) and expensive ones (up to $50/hr for highly qualified teachers).

iTalki charges students an ~4% processing fee on each purchase and handles payment via a wallet system (you buy credits). Verbalplanet’s pay-per-lesson might be simpler for some. A big feature of iTalki is its community: users can post questions, use notebooks, and interact outside of lessons. If you enjoy a social learning aspect or want homework corrected even when you’re not in a paid lesson, iTalki provides those extras. However, if you just want structured private lessons, both iTalki and Verbalplanet will serve well.

One possible downside: iTalki discontinued instant tutoring, so like Verbalplanet you must schedule in advance. In terms of audience, iTalki might skew slightly more towards casual learners and hobbyists, while Verbalplanet often attracts serious learners (students, expats, professionals) who are willing to invest in regular lessons. Both are global and have strong reputations. It’s worth noting iTalki’s interface is more modern and it has mobile apps that send you lesson reminders and allow text messaging with tutors.

Verbling

Verbling is another platform focusing on live language lessons. Verbling was acquired by Chegg, Inc. a few years ago, further integrating it into a larger education company. Verbling’s model is quite similar to Verbalplanet’s: freelance language tutors, one-on-one video lessons. One difference is Verbling has its own video platform (Verbling Video) built into the website for conducting lessons. This means you don’t need Skype or Zoom – you can just log into Verbling and have your lesson in their classroom interface (which has features like document sharing and interactive flashcards).

Tutor availability on Verbling is generally good for major languages, but for less common languages, Verbalplanet might actually have more options (Verbling hasn’t emphasized some smaller languages as much). Pricing on Verbling is also tutor-driven; they likewise boast many tutors from around the world. Verbling does take a commission from tutors, so again, some tutors might price higher to compensate.

From the student perspective, Verbling offers package purchases – you can buy a set of hours/lessons with a tutor at a slight discount, which some students like if they’re committed to a tutor. Verbalplanet, by contrast, handles discounts via the loyalty scheme automatically rather than up-front packages. In terms of user feedback, Verbling gets good marks for tech (few connection issues, and convenience of not needing external apps).

Verbalplanet might be seen as more “old school” but straightforward. Both have quality tutors; in fact, many tutors appear on multiple platforms, so you might find the same teacher on Verbling and Verbalplanet with slightly different rates. For students in affluent markets, Verbling’s polished experience could be appealing if you’re tech-savvy. But if you prefer to use, say, Zoom which you’re comfortable with, Verbalplanet’s approach is just fine.

Wyzant

Wyzant is a bit different from the above — it’s a large US-based tutoring marketplace for all subjects, not just languages. On Wyzant you can find tutors for everything from K-12 subjects, test prep, programming, to languages. Historically, Wyzant facilitated in-person tutoring as well as online, but in recent years it heavily supports online tutoring through its own online classroom. For language learners in the US or UK, Wyzant can be an alternative if you prefer a tutor who might be closer to home or if you want a tutor who can meet in person (for example, a Spanish tutor in your city).

Wyzant’s cost tends to be higher for language tutors because many are professional educators in the US charging US hourly rates (often $30-$60/hour, depending on the language and tutor experience). Unlike Verbalplanet, Wyzant does not generally offer trial lessons for free or discounted; you pay the tutor’s hourly rate from the get-go (though you can have a first lesson and if it’s unsatisfactory,

Wyzant has a policy where you might not have to pay – essentially a satisfaction guarantee for the first hour). Wyzant handles payments and takes a cut from tutors (around 25%). One advantage with Wyzant: if you ever want help in other academic subjects or test prep, you can use the same platform to find those tutors. But if your focus is purely language and you’re outside the US, Wyzant might not be as convenient.

Its tutor base is largely North American, so time zones and cultural match might not be as diverse as Verbalplanet’s truly international roster. For someone in the Gulf or Australia, Verbalplanet or the others mentioned above might offer more globally diverse tutor choices. Wyzant is best considered if you reside in the US or UK and perhaps want the option of switching between online and face-to-face tutoring, or need a one-stop-shop for various subjects including languages.

