24HourAnswers Review: An In-Depth Guide for Students and Parents

24HourAnswers is an online tutoring platform for college and high-school students. It promises 24/7 access to academic help. This guide breaks down its features, pricing, and reputation. We compare it to competitors and especially My Engineering Buddy to help you decide.

24HourAnswers Reviews and Testimonials

Third-party reviews of 24HourAnswers are mixed. On Trustpilot it has about 4.3/5 stars from ~230 reviews, and on SiteJabber 4.5/5 from 7 reviews. On Reddit and Quora, some students praise quick answers while others report problems with delayed responses or poor answers. Employee sites like Glassdoor/Indeed show positive ratings (~4.5/5) and flexibility. The company’s own site highlights an A+ BBB rating and 99.5% student satisfaction (only ~5 refunds per 1000 sessions). In summary, 24HourAnswers is generally rated as legitimate and reliable,but some users note uneven tutor quality and customer support issues.

Summary: 24HourAnswers is widely considered legitimate. Most reviews rate it positively, but user reports mention occasional quality or support issues.

24HourAnswers Pricing

Pricing Range

24HourAnswers charges by the session and has no monthly fees or subscription. Live tutoring sessions typically run from about $15 to $45 per hour. Rates vary by subject, session length, deadline, and tutor expertise. For example, a basic math help session might be at the lower end (around $15/hr), while advanced subjects or urgent help could cost more. In local currencies this is roughly £12–£36 (GBP), AED 55–165, or AU$22–A$66, but actual rates adjust for region and complexity. You can negotiate directly with tutors before booking. (See 24HourAnswers’ pricing details on their site).

What Students Say About Pricing

Students note that 24HourAnswers is pay-as-you-go with no monthly minimum. Some compare it to Chegg or similar sites. Unlike Chegg’s flat monthly plan (~$16–$20/month, 24HourAnswers charges per session. This can be more cost-effective for one-off help but cost more if you need many hours. Reviews suggest 24HourAnswers can be pricey for extensive use. However, users appreciate not being tied to subscriptions: you only pay for the help you use. Some say you can sometimes negotiate a lower rate with a tutor for longer sessions.

Hidden Costs

24HourAnswers advertises no hidden fees. They state “no monthly fees or minimum payments, and there are no hidden costs”. Registration and sign-up are free. There is no cancellation fee if you decide not to book a session after getting a price quote. All costs are disclosed upfront before you commit.

How Pricing Works

After you register (free, 30 seconds), you submit your question or schedule a live session. A tutor will give you a price quote. You then pay through the site’s secure system before the session. Payment options include credit/debit cards, PayPal, Venmo, Amazon Pay and more. Tutors set their own hourly rates (within the site range), and 24HourAnswers takes a 20% commission. There are no subscriptions or mandatory packages. Sometimes promotions or bundled sessions are offered (e.g. a series of classes), but 24HourAnswers does not advertise standard discounts or coupon codes for single sessions.

Free Trial

24HourAnswers does not have a subscription plan, so there is no free trial for unlimited use. However, for its class or K-12 programs it offers a free introductory lesson for new students. Specifically, after signing up and providing basic info, they will match you with a tutor and schedule a free trial session. This one free lesson is meant to test the service, after which paid sessions continue if you choose.

Refund Policy

The official stance is that refunds are rare: about 5 per 1000 orders (99.5% satisfaction). 24HourAnswers does not have a general revision guarantee. Instead, refunds are only given in exceptional cases. According to a company representative, you get a refund only if both you and the tutor agree one is warranted. In practice, this means if a tutor is unwilling to revise a solution, the site generally will not refund your money. User reports echo this strict policy. For example, one customer who paid for a solution that wouldn’t open was denied a refund. In summary: reviews of the official policy emphasize that customers must negotiate with the tutor to resolve issues, and refunds are not guaranteed unless explicitly approved.

