Chegg is a well-known platform in the online study and homework help space. It started as a textbook rental service and has expanded into academic support. This article helps students and parents compare Chegg with other tutoring platforms and make informed decisions about learning support.

Chegg Reviews and Testimonials

Chegg’s reputation is a mixed bag. On SiteJabber, Chegg averages only 1.2 out of 5 stars across hundreds of reviews. Many students complain about billing issues and wrong answers. On Trustpilot, Chegg has a dismal 2.3/5 rating, with recent feedback citing unauthorized charges, poor customer service, and trouble canceling subscriptions. Discussions on Reddit are also mixed: some users feel Chegg’s answers help them save time, while others warn about mistakes and overpriced services. On Quora, some tutors mention frustrations with Chegg’s quality control, calling it strict to the point of rejecting good answers. Even employees on Glassdoor rate Chegg  4.0 out of 5, praising work-life balance but noting issues with recent management.

Is Chegg legit? Yes, Chegg is a legitimate company that has been in business since 2005. It’s publicly traded and was once valued over a billion dollars. However, “legit” doesn’t always mean “good.” While not a scam (it delivers the services promised), many users question if it’s worth the money due to repeated complaints about billing and quality. Summing up, Chegg is a real service with millions of users, but trustworthiness depends on personal experience.

In summary, Chegg’s positive reviews highlight convenient 24/7 study help and a huge library of solutions. Negative reviews focus on billing woes, difficulty getting refunds, and accuracy problems. If you use Chegg, be cautious with your subscription and double-check any answers you get.

Chegg Pricing

Pricing Range

Chegg’s pricing model has changed over the years. As of 2025, Chegg no longer offers pay-per-hour live tutoring. Instead, it runs on monthly subscriptions:

  • Chegg Study: about $15.95 per month, which lets you ask up to 20 questions to Chegg Experts every month. You also get access to step-by-step textbook solutions (with weekly limits on how many you can view).
  • Chegg Study Pack: about $19.95 per month, which includes everything in Chegg Study plus extra tools like math equation solvers, writing help (including plagiarism checks), and exam prep. It also allows unlimited questions for homework help.
  • Chegg Writing: around $9.95 per month for plagiarism and grammar checks, citation help, and expert proofreading.
  • Textbook Rentals: vary by book. Renting textbooks can be up to 90% cheaper than buying. Physical rentals over $35 often include free shipping.

Other services like Chegg Math Solver or Chegg Study Pack upgrades may have their own fees, but generally Chegg’s plans cover most needs at one flat rate. For the latest pricing, you can see Chegg’s official pricing page.

What Students Say About Chegg Pricing

Students have mixed feelings about Chegg’s cost. Some say “Chegg is expensive”, but worth it when you’re stuck. The Chegg Study subscription (~$15-16) is often justified by those who use it frequently, since it’s cheaper than hiring a private tutor at $30+ per hour. However, others argue that Chegg’s value has dropped now that there are free resources (like Khan Academy or even AI study tools like AI Blaze). Many students compare Chegg to Course Hero or Bartleby, which cost around $10 per month and might offer similar homework solutions. Compared to typical tutoring rates of $25–$60/hour in the US, Chegg seems cheap, but remember: Chegg gives answers, not live teaching. So its pricing is more on par with homework Q&A services than true one-on-one tutoring.

Hidden Costs

Chegg’s subscriptions auto-renew, which can surprise users. Some hidden costs and issues include:

  • Auto-Billing: If you don’t cancel in time, Chegg will keep charging you monthly. Many complaints are from students who forgot to
    cancel and couldn’t get refunds for unused months
  • Question Limits: Chegg Study only allows 20 new Q&A questions each month. If you need more, you might feel pressure to upgrade to Study Pack or wait until the limit resets.
  • Multiple Devices: Chegg has strict device limits. Logging in from too many devices can lock your account, which some find frustrating.
  • Late Fees for Books: For textbook rentals, returning a book late can incur fees. Also, if a book is lost or damaged, Chegg may charge you the purchase price.

