Cambly was my first online ESL teaching job.
The platform tends to divide opinions when it comes to teachers. However, Cambly played an important role in my ESL journey.
When I got hired with Cambly it was the first time I was able to make money from my laptop. I gained a lot of experience and understanding of online ESL.
That’s why I have written this in-depth Cambly review to help others, like myself, to break into the ESL world with one of the most flexible ESL platforms.
Table of Contents
Cambly Review 2026 at a Glance
| 2026 details (checked October 24, 2026) | |
|---|---|
| Pay – Cambly | $0.17/minute ($10.20/hour) |
| Pay – Cambly Kids | $0.20/minute ($12.00/hour) |
| Paid for | Minutes spent teaching – waiting time while Visible isn’t paid |
| Payout | Weekly once you’re owed at least $20, unless you pick a different schedule – Cambly’s published schedule processes payouts on Tuesdays (UTC) |
| Payment methods | Via Cambly’s payment processor (e.g. Stripe / direct deposit, PayPal) – which options you see depend on your country; PayPal is being phased out (ends November 11, 2026 per Cambly’s payment notices) |
| Requirements | Native English speaker, 18+, computer with Chrome |
| Degree or TEFL? | Not required |
| Interview? | No – an intro video and profile instead |
| Hiring status | Cambly says it’s “temporarily limiting” new tutors |
| Approval time | No official timeline – see below |
About Cambly
The main concept of the ESL platform, Cambly, is to match English learners with native English speakers for casual chats. The aim is so learners can practice their English with English speakers, which is often difficult from their home countries.
Sessions are one-on-one and conversational, meaning teachers do not need to prepare lesson plans.
Cambly is entirely flexible. There are no strict schedules or quotas you have to meet to teach on Cambly. Cambly still promises “no minimum hours, ever!” on its tutor page in 2026.
Students vary from children to adults at all different levels in their English learning journey.
Fun Fact: The name Cambly originally came from the Spanish word for “exchange” which is “intercambio”, to mean language exchange.
Why Teach With Cambly?
Teaching with Cambly is not for everyone. However, it does appeal to some.
Cambly is ideal for:
- New teachers seeking first ESL job
- People considering teaching and want to test the industry out
- Teachers seeking ultra-flexible ESL platform
- Teachers juggling multiple low-paying platforms
Cambly is not ideal for:
- Experienced teachers seeking high-paying ESL job
- Teachers seeking a stable and consistent ESL job
- Anyone who needs to start earning straight away – in 2026 new applications can take a long time to be processed (more on that below)
How Much Does Cambly Pay in 2026?
Cambly’s official pay rate is $0.17/minute ($10.20/hour). If you’re teaching on Cambly Kids pay is $0.20/minute ($12.00/hour).
2026 update: these are still the rates on Cambly’s tutor page as of October 24, 2026 – they haven’t changed since I first wrote this review. You’re paid for the minutes you spend teaching, not the time you spend waiting for a call.
When I started, payment was made every Monday via PayPal, with a minimum payout of $20.00.
2026 update: Cambly’s tutor agreement now says you’re paid weekly whenever you’re owed at least US$20, unless you choose a different payment schedule. Payments go through the processor Cambly designates (it names Stripe and PayPal as examples), and the tutor page also mentions direct deposit. Cambly’s published payment schedule processes payouts on Tuesdays (UTC). Which methods show up in your dashboard depends on your country – and PayPal is being phased out, with an end date of November 11, 2026 on Cambly’s payment notices, so expect Stripe / direct deposit to be the lasting option.
Cambly lists their payments in minutes, as most sessions won’t be exactly 30 minutes or 1 hour. In fact, it’s very normal to conduct 5 and 10 minute classes on Cambly.
Note, sometimes you may wait long periods before getting calls from a student, which brings the hourly pay down further.
It’s best to use Priority Hours to ensure you’re receiving frequent calls.
You can also maximize your time by multi-tasking with Cambly running in the background.
How to Get Hired With Cambly
The process of getting hired with Cambly is very simple. There are no online interviews or specific criteria you need to meet except you must be a native English speaker.
2026 update: Cambly’s help center still lists three eligibility rules – you must be a native English speaker, at least 18, and no teaching certificate or experience is required. You also need to apply on a laptop or desktop using Google Chrome (not a phone, tablet or the Cambly app).
Qualifications Needed
A big drawcard for new or potential ESL teachers is Cambly does not require a TEFL certificate or degree to get hired.
Cambly simply requires native English speakers. Everything else is a bonus.
Cambly Kids is a separate apply (and Cambly’s Kids pages say it’s more selective – they claim fewer than 5% of applicants are accepted). Cambly’s public tutor pages still do not list a degree as a Kids requirement, so treat anything you hear about a college-degree rule as unverified unless it shows up in your own Kids application.
However, in my experience, Cambly is a competitive platform to get hired with, and applying without a TEFL could hinder your chances of landing a job.
To maximize your chances of getting hired at Cambly, get TEFL certified at one of the many accredited online companies. I personally recommend Premier TEFL as a well-recognized online TEFL provider. However, if you want to weigh up all your options, this article lists the best online TEFL courses.
Equipment Needed
You don’t need a lot to get started with Cambly, however, the basic equipment for any teaching job does apply.
Essentials:
- Access to an internet connection
- A laptop or computer (Cambly’s application only works on a computer in Google Chrome)
- A webcam
Additional:
- Headset
- Laptop stand
- Laptop backlight
- ESL games
Check out our detailed post about ESL teaching equipment to learn more.
Cambly Hiring Process
Another very appealing aspect of applying for a job at Cambly is there are no interviews and no demo classes.
