Sherpa Online Review: Features, Pricing, and Alternatives

Sherpa Online is a UK-based tutoring platform that connects students with qualified tutors. It competes with services like My Engineering Buddy (MEB). This article reviews Sherpa Online’s features, pricing, and user feedback. We also compare Sherpa to alternatives and explain why MEB might be a strong choice for some students.

Sherpa Online Reviews and Testimonials

Sherpa’s own site highlights its success: it has delivered over 200,000 lessons and earned more than 800 five-star reviews. Parents and students praise the tutors. One parent said the tutor “built his confidence in Maths” and helped their child improve. Another student noted lessons were “tailored to my weaknesses” on Sherpa.

On independent sites, Sherpa also rates very highly. On Trustpilot it has a 4.9/5 rating from 840+ reviews. Most Trustpilot comments are positive, noting expert tutors and an easy-to-use online classroom. This is much higher than average for tutoring sites. For example, a site analysis notes Sherpa’s domain is trusted and that Sherpa uses Trustpilot to collect real reviews. We did not find any major scam reports or common complaints.

Is Sherpa Online Legit? Yes. Multiple signals show Sherpa is a genuine, established tutoring service. It launched in 2020 and has continued operating with thousands of lessons booked. It has a very strong Trustpilot score and a long-running website. Scamadviser checks even give Sherpa a high trust score. In short, Sherpa Online appears to be a real and reputable company in online education.

Summary: Sherpa Online receives very positive feedback. Parents and students report improved grades and confidence. The high Trustpilot rating and lack of scam reports suggest Sherpa is legitimate and reliable.

Sherpa Online Pricing

Pricing Range

Sherpa tutors set their own hourly rates. According to Sherpa’s site, rates range roughly from £20 up to £70 per hour, depending on the tutor’s experience and qualifications. For example, qualified teachers often start around £30/hr, and examiners may charge £35+. A Sherpa blog notes the UK average tutor rate is about £28/hr, varying by subject. Subjects like Physics or Biology may be slightly above average (e.g. ~£33/hr for Physics). All prices are in GBP, but international students would pay the equivalent in their currency.

Sherpa covers many subjects and levels, so rates also depend on subject difficulty. Core subjects (Maths, English) are common, while niche topics or higher education may cost more. Sherpa does not publish a flat “pricing table”, but its pricing guide suggests these UK rate ranges.

What Students Say

Students generally feel Sherpa’s rates are in line with the market. Some on forums note that Sherpa’s pricing (around £25-£30/hr for most tutors) is similar to other online tutoring services. For a quality, vetted tutor, this is about average. Few complaints were found about price specifically. Since Sherpa focuses on qualified teachers, users expect to pay tutor-level rates. In short, Sherpa’s prices match the industry norm: not the cheapest, but competitive given tutor experience.

Hidden Costs

There are no signup or registration fees to use Sherpa. However, there are a few additional costs to note. Sherpa charges a small payment processing fee on transactions (about 2.7% + £0.20 per payment). This is automatically added when you pay. Also, on the tutor side, Sherpa takes a 28% platform fee from each lesson, which means tutors earn slightly less (though this is transparent and meant to fund marketing and support).

Another cost is the late cancellation fee. Sherpa’s policy refunds in full if you cancel more than 12 hours before a lesson. If you cancel with less than 12 hours’ notice, Sherpa charges 50% of the lesson cost. There are no other hidden charges like monthly fees; you simply pay per lesson (or in lesson “credits”). But students should be aware of the late-cancellation rule to avoid unexpected charges.

How Pricing Works

Payment is made per lesson. Sherpa places a hold on your payment card 24 hours before the scheduled lesson. The hold is released after the lesson ends. If the student cancels >12 hours before, that hold is simply dropped (so no charge). Payment is captured only after a successful lesson.

Sherpa accepts most major debit and credit cards (but not PayPal). There is no subscription plan. Instead, students often buy blocks of lessons (“lesson credits”) which can come at a small discount. Coupons or promo codes may be available at times. Sherpa also offers a free introductory trial session so that students can meet a tutor before paying for more lessons. After the trial, you buy lessons individually or in packages. Discounts on these packages may be offered via Sherpa promotions.

Free Trial

Every student can book one free “introduction” session with a tutor on Sherpa. This short lesson is at no charge and allows the student to assess the tutor’s style. It works like this: you message a tutor through Sherpa’s site and request a free intro lesson. The tutor agrees on a time and you have a brief lesson. This trial helps ensure you and the tutor are a good match before paying for more lessons.