In general, there are no upfront registration fees for Chegg. Just be mindful of the renewal dates and limitations so you don’t end up paying extra unknowingly.

How Chegg’s Pricing Works

Chegg accepts major payment methods: Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, Discover, and even PayPal or Venmo for subscriptions. If you sign up via the mobile app, you can use Apple Pay or Google Pay. All plans are monthly, meaning you pay and get 30 days of access. There’s no long-term contract, so you can cancel anytime (though it may only stop the next cycle).

Chegg often runs promotions for new users or textbook renters. For example, renting a textbook might give you 4 weeks of Chegg Study free. Occasionally, Chegg emails out discount codes (10-15% off) for subscriptions. There are also bundle deals, like Chegg Study Pack being a better value than subscribing to Chegg Study + Chegg Writing separately.

For payment security, Chegg lets you update credit cards in your account settings. If you want more privacy or to prevent overcharging, some students use prepaid gift cards to pay, so Chegg can’t keep billing once the card balance is done.

Free Trial

Does Chegg offer a free trial? Officially, Chegg doesn’t advertise a general free trial for Chegg Study as of 2025. However, they have promotions:

  • If you rent a textbook from Chegg, you get a 4-week free trial of Chegg Study.
  • At times, Chegg has offered a 7-day free trial for Chegg Study to new subscribers. This isn’t always available, but some deal sites still mention it.

During a free trial, you can typically ask questions and use solutions just like a paid member. Just be sure to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to be charged the regular monthly fee. Always check Chegg’s current offers, since they change and sometimes run student promos (for example, occasionally giving a discount on the first month instead of a free trial).

Refund Policy

Chegg’s official stance: subscriptions are non-refundable once charged. If you forget to cancel and the payment goes through, Chegg usually will not give your money back for that month. In “extenuating circumstances,” Chegg support might grant a one-time courtesy refund for the most recent charge. But if months have passed, they typically won’t refund older charges.

For textbook returns, Chegg has a 21-day refund window – if you drop a class or change your mind, you can return a textbook rental in the first 21 days for a full refund (less shipping). After that, no refund, but you still have to return the book by the due date to avoid fees.

In user reviews, many people complained that Chegg makes it hard to cancel or get refunds: “They won’t refund you even if you cancel the same day”. Always cancel via your account page and keep confirmation emails. If you have issues, contact Chegg support by phone or chat (they have a phone line: 1-855-477-0177). Some users had success getting refunds by disputing charges through their bank when Chegg didn’t cooperate. In short, don’t count on a refund from Chegg, so be careful with subscription renewals.

Chegg Alternatives

Why look at alternatives? Chegg might be a big name, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. Students often seek alternatives due to high costs, limited tutoring, or ethical concerns (using Chegg can toe the line on cheating). Each alternative has its own strengths. Let’s explore a few, including My Engineering Buddy (MEB), which is known for expert tutoring in tough subjects.

Wyzant

Wyzant is a tutor marketplace with thousands of instructors. Unlike Chegg, Wyzant offers live 1-on-1 tutoring in real-time. You search for a tutor, check their hourly rate, and book a lesson. Pricing: Tutors set their own rates, usually $35–$60/hour on average (some charge less, some over $100 for specialized topics). There’s no subscription – you pay per lesson (Wyzant adds a small service fee of ~9%). Wyzant’s strength is personal help in almost any subject, from math to music, with background-checked tutors. Compared to Chegg, you get a human teacher rather than written Q&A. However, if you need on-demand answers at 2 AM, Chegg’s expert Q&A might be faster. Usability: Wyzant has an online classroom with video and a whiteboard. It’s great for long-term learning or difficult subjects where you need step-by-step guidance. Chegg can’t match Wyzant in personalized teaching, but Wyzant costs more for equivalent help.

