Tutor Hunt is an online tutoring marketplace founded in 2005. It connects students (often college or high-school level) with private tutors in 300+ subjects. This article examines how Tutor Hunt works, what users say about it, its pricing, and how it compares to other platforms. We also look at Tutor Hunt’s global reach, support, policies, and future plans.
Reviews and Testimonials
Online reviews are generally positive. For example, Tutor Hunt has over 3,900 reviews on Trustpilot with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5. Many parents praise the quality of tutors and the ease of finding one. However, other platforms show mixed feedback. Sitejabber lists 136 reviews with a 3.5/5 rating (some users note it can be expensive), and another aggregator shows 347 reviews averaging 4.37/5. Criticism often focuses on the platform’s commission fee. Overall, Tutor Hunt appears to be a legitimate, established service (in operation since 2005) with mostly satisfied users. It has a high Trustpilot score and is widely used, so it can be considered legit for finding tutors.
Pricing
Pricing Range
Tutor Hunt lets tutors set their own hourly rates. In practice, most UK tutors charge in the range of about £30–£40 per hour. These rates include Tutor Hunt’s fee (the platform advertises “displayed rates include our fees” with no extra charges). In addition to the hourly rate, Tutor Hunt takes a commission on each paid lesson. User reports say this commission is around 25%–33% of the lesson fee. Higher-rated or more experienced tutors may charge above the average range. Prices are quoted in British pounds; customers in other countries may find comparable tutors on local platforms in their currency.
What Students Say About Pricing
Students and parents generally note that Tutor Hunt’s prices are in line with the UK tutoring market. The average private tutor in the UK costs about £39 per hour, so Tutor Hunt’s typical £30–£40 rates are similar to the national average. On review sites, some users say Tutor Hunt is a bit costly because of the commission. For example, one review comments that Tutor Hunt “takes 33% of what you pay the tutor” and feels high. Others point out that you can message many tutors for free before booking, which helps compare prices. Compared to other platforms, Tutor Hunt’s rates are not unusually high, but some bargain-hunting users may prefer services without a large commission.
Hidden Costs
Tutor Hunt does not charge any hidden fees beyond the tutor’s hourly rate. Contacting tutors, using the site, and signing up all cost nothing. There is no subscription or signup fee – you only pay when you book and complete a lesson. Some older models of Tutor Hunt used a one-time contact fee, but now the cost to students is simply the agreed hourly rate. Cancellations are also free if done properly: according to the site, if you cancel a lesson and notify Tutor Hunt via the email link, no payment is taken. In short, aside from the tutor’s rate (which embeds the commission), there are no extra fees or add-ons for students.
How Pricing Works
Tutor Hunt’s payment system is straightforward. You provide a credit card when booking a lesson, but the platform only charges your card after the lesson is completed. No money is taken in advance. If a lesson is canceled through the site’s system, you will not be charged. Tutor Hunt does not offer package deals or subscriptions: you pay per lesson as needed. Occasionally, promotional coupons may appear on third-party sites, but there are no official discount programs. Payments go directly to the tutor (minus the commission), so tutors earn the bulk of the hourly fee. Overall, students can expect transparent pay-per-session pricing, with payment handled automatically after each lesson.
Free Trial
Tutor Hunt itself does not offer an official free trial lesson. The platform notes that “Offers Free Trial: No. Tutors can offer you a free first lesson”. In practice, some tutors on Tutor Hunt may choose to give a first lesson or consultation for free, but this is at the tutor’s discretion. If a free trial is important to you, you would have to ask the tutor directly. By contrast, some competing platforms do allow formal free trials.
Refund Policy
Tutor Hunt has a simple satisfaction guarantee. As stated on their site, “If you are not satisfied with your tutor we will refund our fee”. This means the platform’s portion of the payment would be returned in cases of genuine dissatisfaction. In reviews, there are few detailed accounts of actual refund requests, but Tutor Hunt’s promise is clear. Cancellations done in advance incur no charges, and if any issue arises with a tutor, Tutor Hunt says it will return its commission. Students should review the company’s Terms of Service for the exact refund conditions, but overall the policy is more student-friendly than many alternatives.