Cambly and Others

There are also more specialized platforms and apps. For example, Cambly focuses on on-demand English conversation practice with native speakers (great for someone who wants to practice English speaking at any time without scheduling – but it’s limited to English). Lingoda offers structured language courses with a curriculum via group classes (a different model from Verbalplanet’s 1-on-1 approach). Rosetta Stone and Duolingo are self-study apps that some might consider alternatives for language learning, though they don’t provide personal tutors. Each alternative has its pros and cons:

• Cambly is very flexible (24/7 drop-in chats with tutors), but it’s subscription-based and only for English learners – it doesn’t provide the depth of a full lesson plan or other languages.
• Lingoda gives a classroom feel and is good if you prefer a set curriculum and potentially lower cost per class via subscriptions, but one-on-one attention is less and scheduling is less flexible (classes happen at fixed times, albeit many slots to choose from).
• Self-paced apps like Duolingo are cheap or free and good for basics, but they lack the conversation practice and customization that Verbalplanet has. In fact, many serious learners use an app for vocabulary and Verbalplanet for speaking practice – they’re not mutually exclusive.

Ultimately, if having a personal tutor is your priority, platforms like Verbalplanet, Preply, iTalki, and Verbling are top choices. They all serve the affluent global market with slightly different flavors. It can come down to personal preference: some people try a lesson on each platform to see where they find the best tutor or experience.

Comparison with My Engineering Buddy (MEB)

It might seem odd to compare Verbalplanet, a language tutoring site, with My Engineering Buddy, since they serve different academic needs. However, both are online tutoring services aiming to connect students with expert help, and both cater to a global audience of students, particularly in higher education. Here’s how they stack up:

Focus and Subjects: Verbalplanet is dedicated to language learning – it’s the go-to for learning Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, etc. My Engineering Buddy (often abbreviated MEB) specializes in engineering and technical subjects, as well as math, science, and other academic areas. MEB provides tutoring and homework help for over 100 subjects including engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, civil, etc.), math through advanced levels, physics, economics, programming, and more.

If you’re a college student struggling with, say, Calculus or Thermodynamics, Verbalplanet won’t help you (unless your issue is a language barrier), but MEB has experts for those topics. Conversely, if you want to improve your German or Japanese, MEB can also do it for you – but that’s where Verbalplanet excels. In summary, the two platforms complement different needs: Verbalplanet = languages; MEB = STEM and academic courses.

Tutor Selection and Qualification: Both platforms emphasize quality tutors, but their models differ. On Verbalplanet, tutors are freelancers mostly working individually; you pick one based on profiles and student reviews. MEB functions a bit more like a tutoring service with a team. My Engineering Buddy’s tutors are often professionals or educators in technical fields.

They might assign a tutor to you after you specify what help you need, or you can choose from available profiles. MEB mentions that its tutors are highly qualified in their subjects (some with advanced degrees in engineering) and they carefully vet them because accuracy in technical subjects is critical. Verbalplanet vets for teaching ability and language fluency, which is also critical but a different domain.

In short, Verbalplanet’s tutor pool is broad and you choose one; MEB’s tutor pool is specialized and they ensure whoever you get knows the subject deeply. Both have rating systems – Verbalplanet has student reviews for each tutor, and MEB collects student feedback as well (MEB has a high rating from students and users across many review platforms, indicating a very high satisfaction rate).

Pricing Model: Verbalplanet is pay-per-lesson with prices set by tutors, usually ranging from ~$15 to $35 per hour for languages. My Engineering Buddy’s pricing is a bit different. MEB typically charges based on the complexity of the subject and the level of the student. According to their site, one-on-one tutoring starts at around $20/hour for school-level subjects, and can go up to $30–$40+ per hour for higher-level college courses.

For example, basic high school math might be $20/hr, whereas advanced engineering could be $35/hr. They sometimes have package deals or quotes for homework solutions (since they also do assignment help). MEB’s rates are considered affordable for the quality and specialization offered – in fact, some comparisons note MEB is less expensive than certain competitors for the same engineering help.

Both platforms are friendly to an affluent audience, but Verbalplanet might feel cheaper if you’re used to paying expensive language school tuition. Meanwhile, MEB is far cheaper than hiring a private engineer tutor locally, but within online tutoring it’s reasonably priced, not bargain-basement (for good reason: you’re paying for expertise). Also, MEB doesn’t appear to have free trial sessions given the nature of their service, whereas Verbalplanet thrives on free/cheap first lessons.

Service Delivery: On Verbalplanet, you schedule a live lesson and meet your tutor via video chat at the set time. My Engineering Buddy also offers live tutoring sessions which you can schedule, typically using Zoom or an interactive whiteboard online.