Tutor.com

Tutor.com offers 24/7 online tutoring similar to an “Uber for tutors.” It’s not a subscription like Chegg Study, but you buy tutoring time. Plans range from $39.99/month for 1 hour to $114.99/month for 3 hours, or pay-as-you-go at $0.75/minute (~$45/hour). Tutor.com provides a live tutor in minutes, any time of day, across 100+ subjects. Their tutors are vetted and often professional teachers or grad students. Compared to Chegg: Tutor.com is more expensive, but you get live help rather than just an answer. For example, a student stuck on a calculus problem could hop on Tutor.com and actually talk with a tutor. Usability: It has a chat-based interface with optional audio. Some students love the instant help; others feel the quality can vary by tutor. If Chegg’s solutions aren’t clear enough, Tutor.com might be a better (if pricier) option for real understanding.

Course Hero

Course Hero is another subscription service. For about $10–$15 per month, you can unlock study resources and get homework help. Course Hero hosts millions of study documents (notes, past assignments) and has a Q&A feature like Chegg’s. The difference: Course Hero often requires “unlocking” documents by uploading your own or paying. Pricing: Plans vary; one typical plan is $39.95 for 3 months (around $13.3/month). Course Hero’s tutors or “educators” answer questions but speed and quality vary. Students sometimes prefer it when Chegg lacks a specific solution. However, Course Hero has its own limits (like a certain number of unlocks per month). In terms of tutor quality, neither Chegg nor Course Hero provides named, personal tutors – you get anonymous answers. So Course Hero is an alternative if you’re looking for a huge library of answers and can’t find something on Chegg.

Bartleby

Bartleby Learn is a service very similar to Chegg Study. It’s actually cheaper – around $9.99/month after a free trial. Bartleby gives you homework Q&A and a database of textbook solutions. Some users say Bartleby’s answers can be hit-or-miss in quality, and the interface isn’t as polished. A big plus is cost: it’s roughly half the price of Chegg. Bartleby often markets heavily to students on a budget. If Chegg is too pricey, Bartleby is worth a look. Just be aware that Bartleby has also faced complaints about charging even after cancellation, so the billing issues might not be unique to Chegg.

Brainly

Brainly is a crowd-sourced homework help platform. Students ask questions and other users (often peers) answer. It’s partly free (ad-supported) and has a paid tier Brainly Plus (~$24/year if annual, about $2–$3/month). The paid version removes ads and gives verified answers. Brainly is great for quick answers to simpler questions and has a huge community. However, answers are not always reliable or detailed. It’s more of a “Yahoo Answers” style, which can complement Chegg. If you have a straightforward question or want multiple perspectives, Brainly might help. But for step-by-step solutions or tough problems, a service like Chegg or a private tutor is more dependable.

My Engineering Buddy (MEB)

My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is a newer alternative focusing on one-on-one tutoring and homework help, especially in engineering, math, and science. MEB offers both live tutoring and assignment help. Pricing is competitive – starting around $20/hour for school-level help. For advanced subjects (college engineering, etc.), rates might be higher, but still often less than traditional tutoring. MEB’s key strengths:

  • Highly qualified tutors (often engineers or experts in their fields).
  • Flexible support via chat (WhatsApp) or live video sessions.
  • They handle complex subjects like Mechanical, Electrical, Civil Engineering, etc., which Chegg experts sometimes struggle with.

Compared to Chegg, MEB gives much more personalized service. For example, if you have a multi-step project or a tough assignment, MEB can provide an expert who works through it with you or provides detailed solutions. Chegg would only give a quick answer to a specific question. Also, MEB has excellent reviews – a 4.8/5 average from 200+ students – and is praised for reliable service and clear explanations. If you need actual learning or help in tough courses (say Thermodynamics or Calculus II), MEB is a strong alternative to Chegg’s self-service model.

