# italki

> italki connects language learners with independent professional teachers and community tutors for paid online lessons. Teachers set their prices and availability, learners choose their match, and the company earns lesson commissions. Group classes, a free learning community, assessments, corporate training and the optional italki Plus AI subscription extend the marketplace.

- **Founded:** 2006
- **Headquarters:** Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- **Founders:** Kevin Chen (Co-founder), Yongyue Jiang (Co-founder)
- **Products:** 1-on-1 language lessons, italki Community, Group Class, italki Language Test, italki Business
- **Notable:** Built a global marketplace offering 150-plus languages., Corporate About page reports more than 10 million learners and 30,000 teachers., Raised US$3 million from Hujiang in June 2016.

## Products & services

- **1-on-1 language lessons** — Independent professional teachers and community tutors offer personalized online instruction, set their own prices and availability, and receive bookings through the platform. Company history dates the marketplace expansion to 2008; public launch coverage appeared in 2009.
- **italki Community** — Free language practice, questions, posts and learning resources, including podcasts and quizzes. The original language-exchange social network launched in late 2006.
- **Group Class** — Teacher-led online group language classes.
- **italki Language Test** — Emmersion-powered speaking assessments in seven languages; selected languages also have grammar assessments. Current web offer is US$30 for four attempts.
- **italki Business** — Corporate language training with employee management, credit distribution and reports; Basic is free for up to ten users, Standard is US$9.99 per user per month, and Premium is quoted by sales. Lesson spending is separate.
- **italki Plus** — Optional AI subscription with lesson summaries, error corrections, flashcards, roleplay and progress insights. Current web pricing is US$5.99 monthly or US$59.99 yearly, with a 30-day trial for eligible new subscribers.
- **Lingbe** — Instant language-practice app acquired by italki in 2019.

## Achievements

- Built a global marketplace offering 150-plus languages.
- Corporate About page reports more than 10 million learners and 30,000 teachers.
- Raised US$3 million from Hujiang in June 2016.
- Acquired Spain-based language-practice app Lingbe in 2019.
- Named a Best Expats Startup at the 2017 ChinaBang Awards, as recorded in the company newsroom.

## Latest updates

- **2025-01** — italki Plus launched, according to the company’s April 2025 Japanese press release.
- **2025-04** — Company published a survey of 374 eligible Plus-trial learners; users who tried AI tools particularly valued lesson summaries. The survey is not representative of all learners.
- **2026-10** — Research snapshot: Plus web offer lists US$5.99 monthly or US$59.99 yearly, with summaries, flashcards, AI roleplay and progress insights. This is an observation date, not a claimed release date.

## Links

- Website: https://www.italki.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/italki/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/italki
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Italkilanguage
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/italki/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/italkilanguages/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@italkiofficial

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/italki
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-11