Additionally, MEB provides homework assistance where you can submit a problem set or project and a tutor will help solve or guide you through it asynchronously. This is something Verbalplanet does not do – Verbalplanet is purely live teaching. So if someone has a pressing assignment deadline or needs step-by-step solutions in engineering, MEB can handle that by having their tutors work through problems and explain them.

In a live MEB session, the tutor may use more specialized tools (like coding environments, engineering diagrams, etc.) as needed for the subject, whereas Verbalplanet sessions mainly use audio/video and perhaps a shared document for language exercises. Both rely on online communication, but the content differs vastly (conversation practice vs. problem-solving).

Audience: Verbalplanet’s typical users include college students studying abroad who want to learn the local language, professionals brushing up on a second language, or even high schoolers preparing for language exams. My Engineering Buddy’s users are largely college and university students in engineering or science programs, or high schoolers in AP/IB math-science courses.

One could imagine a scenario: a parent might use Verbalplanet to get a French tutor for their child who’s taking French class, and the same parent might use MEB to get a calculus tutor for another child, or help for themselves if they’re taking an MBA quantitative course.

MEB is especially popular among engineering students from India as well (given the founder is of engineering background), but they mainly serve US, Gulf, UK, Canada, Australia and other international students too – their materials and teaching are in English and they operate globally via online.

Platform Experience: MEB’s platform is more service-oriented: you contact them and they arrange help. Verbalplanet is more do-it-yourself: you find and book tutors on the website. Some users prefer MEB’s concierge approach – if you’re not sure what exactly you need, you can reach out and they’ll guide you (for example, assign you a tutor who’s best for “Dynamics” or “Circuits”).

Verbalplanet requires you to choose a tutor yourself from listings, which is fine for language (since any experienced language tutor can handle general learning, and you can try another if the first doesn’t click). But for a subject like “Thermodynamics II,” you really need someone who absolutely knows that subject; MEB ensures the tutor is a match for that subject. In that sense, MEB provides more hands-on matchmaking.

Reviews and Reputation: My Engineering Buddy garners excellent reviews, often praising their reliability and the expertise of their tutors. Many students note that MEB tutors helped them pass courses or understand difficult concepts that they were struggling with. The high average rating (4.8/5) and hundreds of positive testimonials suggest a strong track record.

MEB being a more specialized service means they concentrate on quality in their niche. Verbalplanet also has a good reputation in its niche (language learning) but has a slightly more mixed bag of feedback (some negative experiences as discussed). Both are considered legit and trustworthy.

Notably, MEB has a more involved customer support since it often coordinates assignments – their team is known to be responsive and available on messaging apps for quick communication, which some students find very helpful (it contrasts with Verbalplanet’s less responsive support, though again the use case is different).

Conclusion of Comparison: If your goal is to learn or improve in a foreign language, Verbalplanet is the appropriate choice with its network of language tutors and conversational approach. If your goal is to get academic tutoring in engineering, math, or similar subjects, then My Engineering Buddy is an excellent alternative to consider. In fact, they’re not mutually exclusive – a student could use Verbalplanet for language classes and MEB for engineering tutoring simultaneously.

Both globally cater to students who value quality education. They represent how online tutoring can meet a wide range of needs: Verbalplanet addresses the need for language proficiency in our globalized world, and MEB addresses the need for technical mastery in advanced education. By choosing the right platform for the right subject, students and parents can ensure they get specialized expertise and good value for money.

Future Plans and Innovations

The landscape of online learning is always evolving, and Verbalplanet is likely to evolve with it. While the company doesn’t publicly release a detailed roadmap, we can infer a few things about its future plans in 2025 and beyond, especially regarding technology and AI (artificial intelligence):

Website Modernization: Given feedback about the dated interface, it’s reasonable to expect Verbalplanet will invest in updating its website and user experience. A fresher, more intuitive design could be on the horizon to keep up with competitors. This might include a better dashboard for scheduling and messaging, and perhaps a dedicated mobile app.

Right now, using Skype/Zoom externally works, but maybe Verbalplanet will integrate a built-in video classroom to streamline the process (as some competitors have done). This would be a significant upgrade making the platform more self-contained.