There is no ongoing free membership; after the intro, all future sessions are paid. But the free trial is a useful perk that Sherpa offers to give confidence in your choice.

Refund Policy

Sherpa’s official refund rules are straightforward. If you cancel a lesson more than 12 hours before it starts, you get a full refund. If you cancel with under 12 hours’ notice, you are charged 50% of the fee. If you simply don’t show up, you are charged 100%. These rules are automatic. Sherpa notes that in emergencies you can message your tutor; some tutors may then cancel the booking for you (within 48 hours after) so you pay nothing. But this is at the tutor’s discretion.

In practice, students should be aware of the cutoff times. Some reviews mention that last-minute issues still can cost money under this system. Overall, the refund rules are clear and enforced, and Sherpa processes refunds by releasing the card hold or returning funds, usually within a few business days.

Sherpa Online Alternatives

Why look for alternatives? Students may seek different subject specialties, lower prices, or a different tutoring style. Below are some popular alternatives to Sherpa:

My Engineering Buddy (MEB)

My Engineering Buddy is focused on engineering, math, and science support. Unlike Sherpa (which covers general subjects and UK exams), MEB specializes in complex STEM topics. Its tutors are engineering graduates or professionals, which can be a big help for college or engineering students. MEB often offers 24/7 support via chat or video, which is helpful for urgent questions. However, MEB is newer and less broad than Sherpa, so its tutor pool is smaller. For pure STEM help, MEB’s specialization is an advantage.

MyTutor

MyTutor is a large UK tutoring site popular with high school and university students. It has thousands of tutors (many current university students) and covers many subjects. Pros: big tutor pool, often competitive rates, and it works with British exam boards. Cons: some tutors are not certified teachers, and quality can vary. Also, MyTutor’s platform fees may be higher, meaning tutors earn less. Compared to Sherpa, MyTutor may offer more volume and cheaper beginner rates, but Sherpa’s tutors are generally more experienced.

Tutorful

Tutorful (formerly Tutora) is another UK tutoring marketplace. It offers one-on-one and some group lessons. Pros: it has a vetting process and works with UK curricula, and students can find tutors for many needs (including some adult education). Cons: some users say scheduling can be tricky, and its fees are on the higher side. Tutorful also has regional tutors for face-to-face, which Sherpa does not. In short, Tutorful is similar to Sherpa but has different tutors and fees. Some students find its website easier to use, while others prefer Sherpa’s lesson notes and online tools.

Chegg Tutors

Chegg Tutors (USA) is a global platform known for homework help. It’s not limited to UK subjects. Pros: you can find instant help on many topics, often from college students, and it offers pay-as-you-go. Its pricing (in USD) can be lower than Sherpa’s. It also has many STEM tutors and a Q&A homework feature. Cons: tutors are less vetted (often not professional teachers), and it’s more focused on short Q&A than sustained lessons. Also, its platform is geared to textbook help rather than school exam prep. Compared to Sherpa, Chegg is more of a quick-help service than a dedicated tutoring program.

Preply

Preply is a global tutoring marketplace, especially for languages. Pros: it has tutors worldwide and offers lessons in many languages or subjects. You can often book anytime due to time-zone coverage. Pricing tends to be affordable. Cons: quality varies a lot, and it’s less focused on school exams. For core STEM or curriculum tutoring, Preply is not as specialized. In comparison, Sherpa’s UK focus means better support for GCSE/A-level syllabus, whereas Preply is better for language practice or general skills.

How Sherpa Online Works

For Students

Getting started on Sherpa is simple. First, sign up for an account on Sherpa’s website. You search tutors by subject, level, or keyword. When you find a tutor you like, you can send them a message. Many students then book a free introduction lesson to meet the tutor. In that short trial, you discuss your needs. If it goes well, you continue by booking paid lessons on a schedule. After each lesson, tutors send you annotated notes or a recording for review.

Sherpa’s online classroom supports video chat and an interactive whiteboard, so lessons feel like real tutoring sessions. You pay for lessons in “credits” or blocks, and Sherpa handles the scheduling. You have a dashboard on Sherpa where upcoming lessons and notes are managed. In essence: find a tutor, message them, book a free intro, then book regular lessons and learn with built-in video and whiteboard.

For Tutors

Tutoring with Sherpa follows a few steps. Tutors apply online by filling out a brief form about their experience (this takes about 20 minutes). If approved, a Sherpa staff member interviews you to explain the platform. Once accepted, you set your own hourly rate and schedule. Then students can find and book lessons with you.

