How much do online Japanese tutors cost?

Last checked: 2026-11-06

Preply says Japanese lessons start from $4, with an average of $19. On italki, the first 20 teacher prices we saw were trial lesson prices of $5 to $48. These are listing prices on one day, and regular lesson prices are shown on each teacher's profile.

What we saw on each platform

Listings change often and depend on your currency and location. Preply showed yen in our session, and its average was shown in dollars. The two platforms show different things, so the columns are not a direct price comparison.

What 10 lessons might cost

At Preply's stated average of $19, ten lessons cost about $190 before any fees or taxes shown at checkout. Use a teacher's real price in your own calculation.

How to compare fairly

• Same length. Convert each price to the same lesson length.
• Regular price. A trial price is not the price you will keep paying.
• Checkout total. Look at the final amount, including any platform fee.
• Refund and switching rules. Preply advertises free tutor replacement. Read the current terms on either site before you buy a package.

What to ask a tutor for JLPT study

Ask which JLPT level they have taught, and how they would work on your weakest section. Each JLPT section has a minimum score, so one weak section can fail you. See the official pass marks and the pass rates by level. The official practice workbook is a low-cost way to find that weak section first.

Which should you try first?

We have not tested lessons on either platform, so we do not rank them. Look at a few teachers on both and book the trial that fits your goal.

Thinking about studying in Japan instead? See Japanese language school costs and MEXT and JASSO scholarships.

Check tutors and current prices on Preply.

See Japanese tutors on Preply

Check teachers and current prices on italki.

See Japanese teachers on italki

Sources

• Preply: online Japanese tutors
• italki: Japanese teachers