Tutoring exploded in popularity after the pandemic interrupted traditional schooling and shifted many students to learning from home.
At first, tutors were mainly used for learning pods and to support children attending virtual classes while parents worked in another room. These days, parents are hiring tutors to help their children recover from a year of uneven academic progress. That extra instruction may become even more important as schools reopen and many promise a return to normalcy in the fall.
According to Tutors.com, typical tutoring rates range from $25 to $80 per hour, and fees can climb dramatically for SAT prep — reaching as much as $250 per hour in markets like New York and California. High schoolers preparing for college often turn to tutors to boost their test scores.
5 Budget-Friendly Online Tutoring Services
Fortunately, you don’t have to pay top dollar to find quality tutoring. Numerous online platforms charge much less and can effectively improve skills and grades. Below are some notable choices:
1. Varsity Tutors
Varsity Tutors provides everything from test preparation to photography and traditional academic tutoring in a variety of formats. All instruction is live. If your child needs prompt assistance, you can request an immediate tutor and, depending on availability, someone will join the session quickly.
Cost: Options vary. Unlimited tutoring for $19 per month is offered if you’re willing to have your child in a group of 25–30 virtual students. Small group sessions for 6–9 students start around $12 per hour. Some large-group classes are free, such as The Death of Julius Caesar (grades 5–12) and Discovering Raptors (grades 2–5). One-on-one tutors tend to be pricier, usually $70–$95 per hour.
2. Outschool
Outschool gained traction in 2020 because it hosts a wide array of virtual classes. The platform emphasizes group classes and group tutoring. My third grader took everything from a Broadway musical course to a class on reptiles, and she adored them. If a teacher is a fit, you can follow them on Outschool to find their other offerings. Outschool goes beyond academics, offering dance, gaming and virtually any subject you can imagine. Private tutoring is also available, with instructors ranging from college students to professors and field experts.
Cost: Prices fluctuate depending on class length (some courses span a month while others are single sessions). A private 30-minute math tutor typically charges around $35; a group improv session might be $12 per hour for up to 12 students.
3. Chegg
If you don’t want live tutoring but still need help with specific math problems or essay revisions, Chegg offers practical, affordable assistance. Tutors are available around the clock for homework help and editing services. You upload a problem or paper, and a tutor usually responds quickly (often within 30 minutes). This is ideal for students who resist regular tutoring but can use on-demand support.
Cost: $10 per month for the Chegg Math Solver (enter any math problem and receive step-by-step solutions); $15 per month for homework answers and 24/7 access to experts; free flashcards; $10 per month to email for writing support or paper edits.
4. Skooli
Skooli is best for students who need occasional homework assistance. They charge $0.82 per minute with a 15-minute minimum, and you pay only for the time you use. There are no contracts. Tutors cover nearly every subject from math and science to business. After you submit your question or describe where you’re stuck, Skooli connects you with a tutor who should start the video session within minutes.
Cost: $0.82 per minute with a 15-minute minimum (about $12.30).
5. TutorMe
TutorMe promises a top tutor in under 30 seconds, 24/7. Many tutors come from Ivy League or comparable institutions, and only around 4% of applicants are accepted. They offer help across roughly 300 subjects, from elementary levels through college.
Cost: Multiple plans are available. For example, an 8-hour monthly plan costs $209 per month (about $26 per hour) for students who need tutoring twice weekly. If you need less time, a 2-hour monthly plan is $69. Additional minutes can be purchased, typically at rates between $0.44 and $0.58 per minute depending on your plan.
In addition to these services, you may also find free tutoring resources and community-based programs that provide low-cost or no-cost academic support.
Contributor Mariana Cole is a Midwest-based writer who covers consumer finances and budget-friendly living. Her work has been featured in national publications and family-focused outlets.