Others

Other alternatives include Khan Academy (free video lessons for learning concepts), Skooli (pay-as-you-go tutoring at ~$0.65/minute, with a free trial session), and Slader/Quizlet (for free textbook solutions and flashcards). Each alternative has its niche. The key is to match your need: if you want quick answers, a subscription like Chegg, Course Hero, or Bartleby works. If you want live teaching, go for Wyzant, Tutor.com, or MEB. If you want free help, explore Khan Academy or Brainly.

How it Works?

For Students

Using Chegg as a student is straightforward:

  1. Sign-Up: Create an account on Chegg’s website. You can sign up with email or use Google/Apple login. There’s no cost to create an account; you only pay when subscribing or renting a book.
  2. Select Service: Choose what you need – Chegg Study for homework Q&A, Chegg Study Pack for extra tools, textbook rentals, etc. If you subscribe, you’ll enter payment info and set up the monthly plan.
  3. Ask Questions: On Chegg Study, you’ll see a “Ask a question” box. Students usually take a photo or screenshot of their homework question, upload it to Chegg, and wait for a Chegg Expert to post an answer. It often takes anywhere from a few minutes to a couple of hours for an expert to respond.
  4. Search Existing Solutions: Before asking, you can search Chegg’s library of 55+ million answered questions. Many common textbook questions already have solutions available instantly.
  5. Study Tools: If you have Study Pack, you can use the math solver (input an equation to get steps) or writing tool (paste your essay to get grammar feedback and citations). These are accessible via your dashboard.
  6. Schedule Tutoring (Not Available): Note, Chegg no longer offers live tutoring as of 2022. All help is asynchronous. If you click any old “Tutors” links on Chegg, it redirects you to their Expert Q&A services.

Overall, as a student you can get quick help by searching or asking, but you won’t typically interact with a tutor live on Chegg. For live sessions, you’d need an alternative like those mentioned above.

For Tutors

Chegg’s platform for tutors used to be Chegg Tutors, but that service shut down in January 2021. So you cannot “become a Chegg Tutor” in the live sense anymore. Instead, subject experts can apply to be Chegg Q&A experts, mostly through Chegg India (where Chegg manages its network of answerers). Here’s how it works for those experts:

  1. Application: Tutors (often called Subject Matter Experts) sign up via Chegg’s expert portal (for example, Chegg India’s sign-up page). They have to pick subjects they are good at (math, physics, econ, etc.) and pass tests or quizzes in those subjects.
  2. Solving Questions: Once approved, an expert can log in to a dashboard where students’ questions are posted. They choose questions to answer (usually typed solutions with explanations). They have to follow Chegg’s guidelines and answer correctly and clearly.
  3. Earnings: Chegg pays per question solved. Rates can range from $1 to $5 or more per question depending on the subject and difficulty. Some high-demand subjects pay more. Top experts report earning a few hundred dollars a month if they answer regularly. Chegg India markets earnings “up to INR 1 lakh/month” (~$1,200), but that’s likely for exceptional cases.
  4. Hours: There’s no set schedule. Experts can log in anytime and answer questions. Peak times are around midterms and finals when many questions are asked. The volume of questions can be high in popular subjects (like calculus) and lower in niche topics.
  5. Likes/Dislikes: Many Chegg experts enjoy the flexibility and the ability to help students worldwide. However, common dislikes include strict quality control (QC) – answers are rated, and if your score drops, you can be revoked. Some experts complain that Chegg’s grading of answers can be unfair. Also, no direct student interaction, which some find less rewarding than live tutoring.
  6. Application Link: To apply, tutors can visit Chegg’s official expert sign-up page (often region-specific, e.g., Chegg India or Chegg’s careers page) and follow the steps to register and take subject tests.

In summary, working with Chegg as a tutor now means being part of the Q&A pool rather than traditional tutoring. If you want to tutor live, platforms like MEB, Wyzant, or Tutor.com might be alternatives to consider.

