Lingoda Reviews and Testimonials
Lingoda has generally positive reviews from users across multiple platforms, indicating it is a legitimate and trusted service. As of 2025, Lingoda holds an “Excellent” rating of about 4.5 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Many students praise the supportive teachers and sense of community in Lingoda’s live classes. On Glassdoor, the company has a 3.7/5 rating from 187 reviews, and 77% of those users would recommend it to a friend.
For example, one Reddit user noted that while italki can be hit-or-miss, “the structure of Lingoda… is incredibly worth it,” emphasizing Lingoda’s solid course design. Another language learner reported a “huge improvement really quickly” in their target language, even though Lingoda was a bit pricey. These positive reviews often highlight that Lingoda’s structured curriculum and professional instructors help learners make real progress in speaking and comprehension.
Outside of Trustpilot and Glassdoor, feedback is more mixed. On complaint forums like PissedConsumer, Lingoda has a low average rating (~1.9/5) from a small number of reviews. These critical comments often come from users frustrated with billing or refund issues. Common complaints include feeling that the subscription model wasn’t transparent and that customer support could be unhelpful. For instance, some users warn others “do not trust them with your bank details” due to dissatisfaction with cancellation and refund policies. However, it’s worth noting such reports are a minority.
Overall, the vast majority of Lingoda students appear satisfied – the company claims about 92% of students are happy with their experience – and many success stories describe Lingoda as an effective, safe platform for reaching language goals.
When asking “Is Lingoda legit?,” the answer from most reviewers is yes – Lingoda is a well-established company (backed by major investors and operating since 2013) with thousands of classes taught and a global student base. It’s not a scam; real students have improved their fluency through Lingoda’s programs.
That said, like any service, it has its pros and cons which we will explore in detail below. The consensus is that Lingoda delivers on its promise of quality language instruction, but prospective users should be aware of the rules (like the strict class cancellation policy and subscription terms) to avoid any misunderstandings.
Lingoda Pricing
Pricing Range
Lingoda operates on a subscription model, and the cost can vary based on the language you study, the type of class (group vs. private), and how many classes you take per month. Generally, English group classes on Lingoda range from about 5.99 to 16.49 USD per class, while one-on-one private English classes range roughly 11.49 to 39.99 USD per class. Taking more classes in a month lowers the price per class. For example, a small monthly plan (few classes) might work out to around $18 per group lesson, whereas a high-volume plan (daily classes) can bring the cost down closer to $6 per class.
Lingoda’s pricing is typically listed in several currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, etc.) on its website, and you can choose your currency when subscribing. The table on Lingoda’s pricing page indicates monthly packages – for instance, around $65 USD for a starter plan 4 classes, up to ~$279 USD for an intensive plan of about 48 classes (group) in languages like Spanish or French.
Other languages such as German or Business English tend to be slightly pricier (e.g. €191.99 for a medium plan of 24 classes) due to higher demand. You can check Lingoda’s official pricing page for the latest detailed breakdown by language and plan.
It’s worth noting that Lingoda’s prices are generally higher than using a self-study app, but are competitive compared to traditional language schools or private tutoring. One independent reviewer describes Lingoda’s pricing as “definitely more expensive than most language-learning programs.”. In return for the cost, you get structured curriculum materials, live instruction, small class sizes, and a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) Certificate after completing each level.
There are no separate registration fees or textbook costs – lesson materials are included digitally, which Lingoda emphasizes as “no hidden costs” for students. Overall, Lingoda’s price per class (often around $10–$15 for group lessons with a subscription) is in line with the value of having a qualified teacher and interactive class, according to many users.
What students say about Lingoda Pricing
Student opinions on Lingoda’s pricing vary. Some learners feel that Lingoda is “worth every penny” despite being somewhat pricey. They cite the fast progress and quality of instruction as justification for the cost. For example, participants of the Lingoda Sprint (an intensive two-month challenge) often conclude that the experience was completely worth it for the language gains, especially if they earn the cashback reward.
One Reddit user mentioned paying roughly $700 per month for daily classes across three languages, and while that is a significant expense, the intensive practice led to noticeable improvement in a short time. This suggests that for highly motivated learners, the investment can pay off in rapid skill development.
On the other hand, some students feel Lingoda’s subscription can be expensive or inflexible. A common concern is the currency and exchange rates – for instance, one user pointed out that €149 for 12 lessons might translate to over CAD $200, making it a less appealing deal for Canadian students. Others compare Lingoda’s cost to cheaper alternatives: since platforms like italki or Preply allow tutors to set very low hourly rates, a budget-conscious learner might find $15+ per class on Lingoda high.
