Studypool is an online tutoring and homework help marketplace launched in the mid-2010s. It was co-founded by Richard Werbe (CEO) while he was a college student. The platform connects students who post academic questions with tutors who bid to answer them. It covers a wide range of subjects (math, science, business, humanities, engineering, etc.). Studypool claims millions of users and tens of millions in revenue. It competes with services like Chegg (homework help and tutoring), Course Hero (study documents and tutors), and other Q&A sites. The site offers 24/7 homework Q&A, a notebank of study notes, book guides, video tutoring, and even in-person tutoring.
User Reviews and Reputation
Studypool’s user feedback is mixed. On Trustpilot, it has about 511 reviews and an overall score around 3.1 out of 5. Many negative reviews call Studypool a “scam”. For example, one tutor wrote that Studypool “steals your work” and limits earning opportunities. On the other hand, some tutors praise the platform. One user said they have “been here for years” and Studypool “keeps growing giving new opportunities to both students and tutors”. Sitejabber shows a low score (around 2.8/5 from 364 reviews, indicating dissatisfaction). Employee reviews are more positive: Glassdoor ratings are around 4.0+, with over 80% of employees recommending the company (though this reflects tutors’ perspective).
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredits Studypool with an A+ rating, signaling that the company is legitimate and meets trust standards. However, BBB also reports dozens of consumer complaints (75 in the last 3 years), mostly about charges, refunds, and account issues. In summary, Studypool is a real company with a large user base, but many users warn about problems like withheld payments and poor customer service.
Legitimacy Analysis
Overall, Studypool is a legitimate service (BBB accredited, millions of questions answered). It is not a typical scam, but user reviews raise concerns. Many tutors allege unpaid earnings and unfair penalties, and students report hidden subscription charges. One tutor review on Trustpilot details “outrageous fees and hidden charges” and being billed after cancellation. Another user canceled their subscription but was charged again. Despite these complaints, Studypool remains operational. The presence of accreditation and active support pages suggests it is not simply a sham, but potential users should be aware of the risks highlighted by negative reviews.
Pricing and Fees
Student pricing: Studypool does not have fixed per-subject prices. Instead, students set their own budget when posting a question. Examples of posted budgets on the site range from just a few dollars to several dozen (e.g. $3, $5, $10 up to $40). After posting, tutors bid with a price and completion time. The student pays only when satisfied. Additionally, Studypool offers paid subscriptions for access to its Notebank of study documents. The subscription plans are roughly $19.95 per month, $29.85 per quarter, or $59.40 per year, allowing 10 downloads per month. Many students complain that these subscriptions auto-renew without clear notice, leading to unexpected fees.
Tutor pricing (commission): Tutors on Studypool bid on questions at whatever rate they choose, but Studypool takes a commission on each completed assignment. The site advertises “lowest service fees” starting at 20%. In practice, new tutors pay 15% commission on their first few answers. Most sources report a range around 15–30% per question, with higher-volume tutors enjoying the lower end of that range. Studypool also takes 40% of any tips given to tutors. After a student approves an answer, Studypool processes payment within a few days and pays the tutor. Tutors must accumulate at least $50 before withdrawing earnings.
Payment methods: Students pay by credit/debit card for questions or via subscription plans. Tutors can receive payment via several methods: PayPal, direct deposit (ACH), checks, TransferWise (Wise), or Western Union.
Hidden fees and refunds: Many users mention “hidden” fees. Besides the upfront commission, subscriptions and occasional service fees are cited. Support responses indicate Studypool will not refund subscription charges:, and tutors say unauthorized charges are rarely reversed. This has caused frustration: e.g. one user complained that Studypool kept billing them after cancellation and refused a refund. In practice, Studypool’s policy is that question payments are final once approved, and subscriptions are non-refundable. Students can dispute work quality if an answer is poor, but there is no generous refund guarantee beyond that. Always review your subscription settings carefully to avoid unwanted charges.