FAQs (Students):

Q: Can I pay for just one month or is there a long-term contract?
A: Chegg is pay-as-you-go monthly. You can subscribe for a month and then cancel. There’s no long contract. Just remember to cancel; otherwise it auto-renews.

Q: Does Chegg charge per question beyond the limit?
A: With Chegg Study, you’re limited to 20 questions per month. If you hit that, you either wait for next month or upgrade to Study Pack (which allows more). Chegg won’t automatically charge extra per question; you’ll just be unable to ask more until renewal.

Q: Are Chegg’s answers always correct?
A: No, not always. Many are correct, but some answers have mistakes. It depends on the expert who answered. Always double-check and use the answers to learn, not just copy. If an answer seems wrong, you can ask for clarification or report it.

Q: How fast will I get an answer on Chegg?
A: It varies. Sometimes within 30 minutes, other times a few hours. Chegg advertises that experts answer within 2 hours on average in many cases. At 2 AM or during exam rush, it might be slower. Searching existing answers is instant, though.

Q: Is using Chegg considered cheating?
A: If you use Chegg to understand problems and study, it’s a legitimate tool. But if you use it to get answers during an exam or to copy homework without learning, that can be considered cheating. Some professors have caught students posting exam questions on Chegg. Chegg does cooperate with schools in academic integrity investigations, so be ethical in how you use it.

Q: Can I cancel anytime?
A: Yes. You can cancel your Chegg subscription any time from your account settings. You’ll keep access until your paid period ends and won’t be billed further.

Q: What subjects does Chegg cover?
A: Chegg’s expert Q&A covers almost every academic subject: math (from algebra to calculus and beyond), science (biology, chemistry, physics), engineering, programming, economics, literature, and even some specialty courses. They also have experts for high school level subjects and many college courses.

Q: Does Chegg have mobile support?
A: Yes, Chegg has a mobile app on iOS and Android. You can snap a photo of a question via the app to ask, search textbook solutions, and even read e-textbooks. The app also lets you manage your rentals (scan to return books, etc.).

Q: How does Chegg verify its experts?
A: Chegg requires experts to have credentials in their subject (like a degree or be an upper-year student) and pass tests. However, experts are anonymous, so you don’t know their name or exact qualifications. Chegg claims to vet them, but there isn’t a public profile for each solution author.

Chegg Company Information

Chegg was founded in 2005 (launched in 2006) by Aayush Phumbhra, Osman Rashid, and Josh Carlson. Its name is a mash-up of “chicken and egg”, referring to the founders’ frustration with job experience paradoxes. Chegg’s mission has been to “improve the overall return on investment in education by helping students learn more in less time and at lower cost”. Over the years, Chegg evolved from renting textbooks to a multi-service platform:

  • Scale: At its peak, Chegg had millions of subscribers (about 6.6 million by early 2025). The company went public in 2013, raising $187.5 million and $616 million in 2024. It’s headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has offices or operations in the US and abroad (Chegg India handles a lot of expert hiring).
  • Services: Chegg’s core services include textbook rentals (physical and e-books), Chegg Study (expert Q&A), Chegg Study Pack (advanced study tools), Chegg Writing (plagiarism and citation help), and internships/scholarship search tools. They even ventured into online skills bootcamps (e.g., Chegg Skills for coding/data science) and CheggMate (AI tutor) which is in development.
  • Subjects & Features: Chegg covers high school and college subjects. It features things like a math solver (powered by Mathway, which Chegg acquired), grammar checker (via Chegg Writing, formerly WriteLab), and citation generator (EasyBib, another Chegg asset). It’s a broad academic help platform now.

