Judge any online teaching platform by what you keep per hour of work, how reliable bookings are, who controls the relationship with students and what happens if the platform changes its terms. Then check the Irish tax position, since income from platforms is taxable. This page gives questions rather than rankings.
Key questions
| Topic | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Pay | Is the rate fixed or set by you? What commission or fee is taken? What are the payout fees and currency conversion charges? |
| Bookings | Do you get students automatically or do you find them? What happens if you have none for a week? |
| Cancellations | Who pays when a student cancels late or fails to attend? |
| Contract | Are you an employee or an independent contractor? Is there a notice period? |
| Requirements | Does it ask for a degree, TEFL certificate, experience or a demo lesson? Is there a fee to apply (there should not be)? |
| Student safety | What rules exist for children, recordings and contact outside the platform? |
| Data | Who owns lesson recordings and materials you create? |
| Support | Is there a person to contact when payment or technology fails? |
Read the terms of service, not only the sales page. If the platform changes its policies at short notice, a single source of income becomes a risk. Consider keeping a profile on two platforms and your own materials.
Tax and registration in Ireland
This is general information as of October 2026. If the platform treats you as an independent contractor, you are generally self-employed. Revenue's guide says you must file a Form 11 if you have trading income and no PAYE income, or PAYE income and other income over €5,000 net. For the 2025 tax year the Pay and File deadline is 31 October 2026, or 18 November 2026 if you file and pay through ROS. Self-employed people aged 16 to 70 with income of €5,000 or more pay Class S PRSI, at 4.2% until 30 September 2026 and 4.35% from 1 October 2026, with a €650 minimum. The VAT registration threshold for services is €42,500.
Keep every payout statement, record fees and costs and set aside part of each payout for tax. If you are unsure how your income should be treated, ask an accountant. The full walkthrough is in teaching English online from Ireland.
Red flags
- A fee to be hired, to get students or to get more hours.
- Requests to move payment or chat to a private app.
- Unclear pay terms or payouts that depend on conditions not stated up front.
- Pressure to buy equipment or materials from the platform.
- Reviews that look identical or too uniform.
More in TEFL scams and red flags.
A simple test before committing
- Take the advertised rate and subtract commission, payout fees and your expected unpaid preparation time.
- Estimate realistic weekly bookings, not the maximum.
- Calculate monthly income and set aside tax and PRSI.
- Compare it with an alternative such as a fixed contract or another platform.
- Review again after a month using real figures.
Equipment and set-up
Platforms usually ask for a stable internet connection, a computer, a headset and a camera. Test your connection at the times you plan to teach, have a backup option such as phone hotspot and set up a neutral background with good lighting. Prepare reusable materials: slides, worksheets and a warm-up routine, so each lesson takes less preparation than it would face to face. Note the cost of equipment as a business expense and ask an accountant what you can claim.
Building a sustainable routine
Online teaching can pay for itself only when your schedule is steady. Decide how many hours per week you can teach without tiring, block them in your calendar, and leave time for preparation and admin. Track your income monthly against expenses and tax set-aside, and review whether the platform still suits you every three months. If a platform's terms change, you will already know what you need from the next one.
If you work with children, also read teaching young learners for safeguarding and police-check points, and see business English for one-to-one adult work.
Thinking about a TEFL qualification? See course options from an Irish-based provider.
Compare TEFL coursesThis is an affiliate link. See our affiliate disclosure.Frequently asked questions
Should I ever pay to join a teaching platform?
Be very cautious. Legitimate platforms normally earn from commission on lessons, not from fees charged to apply.
Am I employed or self-employed on a platform?
Check the contract. Most platforms treat teachers as independent contractors, which makes you responsible for your own tax.
How much should I set aside for tax?
It depends on your total income and circumstances. Keep records and ask Revenue or an accountant to estimate income tax, USC and PRSI.