Verbling review for English teachers (2026): still operating under Chegg, reported 15% commission, tutors set their own rates (about $14–$30/hour), teaching experience required, no degree needed, weekly PayPal/Payoneer/Wise payouts, plus italki and Preply alternatives.
This Verbling review is written for English teachers, not language learners: Verbling is an online tutor marketplace where qualified teachers set their own rates and teach students one-to-one over video. It is still operating in 2026 under Chegg ownership, takes a reported 15% commission, and only accepts tutors who can prove teaching experience. Below you will find pay, requirements, the application process and how it compares with italki and Preply.
TL;DR
- Status (2026): Verbling is operating and accepting tutor applications for all languages, including English. It has been owned by Chegg since Chegg bought Busuu in 2021.
- Pay: you set your own rate; English tutors reportedly charge about $14–$30 per hour, and Verbling keeps a reported 15% commission.
- Requirements: verifiable teaching experience and C2-level English. No degree needed and non-native speakers accepted; a TEFL certificate strongly helps.
- Payment: weekly cash-out via PayPal, Payoneer or Wise, with a $1–$3 Verbling transfer fee.
- Verdict: a good fit for experienced, self-marketing tutors who want lower fees than Preply; beginners will find italki or Cambly easier to get into.
Last updated: November 2026
Table of Contents
- What Is Verbling and Is It Still Hiring in 2026?
- Who Is Verbling Best For?
- How Much Do Verbling Teachers Earn?
- Verbling Teacher Requirements
- How to Apply to Teach on Verbling
- Verbling Pros and Cons for Teachers
- Verbling vs italki, Preply and Other Alternatives
- Related Guides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
What Is Verbling and Is It Still Hiring in 2026?
Verbling is a marketplace that connects language learners with independent tutors for live, one-to-one video lessons. It was founded in 2011 by three Stanford graduates and went through Y Combinator. Unlike company-run platforms that assign students and fix pay, Verbling lets each tutor build a profile, set prices and manage a calendar.
Ownership has changed twice. The language app Busuu acquired Verbling in January 2020, and the US education company Chegg bought Busuu in late 2021, so Verbling now sits inside Chegg’s language-learning business. Chegg has been cutting costs and refocusing on skills learning since 2025, but Verbling remains live and continues to take new students and tutor applications.
On hiring: Verbling’s teach page says it is accepting teachers for all languages, and applications are reviewed within about two weeks. Its help centre also warns that admissions for some languages have been temporarily paused in the past when applications surged, so check the application page before investing time in a profile.
Verbling is a freelance marketplace, not a China kids platform, so it was not affected by China’s 2021 “double reduction” tutoring rules that closed or reshaped services such as DaDa and Qkids. Most students are adults from Europe, Latin America and Asia who want conversation practice, exam preparation or business English.
Who Is Verbling Best For?
Verbling rewards tutors who already know how to teach and can market themselves. It suits you if you:
- Have at least some verifiable experience teaching English to non-native speakers, online or in a classroom.
- Want to set your own prices and build a long-term base of regular students.
- Teach adults, especially business English, IELTS or TOEFL preparation, or advanced conversation.
- Are a fluent non-native speaker with C2 English — Verbling does not require native-speaker status.
- Prefer a lower commission than Preply’s sliding scale and are comfortable getting fewer leads than on bigger marketplaces.
If you have no teaching background yet, start with our guide to landing your first online teaching job, then come back to Verbling once you have experience to show.
How Much Do Verbling Teachers Earn?
Verbling does not pay a fixed hourly wage. You choose your rate, students book and pay through the platform, and Verbling deducts its commission before your earnings appear in your account.
| Item | Verbling (2026) |
|---|---|
| Hourly rate | Set by you; English tutors reportedly charge about $14–$30, specialists more |
| Commission | Reported 15% of each lesson |
| Take-home at $20/hour | About $17 |
| Student fee | 8% Trust and Support fee added at checkout (paid by the student) |
| Trial lessons | Optional; you can offer discounted or free trials |
| Payment methods | PayPal, Payoneer, Wise |
| Minimum cash-out | $10 (PayPal, Wise), $20 (Payoneer) |
| Verbling transfer fee | $1 PayPal US, $2 PayPal international, $3 Payoneer or Wise |
| Pay schedule | Earnings unlock weekly on Sunday or Monday |
| Schedule | Fully flexible; you publish your own availability |
A few practical points. You must cash out your full balance at once, because partial withdrawals are not supported. New payment methods take about 24 hours to verify. Your payment provider may also charge its own currency or withdrawal fees on top of Verbling’s transfer fee.
Income depends on bookings rather than hours logged in. Tutors with strong profiles and good reviews can fill a full-time schedule, but most newcomers start with a handful of lessons a week. For a detailed breakdown, see our Verbling requirements and salary guide.
Verbling Teacher Requirements
Verbling is more selective than open marketplaces. Based on its teach page and current teacher guides, you need:
- Teaching experience: proof of previous experience teaching English to non-native speakers, such as a CV plus a reference letter. This is the main requirement.