Alternatives
Some students seek other platforms for comparison. Reasons might include price, subject focus, or user experience. Popular alternatives to Tutor Hunt include:
My Engineering Buddy
My Engineering Buddy is a tutoring service focused on engineering and science topics. It is popular among college and university students worldwide. Pricing is tiered by education level: for example, rates start at $20/hr for school students and go up to $35/hr for advanced college-level topics. All prices are in US dollars. MEB offers a $1 trial lesson (20 minutes) for students to test the service and advertises 24/7 live support with very fast response times. In contrast to Tutor Hunt’s broad subject range, My Engineering Buddy specializes in STEM and related homework help. Tutor quality is generally described as high on MEB, and the transparent low starting rates make it a strong alternative for STEM subjects. Whereas Tutor Hunt requires payment after each lesson, MEB also handles payments and assignments, often via WhatsApp communication.
MyTutor
MyTutor (UK) is another online platform connecting students and tutors. It offers one-on-one lessons in 30+ subjects, often with university-level tutors. Hourly rates on MyTutor range roughly from £22 to £55 per hour, depending on tutor experience. Unlike Tutor Hunt, MyTutor does not advertise free trials, but it does allow a brief 15-minute meet-and-greet with a tutor before committing. MyTutor is well-established in the UK exam-prep market. Its prices overlap with Tutor Hunt’s range, and it also takes a commission. MyTutor’s interface is polished and focused on academics. Some students prefer MyTutor for its structured service, while Tutor Hunt appeals to those who want flexibility searching tutors directly.
Tutorful
Tutorful is a UK tutoring site similar to Tutor Hunt. It offers tutors across 300+ subjects and levels. Tutorful tutors set their own rates, which typically range from about £20 to £45 per hour. The Tutorful service fee is built into those rates. Like Tutor Hunt, Tutorful has no signup fee and you only pay per lesson. Tutorful and Tutor Hunt operate on a comparable model, but some users find Tutorful’s website more modern. Tutorful also allows in-person or online tutoring. The price range is slightly lower at the entry level than Tutor Hunt’s typical fees. Quality of tutors varies, but Tutorful is a strong choice if you want a UK-based alternative with a good search interface.
Wiingy
Wiingy is an online tutoring service marketed mainly for students, especially in math and science. Wiingy advertises expert-vetted tutors and offers a free trial lesson. Its rates start around £22 per hour (comparable to Tutor Hunt when converted). Wiingy requires no subscription and no hidden fees. It also guarantees a tutor replacement if needed. Wiingy is newer and more tech-focused, with an emphasis on coding and STEM. While Tutor Hunt is a general marketplace, Wiingy positions itself as a full-service provider. Students might choose Wiingy for the trial and guaranteed support, whereas Tutor Hunt is more of a DIY marketplace.
How It Works
For Students
Using Tutor Hunt as a student is simple. First, you register an account (free of charge). Then you search for tutors by subject, level, and location. Each tutor profile shows their qualifications, hourly rate (which already includes Tutor Hunt’s commission), and reviews. You can contact and message as many tutors as you like without paying anything upfront. Once you decide on a tutor, you schedule a lesson at a mutually convenient time and agree on the rate. After the lesson, Tutor Hunt charges your card automatically (the charge covers the tutor’s fee plus the platform’s commission). The tutor receives the payment minus Tutor Hunt’s cut. Students can reschedule or cancel lessons online; if you cancel properly, you won’t be charged. Throughout this process, Tutor Hunt handles the administration so you can focus on learning.
For Tutors
For tutors, joining Tutor Hunt is also straightforward. You sign up (it’s free), submit your qualifications (tutors are DBS-checked in the UK), and create a profile listing subjects, experience, and your hourly rate. You keep control of your rates – for example, one guide suggests new tutors might charge £15–£35/hr depending on level. Once your profile is live, students can contact you directly through the platform. You set up lessons on your own schedule. After you teach a lesson, Tutor Hunt collects payment and pays you (minus about 25–33% commission). Tutors on Tutor Hunt have praised the flexibility of choosing hours, but some comment on the high commission rate. As of 2025, Tutor Hunt has a Glassdoor rating around 3.7/5, with about 68% of tutors recommending it. Many tutors appreciate that the site handles student matching and payments, though they often wish for a lower service fee.
Tutor FAQs
- Can tutors set their own fees? Yes. Tutors choose their hourly rate when creating a profile. Tutor Hunt then displays that rate to students (including the platform fee).
- How do tutors get paid? After each lesson, Tutor Hunt charges the student and transfers the payment to the tutor, usually minus commission. Tutors typically receive about 67% of what the student pays.
- What is Tutor Hunt’s commission? Tutor Hunt takes a percentage of each lesson. Reports from users indicate this is around 25% (recently 25–33%) of the lesson fee.