USP of Chegg

  • 24/7 Homework Help: Chegg offers help any time – great for late-night study sessions. If you’re stuck at midnight, you can post a question and often get an answer by the time you wake up.
  • Huge Solution Library: With over 55 million answered questions and textbook solutions, Chegg likely has the solution to many standard homework problems. This library can save time, acting like a super search engine for homework.
  • All-in-One Study Pack: The Chegg Study Pack bundles various tools: homework Q&A, math solver, writing help, and practice quizzes. It’s convenient to have multiple study aids in one place for a relatively low monthly fee.
  • Textbook Savings: Chegg started with textbooks and still shines there – students can rent textbooks for a semester at a fraction of buying cost, often with instant eTextbook access while the physical book ships. This saves money and hassle, especially with free return shipping on rentals.
  • Internships and Scholarships: Chegg has tools beyond tutoring. Their internships search and scholarship finder help students plan careers and find money for college. This is a bonus that pure tutoring services don’t have.

Drawbacks of Chegg

  • No Live Tutoring: Chegg discontinued its one-on-one tutoring service in 2021. Unlike some competitors, you cannot get real-time face-to-face help on Chegg anymore. You’re limited to written Q&A and self-study tools.
  • Quality and Accuracy: The answers provided by Chegg experts can sometimes be wrong or lack explanation. Relying blindly on them can lead to misunderstandings, and you might not learn how to solve the problem yourself.
  • Billing Issues: Many users report difficulties with canceling subscriptions and getting charged when they didn’t expect to. Chegg’s refund policy is strict, which frustrates customers who feel they were unfairly billed.
  • Ethical Concerns: Because Chegg is often used to get step-by-step answers, some schools view it as a cheating facilitator. Chegg has been involved in academic integrity investigations, turning over data about who accessed certain answers during exam periods.
  • Competition from Free Solutions: With free resources like Khan Academy and AI tools like ChatGPT, Chegg’s paid model is less appealing. Students can often find help without paying, which makes Chegg less “must-have” than before.

Comparison with My Engineering Buddy

My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is highlighted as a strong alternative, especially for students tackling complex engineering and technical subjects. Here’s how it compares to Chegg:

  • Tutor Quality: MEB provides tutors who are subject experts (often with advanced degrees). They offer in-depth, personalized help. Chegg’s model doesn’t let you choose your expert or have a conversation – it’s one-off answers. For a tough engineering problem, an MEB tutor can explain concepts and ensure you truly understand (as seen in testimonials of students mastering difficult subjects with MEB’s help).
  • Pricing: MEB’s one-on-one help might cost more per hour ($20-$40/hr depending on level), but you get what you pay for – actual teaching. Chegg is cheaper monthly (~$15-20) but offers less interactive support. For critical courses (like Thermodynamics or Advanced Math), investing in a few hours with MEB could be more beneficial than a month of Chegg, according to students who improved their grades with MEB.
  • Testimonials: Students often praise MEB for making “complex subjects feel simple” and providing quick, one-on-one support that “got me unstuck”. These reflect a level of service and satisfaction you rarely see in Chegg reviews. Chegg might help you get answers, but MEB helps you solve and learn.
  • Value for Complex Subjects: Chegg has plenty of basic calculus and physics answers, but for specialized engineering software (like AutoCAD, MATLAB) or advanced problems, Chegg often has gaps. MEB’s network of specialized tutors covers those areas with custom support.

In short, My Engineering Buddy is like having a personal mentor in tough classes – something Chegg cannot offer with its automated Q&A style. For engineering students especially, MEB’s guidance can be a game-changer in understanding coursework deeply versus just scraping by with Chegg answers.

Customer Support and Policies

Customer support is a pain point for Chegg. Chegg offers support via a phone line and chat/email. Responsiveness: Some users report quick help (like resolving a payment glitch in hours), while others complain of being unable to reach anyone for days. Chegg’s help center online has lots of self-serve FAQs (how to cancel, how to pause, etc.). For urgent issues (like being double-charged), calling is usually more effective than email.

Chegg’s policies are somewhat rigid: no prorated refunds, cancellations only end future billing, and accounts can be suspended for honor code violations (e.g., if a university contacts Chegg about cheating). They do have a satisfaction guarantee for textbook rentals – if you drop a class, return the book in 21 days for a full refund.

