Complétude Reviews, Best Alternatives, Pricing, & Offerings in 2025
Complétude is a French online tutoring company. It offers private and small-group lessons for students from primary school through high school. The company works through local agencies across France. This article gives students and parents information on Complétude’s reviews, pricing, services, and how it compares to other tutoring platforms.
Complétude Reviews and Testimonials
Glassdoor (employees): Complétude has 262 reviews on Glassdoor, averaging about 4.1/5. Tutors and staff note the flexibility of hours and variety of courses, but mention that “pay is okay but low compared to full freelancing”.
Indeed (employees): On Indeed.com (France), Complétude has 487 reviews with an average rating of 4.2/5. Tutor respondents praise the company’s professionalism and support. One user cited “bienveillance, rigueur, accompagnement… paiement sous 3 jours” as pros (meaning kind support and quick payment). A few others mentioned that more advanced students tend to get higher pay.
MasterCours (online review): A French site testing tutoring services reports that Complétude recruits rigorously (checking diplomas, background, language skills). It notes Complétude has no minimum hours, no prepayment, and a “satisfied or refunded” guarantee on the first course. However, the review also points out that 75% of Complétude’s tutors are university students, so they may lack experience.
Complétude website (testimonials): On Complétude’s own site, recent parent testimonials are very positive. Clients praise attentive, patient tutors who help students improve (e.g. “le professeur est à l’écoute et patient, mon enfant a rattrapé son retard”). All published reviews are 5-star, highlighting progress and regained confidence.
Is Complétude legit? Yes. Complétude was founded in 1984 and is the #2 tutoring agency in France (19,000 families by 2017). It is certified by Qualicert (since 2008) for quality service. While no major scams are reported, one user did report a problem getting a promised refund. Overall, Complétude is a legitimate company with a long track record.
Summary: Complétude’s users generally praise the quality of teaching and service. Parents like the personalized support and effective tutoring. Tutors appreciate the flexible scheduling and quick payment. Common criticisms include relatively low pay for tutors at younger grade levels and occasional issues with promised guarantees. In summary, Complétude is a well-known, reliable tutoring agency in France.
Complétude Pricing
Pricing Range
Complétude charges an annual registration fee of about €75 per family. Hourly tutoring rates then vary by region and student level. For example, the site notes about €34/h in some provinces and €37/h in Paris for a middle-school student. Group intensives are also offered (e.g. a 10-hour review camp costing €210, which is €21/h). After France’s 50% tax credit, the family actually pays half the listed rate (so about €14–€18 effective).
What students say about Complétude Pricing
We found no major complaints about pricing. The listed rates (after credit) are comparable to other agencies (Acadomia is about €35/h). Students on forums have not flagged Complétude as overpriced. With the tax credit, out-of-pocket costs are relatively low. In short, Complétude’s pricing seems fair for private tutoring, similar to the industry norm.
Hidden Costs
The main extra cost is the registration fee (~€75). Other fees (like cancellation fees) are not advertised. One parent did report Complétude refused to refund a €40 fee as promised. Apart from the registration, there are no monthly or hidden subscription costs – students only pay for each hour of tutoring attended.
How Complétude’s pricing works
Families pay by monthly invoice after lessons. Payments can be made by direct debit or prepaid voucher (CESU. There is no long-term contract or minimum hours – you pay only for what you use. The 50% tax credit is applied immediately, so each invoice is halved. No mention of package deals or promo codes is made, other than the standard credit. Complétude also offers prepaid “coupons” (valid 5 years) that work under the same pricing rules.
Free Trial
Complétude does not offer a free trial lesson beyond its satisfaction guarantee. They promise the first lesson is “satisfied or refunded”. In practice, this means if you cancel after the first hour, you are not charged for it. (There is no separate free class; you simply have the option to not pay for the first session if unsatisfied.)
Refund policy
Complétude’s official policy is that the first lesson is free if you are unhappy. Specifically, the first hour won’t be billed and they will try a replacement tutor. There is no broad refund policy for later lessons – you generally pay for attended hours only. In one review, a parent said a promised refund was not honored. So beyond the first-lesson guarantee, Complétude seems not to refund additional fees in normal cases.
Complétude Alternatives
Students may consider other platforms if they need different tutoring options. Below are some popular alternatives to Complétude, with their pros and cons. We include My Engineering Buddy (MEB) in this list as one option among many.
Wyzant (USA)
Pros: Wyzant is a large US tutoring marketplace. It offers thousands of tutors in many subjects, especially math and science. Tutors set their own hourly rates (we found examples around $30–$80), giving flexibility. Cons: There is no satisfaction guarantee. Top tutors on Wyzant often charge over $100/hour. Quality varies since tutors are not vetted. Scheduling is flexible but left to student and tutor. Compared to Complétude, Wyzant offers more subject choices and tutor control, whereas Complétude provides vetted tutors and a structured program.
Varsity Tutors (USA)
Pros: Varsity Tutors offers private and group classes with a polished online platform. It covers many subjects and test prep options, and has a 100% satisfaction policy. Cons: It is very expensive – roughly $85–$95 per hour. The company keeps most of that fee (tutors are paid significantly less). Unlike Complétude, which is affordable after the tax credit, Varsity Tutors is costly and takes a large cut. Complétude is simpler (one-on-one or small group) and has a transparent billing, while Varsity adds service fees on top of tuition.
Chegg (USA)
Pros: Chegg Study is a subscription-based help site (~$16/month). It provides 24/7 homework Q&A and textbook solutions in many subjects. Cons: Chegg does not provide live one-on-one tutoring – it’s more for self-study. Many users complain of billing problems and incorrect answers. Compared to Complétude, Chegg is cheaper and always online, but lacks personalization. Chegg suits quick homework help and practice problems, while Complétude focuses on scheduled tutoring with a dedicated teacher and curriculum guidance.
