MentorCruise is an online mentorship platform connecting mentees with experienced experts. It covers technical and academic subjects such as software engineering, data science, AI, design and more. The service is aimed at college students and young professionals in the USA, UK, Gulf states, and other regions, offering one-on-one tutoring and career advice in those fields. This 2025 review breaks down MentorCruise’s features, fees, pros/cons, legitimacy, and how it compares to alternatives like My Engineering Buddy.
What is MentorCruise?
Platform description: MentorCruise is a mentorship marketplace that connects learners with seasoned experts. It offers one-on-one guidance in areas like software engineering, data science, AI, UX design, and other STEM subjects. The platform was founded by Dominic Monn (a former product expert) and emphasizes quality through strict mentor vetting.
Mission and scale: The founders aim to build a “flourishing online mentorship community” that goes beyond face-to-face learning. MentorCruise claims thousands of mentors (6,200+ listed) from 130+ countries. The mentors come from top companies (e.g. Microsoft, Booking.com, Nvidia) and hold titles like Senior Software Engineer or Data Science Lead. This gives students access to industry-level tutoring in college-level subjects.
How it works: Students (mentees) sign up and search mentors by skill or field. They can book either monthly mentorship plans (with a set number of calls per month) or one-off sessions on specific topics. New users can often start with a free trial or an introductory session. Mentors set their own prices; the platform adds a service fee. For example, mentors often charge from about $50 up to $400+ per month for long-term mentoring. One-off sessions (like introductory calls or resume reviews) typically cost $39–$99.
Services and Offerings
MentorCruise focuses on higher-level academic and professional subjects relevant to college students. Key offerings include:
- Technical tutoring: Programming, computer science, AI/machine learning, data science, and engineering topics. The platform lists categories like “Software Engineers” and “Data Scientists”, and has a special “AI Mentors” section.
- Design & UX: UX design, product design mentoring.
- Business & Math: Some mentors cover quantitative subjects like statistics, as well as business analytics.
- One-off sessions: Quick tutoring or advice calls on study plans, interview prep, project feedback, etc. For example, a 30-minute intro call is listed at $39, and a 1-hour interview prep at $99.
- Long-term plans: Monthly mentorship subscriptions (called Lite or Standard) that include a set number of video calls per month. These allow ongoing tutoring and messaging with a dedicated mentor.
How MentorCruise Works for Students
Students create an account and browse mentors by category or keyword. Once they choose a mentor, they can:
- Start a free trial: New mentorships include a 7-day trial to meet and plan goals.
- Select a plan: Choose a monthly plan (e.g. one 30-min call/week) or book a single session on a topic (e.g. resume review).
- Pay and schedule: Enter payment details. MentorCruise shows mentor availability after payment. Students pay month-to-month and can cancel anytime.
- Communicate and learn: Use video calls and chat with the mentor regularly. Students get tailored guidance on coursework, coding projects, or exam prep.
How MentorCruise Works for Mentors
Mentors apply and must be approved (often based on experience). The platform favors mentors with strong industry or academic backgrounds; for example, many have worked at FAANG companies. In fact, some prospective mentors note that without top-tier company experience it can be hard to get approved. Approved mentors:
- Set their own rates and create services (e.g. monthly plans, intro sessions, etc.).
- Receive payments through MentorCruise (minus fees) and handle bookings via the platform.
- Communicate with mentees using MentorCruise’s messaging and video tools. Mentors can also offer free intro calls during the trial period.
- Pay a commission: MentorCruise takes about 16% of subscription fees (advertised as a 20% markup on the mentor’s rate). There’s a $20 minimum fee on small plans, and only a 10% fee on top-tier “Pro” plans over $800.
Pricing, Fees, and Policies
Currency and range: Prices on MentorCruise are in USD. Mentor monthly plans often range from around $50 up to several hundred per month, depending on the mentor’s level. One-off sessions have set fees: for example, many mentors charge $39 for a 30-min introductory call and $69–$99 for longer review sessions.