Alternatives to Studypool
- Chegg – A major online education platform (textbooks, Q&A, tutoring). Chegg offers homework help and even online tutoring. It is widely used by college students as an alternative study resource. It operates on a subscription model, giving users access to step-by-step solutions and 24/7 assistance from subject matter experts. Tutors can sign up to answer student questions and earn money per response. While widely used for academic support, Chegg has faced scrutiny for facilitating academic dishonesty when misused, so it’s important to use it ethically for genuine learning and concept clarity.
- Course Hero – A study portal with course-specific documents and tutors. Course Hero lets students access study guides, videos, and ask tutors questions. It’s a large crowdsourced platform. It operates on a freemium model—users can unlock documents through a paid subscription or by uploading their own content. Tutors can earn money by answering student questions across a wide range of subjects. While it’s a legitimate educational resource, it has faced criticism regarding academic integrity and copyright issues, so it should be used responsibly for learning and revision purposes.
- TutorMe – An on-demand tutoring site where students connect with tutors for live help. (Not cited, but well-known.). It offers a virtual classroom with tools like video chat, screen sharing, and a whiteboard to enhance learning. Students pay per minute or through a subscription, while tutors are paid hourly based on the time they spend tutoring. Known for its quick tutor matching and quality standards, TutorMe emphasizes academic integrity and aims to support personalized learning rather than provide direct answers to assignments.
- Quizlet – A learning app with flashcards and practice questions. It does not match questions to tutors, but offers free study tools as an alternative. Users can create their own study sets or access millions of user-generated sets covering a wide range of subjects. It’s widely used for memorization-based learning, like vocabulary, definitions, and key concepts. Quizlet offers both free and paid plans, with features like offline access and advanced study modes in the premium version. While it’s a legitimate and popular learning aid, its misuse—like accessing test answers—has raised concerns about academic integrity.
- My Engineering Buddy – A specialized tutoring platform focusing on engineering and STEM subjects. It serves as a focused alternative to general sites like Studypool. (Example alternative without specific citation.). It connects students with highly qualified tutors, including experienced professionals and former professors, for personalized one-on-one sessions. MEB offers 24/7 availability, covering topics from basic concepts to advanced applications, and provides assistance with assignments and exam preparation. The platform emphasizes affordability and quality, making it a suitable choice for students seeking tailored academic support in technical fields.
- Others – Additional options include Wyzant, Khan Academy (free, not paid tutoring), StuDocu, etc.
How Studypool Works
For Students
- Sign up and post a question. Create an account and submit your academic question with details, a time limit, and a budget. You can post anonymously and even mark it 100% private if desired.
- Receive tutor bids. Verified tutors on the platform bid to answer your question. You will see their proposed price and delivery time. You can compare tutor profiles, ratings, and past work before choosing.
- Choose a tutor and pay when done. Accept the bid from the tutor you prefer. The student pays up front into escrow. The tutor then provides a full answer. You can communicate via messaging during the process. After you approve the answer, the tutor is paid. Studypool only releases payment once you are satisfied (or disputes can be filed if not).
For Tutors
- Apply and get verified. Tutors must register and complete a verification process. Studypool checks tutor credentials (such as college degree) and may test subject knowledge. All tutors go through a strict vetting process.
- Browse and bid on questions. Once approved, tutors see a list of student questions in their subjects. They can bid on any question by proposing a price and completion time. High ratings and past performance can help your bids get accepted.
- Answer and earn. When a tutor’s bid is accepted, the student’s payment is held in escrow. The tutor provides the answer by the deadline and may communicate with the student if needed. After the student approves the solution, Studypool releases payment (minus commission) to the tutor. The tutor’s earnings can then be withdrawn once they total $50 or more.
Company Details
Studypool is based in Bellevue, Washington and was founded around 2014. Richard Werbe, a college student at the time, launched it as an on-demand tutoring platform. Under his leadership it has expanded to serve millions of students. The company’s mission is to keep learning moving by solving difficult problems on demand. Studypool emphasizes quality: all tutors are required to have verified degrees or credentials. It has offices in the US and a global team (the LinkedIn page lists ~673 employees). The platform offers services like Q&A homework help, notebank of study documents, textbook solutions, video tutoring, in-person tutoring, and scholarships info.
