The Best Preply Alternative for Japanese Speaking Lessons (2025)

If you’ve been searching for Japanese tutors online, chances are you’ve come across Preply — it’s one of the most well-known platforms for 1-on-1 language lessons.

But many learners have started realizing the same thing: while Preply is great for finding teachers, it can get expensive fast — especially if you’re learning consistently.

That’s where KaiwaLab comes in.

It’s not just a cheaper alternative — it’s a smarter, more connected way to study and practice Japanese that ties your lessons, progress, and self-study all in one place.

Why Learners Start Looking for a Preply Alternative

Let’s be real — Preply has a lot going for it: hundreds of tutors, flexible scheduling, and personalized learning. But if you’ve used it for a while, you’ve probably noticed the downsides:

• 💸 High lesson prices (often $25–40 per 50-minute class)

• 🔁 No real connection between lessons and self-study — every class feels standalone

• 📱 Limited support for self-learning — you rely fully on your teacher’s materials

• 🎧 No integrated listening or grammar practice between sessions

That’s fine for casual learners. But if your goal is to speak naturally, improve consistently, and learn affordably, KaiwaLab makes much more sense.

What Makes KaiwaLab Different

KaiwaLab is designed to make real Japanese learning accessible and connected. It combines affordable 1-on-1 speaking lessons with built-in self-learning tools that help you prepare, review, and grow — all in one ecosystem.

Here’s what makes it stand out 👇

1. Affordable 1-on-1 Lessons That Actually Fit Your Budget

On Preply, most Japanese tutors charge $25–$40 for a 50-minute class. KaiwaLab lessons start at just $10 for a 30-minute session — and that’s before discounts.

What makes KaiwaLab even more unique is its Credit & Discount System — something you won’t find on Preply.

Every learner can redeem their monthly credits at any time to make lessons more affordable:

• 10% off with 12 credits (available to all users)

• 20% off with 24 credits

• 30% off with 36 credits (Plus+ members)

• 50% off with 60 credits (Growth members)

Growth users get unlimited monthly credits, which means every speaking lesson is just $5 — no caps, no hidden limits.

Example:

You can book a $10 speaking lesson for as low as $5 when you redeem 60 credits — and you can choose how much discount to apply every time you book.

It’s a flexible, transparent system that keeps lessons affordable for everyone — whether you’re taking your first class or practicing every week.

2. Not Just Lessons — A Full Japanese Learning Platform

KaiwaLab isn’t only about live lessons. It includes a wide range of free and interactive learning spaces to help you build your foundation between sessions:

• Conversations: Learn from real, native-recorded dialogues across travel, daily life, and work.

• Grammar: Explore explanations and examples organized by Usage and JLPT level.

• Kana (Hiragana & Katakana): Listen, read, and test yourself on the basics.

• Counters: Master one of the trickiest parts of Japanese through examples and audio.

Everything connects seamlessly — you can learn on your own, then bring what you’ve studied directly into your next speaking lesson.

No more starting from zero every time.

3. Everything’s Connected — Learning That Rewards You

Every time you study on KaiwaLab — whether it’s listening to a conversation, practicing grammar, or taking a lesson — you earn XP and contribute to your Streak.

That progress isn’t just for motivation; it’s directly linked to real rewards:

• 🔓 Unlock exclusive lesson discounts

• 🌸 Access new content faster

• 💬 Track your fluency growth through your profile

It’s a full-circle learning experience:

study → speak → review → save → repeat.

This connection between learning, progress, and reward is what sets KaiwaLab apart from every other platform — including Preply.

KaiwaLab vs. Preply: Quick Comparison

Why More Learners Are Switching to KaiwaLab

KaiwaLab offers something no other platform does: A way to learn affordably, practice effectively, and stay motivated — all without juggling multiple apps or endless tutor searches.

It’s perfect for learners who:

• Want affordable, quality Japanese speaking lessons

• Need listening and grammar practice between sessions

• Prefer learning that feels connected, not fragmented

• Want their progress to actually mean something (XP = rewards!)

Learner Story: How One Student Doubled Their Speaking Time (and Saved $95/month)

When we spoke with Daniel, an intermediate Japanese learner from Canada, he shared how switching from Preply to KaiwaLab completely changed his study routine — and his budget.

With KaiwaLab, Daniel now takes four 30-minute lessons per week, each costing just $5 under the Growth plan — plus access to all the built-in study tools like grammar, conversations, and writing correction.

With the same monthly budget, Daniel now gets:

• 🗣️ 2x more speaking time

• 💵 $95 monthly savings

• 🌱 More consistent progress thanks to connected practice and self-study in KaiwaLab

Whether you’re just starting or already studying regularly, KaiwaLab’s connected lesson system makes every dollar go further — helping you spend less and speak more.

Final Thoughts: The Future of Japanese Learning Is Connected

Preply made it easy to find teachers.KaiwaLab makes it easy to grow consistently — with affordable lessons, connected study tools, and a community that keeps you motivated.

If you’re ready to take your Japanese to the next level without spending $200+ a month, it’s time to give KaiwaLab a try.

👉 Start learning and speaking Japanese with KaiwaLab today — lessons from $10.