5 platforms compared · source-dated Sep 2026
Online English conversation partner jobs: a plain place to start
Conversation work can be an accessible way to practise online teaching. Some platforms list no certificate requirement, while others use a per-minute or per-session pay unit, publish an asking price, or publish no tutor wage. Compare the source unit and current terms before you apply. Here's the full picture, platform by platform, or start with Cambly's pay record and Engoo's pay record.
Last edited 16 Sep 2026 · Flag a line
Compare pay units before you choose
There is no single conversation-tutor wage. Cambly publishes a per-minute live-chat figure, SkimaTalk publishes a price per 25 minute session, Engoo has no platform-published wage, and Preply publishes an asking band. italki lets tutors set prices but its official fee schedule varies by lesson type. Start by checking the source unit, current intake and requirements, then decide whether the format fits your schedule.
Conversation lessons measure live speaking in different ways, so compare the pay unit and booking conditions before comparing numbers. If you want to teach exam or business English, use our guides to plan a different lesson format and check that platform's current terms.
| Platform | Pay (Sep 2026) | Requirements (source-dated) | What you actually do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambly | USD 0.17 per minute, not an hourly rate | Native-speaker requirement; no certificate, degree or experience listed | Live conversation; the pay meter runs while chatting |
| Engoo | USD 2.40 to 10 per hour, community-reported | No degree, certificate or experience listed in the current record; confirm intake | 25 minute 1:1 lessons; the platform does not publish a wage |
| SkimaTalk | USD 8 per 25 minute session, not an hourly rate | “All SkimaTalk teachers are native English speakers” (official) | Casual lessons for Japanese learners, Asia peak hours |
| italki | No typical hourly range published | No degree or certificate requirement shown in the current record; confirm proficiency rules | Set lesson prices; fees vary by lesson type |
| Preply | USD 15 to 25 per hour, asking | No certificate, degree or native requirement listed; check current profile rules | 1:1 lessons; you set the asking price |
Pay bases and source dates appear on each board listing. Amounts above stay in the company's source unit, and the Engoo range is community-reported rather than platform-published. Requirement details were checked against each company's pages (cambly.com/english/tutors, engoo.com, skimatalk.com, teach.italki.com, preply.com/en/teach). Requirements change, so confirm them before applying. Spot an error? Report the listing on the board.
Conversation partner jobs: your questions
Can I get paid just to talk in English?
Some services publish conversation formats, but their terms differ. Cambly's entry listing has no degree, certificate or experience requirement, is native-speaker only, pays USD 0.17 per minute of live chat, and currently has limited new-tutor intake (checked 17 Sep 2026). Engoo's current record does not show a platform-published wage. italki and Preply let tutors set prices, with their own current eligibility rules. Read the pay basis and intake status before treating any option as a fit.
How much do conversation tutors earn?
Engoo's current record carries a dated third-party report of USD 2.40 to 10 per hour, while Engoo itself does not publish a tutor wage. SkimaTalk publishes USD 8 per 25 minute session with a 20% fee.
Cambly publishes USD 0.17 per minute of live chat, not an hourly rate.
italki does not publish a typical hourly asking range; its official commission policy is 0% for trials, 21% for single lessons, 19% for 5-lesson packages, 17% for 10-lesson packages, 15% for 15- and 20-lesson packages, and 30% for group classes. Compare units and booking conditions rather than treating any line as typical income.
How do I move from conversation to premium niches?
Choose one learner need, such as exam preparation or business English, and prepare a short sample lesson for it. Then compare the relevant platform's current requirements, pay unit and fee rules. That gives you a practical basis for deciding whether to add a niche without assuming a particular rate or booking volume.
Pay figures are source-dated on each listing (Sep 2026) — always confirm final terms with each platform.
Next steps
Ready to apply? Here's what to do next:
- Browse no-experience jobs on the board. Every listing shows its pay figure, or says the pay is given when you apply, and when a person last checked it.
- Cambly pay, Engoo pay, Preply pay, italki pay — deep dives on commission and what you actually keep.
- Where our figures come from — every source date, every link.
- Spotted a wrong number? Report a pay listing.