MEB, on the other hand, being a smaller service, emphasizes customer care. They often match tutors via a customer care team who work closely with students. MEB’s policy is to ensure students are happy with their tutor match – they might even replace a tutor or refund unused lessons if it’s not a good fit (kind of like Wyzant’s guarantee). Additionally, MEB has a more flexible approach: since you typically discuss your needs over WhatsApp or email, they can customize packages or payment plans (Chegg is one-size-fits-all).

When it comes to refunds or disputes, MEB tends to be more lenient – their reputation is built on trust and word-of-mouth, so they can’t afford unhappy customers. Chegg, being a big corporation, sticks to strict policies, which can leave individual students feeling unheard. If personalized support and fair policies are what you want, you might prefer MEB’s approach.

Global Reach and Localization

Chegg is used in many countries but its services are primarily in English and geared toward the U.S. curriculum. Chegg’s textbook rental ships mainly to U.S. addresses. Chegg Study is global in the sense anyone can subscribe online, but the content is in English and focused on common U.S. textbooks and courses. They accept international payments, and have some base in countries like India (for experts) and a student user base in Canada, UK, Australia, Gulf countries, etc. There isn’t much localization beyond maybe pricing in USD.

MEB has explicitly targeted the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Gulf countries. They likely have tutors familiar with different curricula (for example, knowing the UK A-level system or Australian university courses). MEB’s website references working with students in the Gulf and mentions accommodating local time zones. For languages, Chegg’s services are English-only for now. MEB also primarily teaches in English (especially for technical subjects, since that’s common), but if a student needed help in another language and the tutor knows it, MEB could potentially accommodate that due to the personal nature of the service.

In terms of availability: Chegg’s automated platform is 24/7 worldwide. MEB, because it uses human tutors, might schedule sessions according to reasonable hours, but given they have a global network, they often can cater to odd hours as well. For example, a student in the Gulf could get an MEB tutor in a convenient time zone. Chegg doesn’t provide that kind of cultural or curriculum customization – it’s more uniform.

Chegg’s Future Plans

Chegg has been facing huge challenges from new technology. The biggest plan on the horizon is CheggMate – an AI study helper using OpenAI’s GPT-4. Announced in 2023, CheggMate is meant to integrate AI with Chegg’s database to give more conversational help to students. As of early 2025, CheggMate was still in testing and not widely released. If it launches, it could offer something between Chegg’s traditional Q&A and an AI tutor, possibly making studying more interactive (like asking follow-up questions, etc.).

Chegg is also diversifying. They acquired companies like Mathway (math solver) and Busuu (language learning, in 2022). Chegg might incorporate more language tutoring or non-academic skills into its platform in the future. They started a platform called Uversity in 2021 for professors to sell course materials. So, Chegg could become a marketplace for educational content beyond just Q&A.

Business-wise, by Feb 2025, Chegg was exploring “strategic alternatives,” even considering going private or getting bought out. They also filed a lawsuit against Google in 2025 accusing Google’s AI features of scraping their content. This indicates Chegg is trying to defend its turf in the age of AI. We might see Chegg partner with or acquire AI companies to stay relevant.

In summary, the future of Chegg likely involves more AI integration, potentially offering personalized learning paths or an AI chatbot that knows your coursework. They will probably also lean into what can’t be easily replaced by free AI – for instance, verified textbook solutions, high-quality content curation, and services like internships/scholarships that go beyond homework help. But the competition is stiff, and how well Chegg adapts will determine if it can regain its status among students.

FAQs About Chegg

Q: Why did Chegg stop live tutoring?
A: Chegg Tutors (live tutoring) was discontinued in January 2021. Likely reasons: it wasn’t as profitable or scalable, and Chegg chose to focus on its core Q&A and study services. Now Chegg uses a crowd of experts to answer questions instead of scheduling individual tutors.

