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Cambly

cambly.com

From $0.72/mo WebWindowsmacOSiOSAndroid
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Spec score 8.9 #1 of 29 in Online Tutoring Platforms

What it is

Cambly is an English-learning service built around conversations with tutors, with private one-to-one and group lessons. Learners can access English-speaking tutors 24/7. Lesson videos include personalized feedback and an interactive transcript for reviewing mistakes or returning to specific moments. Between lessons, personalized activities offer vocabulary, articles designed for the learner’s level, and speaking and pronunciation practice. Cambly Pro adds structured lessons tailored to goals, targeted feedback, and self-study recommendations; Cambly describes it as an option for exam preparation and career or academic advancement. Organizations can provide teams with individual online lessons and a course library that includes Business English. The service is available on Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows; mobile lessons require the app. A trial lesson costs $1 and provides 30 minutes with a native-speaking tutor. Listed starting prices are $17 a month for Small groups, $39 a month for Private+, and $56 a month for Pro. Billing interval and lesson frequency vary by selected plan.

Spec sheet

What it does
Cambly provides on-demand video conversations with native English-speaking tutors for language practice.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Trial
The help article says trial lessons cost $1 and provide 30 minutes with a native-speaking tutor.Read 2 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Security
Cambly says it implements security measures to protect information but cannot guarantee that internet transmissions are completely secure.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Support
Cambly’s Help Center provides a request submission option and articles on lessons, payments, plans, learning, and technical problems.Read 2 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Headquarters
San Francisco, California, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · cambly.com
Founded
2014Read 28 Sep 2026 · cambly.com
24/7 tutor access
The service advertises access to thousands of native English tutors at any time.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
AI and recordings
Cambly says AI may analyze sessions and usage patterns to improve the platform and develop products, and users may contact the company to opt out of AI trained on their personal information or recordings involving them.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
API availability
An independent API directory reports that Cambly publishes no public developer API or developer portal and lists zero APIs.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apis.io
Availability
Cambly says learners can access thousands of English-speaking tutors 24/7.Read 2 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Between-lesson practice
The dashboard offers CamblyAI conversation practice, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, speaking quizzes and level-adjusted articles.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Browser
Cambly says its service is designed to work best on Google Chrome and lists Edge, Brave, and Opera as Chrome-based alternatives.Read 2 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Business
Cambly for Organizations offers teams individual online English lessons through mobile devices or computers and a course library that includes Business English.Read 2 Oct 2026 · organizations.cambly.com
Cambly Courses
Courses teach vocabulary, grammar and idioms while adding live speaking practice, and are included with Private+ and Pro.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Company founding
An independent API directory identifies Cambly as founded in 2012 and based in San Francisco.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apis.io
Company funding
The independent company profile lists backing from Bessemer Venture Partners, GV and Y Combinator.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apis.io
Company headquarters and size
LinkedIn lists Cambly Inc. as privately held, headquartered in San Francisco and employing 51–200 people.Read 15 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Company legal name
Cambly's legal agreement identifies the provider as Cambly Inc.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Current status history
Cambly's official status history reports no incidents for August, September or October 2026 at the page's last update.Read 15 Oct 2026 · status.cambly.com
Developer model
The same directory classifies Cambly as a hosted SaaS service, with no self-hosted or callable public API surface.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apis.io
Group lessons
Group classes use one tutor and up to two other students, with 30- or 60-minute beginner, intermediate or advanced sessions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Learning review
Lesson videos include personalized feedback and an interactive transcript that lets learners review mistakes and jump to specific moments.Read 2 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Lesson review
Private+ and Pro users can review recordings with interactive transcripts, speaking statistics, feedback, chat terms and course slides.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Licence
Cambly's user agreement grants only a limited, revocable, non-transferable license to use the platform, indicating proprietary software rather than open source.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Limit: app updates and connectivity
An Apple reviewer complains that frequent redesigns are disruptive while connection quality and tutor standards remain concerns.Read 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Limit: mobile reliability
Google Play criticism mentions frozen slides, app freezes, unstable connections and impractical messaging.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Limit: tutor pay
Trustpilot tutor reviews repeatedly complain about low pay, including claims that rates have not risen for years.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Limit: tutor vetting
Some Trustpilot reviewers allege inconsistent tutor screening and inappropriate or unprofessional tutor behavior.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Outage history
StatusGator records Cambly incidents including a six-hour transcription delay in July 2026, lesson-ending degradation in June 2026 and intermittent 502 errors in March 2026.Read 15 Oct 2026 · statusgator.com
Praise: ease and flexibility
A Trustpilot reviewer described the platform as easy to use and conversations with tutors as natural and comfortable.Read 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Praise: speaking access
Google Play reviewers praise the ability to practice speaking with native tutors and the flexibility of lessons.Read 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Privacy choices
Cambly says users can request account termination through service settings or by contacting support, and can opt out of sharing personal information with partners and collaborators.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Private lessons
Students can take one-on-one lessons on topics such as travel, business, culture and exam preparation.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Pro audience
Cambly describes Pro as suitable for learners seeking structured instruction, exam preparation, or career and academic advancement.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Pro coaching
Cambly Pro offers expert tutors, structured lessons tailored to learner goals, targeted feedback, and self-study recommendations.Read 2 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Pro tutoring
Pro pairs learners with selected tutors who create learning plans, set objectives and provide detailed corrective feedback.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Rating on Apple App Store
4.5 out of 5 from 9.3K ratingsRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Google Play
4.7 out of 5 from 153K reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Rating on Trustpilot
2.0 out of 5 from 264 reviewsRead 15 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Recording and AI policy
The agreement says sessions may be monitored, recorded, retained and used for service improvement and AI-related purposes; users can request opt-out for their personal information and recordings.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Security statement
Cambly says it implements security measures but does not guarantee that internet transmissions will be completely secure.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Service
Cambly helps learners build English skills through conversations with native speakers and offers private or group lessons.Read 2 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Support documentation
The Help Center documents plans, group lessons, course use, lesson review, device troubleshooting and between-lesson activities.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Supported devices
Cambly supports iPhone/iPad, Android phones, Windows PCs and Macs; its help guidance recommends current Chrome or Firefox on computers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Trial price
Cambly says it offers a 30-minute trial lesson for $1, but no separate Pro trial is available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com
Tutor requirements
Cambly says tutors need no teaching certificate, bachelor's degree or prior teaching experience, although new tutor intake is temporarily limited.Read 15 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Vocabulary activity
Vocabulary practice creates ten new words after each lesson with definitions, examples and translations, available 30 hours later.Read 15 Oct 2026 · studentsupport.cambly.com