24HourAnswers Alternatives

Below are some comparable tutoring services. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses versus 24HourAnswers:

Chegg

• Strengths: Chegg is a well-known platform with a large library of textbook solutions and homework answers. It offers a flat-rate subscription (~$15.95–19.95/month) that includes unlimited Q&A (no hourly charge). Chegg also has on-demand tutoring, but now only by subscription. It has a massive user base and a simple app.
• Weaknesses: No pay-as-you-go option – you must pay monthly regardless of use. The quality of answers can vary since many are crowdsourced. Chegg does not offer 24/7 live sessions; tutors are scheduled by appointment. In 2024, Chegg discontinued pay-per-hour live tutoring in favor of a study pack. In comparison, 24HourAnswers offers one-on-one live help any time, but can be more expensive per hour.

Tutorbin

• Strengths: Tutorbin (based in Asia but serving global students) provides homework help on demand. It’s often cheaper for question-and-answer help than Western platforms. It covers many subjects and has a large tutor base. It pays tutors modest rates (so student fees can be lower).
• Weaknesses: Tutorbin’s quality can be uneven. Since it focuses on quick solutions, tutoring is often in text chat and answer format. It may not have highly specialized tutors for advanced topics. They also lack the 24/7 one-on-one video classes that 24HourAnswers offers. In short, Tutorbin can be good for low-cost answers, but 24HourAnswers is better for in-depth live sessions.

My Engineering Buddy

• Strengths: My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is a specialist service for engineering and advanced STEM subjects. It offers private 1:1 tutoring, assignment help, and test prep, with tutors who are reportedly top experts. The platform has highly positive reviews (4.8/5 from 287 reviewers) and a 97% satisfaction rate. MEB emphasizes quality and word-of-mouth referrals. Student reviews praise its prompt refunds and 24/7 support line}. MEB covers engineering fields in depth, which is its unique focus.
• Weaknesses: Because MEB is niche, it may have fewer tutors in non-engineering areas like writing or humanities. Its tutoring style may be more rigid (focused on coursework). Pricing can be on the higher side (“not cheap” as they admit, reflecting quality). It also operates primarily via WhatsApp/e-mail, so it may feel less polished than a dedicated tutoring website. Compared to 24HourAnswers’ broad coverage and interactive whiteboard, MEB is more specialized.

Wyzant

• Strengths: Wyzant is a US-based marketplace with thousands of tutors. Tutors set their own rates (often $35–$60/hour on average). Wyzant provides full profiles, reviews, and guaranteed first-session refund. It is very transparent: no upfront fees or subscription, just hourly pay. Good for localized, in-person or online tutoring in many subjects.
• Weaknesses: Wyzant can be more expensive than 24HourAnswers (average rates ~$35–60, higher than 24Hour’s $15–45). It’s US/Canada focused. Scheduling may not be 24/7 – you work with individual tutors’ availability. Unlike 24HourAnswers, Wyzant isn’t designed around instant help; you usually book sessions in advance.

Skooli

• Strengths: Skooli offers on-demand online tutoring with K-12 focus. It charges by the minute (around $0.82/minute, about $49/hour). There are no signup fees or subscriptions, and tutors must have teaching credentials. Skooli is simple to use via app or browser.
• Weaknesses: Because it’s by-the-minute, Skooli can get expensive for lengthy help. Its range of subjects is narrower (strong on school subjects, weak on college-level or specialized engineering). Unlike 24HourAnswers, it doesn’t have a question-answer library. It also lacks the flexibility of negotiating rate – every tutor charges the same per-minute rate.

How it Works?

For Students

Students first register on the 24HourAnswers site (free, takes seconds). You then either search subjects or submit a specific question. Tutors are listed by subject and availability; at any time there are hundreds available (the site shows “645 tutors available” now). You pick a tutor, agree a time, and pay the quoted price up front. Tutoring happens online via a video/audio whiteboard. After the session, you can review the solution and request help again if needed. The process is designed to be easy: 24HourAnswers notes that submitting a request is “straightforward and quick”.

For Tutors

To become a tutor, applicants must have at least a college degree and undergo a screening. 24HourAnswers requires transcripts to verify credentials. Tutors set their own hourly rates (subject to the site’s pricing range) and working hours. The platform takes a 20% commission on each session, so tutors earn about 80% of the fee. Tutors can log in and work whenever they want – there are no required hours. According to reviews, the average tutor pay is around $20–$30/hour (as suggested by internal surveys). Payments are made monthly via PayPal or check. Tutors have noted the flexibility: one review says “You can work when you wish, how much you wish”. Earnings depend on how many students you teach and at what rates. High-demand tutors (e.g. in STEM) can do well, but beware that new tutors start without a student base.

