Tutoring platform alternatives & comparisons, 2026
Tutorful, MyTutor and Superprof each charge a different way, and First Tutors closed in May 2026. This page compares what parents pay to contact a tutor, what tutors keep, and how each platform verifies and reviews, sourced and dated. Pick a platform below for the full comparison.
Platform-by-platform, as of July 2026
Figures sourced from each platform's own pricing pages and tutor-reported experiences on Glassdoor, verified by live fetch this week. Products change, so check the individual comparison pages for full sourcing and a dated FAQ.
| Platform | Parent cost to contact | Tutor keeps | Verification | Reviews model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TutorLab | Free to message | 100% of their rate on their own students, on every payment method (0% platform fee too on TutorLab-introduced families, unlimited on every paid plan) | Directory listing | Rail-payment-gated (unfakeable) |
| Tutorful | Percentage service fee added at booking; public rate not stated | Tutor sets the base rate; parent pays the service fee on top | Directory login required to browse | "81K+ 5-star reviews" claimed sitewide |
| MyTutor | 3 tiers: £25+/£45+/£65+ per hour | Tutor fee is reduced by a platform charge plus VAT; public rate not stated | DBS badges with expiry dates | Large first-party review base |
| Superprof | Recurring Student Pass to message; price shown at purchase | Free listing; optional platform-payment terms apply | Self-reported profiles | Per-tutor reviews, no platform aggregate |
| First Tutors | Closed in May 2026 | N/A, platform shut down | N/A | N/A |
Commission figures for Tutorful and MyTutor are hedged ("reported") because they come from tutor-side reviews, not each platform's own disclosure. TutorLab's 0% commission on a tutor's own students is a direct product fact.
Full comparisons
Tutorful alternative
Tutorful's service fee vs contacting tutors free on TutorLab.
MyTutor alternative
MyTutor's per-lesson commission vs TutorLab's 0% on your own students.
Superprof alternative
Superprof's recurring Student Pass vs free messaging on TutorLab.
First Tutors alternative
First Tutors closed in May 2026. Where parents and tutors go next.
What each platform genuinely does well
No platform is strictly worse across every dimension. Here is where each one has a real edge.
Common questions comparing UK tutoring platforms
Which UK tutoring platform has the lowest cost for parents?
TutorLab and Tutor Hunt both let parents message tutors without a contact charge. Superprof requires a recurring Student Pass to unlock contact, while Tutorful adds a percentage service fee at booking but does not publish one public rate. On TutorLab, contacting a tutor is free.
Which platform lets tutors keep the most of their rate?
The tutor keeps 100% of their rate on their own students on TutorLab. A family paying through TutorLab, on any payment method, adds a disclosed processing fee on top of the tutor's rate (a 5% processing fee, 0% on Pro); paying the tutor directly, for example by bank transfer, carries no TutorLab fee. MyTutor confirms a tutor charge plus VAT and Tutorful confirms a percentage parent service fee, but neither publishes one universal rate, so ask for a written quote before comparing take-home pay.
Is Tutorful, MyTutor or Superprof better for verification?
MyTutor's DBS badges with visible expiry dates are the most transparent verification signal observed. Tutor Hunt is also known for verification depth. TutorLab does not independently run DBS checks, so parents should ask the tutor directly and view the certificate before lessons begin.
Why did First Tutors close?
First Tutors, a long-running UK tutor directory, closed in May 2026. Its listings are no longer live. Parents and tutors who used it need a new directory; see our First Tutors guide for what to do next.
Try the alternative
Parents: contact a tutor free, no pass, one all-in price. Tutors: list free; you keep 100% of your rate on the students you bring, and a 5% processing fee (0% on Pro) is added to the family's price on every payment method. Free on the tools for unlimited students who pay through TutorLab and up to 3 you invoice yourself, no card needed, then TutorLab Pro at £29/month.