Superprof (Global)
Pros: Superprof is an international tutor marketplace (originated in France). Students can search for freelancers in almost any subject and see reviews. It supports in-person or online lessons and lets tutors set their fees. Cons: Tutors are not vetted by Superprof, so quality varies. It also charges a membership fee. Complétude, by contrast, personally matches tutors and checks their credentials. Superprof works worldwide but requires more hands-on vetting by the student, whereas Complétude offers an agency-managed experience.
My Engineering Buddy (Global)
Pros: MEB is an online tutoring service focusing on engineering and STEM for college students. Its site advertises an average fee of $25/hour (versus $50 for many competitors). Students report quick tutor matching and strong support (e.g. one said “MEB is easy to use… the quality… way above the rest” and “focus on advanced subjects… got 90%+ in all my assignments”). It operates 24/7. Cons: MEB’s tutors are often from India or abroad, which may cause time-zone differences. It is also focused on higher-level courses. For basic school questions, Complétude’s local tutors may suffice. Overall, MEB excels at complex STEM topics and global availability, whereas Complétude is stronger in traditional K-12 tutoring.
How it Works?
For Students
Students or parents sign up on Complétude’s website or call a local office. They provide details about the student’s level, subjects, and scheduling needs. Complétude then proposes a qualified tutor who matches these needs. Once a tutor is selected, the student officially “hires” that tutor (the family becomes the tutor’s employer). Lessons are scheduled by phone or online at agreed times. After each month of lessons, Complétude sends an invoice, applying the 50% tax credit immediately. The family pays half of each lesson’s cost on that invoice.
For Tutors
To become a tutor, one applies via Complétude’s website (“Donner des cours” or “Postuler”). Applicants must have at least a Bachelor’s degree (Bac+3) or be an advanced student in a Grande École. Tutors submit their qualifications and subject preferences. Complétude then tests or interviews them in their chosen subjects. Once approved, tutors get access to a portal showing tutoring requests nearby. Tutors choose which courses fit their schedule and location. Classes can be in person or online at the arranged time. Complétude pays tutors within 72 hours after the lesson is recorded. For more details, tutors can visit the Complétude site’s application page.
FAQs About Complétude
How does Complétude compare to My Engineering Buddy? Complétude is a France-only service for K-12 subjects, while MEB is a global service focusing on college-level STEM. Complétude’s tutors are local and it charges in euros (~€30/h after tax credit). MEB’s tutors are engineers and it charges ~$25/h. Complétude provides in-person or video lessons with an agency guarantee; MEB is fully online 24/7 with quick matching.
What subjects or levels does Complétude cover? It covers almost all standard school subjects from primary through high school. Major topics include mathématiques, français, anglais, histoire-géographie, and sciences (physics, biology, etc.). It also offers exam preparation and methodology workshops. Complétude does not offer college or university course help; it is strictly K-12 education.
How do I apply to become a Complétude tutor? You apply on the Complétude website under “Donner des cours” or via the “Postuler” form. You must have at least a Bac+3 university degree or be a Grande École student. After submitting your profile and subjects, you undergo subject tests or interviews. If accepted, you can start accepting course offers through their tutor portal.
What is the registration fee and pricing? Complétude charges a one-time family registration fee (about €75). Hourly rates vary by city and grade. For example, they mention ~€34/h for a middle-schooler outside Paris and €37/h in Paris. Intensive group courses have different rates (e.g. €210 for 10h). Remember the 50% tax credit – effectively you pay only half these rates.
What is Complétude’s satisfaction guarantee? Complétude promises the first lesson is “satisfied or refunded”. In practice, you aren’t billed for the first hour if you cancel. After that, paid lessons stand. A parent review indicated a promised refund was not given, so families should ensure the guarantee is actually applied.
Does Complétude operate outside France? No. Complétude is focused entirely on the French market. It has agencies and tutors only in France. The platform and support are French-language. For international tutoring (e.g. English-language), other services like My Engineering Buddy are needed.
Customer Support and Policies
Complétude’s support is provided via its local agencies and helpline. Offices are open weekdays (e.g. Mon–Fri 9h–18h). They promise first-lesson refunds, though one user said a refund was not given. There is no 24/7 chat or mobile app. My Engineering Buddy, by comparison, offers 24/7 online support and very fast tutor matching. Overall, Complétude’s service is reliable during working hours, but MEB’s global, around-the-clock support is stronger.
Global Reach and Localization
Complétude is tailored specifically to the French market. All its tutors, content, and support are French-speaking. It does not operate internationally. In contrast, My Engineering Buddy explicitly serves US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Gulf countries. Complétude has no multilingual or round-the-clock service, whereas MEB offers 24/7 English-language support and worldwide access.
Complétude’s future plans
Complétude has not publicly announced AI-based tools, but the tutoring sector is moving toward AI-powered tutoring and feedback. The company is focusing on growth: in 2025 it was named a “Champions de la Croissance” by Les Échos (fast-growing company). This implies continued expansion. Complétude will likely keep adding digital resources (more video classes, remote support) while maintaining its focus on quality.
Conclusion
Complétude is strong for the traditional French tutoring market: it follows tested methods and holds a recognized quality certification. Its drawbacks are higher costs and a limited scope (only French K-12, mostly student-tutors). My Engineering Buddy offers a global STEM focus and flexible online support. For advanced college-level subjects or 24/7 help, MEB may be a better fit. Complétude remains a solid choice for standard school tutoring in France, but students needing specialized assistance might prefer MEB.
