How to choose the best online tutoring platform
There are many online tutoring platforms, and the best one depends on your child, your budget and how much say you want in choosing the tutor. This guide sets out what to compare, the main types of platform and the questions to ask before you pay.
Studoli is one of these platforms, so we explain how it works at the end. Everything else on this page applies to any platform you are considering.
The main types of tutoring platform
| Type | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Marketplace | You browse tutor profiles, compare prices and reviews, and book the tutor you choose | Families who want to pick the tutor and control the cost |
| Agency | The company matches you with a tutor and sets the price | Families who want someone else to choose, and can pay more |
| Subscription or group | A monthly fee for scheduled lessons, often in small groups | Regular structured practice at a lower price per hour |
| Practice websites and apps | Questions, videos and games without a live tutor | Extra practice alongside school or tutoring |
What to compare
- Tutor checks: how tutors are vetted, whether identity and qualifications are checked, and, for UK children, whether the platform asks for an enhanced DBS check.
- Trial lessons: whether you can try a tutor before paying, and whether a trial is free.
- Price and how you pay: per lesson, packages or a monthly subscription, and what happens to unused lessons.
- Exam knowledge: whether tutors list the exam boards and levels they teach, such as AQA GCSE Maths or the 11+.
- Reviews: whether reviews come from booked lessons, and how many there are.
- Lesson tools: video quality, a shared whiteboard, and whether lessons can be recorded.
- Flexibility: how easy it is to reschedule, cancel or change tutor.
Questions to ask before you pay
- What happens if the tutor is not a good fit after a few lessons?
- Are lessons and messages kept on the platform, where they are recorded?
- Is there a minimum commitment or a notice period?
- Can I see my child's progress, or get a short note after each lesson?
How Studoli works
- Studoli is a marketplace: you compare tutor profiles, prices and reviews and choose your tutor.
- Each tutor sets their own price, and you can filter tutors by price, subject, level and exam.
- Your first lesson with a tutor is free, so you can try before you pay.
- Lessons take place online by video, with tutors for school subjects from primary to A Level and university.
- You can book single lessons or a package where the tutor offers one.
Next steps
Use our free resources, or compare tutors and book a free first lesson.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best online tutoring platform in the UK?
It depends on what you need. Marketplaces suit families who want to choose a tutor and control the price, agencies suit those who want a tutor chosen for them, and group or subscription services suit regular practice on a budget. Compare tutor checks, trial lessons, price and exam knowledge before you decide.
How much does an online tutor cost in the UK?
Prices vary with the tutor's experience, subject and level. See our guide to tutor prices in the UK, which uses live prices from Studoli tutors.
Are online tutors as good as tutors at home?
For most students, yes. Online lessons use video, a shared whiteboard and screen sharing, save travel time and give you a much wider choice of tutors.
Should an online tutor have a DBS check?
For tutors who teach children in the UK, an enhanced DBS check is good practice. Ask the platform or the tutor what checks have been done.