Sherpa supports tutors with useful features: it processes payments for you, holds payments 24 hours before lessons (so you’re paid on time), and provides customer support. Tutors earn based on the hours they teach, minus Sherpa’s platform fee (which Sherpa says is lower than many competitors). On Sherpa’s “Become a Tutor” page, they highlight these points and show that the platform is rated 4.9/5 by tutors. Overall, tutors report that Sherpa is easy to use, with reliable scheduling and timely payments.

Sherpa Online Company Information

Sherpa Online was founded in early 2020 by Nick Atherton and Conor Hughes (the technical director). Its mission is “making high quality education available to all”, aiming to provide affordable one-to-one online tuition. The company is UK-based (headquartered near Marlow, England) and focuses on British exam systems.

Sherpa’s growth has been rapid. By early 2022 it had over 1,500 tutors covering all subjects. It reports hosting about 540 lessons per week (over 12,500 total) after just a year of operation. Sherpa covers a wide range of levels: from primary school up through GCSE, A-level, International Baccalaureate, and university subjects. Its tutors hold PGCE teaching qualifications (over 50% of them) or have examiner/SEN experience.

Unique Features

• Qualified Tutor Team: Sherpa only admits about 1 in 8 tutor applicants. Most are qualified teachers (many with PGCEs) or examiners, ensuring expert help. This matches Sherpa’s claim of high tutor quality, and users often praise the skill of Sherpa tutors.
• Interactive Online Classroom: Sherpa’s own learning platform includes live video chat and a digital whiteboard. Tutors and students can draw on the board, share files, and review notes together. Students appreciate getting annotated notes after each lesson, showing this feature works in practice.
• Free Introductory Lesson: Every new student can meet a tutor in a short trial at no cost. This claim is real – Sherpa’s interface has a “Book a Free Introduction” button. It helps students ensure a good fit before paying.
• Payment Protection: Sherpa holds lesson payments in escrow until after the lesson. Tutors are guaranteed at least 50% pay if a student cancels late, or 100% if the student is a no-show. This protects both tutors and students against no-shows, as Sherpa advertises.
• Competitive Rates: Sherpa touts that it offers qualified teachers at lower rates than many agencies. In reality, lesson costs are about the UK average (£25-30/hr), but Sherpa argues its efficient model keeps prices down. Students find this roughly true, though tutoring remains a significant investment.

Drawbacks

• Pricey for Frequent Use: Most tutors charge £30+ per hour:. If you need many lessons, costs add up. Some students have noted this; for occasional help it’s fine, but long-term tutoring can be expensive.
• Strict Cancellation Policy: Sherpa strictly enforces its refund rules. Cancelling late means losing half your fee. Some users find this strict. Sherpa’s system only gives the full refund if you cancel >12 hours in advance.
• Additional Fees: Apart from the hourly rate, students pay a small processing fee (2.7% + £0.20). Tutors pay a 28% commission. While these are disclosed, they do raise the overall cost compared to a direct private tutor.
• UK-Focused Curriculum: Sherpa is built around UK exam boards. It may be less ideal for students outside the UK curriculum. Although it offers IB and some languages, the content is largely UK-based. Students needing very specific international or vocational subjects might find fewer options.
• Limited Languages: Sherpa’s platform and materials are in English, and tutors mainly teach in English (although you can find some tutors for foreign languages). If you want help in other languages, Sherpa is not the primary choice.

Comparison with My Engineering Buddy

My Engineering Buddy (MEB) is positioned differently. MEB specializes in engineering, physics, math, and other technical subjects. Its tutors are often engineers or engineering grads, so they deeply understand complex STEM topics. In contrast, Sherpa’s tutors are mostly school teachers who may have less higher-level STEM depth. MEB also offers 24/7 support via instant chat or video, which Sherpa does not emphasize. However, MEB has fewer tutors overall and may not cover all the non-engineering subjects Sherpa does. In practice, Sherpa is better for school exam tutoring (GCSE/A-level) with formal teaching methods, while MEB is better for engineering coursework and continuous student support. Testimonials for MEB often highlight how its tutors helped solve tough problems, whereas Sherpa’s testimonials focus on grade improvement and confidence.