AI Integration: Artificial intelligence is a hot topic in education. Verbalplanet has acknowledged AI trends in their blog – for instance, they discuss using ChatGPT for language learning as a supplementary tool. We might see Verbalplanet incorporating AI in a supportive role. Possible implementations could be:

• AI Practice Partners: The platform might offer an AI chatbot for students to practice writing or even speaking (with voice recognition) outside of live lessons. This could give students extra practice and feedback instantly. They’ve noted that ChatGPT can help with practicing real-life scenario conversations, so Verbalplanet could formalize that into their system.
• Lesson Transcription & Analysis: After a live lesson, an AI could transcribe the session and highlight new vocabulary or grammar corrections that came up. This would give students a record of what they learned. It might also help tutors by providing an outline of the student’s mistakes or progress points using AI, making feedback more data-driven.
• Adaptive Learning Resources: Verbalplanet could leverage AI to recommend exercises or articles to students based on their performance. For example, if a student is struggling with past tense in Spanish, the system might suggest targeted practice or an AI-generated quiz on that topic before the next lesson.
• AI Tutor Application Screening: On the tutor side, AI might assist in vetting new tutor applications by automatically analyzing demo lesson videos or responses to ensure quality and authenticity, which could streamline expanding the tutor base when needed.

All that said, Verbalplanet clearly values the “human” aspect of learning, as their mission states. They are likely to position AI as a complement, not a replacement, for human tutors. The future might be a hybrid model: you learn from your human tutor and use AI tools in between lessons for extra practice.

Expansion of Services: Another future direction could be expanding the types of services. Currently, Verbalplanet is one-on-one tutoring only. They might explore offering small group classes or thematic workshops (for instance, a short group course on “Business English emails” or “French pronunciation clinic”). Group sessions could be cheaper per student and attract those who like a classroom vibe.

Additionally, they could partner with universities or companies to offer language training as part of a corporate package, which some language platforms do. So far, Verbalplanet hasn’t delved into corporate or institutional sales (their site even indicates no corporate classes), but future business growth might look there, especially if they integrate more tech.

Global Outreach and Marketing: Verbalplanet will likely continue focusing on markets with high demand for language learning: Western countries and wealthy parts of Asia/Middle East. In the future, they may localize their platform into other languages (e.g., have their interface in Arabic or Chinese to attract those native speakers to learn other languages).

They might also increase marketing efforts in the US and Europe to remain competitive as newer apps emerge. As of 2025, Verbalplanet’s growth has been steady but not explosive – perhaps a refreshed brand image and testimonials could be part of their plan to capture new generations of learners.

Continuous Improvement of Tutor Quality: We can expect Verbalplanet to refine how it maintains tutor quality. This could involve periodic re-evaluation of tutors, more training resources for tutors, or introducing higher tiers of tutors (for example, highlighting tutors who consistently get 5-star reviews or who are certified teachers).

With AI coming into play, there’s even potential for analyzing lesson recordings (with consent) to ensure tutors are engaging and effective. Future students will have access to even more information when choosing tutors – maybe Verbalplanet will show more stats, like tutor response time, average student improvement, etc., based on data they collect.

Staying Competitive: In summary, Verbalplanet’s future plans likely revolve around staying competitive in the online tutoring space by leveraging technology (like AI) for supplemental learning, improving the user interface, and maintaining a high standard of tutoring. They’ve been around since 2006, and to remain relevant for another decade, adapting to trends is key.

Fortunately, the core of their offering – human tutor + student learning in real time – is something that will always be in demand. The addition of smart features and perhaps fresh content (like an improved library of learning materials or a mobile app for scheduling) will ensure Verbalplanet continues to appeal to students in 2025 and beyond.

FAQs

Is Verbalplanet legit and safe?

Yes – Verbalplanet is a legitimate and safe platform for language learning. It’s been operating since 2006 and has thousands of users worldwide. The platform has a positive reputation and high customer satisfaction scores (4.4 out of 5 on Trustpilot). You pay through secure methods (PayPal or credit card), and lessons are delivered as promised. In our research, we found no indications of scams.

Reviews from real students confirm they received the tutoring they paid for and often had great experiences. The website also has clear terms of service and privacy policies to protect users. Overall, Verbalplanet provides a trustworthy service. The only caution is to communicate through the platform and follow their guidelines (for example, don’t try to pay tutors off-site) to ensure you’re covered by their policies like refunds if anything goes wrong. But you can feel confident that Verbalplanet is not a scam – it’s a well-established education service.

