Is it cheaper to use a tutoring agency or find a tutor directly?

Finding a tutor directly, without an agency taking a commission, is almost always cheaper for the same quality of tutor, because agencies typically retain a significant share of what a family pays before the tutor sees any of it.

How agency pricing typically works:

Many UK tutoring agencies charge a family a headline hourly rate, then pay the tutor a reduced amount after taking a commission that commonly ranges from 25% to 50% depending on the agency. A family paying £40/hr through a high-commission agency might see the tutor receive only £20–£28 of that. Because the tutor's actual take-home rate is lower than the family's headline cost, agencies often need to charge families more overall to make the arrangement worthwhile for the tutor.

How direct or commission-free platforms typically work:

When a family contacts a tutor directly, whether through personal recommendation or a directory-style platform, the tutor sets their own rate and receives it in full. This tends to mean the same tutor, at the same quality, is available at a lower headline rate than an agency would charge for equivalent expertise, since there's no commission built into the pricing.

What to weigh against pure cost:

Agencies sometimes offer vetting, replacement guarantees or administrative support that a fully independent arrangement doesn't provide. Commission-free directory platforms, such as TutorLab, aim to combine the lower cost of direct contact with the structure of browsing verified profiles, comparing rates upfront, and contacting tutors without an agency intermediary or added commission.