- Certificate (strongly preferred): a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA certificate improves your chances and is needed for a verified badge. A 120-hour TEFL course is the usual benchmark.
- Language level: C2 command of English. Native speakers and fluent non-native speakers are both accepted.
- No degree required: a university degree is not a formal requirement, which makes Verbling an option for teachers covered in our guide to teaching English online without a degree.
- Introduction video: a short 2–3 minute video introducing yourself and your teaching style.
- ID and profile: government ID, a professional photo, a teaching bio and your weekly availability.
- Equipment: a laptop or desktop computer, webcam, headset or microphone, a fast stable internet connection and Google Chrome. Teaching from a phone is not supported.
Requirements across platforms vary widely. Our pillar guide to the requirements to teach English online compares what the major companies ask for.
How to Apply to Teach on Verbling
- Create a free Verbling account and log in.
- Open the teacher application at Verbling’s teach page and fill in your teaching background, languages and rates.
- Upload proof of experience (CV, reference letter) and any teaching certificate.
- Record and upload your 2–3 minute introduction video.
- Submit ID, a photo, your bio and an internet speed test, then accept the tutor agreement.
- Wait for a decision by email, usually within two weeks (Verbling’s help centre says up to 15 business days).
Tips: write a bio that names who you teach (for example, Spanish-speaking professionals preparing for job interviews), keep the video well lit and natural, and price slightly below your target rate until you collect your first reviews.
Verbling Pros and Cons for Teachers
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Reported 15% commission, lower than Preply’s starting fee | Smaller student base than italki or Preply, so bookings build slowly |
| You set your own rates and schedule | Requires proof of teaching experience; harder for beginners |
| Accepts non-native speakers with C2 English | Admissions for some languages have been paused at times |
| No degree required | Students pay an extra 8% fee, which can make you look pricier |
| Weekly payouts via PayPal, Payoneer or Wise | $1–$3 transfer fee and full-balance-only cash-outs |
| Built-in video classroom with shared materials | Desktop only for teaching; parent company Chegg is restructuring |
Verbling vs italki, Preply and Other Alternatives
If Verbling’s experience requirement or lower traffic is a problem, these tutor marketplaces are the closest alternatives:
| Platform | Commission / pay model | Entry requirements | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verbling | You set rates; reported 15% commission | Teaching experience, C2 English, certificate preferred | Experienced tutors who want low fees |
| italki | You set rates; reported 15% commission | Community tutor tier needs no certificate; professional tier needs credentials | Beginners and conversation tutors |
| Preply | You set rates; Preply keeps the trial lesson fee with each new student, then a sliding commission that falls as you teach more hours | No certificate required | High student volume |
| AmazingTalker | You set rates; platform commission | Teaching experience or certificate | Tutors targeting Asian students |
| Superprof | You set rates; students pay Superprof a membership, tutor keeps the lesson fee | Open sign-up | Local and online private tutoring |
Read our full italki review and Preply review to compare student volume and fees in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Verbling legit?
Yes. Verbling is a real tutor marketplace founded in 2011 by Stanford graduates and backed by Y Combinator. Busuu bought it in 2020 and Chegg acquired Busuu in 2021, so Verbling is now part of Chegg’s language-learning business. Teachers are paid weekly through PayPal, Payoneer or Wise.
Is Verbling still hiring English teachers in 2026?
Yes. Verbling’s teach page says it accepts teachers for all languages and reviews applications within about two weeks. Its help centre notes that admissions for some languages have been paused at times when applications surge, so English tutors should expect a selective process.
How much commission does Verbling take from teachers?
Verbling is widely reported to take a 15% commission on each lesson, so a teacher charging $20 an hour keeps about $17. Students also pay a separate 8% Trust and Support fee at checkout, and Verbling charges $1 to $3 per cash-out depending on the method.
How much can you earn teaching English on Verbling?
You set your own hourly rate. English tutors on Verbling reportedly charge about $14 to $30 an hour, and some experienced specialists charge more. After the 15% commission, that means roughly $12 to $25 an hour, depending on how many lessons you book.
Do you need a degree or TEFL certificate to teach on Verbling?
A degree is not required, but verifiable teaching experience is. Verbling asks for proof such as a CV and reference letter, and says a formal certificate such as a 120-hour TEFL improves your chances. Without a certificate or proven experience, applications are not accepted.
Do you have to be a native English speaker to teach on Verbling?
No. Verbling accepts non-native teachers who have a very good, C2-level command of English. You still need teaching experience, a clear introduction video, a reliable computer setup and a strong internet connection to pass the application review. Strong non-native tutors often market themselves to students who share their first language.
How does Verbling pay its teachers?
Earnings build up weekly and unlock on Sunday or Monday, depending on your time zone. You cash out your full balance through PayPal or Wise (minimum $10) or Payoneer (minimum $20). Verbling charges $1 to $3 per transfer and providers may add their own fees.
Conclusion
Verbling is a legitimate, still-active marketplace that suits experienced English teachers who want to set their own prices and keep about 85% of each lesson. If you are newer to teaching, build experience on a more open platform first, and check our guide to the requirements to teach English online to choose your next step.