Platform commission: MentorCruise applies a platform fee on each payment. Typically, mentors receive about 84% of what the mentee pays (a 16% cut goes to MentorCruise). For instance, a mentor-set price of $100 becomes $120 to the mentee (mentor gets $100, $20 fee). Very small plans (below $100) incur at least a $20 fee, so a $50/mo plan is charged $70 (28% fee). Top mentors can offer >$800 plans at a lower 10% fee. One-off sessions pay a flat $9–$39 fee plus 10% on custom sessions.
Free trial and cancellations: Each new mentorship comes with a 7-day free trial. You have 7 days to try the mentor before any charges. If unsatisfied, you can end the trial in your dashboard to avoid payment. Once paid, sessions can be canceled with refund under rules: you can cancel a scheduled session up to 48 hours before it for a full refund. Cancellations within 48h or no-shows are non-refundable.
Hidden costs, subscriptions, discounts: There are no subscription commitments beyond monthly billing, and no hidden fees beyond the standard platform commission. (Mentors may occasionally charge extra for rush requests or add-ons, but this is at their discretion.) MentorCruise does not offer official discounts or scholarships to mentees on its standard plans. Some mentors may discount the first month or offer special rates individually. Refunds for unused months aren’t automatic; you must cancel before the next billing date.
Is MentorCruise Legit and What Do Users Say?
Reputation: MentorCruise is a real and established company. It has thousands of satisfied users, and many mentees report positive outcomes. For example, a summary review notes MentorCruise is “completely legitimate” with generally positive feedback (e.g. 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating in mid-2025). Product Hunt shows a 4.9/5 rating from its community of tech users. Many testimonials praise the quality of the mentors and ease of use.
Positive feedback: Users often cite the wide choice of mentors and high mentor quality. One MentorCruise community reviewer said the platform has a “very good concept, easy to use and setup” and noted the strength of its mentors. Other pros include:
- Range of mentors: Thousands of experts in fields like software engineering, AI, data science, and more.
- High-quality mentors: Many mentors have industry experience. Users report mentors providing “career-changing” guidance at advanced levels.
- Flexible pricing: Mentors set their own prices, so options exist for different budgets (from modest $50/mo plans up to premium rates).
- Free trial & easy cancel: A 7-day free trial and no long-term lock-in make it safe to test a mentor.
Negative feedback / concerns: Not all reviews are glowing. Some users mention:
- High cost: Many feel MentorCruise can be expensive. Mentors at top levels charge hundreds per month, so budget users may find it steep.
- Limited scheduling info: The platform doesn’t show a mentor’s calendar availability until after booking, which can be inconvenient.
- Few top-tech mentors: If you want mentors from elite companies (e.g. FAANG), choices are limited. One user noted that most mentors worked at FAANG companies, making it hard to join the platform without that background.
- Support delays: A few reviews mention slow customer support response at busy times.
For example, a Reddit user warned MentorCruise “is sort of a rip-off,” citing high prices and some unresponsive mentors. However, many others defend it as worth the cost for quality mentorship.
Alternatives to MentorCruise
If MentorCruise’s price or format isn’t a fit, other tutoring/mentorship platforms exist. Key alternatives include:
- My Engineering Buddy (MEB): A Bengaluru-based tutoring company specializing in engineering and STEM subjects. It offers one-on-one online tutoring, homework help, test prep and lab/project assistance for higher-level students in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Gulf countries. MEB boasts top tutors, 10,000+ students served, and ~97% satisfaction. Students praise its subject expertise (mechanical, civil, electrical engineering, etc.) and believe it provides strong academic support.. It’s generally more like traditional homework help than career mentoring.
- Chegg Tutors: (Now rebranded and integrated into Chegg’s services) Historically offered on-demand tutoring across many college subjects. Students could submit questions or request live help. (Note: Chegg ended its separate live tutoring platform in 2022 and shifted to Chegg Study Q&A and tutors-as-test-prep services.)