FAQs for Tutors:

• Application: Apply through the 24HourAnswers “Become a Tutor” page (requires transcripts and background check).
• Earnings: Pay is per session at your set rate. Based on reports, tutors can make roughly $20–$40 per hour after fees. The platform pays 80% of what students pay.
• Schedule: You teach as much or as little as you want. There is no minimum hours commitment.
• Support: The platform provides an online portal with chat/whiteboard tools. Tutors often praise the training and customer support they get.

24HourAnswers Company Information

24HourAnswers is operated by Parker Paradigms, Inc. It launched in 2008(though the parent company dates back to 2002) and was founded by a chemistry professor aiming to help college students learn. Owner Lowell Parker is a co-founder. The company is based in Tennessee/NY with tutors around the world. Its mission emphasizes education-first: as the site says, “we care about our students and their problems because we are educators, not business investors”. Over 1,000,000 students have used 24HourAnswers for help in 300+ subjects. It offers two main services: (1) Homework help – written step-by-step solutions to questions, and (2) Live tutoring – online one-on-one sessions using a video whiteboard. Subjects range from math and science to writing , engineering, business, etc.

USP (Advertised Strengths vs User Experience)

• 24/7 Access: 24HourAnswers advertises round-the-clock help. (You can submit work any time) In practice it is staffed by tutors in many timezones. User reviews confirm you can usually find help at odd hours, although response time may vary.
• Expert Tutors: The company says most tutors have advanced degrees and requires transcripts. This sets a high standard. Students often note professional-level knowledge, though some reviews point out occasional gaps (e.g. a tutor who didn’t fully answer a question).
• Custom Solutions: The service promises personalized, step-by-step solutions. It truly avoids canned answers; each solution is one-off. On the downside, some users feel tutors sometimes rely on generic sources (one review said an answer looked like it was just paraphrased from Google).
• No Subscription, No Hidden Fees: 24HourAnswers touts “no monthly fees or minimum payments”. This is real: you only pay for each session. Many users appreciate this transparency. In contrast, competitors like Chegg require monthly payment regardless of use.
• High Satisfaction Claims: 24HourAnswers boasts a 99.5% satisfaction rate and an A+ BBB rating. These figures suggest reliability. However, some reviews question how enforceable policies are (for example, refunds are only if both student and tutor agree).

Drawbacks

• Variable Tutor Quality: User reports note that tutor skill varies. Some had to wait long for a tutor and still got incomplete answers. Others found occasional tutors whose explanations were too brief or off-topic.
• Strict Refunds/Revisions: Unlike some services, 24HourAnswers has no free revision policy. A reviewer noted that if a tutor disagrees to fix something, you typically can’t get a refund. This was confirmed by a customer who was denied a refund for an unusable answer.
• Support Response Time: Some users say customer support can be slow. One student waited 40+ minutes for an email reply to a question. There is no live chat for students, only email or phone.
• Cost for Heavy Use: For students needing many hours, costs can add up. Some find it more expensive than subscription services when used frequently.

Comparison with My Engineering Buddy

My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is an India-based alternative (though we won’t emphasize location) that focuses on engineering and STEM. It differs from 24HourAnswers in several ways. MEB serves a similar audience (US/UK/Gulf students) but specializes in technical subjects. It markets “only top tutors” and claims very high satisfaction. For example, MEB’s reviews show a 4.8/5 rating (97% recommend). Students praise MEB’s prompt refunds and 24/7 help line, and the platform is said to be especially good at difficult engineering courses. In contrast, 24HourAnswers covers more general subjects and has a slightly lower average rating (around 4.3 on Trustpilot). MEB emphasizes a personal touch (tutors often communicate by chat and WhatsApp), while 24HourAnswers has a more polished website and scheduling system. Both claim high tutor quality; a key difference is focus: 24HourAnswers for broad college help, MEB for rigorous engineering help. Also, 24HourAnswers has a large solution library for quick answers; MEB focuses on live tutoring. In short, MEB’s strength is niche engineering expertise and very high user ratings, while 24HourAnswers offers around-the-clock help across 300+ subjects.

