Where to find online tutoring for kids and popular options to get started

If your child needs help in subjects, like math, science or language arts, or specialized test prep for an upcoming SAT or ACT exam, online tutoring can be the perfect solution. A variety of high-quality online tutoring services offer advanced technology features and connect students of all ages with expert tutors for virtual instruction. It’s not uncommon to be able to choose from a diverse selection of accredited tutors and flexible pricing options to fit different needs.

Looking for an online tutoring service to enhance learning while keeping your child engaged? Here’s how to find a tutor online and what to consider before kickstarting this convenient learning option.

What is online tutoring?

When a private tutor who is trained in particular subject matters provides instruction to a student over the internet, it’s called online tutoring. Typically, online tutoring includes a real-time video session, often using Zoom, Google Meet, dedicated tutoring software, etc.

Depending on the online tutor or service, additional technology tools may also include:

• A whiteboard or other interactive chalkboard for writing, drawing and solving problems in real time.
• Chat and email tools for ongoing feedback and communication.
• A virtual classroom, in which to share documents, quizzes or pre-recorded lessons and videos.
• AI-based tools for feedback or other learning.

Why online tutoring is beneficial

Online tutoring offers more than traditional tutoring and one-on-one attention for your child; it also provides the following additional benefits:

• Flexibility: Online tutoring allows students and tutors to schedule sessions at convenient times and provides access to communication tools between sessions.
• Accessibility: Students can connect with tutoring experts worldwide, regardless of location, and ask questions and learn within the safety and comfort of their home.
• Personalization: With the variety of teaching aids online, tutoring sessions can be tailored to individual learning styles and needs.
• Customization: While live tutoring may be your go-to option, some online tutors may also offer on-demand, asynchronous or hybrid tutoring options consisting of pre-recorded lessons combined with periodic live Q&A sessions.
• Cost-effective: When compared to the cost of in-person tutoring, online tutoring can be more affordable due to reduced travel and overhead costs.
• Expertise: Online, you can find subject matter tutors, homework tutors, college-readiness tutors, test-prep tutors, language tutors and even librarians with a wealth of knowledge, experience and academic degrees.

How to find online tutoring

Find online tutors

Available online tutoring options will depend on grade level, subject, budget and learning style. Here are some general but effective ways to find the right online tutor for your child:

• Use online tutoring platforms: Many websites connect students with tutors based on expertise and availability (start with the list of services below).
• Ask for recommendations: Friends, teachers or colleagues may have recommendations for good online tutors.
• Check educational institutions: Many universities and schools offer online tutoring services for students.
• Join online tutoring communities: Facebook groups, Reddit forums and Discord study groups often have tutors available.

13 popular online tutoring services for your child

Check out this list of popular online tutoring services, their features and pricing information below.

1. Care.com

If you’re simply looking to match a student with the perfect tutor, you can search for online tutors using the Care.com platform. Search by rates (vary by tutor), reviews and experience in a wide variety of subjects for a number of grade levels.

Pricing: Use the Care.com Cost of Care calculator to research the most current posted tutoring rates, which vary depending on subject, grade level and the tutor’s location and expertise. You can browse tutor profiles and rates for free with a basic membership, but to contact or book a tutor, you need a premium membership. 

2. Learner

Learner is an online tutoring service that’s mainly for math (algebra, geometry, calculus, etc.), but they do have tutors for ELA, as well. Potential clients fill out a quick survey, detailing the student’s needs, which is then followed up by a five-minute phone call. The first session is then scheduled for some time within the next 72 hours. Education Mom rated Learner her top online tutoring pick, as it took her daughter’s math grade from a D to an A.

Pricing: There’s a $25 trial charge, and from there prices range from $60-80 an hour.

3. Skooli

Skooli stands out for its pricing, which is only pay-as-you-go, making Skooli straight-forward and extra helpful for things like complicated math problems or single-assignment difficulty, rather than help with an entire course. You’ll be able to search through hundreds of qualified teachers by subject and grade level. Classes are accessible on any device you’d normally use, so you can access your tutor while you’re mobile immediately or schedule a session for the future. Students will be able to review personalized feedback from the tutor and can replay the recorded session. SAT and ACT prep is also available. 

Pricing: Starts at $.82/minute, with a minimum 60 minutes to start.

4. Wyzant

Wyzant offers in-person tutoring, as well as tutoring online. You’ll go through four quick steps: Answer some questions, pick an instructor, chat with them and then book your lesson. Wyzant’s Good Fit Guarantee lets you off the hook by giving you the first hour for free if you’re not totally satisfied with the level of instruction. They boast more than 80,000 instructors in more than 300 subjects. Wyzant also offers a great page of free resources, including more than 1 million interactive lessons and videos created by private tutors. Rates depend on the individual tutor and subject.

Pricing: There’s a wide range of prices on Wyzant, but the average range is $35-80 per hour. And while there’s not an upfront fee, the platform does charge a 9% service fee on top of tutor prices.

5. eTutorWorld

eTutorWorld offers K-12 online tutoring and test prep. Their Learning by Design teaching method provides one-to-one teaching based on the student’s pace. This method helps students set goals as teachers design lesson plans based on the student’s abilities and interests. eTutorWorld says all their qualified tutors are mentors, as well. All tutors are trained in federal and state curriculums. They offer a free trial session with no credit card required. 

Pricing: Different packages are available with prices ranging from $28 for one session to $2,378 for 100.