- Wyzant: A US-based marketplace for private tutors in many subjects. Tutors set hourly rates, and students schedule sessions. Useful for STEM, math, and test prep. (Mostly US-focused.)
- Tutor.com: An online tutoring service (owned by IAC/Pearson) offering college-level tutoring and homework help on demand. Covers math, science, programming, etc. Available by subscription or hourly pay. Popular in libraries and universities.
- Varsity Tutors: Global live tutoring platform covering a wide range of subjects (academic and test prep). Offers both one-off sessions and monthly tutoring subscriptions. Known for its scheduling app and broad tutor pool.
- Others: Platforms like Superprof (international tutor marketplace), Preply (mostly language tutoring), or even hiring experts via freelance sites (e.g. Upwork) can be alternatives. These may offer more subject variety or pricing flexibility, but less vetting.
Each alternative has pros and cons: for example, Chegg and Varsity Tutors provide large tutor pools but mostly operate on hourly rates. MEB’s strength is subject-specific tutoring by vetted experts (and 24/7 support for Gulf/Asia time zones). In contrast, MentorCruise’s strength is in professional mentorship and long-term career guidance. Your choice depends on whether you need hands-on homework help (tutoring) or career/skill mentoring.
Company Info
Founders & Team: MentorCruise was founded by Dominic Monn (often called the “pioneering founder of MentorCruise”). The company is bootstrapped and based in Europe, but its legal headquarters is in Sheridan, Wyoming (USA). It serves a global user base with mentors and mentees across 130+ countries. My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is run by BlueAura iSolutions in Bangalore, India, and has been operating for 15+ years (formally incorporated in 2015).
Mission/Vision: MentorCruise’s mission is to foster authentic mentor-mentee relationships. The platform emphasizes trust and quality (using a rigorous mentor verification process). It aims to guide students in skill development and career growth through personalized coaching. MEB’s mission is to help engineering students excel in demanding courses by providing top tutors and support services (lab help, test prep, etc.). Both stress high standards: MentorCruise highlights mentor quality, while MEB highlights “top tutors” and a 97% satisfaction rate.
Unique Features: MentorCruise stands out for its long-term mentoring model (monthly plans with ongoing access) and a unified platform (search, chat, video). Its review system and match-making tools help students choose. MEB’s unique feature is its niche focus on engineering and science homework help, plus a large knowledge base for technical assignments (it reportedly handles lab write-ups and project help). MEB also advertises assignment help 24/7 (via WhatsApp or live chat) for its covered regions.
Scale & Drawbacks: MentorCruise has a large mentor pool (6,200+ mentors, 29,400+ matches made), but growth is moderate (we don’t have a user count). A downside is that its strict vetting means some fields (or non-FAANG mentors) are underrepresented. MEB is smaller (11-50 employees) but claims to have served over 10,000 students. MEB’s drawback may be that it covers mainly engineering and STEM, and its pricing, while “value for money,” is still “not very cheap”. MentorCruise’s pricing is often viewed as premium, so cost-conscious students might hesitate.
Customer Support & Global Reach
Customer support: MentorCruise offers email support and a Help Center. Most feedback on support is mixed: some users note helpful responses, while others report slow response times during busy periods. There is no live chat. Cancelling or trial-related help is managed via the dashboard. MEB advertises WhatsApp and email contact; as a smaller company, they highlight personal, fast support (since many clients come by word-of-mouth).
Global reach: MentorCruise has mentors and mentees worldwide. Its site shows mentors from over 130 countries, including strong representation in the US and Europe. It supports multiple time zones easily. MEB primarily targets students in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Gulf countries, and has tutors available around the clock for those regions.
Future Plans & AI Developments
While MentorCruise has not publicly detailed specific new features, the rise of AI in education likely impacts both MentorCruise and competitors. On the MentorCruise platform, “Artificial Intelligence” is already a mentor category, and they recommend AI courses and certifications on their site. We may expect future improvements such as AI-driven mentor matching, automated scheduling, or even AI chatbots to supplement mentoring. My Engineering Buddy, focusing on tutoring, could similarly adopt AI tools (for example, an automated homework solver or Q&A assistant) to enhance its service. In general, online learning platforms are exploring AI for personalization, so this will be a key trend.