Unique Selling Points and Drawbacks
USP: Studypool’s strengths include its large network of tutors, broad subject coverage, and flexible Q&A format. It highlights very low commission rates (“starting at 20%”), meaning tutors keep more of what they earn. Tutors enjoy flexibility and asynchronous work. The site claims rigorous tutor vetting for quality. For students, it offers quick answers any time, plus a vast library of notes (Notebank).
Drawbacks: However, user reviews list several downsides. The bidding system can be competitive, making it hard for new tutors to win jobs. Many mention poor customer support and opaque practices. For example, one reviewer accused Studypool of “assigning questions to specific tutors” and of “outing bad faith”. Hidden fees and account issues (like unexpected charges, no refunds) are recurring complaints. Compared to My Engineering Buddy (which focuses on engineering subjects), Studypool is more generalized, so some may prefer a niche tutor network.
Customer Support, Global Reach, and Future Plans
Studypool claims a global reach. It actively recruits tutors worldwide (stating “Now accepting tutors from all over the world!”), allowing students anywhere to get help. The platform supports many currencies and payment methods to facilitate this. Support is offered via online help and ticket system, but many users find it lacking: one tutor review bluntly said customer support is “non-existent”. On technology, Studypool is in line with educational trends. It even features AI-related content (e.g. guides on how AI is changing education). While not publicly announced, Studypool may integrate more AI tools in the future to enhance learning, similar to peers in the edtech space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is Studypool legitimate?
A: Yes, Studypool is a real, established tutoring platform. It is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (A+ rating) and serves millions of students. However, user reviews are mixed: some tutors call out late payments or hidden fees, so use caution.
Q: How does Studypool pricing work for students?
A: Students post a question and set a budget. Tutors then bid to answer it. Typical question budgets vary (often $5–$40 in examples). You pay the agreed price after receiving the answer. Alternatively, you can subscribe to Studypool’s Notebank for 10 study downloads per month (about $19.95/mo or $59.40/yr).
Q: How do tutors get paid and what commission is taken?
A: When a student approves an answer, Studypool releases payment to the tutor (minus commission). Commission typically starts around 20%, though new tutors pay 15% on early answers. Many experienced tutors report commissions of 15–30% per question. There is no hourly rate – tutors earn per question solved.
Q: What payment methods does Studypool use?
A: Studypool processes student payments by credit/debit card or PayPal, and releases tutor payments via PayPal, direct bank deposit, check, TransferWise, or Western Union. Tutors must accumulate at least $50 in earnings before withdrawing funds.
Q: Can I get a refund if I’m not satisfied?
A: Studypool’s refund policy is limited. For tutoring Q&A, money is released only after the student approves the answer, so you should confirm satisfaction before approval. Subscriptions (Notebank access) are billed automatically and non-refundable. Some users report difficulty canceling and no refunds for charges made outside the cancellation window. Always review work before accepting payment to avoid issues.
Q: What are some good alternatives to Studypool?
A: Other popular tutoring platforms include Chegg (for homework help and online tutoring), Course Hero (for study documents and tutor Q&A), TutorMe (24/7 live help), and subject-specific sites like MyEngineeringBuddy for engineering. Each has its own pricing and policies, so compare features. For free help, Khan Academy and Quizlet are useful too.
Conclusion
In summary, Studypool offers a flexible on-demand tutoring model with low fees and a vast subject range. Its strength lies in connecting many students and tutors worldwide with quick, personalized answers. The platform’s success (millions served) and accreditation show it is a viable service. However, users should be aware of reported issues: hidden subscription charges, delayed payouts, and sometimes unresponsive support. For those reasons, exploring alternatives like MyEngineeringBuddy (which offers focused support and transparent policies) can be worthwhile. Overall, Studypool remains a powerful tool for student learning, but due diligence is advised. Its low commission structure and wide offerings are major strengths, while customer service and fee practices are its main weaknesses.