Plans and prices

Pro annual lesson rate $8.65 a year $8.65 / lesson · 50% off 30-minute lessons · automatically renews every 12 months · cancel anytime Read 15 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Small groups $12 a month Starting from $12 /mo 30-minute lessons · tutor plus 1–2 students · adults 21+ · native-English tutors · unlimited pronunciation, grammar and vocabulary activities Read 15 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Pro three-month lesson rate $12.12 a month $12.12 / lesson · 30% off 30-minute lessons · automatically renews every 12 months · cancel anytime Read 15 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Small groups $17 a month Starting from; billing interval and lesson frequency vary by selected plan Group lessons with a tutor and 1–2 students · Unlimited pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary activities · For adults 21+ Read 2 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Pro monthly lesson rate $18.75 a month $18.75 / lesson 30-minute lessons · automatically renews every 12 months · cancel anytime Read 15 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Private+ $28 a month Starting from $28 /mo Private one-on-one lessons · group lessons · lesson recordings and transcripts · automated feedback · Cambly Courses · unlimited practice activities Read 15 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Private+ $39 a month Starting from; billing interval and lesson frequency vary by selected plan Private one-on-one lessons · Lesson recordings and transcripts after every lesson · Automated feedback after every lesson · Access to all Cambly Courses Read 2 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Pro $40 a month Starting from $40 /mo Exclusive Pro tutors · structured goal-oriented lessons · targeted tutor feedback · self-study recommendations · Private+ features Read 15 Oct 2026 · cambly.com
Pro $56 a month Starting from; billing interval and lesson frequency vary by selected plan Everything in Private+ · Exclusive access to Cambly Pro tutors · Structured, goal-oriented lessons · Targeted tutor feedback · Self-study recommendations Read 2 Oct 2026 · cambly.com

Every Cambly plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Tutors are available 24/7.
  • Lesson videos include feedback and interactive transcripts.
  • Between-lesson activities cover vocabulary and speaking practice.
  • Organizations can offer teams lessons and a Business English course library.

Limits

  • There is no free plan.
  • Mobile lessons require the Cambly app.
  • Small groups is for adults 21+.

Who it suits

Cambly suits learners seeking live English conversation, private or group lessons, or practice between sessions. Pro may suit learners seeking structured instruction, exam preparation, or career and academic advancement.

Cambly in depth

Read the full write-up

Overview

Cambly pairs English conversation with tutors and tools for reviewing lessons and practising between sessions. It suits learners who want flexible speaking practice, while Pro is the better fit for learners seeking goal-led coaching. Its main appeal is the combination of live lessons and structured follow-up; compare plans carefully because lesson frequency and billing intervals vary.