FAQ
1. What subjects can I learn on MentorCruise?
MentorCruise covers a wide range of technical and academic subjects. Many mentors specialize in software engineering, programming, data science, artificial intelligence, UX/design, and related STEM fields. If you need help with college-level math, CS, engineering, or tech projects, you can likely find a suitable mentor.
2. How much does MentorCruise cost?
Pricing varies by mentor. Monthly mentorship plans typically range from about $50 to $400+ per month. Short, one-off sessions usually cost from $39 (intro call) to around $99 for longer sessions. There is an additional platform fee (~20% added to the mentor’s rate) built into the listed prices.
3. Is there a free trial or refund?
Yes. Every new mentorship includes a 7-day free trial. During the trial you can meet your mentor and decide if you want to continue. If you cancel within the trial, you pay nothing. For paid sessions, you can cancel up to 48 hours in advance for a full refund. Late cancellations or missed sessions are generally not refunded.
4. Are MentorCruise mentors qualified?
Mentors on MentorCruise are typically experienced professionals or academics. The platform vets mentors and often favors those from leading tech companies or with strong credentials. Many hold senior roles in industry. However, note that this can mean competition to become a mentor, and some fields may have fewer mentors available.
5. What makes My Engineering Buddy different?
My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is an India-based tutoring service focused on engineering and STEM subjects. Unlike MentorCruise’s career/skill approach, MEB offers traditional academic tutoring: homework help, lab report assistance, exam prep, etc. MEB guarantees top tutors and claims a 97% student satisfaction rate. If you need help specifically in engineering courses (mechanical, civil, electrical, etc.), MEB might be more targeted. MentorCruise, by contrast, is broader and also offers non-academic guidance.
6. Are there any hidden fees or subscriptions?
No hidden fees. MentorCruise shows all costs upfront. You pay per month (cancel anytime) or per session. There are no long-term contracts. The only “extra” cost is the platform commission built into the prices. If you cancel after a month has started, you won’t be charged the next month, but past charges are generally non-refundable once used.
7. Can parents use MentorCruise for their students?
Yes. Parents can sign up on behalf of college-age students to arrange tutoring. MentorCruise mentors can work with younger adults in college. Just keep in mind the focus is on skill/academic mentoring, so it can be a good fit for academic support in technical courses.
8. How is MentorCruise different from regular tutoring?
Unlike typical hourly tutors, MentorCruise emphasizes long-term mentoring relationships. It’s designed for ongoing guidance (months-long) and career development as well as academic help. Also, MentorCruise’s mentor network spans global industries, whereas many tutoring sites focus on school-level or local tutors. If you need deep expert insight and a committed mentor, MentorCruise stands out. If you just need quick homework answers, a standard tutoring service might be simpler.
9. Is MentorCruise safe to use?
Yes. MentorCruise has a secure payment system and strong privacy practices. All mentors are verified before joining. The free trial and review system help ensure quality. According to users, it is a legitimate platform, and a scam checker gave it a good trust rating. Always communicate through the platform and avoid off-platform payments to stay safe.
10. What does 2025 hold for MentorCruise?
The platform continues to grow. MentorCruise is likely to expand its mentor base (especially in AI/tech) and improve its matching algorithms. With AI rising in education, we may see MentorCruise use AI for personalized learning recommendations or better scheduling. They already feature AI mentors, and may add more tech tools. In the tutoring space, expect increased AI-driven features (chat-based help, automated study plans) across all platforms, including MentorCruise and competitors.
Conclusion
MentorCruise connects mentees with many industry experts from top companies. It offers flexible mentorship plans. However, it can be expensive and has limited mentors in some fields. My Engineering Buddy provides focused tutoring in engineering and advanced courses with top tutors. It is a strong alternative for academic and engineering subjects.