In fact, to get hired at Cambly, all you need to do is send in a short video explaining a bit about yourself. This is basically a test to see if you’re a native English speaker and well-presented. Cambly’s tutor blog says to keep the intro video under three minutes.
This makes Cambly the easiest online ESL job to apply for.
Tips for Your Cambly Application Video
- Write a script first and memorize it, but don’t read it, sound casual
- Highlight former experience or qualifications (if applicable)
- Wear suitable semi-professional clothing
- Sit upright at a desk
- Make sure you have a clear (or professional) background
- Don’t be afraid to retake it if it’s not perfect
For more tips on getting hired in ESL use our guide to making more money in ESL.
Your Cambly Profile
Your profile on Cambly is the most important tool you have to attract students.
You’ll need to attach an introduction video and update all your details, experience, hobbies and qualifications.
I cannot stress enough how important it is to get your profile right. Spend a long time working on your profile and it will pay you back.
How Long Does Cambly Approval Take in 2026?
This depends. I heard back three weeks after applying, however, I know some people who have waited much longer.
When you get accepted you receive an email (so check your junk folder) with your login details, and then you’re all set.
My advice is to put a lot of effort into your video and profile and then just stay patient. Cambly is not always hiring, so it might take a bit longer to hear back.
2026 update: right now, “a bit longer” is an understatement. As of October 24, 2026, Cambly’s tutor page says it’s “temporarily limiting the number of new tutors” to protect current tutors’ schedules, and that “profile processing times may take longer than usual.”
Cambly doesn’t publish an approval timeline. Its help center says that if you don’t hear back, you can apply again in a few months. Applicants posting in r/Cambly through mid-2026 often say applications sit under review for months with no reply.
So apply, then line up other platforms in the meantime – our ESL job list is a good place to start.
How Do Cambly Lessons Work?
Before you can start teaching, Cambly conducts a brief video and audio check. You’ll need to check all boxes to ensure you’re meeting Cambly guidelines. Once you pass the test, you’re all set to start teaching.
At this stage, you can simply toggle between invisible and visible to start receiving calls.
Visible
By leaving yourself visible, online students will see your profile in their searches and know you’re available for a session.
How long you’ll wait for a call depends on a range of factors such as peak times, your teacher rating, and how competitive your profile is.
I’ve personally experienced times when I receive call-after-call, and other times I’m waiting 15 minutes+ for a call while visible. And that’s why I highly suggest Priority Hours.
When teaching via Visible, you don’t have to accept every call you get.
Priority Hours
If you want to get more calls on Cambly, take advantage of Priority Hours.
In your dashboard, you’ll find the Priority Hours section, which will reveal certain hours that are available.
By nominating a Priority Hour, it means you’re available and will accept all calls during that hour and in exchange, Cambly will send more calls to you.
The advantages of Priority Hours:
- Receive more calls
- Get featured to new students, opportunity to build a student base
- Cambly’s tutor blog (2021) described a 15-minute pay floor for completing a Priority Hour even with no calls (and 30 minutes for Golden Priority Hours) – check what your dashboard shows today, because Cambly’s 2026 tutor agreement does not promise any minimum revenue
- Make more money than teaching on Visible
Priority Hours access also depends on demand and how reliable your schedule has been. Cambly’s own tutor blog says tutors who rarely cancel at short notice get shown higher in the Priority Hour feed – so if you’re going to drop a slot, cancel early.
Resources and Materials for Teaching
Cambly introduced their own lesson materials which are readily available via the tutor dashboard.
However, as Cambly is 90% conversation, I find ESL Discussions is a great resource to keep up your sleeve.
Becoming Successful With Cambly
I’m not going to lie to you, I don’t believe many teachers get “successful” teaching solely on Cambly.
In fact, the low pay means you’ll want to juggle with other flexible ESL jobs or use Cambly as a side-hustle.
As with any ESL job, it’s important to have a specialty.
I personally recommend becoming certified as an IELTS tutor and/or Business English to maximize ESL success. By adding these specialties you’ll receive more calls from students.
If you’re thinking about adding additional qualifications I highly recommend Premier TEFL, which offers a range of affordable online courses.
Is Cambly Worth It in 2026?
Cambly can be a great introduction to ESL for new teachers to gain experience and confidence teaching online.
It is also a platform that doesn’t require commitment.
You can get hired with Cambly and not teach a single class for years and then log in and instantly start teaching.
For this reason, Cambly holds a special place for me.
2026 verdict: the pay hasn’t moved, and getting in is slower than when I applied. If you’re already on Cambly, it’s still a handy, no-commitment side income. If you’re applying now, apply, stay patient and don’t rely on it as your only ESL job.
You can apply for a job at Cambly here.
Cambly FAQ
How much does Cambly pay per hour in 2026?
$10.20 an hour ($0.17 a minute) on Cambly and $12.00 an hour ($0.20 a minute) on Cambly Kids, according to Cambly’s tutor page in October 2026. You’re only paid for minutes spent teaching.
How long does it take to get approved on Cambly?
There’s no official timeline. I heard back in three weeks, but in 2026 Cambly says it’s limiting new tutors and processing may take longer than usual. If you don’t hear back, Cambly says you can apply again in a few months.
Do you need a degree or TEFL to teach on Cambly?
No. Cambly says no teaching certificate, bachelor’s degree or prior experience is needed. A TEFL can still help your application and your profile.
Can non-native speakers teach on Cambly?
Not on the main platform right now. Cambly’s help center says you must be a native English speaker and at least 18.
How does Cambly pay you?
Weekly, once you’re owed at least $20 (or on a different schedule if you choose one). Cambly’s published schedule processes payouts on Tuesdays (UTC), through its payment processor – typically Stripe / direct deposit, and PayPal until November 11, 2026. Which methods you see depend on your country.