Key features

Live lessons and review

A tutor marketplace and access to thousands of English-speaking tutors 24/7 give learners room to find a lesson time that fits. Lessons can be private or in groups of up to three learners, including the tutor. Groups cost less on the starting-price comparison, but share tutor attention; one-to-one lessons are the more suitable choice for learners who want the session focused on their needs.

Lesson videos include personalized feedback and an interactive transcript, so learners can revisit mistakes and return to particular moments. Private+ and Pro include recordings and transcripts after every lesson, and Private+ adds automated feedback after each session. Personalized vocabulary, reading, speaking, and pronunciation activities provide practice between live lessons, making the service useful beyond the time spent with a tutor.

Coaching and organizational learning

Pro adds expert tutors, structured lessons tailored to goals, targeted feedback, and self-study recommendations. Cambly positions it for exam preparation and career or academic advancement; the higher starting price is most defensible for learners who want that direction, rather than conversation practice alone.

Cambly for Organizations offers teams individual online English lessons on mobile devices or computers, plus a course library that includes Business English. It is a team-oriented option rather than simply a personal plan shared among colleagues.

Pricing

Cambly is paid, with no free plan. Its trial lesson costs $1 and provides 30 minutes with a native-speaking tutor, which offers a short introduction but is not free.

PlanStarting priceIncludesBest fitSmall groups$17 a monthGroup lessons with a tutor and 1–2 students; unlimited pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary activities; adults 21+.Adults who want lower-cost group conversation and self-study activities.Private+$39 a monthPrivate one-on-one lessons, recordings and transcripts after every lesson, automated feedback after every lesson, and all Cambly Courses.Learners who want individual tutor time and lesson-review tools.Pro$56 a monthEverything in Private+, exclusive access to Cambly Pro tutors, structured goal-oriented lessons, targeted tutor feedback, and self-study recommendations.Learners who need guided progress toward a specific goal.Each price is billed “Starting from”; billing interval and lesson frequency vary by selected plan. The monthly figures therefore are not enough on their own to compare the amount of tutor time received. Small groups gives up private attention and the listed Private+ review benefits, while Private+ lacks Pro’s exclusive tutors and goal-oriented coaching.

Platforms

Cambly supports Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows. Mobile lessons require the Cambly app. The service is designed to work best in Google Chrome; Edge, Brave, and Opera are named as Chrome-based alternatives.

Who it's for

Cambly is a focused choice for learners working on English fluency, vocabulary, grammar, reading, self-expression, professional development, or exam preparation. Its combination of tutor conversation and review activities suits people who want to practise speaking and then work through feedback independently. It is not a general-purpose tutoring service for other subjects.

For learners who value privacy, Cambly says AI may analyze sessions and usage patterns to improve the platform and develop products. Users can contact the company to opt out of AI trained on their personal information or recordings involving them, and can request account termination or opt out of sharing personal information with partners and collaborators. Cambly also says internet transmissions cannot be guaranteed completely secure. Its Help Center accepts requests and covers lessons, payments, plans, learning, and technical issues.

Pros and cons

Pros: Access to tutors 24/7 supports flexible scheduling; lesson videos, transcripts, and feedback help learners revisit sessions; personalized activities extend practice between lessons; Pro adds structured coaching for goal-driven study.

Cons: There is no free plan, and the trial costs $1; Small groups is for adults 21+ and shares tutor time with another learner; lesson frequency and billing interval vary by plan, so the starting monthly price does not settle how much instruction a learner receives; Cambly is limited to English learning.

Alternatives

Online Tutoring Platforms is the broader category to explore if you want to compare services beyond English learning.

Choose Classgap if tutor-set hourly pricing and a choice of Linux among its supported platforms matter. Brainfuse is worth comparing if a free plan matters. Choose Cuemath if you are looking for a service with a published annual plan and a 104-class option. Tutorful may suit a tutor exploring a free account, though students pay a service fee on top of the tutor’s hourly rate. Consider Lingoda if a private-class package of five 60-minute lessons for €59.99 a month fits your needs. UrbanPro has a free account, with premium membership required to respond to student enquiries. Vedantu is an alternative with a free plan and a published annual plan. Choose italki if teacher-set per-class pricing is important.

Verdict

Cambly is a strong fit for English learners who want flexible live conversation plus tools to revisit lessons and practise between them. Choose Private+ for one-to-one sessions and recurring review, or Pro when structured coaching and targeted feedback justify the higher starting price. Look elsewhere if you need free access, non-English tutoring, or a plan whose lesson frequency is fixed by the monthly price.

Verdict

Cambly combines live tutor lessons with review materials and between-lesson practice. Compare the listed starting prices and plan details, since billing interval and lesson frequency vary by plan.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to CamblyAll alternatives →