Q: Can Chegg help with essays and writing?
A: Yes. Chegg Writing (formerly EasyBib and WriteLab) helps with proofreading, citations, and plagiarism checks. You can paste your essay to get grammar suggestions and check for plagiarism. It won’t write the essay for you, but it will help you polish it. They also have citation generators for your bibliography.

Q: Does Chegg have solutions for my textbook?
A: Chegg has step-by-step solutions for over 400,000 textbooks. If your textbook is a common one used in US colleges or high schools, chances are Chegg has it. You can search by ISBN or title on Chegg’s site to see if they have solutions. If not, you can still ask specific questions from the book in the Q&A section.

Q: How do I get a Chegg internship or scholarship?
A: Chegg’s career center has a database of internships and a scholarship search tool. As a student, you can search and filter opportunities. Chegg itself also sponsors the Global Student Prize in partnership with the Varkey Foundation to reward exceptional students. That’s more of an award than a typical scholarship you apply for. For scholarships, use Chegg’s search tool to find ones that fit your background.

Q: Is Chegg Study Pack worth it vs just Chegg Study?
A: Chegg Study Pack is $19.95 vs $15.95 for the basic Study. For roughly $4 more, you get unlimited questions (instead of 20), plus the Math Solver, Plagiarism Checker, and more. If you only need a few questions answered each month and don’t care about the extras, basic Chegg Study is fine. But many find the Study Pack’s value good – especially the math solver if you’re in a heavy math course, and the ability to ask more questions. It can also be shared carefully; some students split the cost and take turns asking questions (though that’s unofficial). In short, if you think you’ll use the extras even a few times, Study Pack can be worth it for the peace of mind.

Q: How does Chegg handle academic dishonesty inquiries?
A: Chegg’s honor code states they will cooperate with official school investigations. This means if a professor contacts Chegg about a suspected cheating incident (like an exam question appearing on Chegg during the test), Chegg may provide details such as who posted the question and when, and who viewed the answer. Chegg also now emails users if a question they asked was cited in an academic integrity case, advising them to speak with their instructor. Essentially, Chegg tries to position itself as a study aid, not a cheating aid, and will act to protect that reputation.

Q: Are there limits to textbook solution views on Chegg?
A: Yes, to prevent abuse, Chegg limits how many textbook solutions you can view per week (around 300 solutions per week for Chegg Study). This is generally enough for normal studying, but it stops someone from scraping thousands of answers. If you hit the limit, you wait until the week refreshes.

Conclusion

Chegg has been a go-to resource for students, offering quick homework answers, affordable textbook rentals, and round-the-clock study support. Its strengths lie in convenience, a vast repository of solutions, and multi-faceted tools like writing help and math solvers. However, Chegg is not without weaknesses. The lack of live tutoring means it can’t replace a true teaching experience. The accuracy of answers can be inconsistent, and customer service issues have eroded trust for some users.

For students and parents evaluating options, Chegg is best for on-demand answers and supplementary help for straightforward problems. But for deep understanding and tough courses, consider pairing Chegg with more interactive support. That’s where My Engineering Buddy (MEB) shines as a strong alternative. MEB provides the human touch – experienced tutors who can simplify complex topics and guide students through challenges, as reflected in glowing testimonials.

In the end, the right choice depends on the student’s needs. Chegg is like a quick reference – great for immediate answers. MEB (and similar tutoring services) are like a coach – great for learning and excelling. Many students actually use both: Chegg for fast checks and a service like MEB for real mastery. By understanding Chegg’s offerings, costs, and how it compares to alternatives, students and parents can make informed decisions to boost learning in 2025 and beyond.

Pankaj Kumar

I am the founder of My Engineering Buddy (MEB) and the cofounder of My Physics Buddy. I have 15+ years of experience as a physics tutor and am highly proficient in calculus, engineering statics, and dynamics. Knows most mechanical engineering and statistics subjects. I write informative blog articles for MEB on subjects and topics I am an expert in and have a deep interest in.

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