How much does Verbalplanet cost?

It depends on the tutor you choose and how many lessons you take. Tutors set their own prices, typically in the range of $15 to $30 for a 50-minute private lesson. The average 50-minute lesson on Verbalplanet in 2025 is about $22 USD. Some languages or highly experienced tutors might charge more (e.g. $35–$40 for 50 minutes), whereas less experienced tutors or those in lower-cost countries might charge as low as ~$10.

Remember, you’re paying per lesson – there’s no subscription fee. Many tutors offer a first trial lesson at 50%–70% off, so your initial session could cost just $5–$15 in many cases. Verbalplanet also has a loyalty discount system that automatically gives you a discount on the lesson price after you’ve done several classes with the same tutor (up to 15% off after 55 lessons).

In terms of payment, you’ll pay at the time of booking using PayPal or a credit card. There are no hidden charges – the price shown when you book is inclusive of everything (the tutor’s fee + platform fee). If you need an estimate: taking one lesson per week on Verbalplanet might cost around $80–$120 per month, but you have full control to adjust that by selecting tutors that fit your budget and taking more or fewer lessons.

What languages can I learn on Verbalplanet?

You can learn almost any major language on Verbalplanet. The platform offers tutors for over 100 languages. This includes popular languages like English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese (Mandarin and Cantonese), Japanese, Arabic, Portuguese, Russian, and Korean. It also covers many less commonly taught languages such as Hindi, Turkish, Swedish, Polish, Greek, Thai, Vietnamese, etc.

In fact, Verbalplanet advertises that it has tutors for languages “from English to Zulu and Yiddish” – indicating a very broad selection. Essentially, if there is demand for a language, Verbalplanet likely has at least a few tutors for it. The availability of tutors will be highest for widely studied languages (you’ll find dozens or hundreds of English or Spanish tutors online at any time), whereas a very rare language might have only a couple of tutors and limited time slots.

You can check the Verbalplanet site and use the language filter to see the full list of languages. Chances are, whatever language you want to learn or practice, you’ll find someone there to help you.

How do I get started as a student on Verbalplanet?

It’s simple to get started. First, go to the Verbalplanet website and sign up for a free account as a student. You’ll just need to provide a name, email, and set a password (or you can sign up via Google/Facebook). Once you have your account, you can select the language you want to learn. Browse through the list of tutors available for that language. You can read their profiles, watch introduction videos if provided, and see their ratings and prices.

When you find a tutor that looks good, click the “Book Trial” or “Book Lesson” button on their profile. For your first time, it’s recommended to book a trial lesson (most tutors have an option like “Book Trial – 50% Off” visible). Choose an available date and time from the tutor’s calendar. The site will then prompt you to pay for the lesson to confirm the booking.

After booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. The tutor might also message you to introduce themselves or ask about your learning goals. At the scheduled lesson time, make sure you have the agreed communication app (e.g., Skype or Zoom) ready. The tutor will call you there (or send a link). Then you just have your first lesson!

After the lesson, you can continue with that tutor or try others until you find the perfect match. The platform is pretty user-friendly, but if you hit any snags, the Help section on the site can guide you through the steps. In short: sign up, pick a tutor, book a trial, and you’re on your way to learning.

How can I become a tutor on Verbalplanet?

If you’re interested in teaching on Verbalplanet, you’ll need to apply to join as a tutor. On the website, there’s a “Teach” section where you can register as a tutor. You’ll be asked for details about the language(s) you can teach, your teaching experience or qualifications, and possibly to write a short introductory description that students will see. You might also upload a profile photo and can provide an optional welcome video.

Verbalplanet has standards for tutors – they generally look for native speakers or near-native fluency and prefer some teaching experience or certification. After you submit your application, there is a review process. This can take some time (days or a couple of weeks). Not all applicants are approved; as noted earlier, Verbalplanet is selective and many applicants have reported rejections.

If you are approved, you’ll gain access to the tutor dashboard. From there, you can set your availability schedule (times you’re open to teach) and set your lesson prices. You should also decide on your trial lesson discount and enable loyalty discounts if you want. Once your profile is live, students can start booking you. You won’t pay any fee to Verbalplanet to be a tutor on the platform – it’s free to list.

Verbalplanet makes money by adding a fee on top of your rate (the student pays it). As you start teaching, be responsive to student messages and try to gather good reviews to climb the rankings. Payment from students goes to your PayPal account directly, per lesson.