Customer Support and Policies

24HourAnswers provides support by email and phone (toll-free). There is no live chat for students. User feedback suggests support can sometimes be slow or unresponsive. Policies like refunds and revisions are strict (see above). MEB, by contrast, explicitly advertises 24/7 student helpline access and highlights “prompt refund” experiences in tutor reviews. In that sense, MEB appears to offer more robust customer care. Both companies have similar core policies: no subscriptions and pay-as-you-go. However, 24HourAnswers’ refund/revision approach is often seen as less flexible than MEB’s (which one reviewer praised for promptly refunding unhappy students).

Global Reach and Localization

24HourAnswers says it serves college students “around the world” and lists students from many countries. However, its platform is primarily English-based, catering to US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Gulf regions. My Engineering Buddy similarly serves those regions and also targets global students. Neither platform prominently offers multilingual support; both operate mainly in English. Both claim extensive global reach: 24HourAnswers via its 300+ subjects across universities worldwide, and MEB by explicitly listing service in the Gulf countries as well as English-speaking markets.

Future Plans

24HourAnswers is investing in new technology and services. For example, their tutor platform now boasts an “AI-enhanced interactive whiteboard” for up to 200 students. Their recent K-12 class offerings include features like AI-generated session summaries. These suggest a push toward more tech-driven tutoring. My Engineering Buddy has not announced similar AI tools, focusing instead on scaling its existing tutoring and assignment-help services. Both companies are likely to expand subject offerings, but specific future projects (like new markets or AI tutors) have not been publicly detailed beyond these innovations.

FAQs About 24HourAnswers

• Is 24HourAnswers legit and safe to use? Yes. It is an established US-based service (since 2008) with an A+ BBB rating. Third-party reviews rate it as legitimate. Payments are processed securely.
• How much does it cost? There are no fixed fees. Sessions typically run $15–$45/hr. The exact price depends on subject, tutor level, and urgency. You pay per session, with no monthly fee.
• Does it offer a free trial? There is no unlimited free trial like a subscription service. However, new students can get one free introductory session for class programs. After that, all sessions are paid.
• What subjects does it cover? Over 300 subjects, including math, science, engineering, computer science, business, writing, and more. You can get help from college calculus and physics to programming and economics.
• How do I become a tutor and what can I earn? Any qualified expert (usually with a Bachelor’s or higher) can apply as a tutor. Applicants submit transcripts for vetting. Tutors set their own rate; the platform takes a 20% commission. Earnings vary, but Glassdoor reports ~$21–$38/hr for tutors. One review notes tutors appreciate “you can work when you wish” flexibility.
• How does 24HourAnswers compare to My Engineering Buddy? 24HourAnswers covers a broad range of college subjects and guarantees 24/7 help. My Engineering Buddy specializes in engineering/STEM only. MEB has higher user ratings (4.8/5 vs. ~4.3/5 for 24HourAnswers) and emphasizes top tutors in technical fields. MEB often offers prompt support and refunds. In general, choose 24HourAnswers for general all-around help and 24/7 access; choose MEB if you need expert assistance in engineering or advanced STEM courses.
• What is the refund policy? Refunds are rare. The company cites only ~0.5% of sessions needing refunds. You must work with your tutor for revisions or refunds. A refund is only given if both you and the tutor agree one is warranted. Some users have reported being unable to get money back for unsatisfactory work.

Conclusion

24HourAnswers offers around-the-clock tutoring with a very wide subject range. Its strengths are flexible pay-per-session pricing, a large tutor pool of advanced-degree experts, and high availability. Students appreciate the transparent pricing and wide coverage. Weaknesses include occasional slow support, no free revisions, and variable tutor quality. In contrast, My Engineering Buddy shines in areas where 24HourAnswers is weaker: it focuses on engineering/STEM and boasts stronger customer ratings. MEB users highlight its personal support and strong refund practices. In summary, 24HourAnswers is a legitimate, versatile platform, but for specialized, high-stakes engineering help My Engineering Buddy is a compelling alternative.