Customer Support and Policies

Sherpa provides customer support by email (hello@sherpa-online.com) and phone (+44 1628 337590) during UK business hours. There is also a live chat/help portal on the site. Response times are generally within 1-2 business days for email. Sherpa’s cancellation and refund policies (outlined earlier) are transparent and enforced. In our comparison, Sherpa’s support is professional and UK-based. By contrast, My Engineering Buddy advertises 24/7 chat support and often a more informal, on-demand tutoring style. Each has its own strengths: Sherpa’s support is thorough and aligned with UK education norms, while MEB’s support is more global and always available.

Global Reach and Localization

Sherpa Online primarily serves the UK market. It explicitly supports UK education levels (KS3, GCSE, A-level, IB, etc.). It also covers university-level courses in subjects like Maths, Science, and some languages. Sherpa’s platform is in English, and tutors teach in English. It does have some international reach via the IB program and foreign language tutors. My Engineering Buddy, on the other hand, markets itself globally with tutors for international curricula (e.g. different engineering programs) and possibly multi-language support. If you need help in another language or a non-UK curriculum, Sherpa may not be ideal, whereas MEB or other global platforms might serve better.

Sherpa Online’s Future Plans

Sherpa has received investment to grow. An EdTech report notes that Sherpa planned to use funding “to enhance functionality, enrich its curriculum-aligned content, launch new offerings and expand into new territories”. In other words, Sherpa is looking to add new subjects and possibly move into other countries. There is no public word yet on using AI tutors. In fact, an industry review states Sherpa “has not stated whether it uses AI”. So far Sherpa’s focus is on improving its existing platform (better video/whiteboard features, content library, etc.) rather than deploying AI. We expect Sherpa to keep growing in UK education, possibly adding video libraries or practice tools in the future.

FAQs About Sherpa Online

• What is Sherpa Online? Sherpa Online is an online tutoring platform based in the UK. It connects students with private tutors (often qualified teachers) for one-on-one lessons via a custom online classroom.
• Is Sherpa Online legit? Yes. Sherpa has been operating since 2020 and has a high customer rating (4.9/5 from 840+ reviews). Independent checks find it to have a strong trust score. There are no signs of scam or fraud.
• How much does Sherpa Online cost? Rates vary. Tutors set their own prices, typically £20–£70 per hour, with most around £25–£35. Qualified teachers usually charge toward the higher end. The cost depends on subject, level, and tutor experience. You pay per lesson; bulk lesson packages may get discounts.
• How does Sherpa Online work? Students sign up on Sherpa’s website, find a tutor by subject, and arrange a lesson. Sherpa offers a free introductory lesson. After that, you can book paid sessions at times you choose. All lessons take place in Sherpa’s online classroom, which has video chat and a whiteboard.
• Does Sherpa Online offer a free trial? Yes. Every student can book a free “introduction” lesson with a tutor. This is a short trial session to meet the tutor before paying for further lessons.
• What subjects does Sherpa Online cover? Sherpa covers most academic subjects. This includes core areas like Maths, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, as well as languages (Spanish, French, etc.). It supports UK school levels (KS3, GCSE, A-level), IB, and university-level topics. Tutors list their specific subject expertise.
• What is Sherpa Online’s refund policy? Sherpa’s policy is: full refund if you cancel >12 hours before a lesson, 50% refund if you cancel <12 hours before. No-show means no refund. In emergencies, Sherpa suggests asking your tutor if they can cancel on their end so you aren’t charged.
• How do I become a tutor on Sherpa Online? To join Sherpa as a tutor, you apply online (a ~20-minute form) and go through an interview. You must be qualified or have strong teaching experience. Sherpa vets tutors carefully (only about 1 in 8 pass). If accepted, you set your own rates and start teaching students through the platform.
• Does Sherpa Online work outside the UK? Yes, Sherpa’s platform is global, but its materials are UK-focused. It offers IB and some international support. All lessons are in English. If you need help in other languages or non-UK curricula, some global platforms might be better. Sherpa’s main market is UK students.

Conclusion

Sherpa Online’s strengths are its highly qualified tutors, professional platform, and strong track record (800+ five-star reviews). It excels at UK curriculum tutoring and provides a secure, structured service. Its weaknesses include relatively high hourly rates and strict cancellation rules. For students who need help mainly with British school subjects, Sherpa is a solid choice.

However, for other needs, an alternative like My Engineering Buddy may be better. MEB specializes in technical subjects and offers more flexible support hours. Students struggling with advanced STEM topics or needing help outside normal hours often prefer MEB. In summary, Sherpa is a reputable UK tutoring service with many strengths, but for dedicated engineering or around-the-clock help, My Engineering Buddy is a strong alternative.