Upchieve is a free online tutoring and college counseling platform for high school students. It provides one-on-one help 24/7 in many subjects (math, science, writing, SAT prep). This article compares Upchieve’s features, reviews, and pricing. We also compare it to other tutoring sites so students and parents can decide.
Upchieve Reviews and Testimonials
Indeed
Upchieve has 2 reviews on Indeed with an average rating of 5.0/5. Tutors praise the flexible schedule and ease of volunteering. They note it is fulfilling to help low-income students. No negatives were mentioned in the Indeed reviews.
Glassdoor (Employees)
Glassdoor lists 12 employee reviews. Staff like the mission and flexible hours. Common cons: Upchieve only covers high-school subjects and tutors are unpaid volunteers. Overall, employees value the impact despite no pay.
Official Testimonials
Upchieve’s website highlights success stories. Students thank Upchieve for patient tutors and better grades. For example, one student said Upchieve made math easy and helped them get high scores. These testimonials show strong student satisfaction (e.g., a student said “10/10” for their first session). The site emphasizes 24/7 availability and background-checked tutors.
Is Upchieve legit?
Yes. Upchieve is a registered nonprofit with a 90% (four-star) rating from Charity Navigator. Media outlets (Forbes, Time) have featured it. We found no reports of scams or hidden fees. Overall, Upchieve appears to be a legitimate, well-reviewed service.
Summary: Review sites show mostly positive feedback for Upchieve. Users praise that it’s free and mission-driven. The main negatives are its limited scope (only K–12 subjects) and the fact that tutors are volunteers. In summary, Upchieve has strong praise on review platforms, with very few criticisms.
Upchieve Pricing
Pricing Range
Upchieve is completely free for eligible students. Students pay nothing for tutoring or counseling. There are no hourly fees or commissions. (To sustain operations, Upchieve charges schools a partnership fee – roughly $10,000 per school per year – but this cost does not fall on students.)
What students say about Upchieve pricing
Students love that it costs nothing. They note most tutors charge around $25–$50 per hour, so free access is a huge benefit. Reviews say the free model makes quality help accessible to low-income students, which is seen as a major advantage.
Hidden costs
There are no hidden fees. Upchieve does not charge registration, cancellation, or add-on fees. According to the site, the service is always 100% free. Users confirm they pay nothing beyond their usual internet expenses.
How Upchieve’s pricing works
Upchieve is funded by donations, not student payments. Tutors volunteer, so students never pay them. There is no advance payment or package to buy. You simply log in and connect with a tutor when you need help – no subscription or deposit is needed.
Free Trial
There is no trial period because Upchieve is always free. Students start receiving help immediately without any trial signup.
Refund policy
Since Upchieve does not charge fees, refunds are not applicable. We found no reports of overcharging or refund issues. The service’s 100% free model means users never pay, so refund policies are unnecessary.
Upchieve Alternatives
Students may look for alternatives if they need help outside Upchieve’s eligibility or in other subjects. Below are popular tutoring platforms and My Engineering Buddy (MEB) for comparison.
Summary of alternatives: Common alternatives include Khan Academy, Chegg, Wyzant, TutorMe, and My Engineering Buddy. Each differs in price, subject coverage, and format. We outline the pros and cons of each below.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a nonprofit with thousands of free video lessons and exercises. It covers math, science, and other school subjects. Pros: it is completely free and covers many grades. Cons: it offers no live tutors or one-on-one help, only self-study content. Unlike Upchieve, Khan Academy is open to all students but does not provide a live tutor.
Chegg
Chegg provides paid homework help, solutions, and 1:1 tutoring. It covers many college subjects and offers 24/7 Q&A. Pros: extensive content and help at any time. Cons: it requires a monthly subscription (about $15) and extra fees for live tutoring. Upchieve is free but limited to high-school content; Chegg covers higher-level topics but with cost.
Wyzant
Wyzant is a tutoring marketplace in the US with 300+ subjects. Tutors set their own rates (often $35–$60/hr). Pros: many tutor choices, including advanced courses. Cons: it can be expensive and scheduling is needed. Upchieve offers free on-demand help for high-schoolers, while Wyzant serves broader needs at a higher price.
TutorMe
TutorMe offers online tutoring by subscription or on-demand. It covers hundreds of subjects with instant connections. Pros: quick help and certified tutors. Cons: expensive (e.g. ~$129/month) and no free option. Upchieve provides free tutoring by volunteers; TutorMe provides paid professional help.
My Engineering Buddy
My Engineering Buddy (MEB) specializes in advanced STEM and engineering tutoring. Pros: expert tutors, tailored help for college-level courses, and strong student ratings (97% satisfaction). Cons: it is a paid service, not free. Upchieve is free but only for high school topics. For challenging engineering or computer science courses, MEB’s specialized service may be a better fit.
How it Works?
For Students
Students sign up for free on Upchieve’s app or website. No permission is needed. After creating an account, you choose a subject and connect to a tutor or counselor in about 5–10 minutes. Help is one-on-one via a chat and whiteboard. The service runs 24/7, so students can get help any time.
No scheduling is required. You simply log in when you need help, and an available tutor will respond.
For Tutors
Tutors volunteer by signing up. They complete a short screening (about 10 minutes) and one-hour training. Then they set their availability on Upchieve’s calendar. When a student requests help during those hours, the tutor gets a text notification and starts the online session. Tutors choose how much time to volunteer (no minimum hours).
FAQs
How does Upchieve compare to My Engineering Buddy? Upchieve is free and serves eligible high schoolers, with volunteer tutors. My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is a paid platform for college-level STEM subjects, with professional tutors. MEB offers advanced engineering tutoring and guarantees top grades (5-star ratings), whereas Upchieve focuses on K–12 support at no cost.
Is Upchieve free to use? Yes. Upchieve’s tutoring and counseling are 100% free for students. It is funded by donations, so there are no charges, trials, or hidden fees.
Who is eligible to use Upchieve? Only low-income U.S. middle and high school students can use Upchieve. In practice, students at Title I (low-income) public schools or in certain zip codes qualify. If a student’s family can’t afford a tutor, they likely meet the eligibility. International students and college students are not eligible.
How do I sign up? Go to Upchieve.org or download the Upchieve app, and create an account. You do not need your school’s or parents’ approval. After signing up, select your subject and you will be matched with a tutor or counselor within minutes.
What subjects are offered? Upchieve covers common school subjects. It includes math (6th grade through Calculus), science (biology, chemistry, physics), English/essay help, U.S. history, and SAT/ACT prep. It also provides college-prep counseling (college lists, essays, applications). It does not tutor college-level coursework beyond these topics.
Is Upchieve legitimate and effective? Yes. Upchieve is a recognized nonprofit (501c3) and received a 90% (four-star) rating from Charity Navigator. It has been featured by Forbes and Time. Research shows strong outcomes: for example, 95% of students said Upchieve helped them on homework and grades. Reviews from students and volunteers are overwhelmingly positive, confirming its legitimacy and impact.
Conclusion
Upchieve’s strength is offering free, 24/7 tutoring to underserved high school students, with many students reporting improved grades. Its weaknesses are that it covers only K–12 subjects and relies on volunteer tutors (no pay). My Engineering Buddy, by contrast, focuses on advanced college engineering and STEM courses with paid professional tutors. For difficult college-level subjects, MEB’s specialized service and proven track record make it a strong alternative, while Upchieve remains a valuable free resource for eligible high schoolers.
