Frequently Asked Questions

Account and Setup

How do I switch between a tutor and student account? You can use the platform both as a student and as a tutor with the same account. To switch between modes, use the “Switch to tutor/student profile” option in the header.

Can I change my email address? Contact support to change your email address.

How do I delete my account? Go to Settings → Account and select Delete Account. This action is permanent and removes all your data.

For Tutors

Do I need a paid plan to start teaching? No. Every new tutor gets a 30-day free trial with up to 100 free Bot and Local Recorder sessions and 1 free In-Platform session. You can also list on the Tutor Directory for free without a trial.

Does Voila take a commission on my lesson payments? No. Voila takes zero commission on Stripe Connect payments. The only deductions are standard Stripe processing fees. Voila charges a separate per-session fee for recording and AI tools. See Subscription & Billing.

Can I use multiple video platforms? Yes. Each lesson can use a different platform — Google Meet, Zoom, Teams, or the Voila In-Platform classroom. Set the platform when creating a lesson.

How do I record my lessons? Choose a recording method in Settings → Subscription (Bot, Local Recorder, No Recorder, or In-Platform). The Bot joins your external video call to record. The Local Recorder extension records audio from Google Meet, Zoom, or Teams. In-Platform records natively inside the Voilà classroom. Choose No Recorder if you don't need a recording — only the $1.50 base session fee applies. See In-Session Tools.

What if the recording bot does not join my call? Make sure you admit the bot from the meeting lobby. If it does not appear, check that the meeting link is correct and the lesson has recording enabled. You can retry from the lesson detail page.

How do I get paid by students? You can optionally connect your Stripe account in Settings → Payments. Students pay at booking time, and funds are transferred to your bank account on the standard Stripe payout schedule. See Stripe Connect Setup. You can also choose to receive payments externally by arranging them directly with your students. In this case, Voilà does not interfere in the process.

What if a student disputes a payment? You are the merchant of record for Stripe Connect payments. Disputes appear in your Stripe Dashboard, and you must respond before the deadline. Voilà emails you an evidence pack and shows a banner on Admin. See Disputes & Chargebacks.

Can I teach without using Stripe? Yes. Set the payment mode for a student relationship to External (for bank transfers, cash, etc.)

How do I refer other tutors? Share your referral code from Settings → Referral. When another tutor signs up with your code, you earn free meetings and potentially free months. See Referral Programme.

For Students

Is Voila free for students? The core platform is free for students — there is no platform fee to join, message tutors, or attend lessons. Students only pay the tutor's lesson rates (via Stripe or external payment as arranged with the tutor). Students can optionally subscribe to Premium AI Insights for $9.99/month after a 30-day free trial, which unlocks an AI chat powered by Gemini based on their lesson history.

How do I find the right tutor? Browse the Tutor Directory and filter by language, price, rating, etc. Or use the AI Matchmaker for personalized recommendations based on your learning style.

What is Premium AI Insights and how much does it cost? Premium AI Insights is an optional student subscription that unlocks an AI chat (powered by Gemini) trained on your full lesson history. It gives you personalized vocabulary analysis, grammar patterns, sentence examples, roleplay practice, and 24/7 learning prompts. It includes a 30-day free trial, then costs $9.99/month (billed in your local currency, taxes included). You can manage or cancel at any time from Settings → Subscription.

What is the difference between Exploring and Active relationships? Exploring lets students message, book trial sessions, and view profiles. A student must assign a primary tutor for a single foreign language. Voila limits students and tutors to one primary active relationship per language. Active relationship unlocks session packages, recurring lessons, and full features. See Booking & Payments.

Can I have multiple tutors? Yes. You can have relationships with multiple tutors, each for different languages or purposes.

Where do I find my lesson summaries? After each recorded lesson, the AI summary is sent to your email and available in your Notepad (see Getting Started for Students) or on My students and Lesson planning pages if you-re a tutor. You can also access it from the lesson details page.

How do I take notes during a lesson? Use the Notepad to write private notes that persist across sessions. During an In-Platform lesson, your tutor may also use the Board for collaborative writing. See Getting Started for Students.

Scheduling and Calendar

Can I sync my calendar with Voila? Yes. Connect Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook in Settings → Integrations. Lessons sync both ways. See Calendar Integration.

How far in advance can I book? Students can book up to 30 days in advance, within the tutor's defined availability hours.

What happens if I cancel a lesson? Cancellation rules depend on the tutor's policy. If your tutor has Stripe connected and you cancel within the required notice period, you are refunded automatically. If you cancel outside the policy, the tutor keeps the payment. If your tutor does not have Stripe connected, there is still a cancellation policy that must be followed. However, Voilà does not interfere in the transaction process, as everything is arranged directly between the tutor and the student. See Booking & Payments.

Payments

When am I charged for a booking? Your payment method is authorized (held) when you submit a booking request. The charge is captured only when the tutor confirms. If they decline or the request expires, you are not charged.

What payment methods are supported? Payments can be processed through Stripe, supporting credit cards, debit cards, and other methods depending on your country. If your tutor does not have Stripe connected, everything is arranged directly between the tutor and the student.

Can I get a refund? Refunds are automatic when a tutor cancels or declines a booking, or when you cancel within the tutor's cancellation policy. For other cases, contact hello@voila.fun.

Technical

Which browsers are supported? Voila works best on Google Chrome. The browser extension for recording is Chrome-only. Other Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Brave) may work but are not officially supported.

I am not receiving email notifications. Check your spam/junk folder. Verify your email address in Settings → Personal Info. Ensure email notifications are enabled in Settings → Notifications.

My calendar stopped syncing. Your authentication token may have expired. Go to Settings → Integrations and reconnect your calendar. See Calendar Integration.