“Lingoda is expensive” is a refrain in a few reviews, though often followed by the sentiment that the quality makes it worthwhile. In summary, students who prioritize quality instruction and a guided program tend to accept Lingoda’s pricing, while those on a tight budget or looking for casual practice sometimes find Lingoda too costly and seek cheaper tutors or free apps.
Hidden costs
Lingoda’s pricing is transparent in that there are no registration fees or surprise add-on charges required to use the platform – you simply pay the subscription for your classes. The platform provides all lesson PDF materials and exercises at no extra cost. However, there are a few things to be aware of so you’re not caught off guard:
- Subscription Auto-Renewal: When you sign up for a monthly plan, it will auto-renew each month until you cancel. If you forget to cancel before the next billing cycle, you’ll be charged for the next month’s classes. (Lingoda does send a reminder email one day before your trial ends or new cycle begins.) Always cancel in time if you don’t wish to continue.
- Class Cancellation Policy: Lingoda requires cancelling a booked class at least 3 days in advance in order to get that class credit refunded to your account. If you cancel last-minute (less than 3 days before the class) or simply miss the class, you lose that credit (in other words, you still pay for that session). This policy is stricter than some services and has been criticized by users who weren’t aware. Lingoda did update this policy from an even stricter 7-day rule to 3 days to be more forgiving, but it’s still something to plan around. Failing to cancel in time is effectively a “hidden cost” in that you’ll forfeit the class credit.
- Lingoda Sprint Deposit: If you join a special Lingoda Sprint challenge, note that you usually pay the full two-month fees upfront (or a deposit plus the first installment). This isn’t an extra fee – it goes toward your classes – but it’s an upfront payment that some might not expect. Also, if you don’t meet the strict attendance rules of the Sprint, you won’t get the cashback reward, which some disappointed participants may perceive as a “loss” or cost (hence reading the fine print is crucial).
- Unused Classes: Lingoda’s subscriptions are use-it-or-lose-it. If you don’t take all your allotted classes in a month, the unused credits typically expire rather than roll over indefinitely (Lingoda’s terms specify credits expire after the cycle, unless you pause your plan). Additionally, Lingoda won’t refund you for unused class credits if you cancel your subscription mid-plan. So to get your money’s worth, you need to attend the classes you paid for each month.
Beyond the above points, there aren’t really “hidden fees” like registration or platform charges. Just make sure to cancel subscriptions or classes within the allowed timeframes to avoid unwanted charges. Some users who were unhappy with Lingoda (calling it a “trap”) were often those who didn’t realize how the auto-renewal or cancellation rules worked. Being informed will help you avoid those pitfalls.
How Lingoda’s pricing works (subscriptions, discounts, etc.)
Subscription Model: Lingoda operates on a monthly subscription (called “Lingoda Flex” plans). You choose a plan size – for example, 4 classes/month, 12 classes/month, 20 classes/month, or even 40 classes/month – for either group classes or private classes. You pay a flat fee each month which gives you that many class credits. For instance, a French plan might cost $64.99 per month for 4 classes, $116.99 for 12 classes, up to $279.99 for 48 classes.
You can change, pause, or cancel your plan at any time through your account settings. If you cancel within the first 14 days of a new subscription and have taken only a few classes, Lingoda offers a money-back guarantee (refund minus the classes you used).
Payment Methods: Payments are made securely online. Lingoda accepts major credit and debit cards and often also PayPal, depending on country. All transactions are SSL-encrypted for security. Because Lingoda serves students globally, they support multiple currencies – you can pay in USD, EUR, GBP, CHF, PLN, BRL, TRY, etc., and Lingoda will show prices in your chosen currency.
Discounts and Promotions: Lingoda regularly runs promotions. New customers might get a percentage off their first month or two – for example, Lingoda has offered 10%–30% off the first month of certain plans during seasonal sales. Students can also take advantage of a UNiDAYS student discount (often around 20-25% off the first month for verified students). Additionally, Lingoda has a referral program: if an existing user refers a friend, the friend might get a discount and the referrer earns free class credits (e.g. “5 free classes” reward for a successful referral). These referral and coupon incentives can reduce the cost.