6. Pear Deck Tutor

Pear Deck Tutor provides a premium online tutoring service for a wide variety of subjects for students throughout the world. Offering live tutors, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Pear Deck Tutor comes with a number of services, including a virtual whiteboard, audio/video chat, screen-sharing and more

All lessons — whether video, audio, screen share or otherwise — are archived so the student can access them after their session. They encourage students to come to Pear Deck for any kind of help, ranging from just one math problem to computer programming help that may last several sessions. They also offer a free trial. 

Pricing: Users get a free 30-minute trial. They also offer bespoke plans, which vary in price, but have a plan for $150 for the year.

7. Tutor.com

Tutors on this site run the gamut, from “Ph.D.s and Ivy Leagues to teachers, doctors, professors and pilots.” In addition to the same tutoring services offered by many others on this list, Tutor.com also includes articles published by their tutors. Helpful article titles include “Tips to Write an Awesome Thesis Statement” and “Solving Quadratic Equations by Using the Quadratic Formula.” They offer 24/7 tutoring in dozens of subjects and recently joined forces with the Princeton Review for even more tutoring options. Set up a Tutor.com account, and then sign in any time for a tutoring session. They do individual Homework Help tutoring sessions, as well as packages specific to SAT/ACT prep and more.

Pricing: In addition to a free trial, there are a number of options, including a 1-hour-of-tutoring monthly rate of $40; 3 hours monthly for $115; or 5 hours monthly for $180. 

8. Pearson

Pearson offers tutoring for college and advanced high-school education needs. The subjects the cover are: writing, math, ESL, reading, business, Spanish, nursing and allied health, computers and technology. In addition to tutoring, students can also give tutors materials, papers, etc. to review.

Pricing: Pricing packages are hourly and are as follows:

• One hour of tutoring: $35
• Four hours of tutoring: $120
• One essay submission: $19.95
• One long essay submission: $34.95
• One SAT long essay review: $9.95

9. Club Z

Club Z offers in-home and online tutoring 24/7 in more than 300 subjects. They say their tutoring “has a 98% satisfaction rate, and will help you increase two letter grades in as little as 60 days.” They offer the same guarantee as Wyzant, with the first hour free if you don’t find the right fit. Subjects range from pre-K to general study skills, music lessons, foreign language and all the way through college. 

Pricing: Depends on the tutor and franchise owner, so a request is necessary for pricing.

10. StudyGate

StudyGate has been deemed a “homework helper” for both high school and college-level students. The online tutoring platform is self-paced and on an as-need basis, as opposed to weekly or monthly meetings. “Simply choose your subject, post your project, and connect with a tutor who can meet your deadline,” the website notes.

StudyGate has tons of “superhero nerd” tutors from Ivy League schools that can help with over 120 subjects.

Pricing: StudyGate is affordable, with the average price being around $15 an hour. There are also no deposits or minimums.

11. Revolution Prep

Revolution Prep is known for their SAT/ACT exam reviews with live tutors, but they also offer prep videos on demand and homework help in 37 subjects. All tutors for Revolution are full-time faculty members in education. They offer online tutoring programs in groups or one-on-one. They also offer school counselors to help students and families make sound education plans.

Pricing: They have a few options, but one choice is group test-prep tutoring, which includes 10 students and one teacher, for 12 hours and $500.

12. Preply

Preply is THE online destination for tutors to help you speak confidently in a number of different languages. They offer nearly 2,600 tutors in the English language, as well as more than 800 Spanish tutors and more than 400 tutors in the Chinese language. Other languages include German, French, Russian, Arabic and more. Working with a live tutor rather than an automated app or program helps students learn to speak naturally and comfortably. Students are able to request private tutors by posting their language requirements, and the tutors come to you. Preply’s satisfaction guarantee says they’ll give you a free replacement tutor or full refund if you’re not happy with how your trial lesson goes.

Pricing: Varies by tutor, but is generally around $15-$25 an hour.

13. Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors offers tutoring in more than 3,000 subjects from more than 40,000 tutors. In addition to tutoring from kindergarten through grad school, they offer test prep and certifications for professional skills. Their Instant Tutoring program lets students connect to someone online in as little as 15 seconds for things like quick homework questions and exam prep. Whatever hours you purchase can be used across all subjects and can even be shared among family members. Varsity also offers in-home tutoring at different price points.

Pricing: Prices vary, but, on average, range from $50-100 an hour.

Questions to consider before choosing an online tutor

Tutoring is an investment that requires time and money. Before deciding on any online tutor or service for your child, consider the following:

• Do I have the right technology? Specific needs vary, but you’ll often be required to have access to reliable computer with high-speed internet and the right specifications for video calls and screen sharing, as well as a microphone, camera and the latest version of compatible web browser.
• How does your child prefer to interact online? Much like the real world, there are a variety of different communication styles available online. Video calls, message boards, chats: Which one does your child gravitate to and feel most comfortable with? Finding a tutor that can work within that medium will help facilitate learning.
• Are the tutors properly credentialed? Depending on the service or platform, individuals promoting tutoring services may not be vetted for experience and verified credentials. Make sure you utilize a service that can offer proof of background or that you do your own vetting.
• Is the online tutor background checked? This will depend on the platform. To help maintain a safe community, Care.com requires all caregivers to undergo a criminal screening called a CareCheck. CareCheck is a good place to start, but it does not replace the safety precautions that families should take on their own. Our membership eligibility standards for caregivers may differ from your hiring standards, and we don’t share CareCheck reports for privacy reasons. We strongly recommend following our 3 Steps to Hiring Safely, which includes running your own background check. Visit the Care.com Safety page to learn more.