Overall, becoming a tutor on Verbalplanet is a great option if you meet the qualifications and are patient in building up a student base. Just be sure to showcase your strengths in your profile to improve your chances of being approved and attracting students.

What is the refund policy if I miss or have an issue with a lesson?

The refund policy can be summarized as follows:

• If your tutor doesn’t show up or cancels last-minute, you are entitled to a full refund for that lesson. Verbalplanet will return the fee you paid. Typically, you’d contact their support or the tutor can’t mark the lesson complete, and the platform will handle the refund. This covers situations like tutor no-shows, which, while rare, do happen.
• If you (the student) cancel a lesson with more than 24 hours notice, you won’t be charged – the lesson can be rescheduled or just canceled free. However, if you cancel within 24 hours of the lesson or just forget to attend, no refund is given. The tutor will still be paid because their time was reserved. It’s somewhat strict, so make sure to reschedule in advance if you can’t make it.
• If technical problems occur (for example, a power outage or connectivity issue interrupts the lesson), usually the tutor will work with you to make up the lost time. But if a lesson was significantly affected by technical issues beyond anyone’s control, you can reach out to support for a possible refund or credit. Verbalplanet’s policy mentions that lessons “disrupted due to unforeseen circumstances” could be refunded if reported within 7 days.
• Verbalplanet doesn’t have a general satisfaction guarantee like some other platforms. This means if the lesson took place but you just didn’t vibe with the tutor or didn’t like the teaching style, you won’t get a refund for that – but that’s what the trial lesson is for (to test the waters cheaply). After a trial, if you continue, it’s assumed you’re okay with the tutor. Of course, you’re free to switch tutors anytime for future lessons.

In practice, refunds (apart from user-initiated cancellation outside 24h) are not very common because most lessons happen as scheduled and meet expectations. But it’s good to know that you’re protected in cases of tutor no-show or emergencies. If you ever need a refund, you can use the contact form on the site to request it.

They might ask for details like the lesson ID and what happened. According to user feedback, Verbalplanet will issue refunds when justified, although you might need to wait a few business days for it to process back to your card or PayPal.

Conclusion

Verbalplanet in 2025 stands out as a convenient and effective platform for language learners who want the benefits of a personal tutor without the constraints of a traditional language school. It has a solid global network of experienced tutors across dozens of languages, making it a versatile choice whether you’re learning Spanish for an exchange semester or Mandarin Chinese for a business opportunity. The flexible scheduling and pay-as-you-go model align well with the needs of busy college students and professionals in affluent regions – you can tailor your learning to your schedule and budget, picking tutors that suit your learning style and goals.

Of course, as we’ve detailed, Verbalplanet is not without its flaws. The website’s aging interface and the limited customer support can be pain points for some users. And while most students have positive experiences, the platform relies on the quality of individual tutors – so results can vary. Doing a bit of due diligence (reading tutor reviews, maybe trialing a couple of tutors) is the key to success on Verbalplanet. The good news is that the majority of tutors are well-rated and genuinely helpful, as reflected in the high average ratings and success stories from learners.

When comparing alternatives, Verbalplanet holds its own by offering straightforward, one-on-one immersion at competitive prices. For language acquisition, it’s an attractive choice if you value real conversation practice. Alternatives like Preply or iTalki offer similar services with more bells and whistles, but often with higher commissions and potentially higher costs; Verbling provides a slicker tech platform but essentially the same tutoring concept.

Meanwhile, My Engineering Buddy was highlighted to show how specialized tutoring platforms serve different needs – if you ever require tutoring in academics, platforms like MEB are out there. It underscores that online tutoring has branched into various niches, and Verbalplanet’s niche is clearly language learning, which it does well.

In conclusion, Verbalplanet offers a blend of quality and flexibility that is very appealing to students and parents from the US, UK, Gulf countries, Australia, and beyond. It enables learners to tap into a worldwide talent pool of language tutors and gain cultural insights along with language skills. With planned improvements and adoption of new technologies (like AI support) on the horizon, Verbalplanet is likely to continue being a relevant player in the language education space.

If your aim is to become fluent in a language or get personalized practice with a native speaker, Verbalplanet is definitely worth considering. It provides a human touch in online learning – bringing real conversations right to your home, which in the end, is one of the most effective ways to learn to speak a new language.