Payment Commitment: With Lingoda you are not locked into a long-term contract – it’s pay-as-you-go monthly. In the past, Lingoda offered longer “Marathon” packages (3, 6, or 12 months upfront for a bulk price), but the current focus (in 2025) is on flexible monthly subscriptions. If you want to stop, you just cancel for the next month. If you need a break, you can pause your subscription instead of canceling, which saves your remaining credits until you resume, preventing them from expiring (Lingoda’s FAQ suggests pausing if you can’t use classes temporarily).
Overall, Lingoda’s pricing is straightforward subscription-based, with opportunities to save via trials, referrals, or occasional sales. Always check their official site for a “Discounts” or “Promo codes” page – for instance, Lingoda often has a promo code page showing current deals. Taking advantage of these can make the cost more affordable.
Free Trial
Lingoda offers a risk-free way to try the platform: a 7-day free trial for new students. During this one-week trial, you can take up to 3 group classes or 1 private class for free. This allows you to experience actual live lessons with Lingoda’s teachers and platform without paying. To start the trial, you do need to enter payment details and select a subscription plan, but you won’t be charged during the 7-day trial period. Lingoda will send a reminder email one day before your trial is set to end.
If you decide Lingoda isn’t for you, you can simply cancel online before the trial expires and you will not be billed at all. If you don’t cancel, your chosen plan will automatically kick in after the 7th day and charge your card (this is how Lingoda seamlessly transitions you into a paying student, so remember to cancel in time if you don’t want to continue).
Note that the trial is available only once per customer – if you’ve used Lingoda before, you might not be eligible again. Also, missing a booked trial class likely counts as using that free credit, so treat those trial bookings seriously.
To start the free trial, you can go to Lingoda’s website and click “Start your free 7-day trial,” then follow the sign-up steps. You’ll have a full week of access to see how you like the platform. Many students report that this trial helped them decide confidently whether to subscribe. As long as you cancel in time if you’re not interested, there is truly no charge, making it a no-risk test drive of Lingoda’s service.
Refund Policy
Lingoda’s refund policy has a couple of aspects depending on the situation:
- 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee: For new subscriptions, Lingoda offers a partial refund window. If you subscribe to a plan and then decide to cancel within the first 14 days, you are eligible for a refund of your subscription fee minus the cost of any classes you already took. In other words, if you paid for a month but after a week you don’t like it and you took 2 classes, they will refund the remainder of your fee, counting those 2 classes at their regular price. This guarantee is meant to assure students that if Lingoda isn’t satisfactory, they won’t lose the bulk of their money (as long as they act within two weeks).
- Unused Classes and Cancellation: If you cancel a subscription after 14 days or after the month has started, typically Lingoda does not refund the current month’s fee (especially if you simply didn’t use all your class credits). Many users have noted that Lingoda won’t refund unused credits from an active subscription – instead, they encourage you to take the classes or pause the plan. This is standard for subscription services, but important to know: once you’ve paid for a month, you should use the classes or you’ll lose them.
- Sprint Deposit Refund: The Lingoda Sprint and Super Sprint challenges promise a 50% or 100% refund of your tuition if you meet all the requirements (attending every class on time for two months). Lingoda does honor these refunds, but they happen after completing the Sprint. Some Sprint participants have reported that it can take a while (a few weeks up to 3 months) to receive the cashback refund
- Cancellation Issues: A number of complaints online about refunds stem from people who were charged because they forgot to cancel the trial or subscription in time. In these cases, Lingoda’s official stance is usually that the charge was valid (since the user didn’t cancel as required) and thus they often refuse refunds. However, if there was an obvious error (like double charging), their support would investigate and potentially refund.
User Experiences: Generally, those who follow Lingoda’s guidelines have little to no refund issues. But if something unexpected occurs, how helpful is Lingoda’s support? According to one review, a student who completed a Sprint did get their refund and had a positive experience.
Meanwhile, on the flip side, a user on Reddit who felt “scammed” by unused credits complained that even after persistent requests, they were “never offered a refund” by support. These anecdotes show that actual refund experiences vary based on circumstances. The key takeaway is to thoroughly understand Lingoda’s terms – they are clearly laid out in the FAQs – so you don’t end up in a situation where you expected a refund that isn’t provided.
In summary, Lingoda’s refund policy is fair but firm. New students have a safety net (first 14 days) and Sprint achievers do get cashback, but routine subscription payments are generally not refundable beyond the guarantee window. If you need to stop, cancel before the next billing cycle to avoid being charged.
And if you ever feel you were wrongly charged, contact their customer service promptly to discuss it – they aim to respond within 24 hours to inquiries. Being proactive and informed will ensure you don’t run into refund problems with Lingoda.