- How many subjects are in demand? Tutor Hunt covers over 300 subjects, so demand varies. STEM fields are popular, as are exam prep (GCSE, A-level, etc.) and languages. Competition is highest in common subjects like math and English.
- Can tutors offer free trial lessons? Not officially. Tutor Hunt does not require a free trial, but individual tutors may choose to offer a first free session to attract students.
- How do I join and earn students? Create a free profile listing your skills. A good, detailed profile and a strong subject area will help attract students. You can also apply to tutor job posts. High ratings from satisfied students will help you get more bookings.
Company Information
Tutor Hunt was founded in 2005 and is based in London, UK. It operates primarily in the UK (with a linked US site). The company is relatively small (about 11–50 employees) but works with thousands of tutors. Its mission is clear: “to bring tutors and students together” in one simple platform. Tutor Hunt’s website boasts that all tutors are verified (DBS/ID checked for safety) and covers over 300 subjects from maths and science to languages and arts. There is no subscription or tutor subscription fee – the platform’s key promise is easy access to qualified tutors, free registration, and secure lesson scheduling and payment.
USP (Pros)
- Wide subject coverage (300+ subjects) and many tutors to choose from.
- All tutors are vetted (DBS/ID checked in the UK), which adds trust.
- Free to use for tutors (no listing fee) and free to browse for students (no signup fee).
- Only pay after lessons, with secure credit-card handling.
- “Satisfaction guarantee” policy – they will refund their fee if you’re unhappy.
- In-person and online tutoring options.
Drawbacks (Cons)
- High commission fee (about 25–33% of lesson cost), which many tutors and some parents find expensive.
- No official free-trial lesson for all users (reliant on tutor initiative).
- Quality and responsiveness of tutors can vary (some reviews mention mixed experiences with tutor quality).
- Customer support is mainly email/contact form (no phone or chat support).
- Cancellations late or missed lessons may still incur fees, depending on tutor terms.
Comparison with My Engineering Buddy
Tutor Hunt and My Engineering Buddy serve similar goals but different niches. Both connect students to tutors, but MEB focuses on higher-level STEM and engineering, whereas Tutor Hunt covers all school and college subjects. Pricing is one key difference: Tutor Hunt’s UK tutors typically charge around £30–£40/h. My Engineering Buddy’s rates are tiered and lower for younger students (starting at $20/h for school level, $25 for college-bound, up to $35 for advanced college level). MEB advertises a $1, 20-minute trial and 24/7 human support, which Tutor Hunt does not. Both platforms claim to vet tutors, but Tutor Hunt emphasizes DBS-checked UK tutors while MEB stresses technical expertise. In summary, Tutor Hunt offers more choice of subjects and tutors (especially for UK-based students), while My Engineering Buddy is a strong alternative for STEM students seeking transparent pricing and extra support.
Customer Support and Policies
Tutor Hunt’s customer support is handled online. The website provides a contact form (name, email, message fields) for inquiries. There is no published phone number or live chat, so response times can vary. My Engineering Buddy, by comparison, advertises “1 minute, 24/7 human help” on queries, which may be faster in practice. As mentioned, Tutor Hunt’s refund policy promises to return its fee if you’re unhappy, but the details beyond that (such as how to claim it) are not heavily publicized. MEB uses a low-cost trial to encourage satisfaction instead. Tutor Hunt is generally clear on scheduling and payment (you pay after lessons), but some students note that learning the cancellation rules (no charge if canceled properly) requires reading the FAQ carefully.
Global Reach and Localization
Tutor Hunt is based in the UK (London) and operates primarily in English. It has a UK site and an affiliated U.S. site, so it can serve students in both regions (and English-speaking students elsewhere). The platform does not have multi-language support – English is the only interface language. My Engineering Buddy, while headquartered in South Asia, lists all prices in USD and markets itself globally (especially to U.S. and international students). MEB’s 24/7 support suggests it serves students in multiple time zones. Tutor Hunt’s tutors are mostly from the UK, so time zones and local curriculum focus are UK-centric. Students outside the UK may find that tutors’ accents and references are UK-based.
Future Plans (AI and Technology)
Tutor Hunt has not announced any specific new features or AI tools as of 2025. However, the company’s blog shows they are aware of AI trends in education. For example, a Tutor Hunt article on ChatGPT notes that AI can already write essays and answer questions on demand. Another post discusses AI-driven “24/7 virtual tutors” and the potential for chatbots in learning. This suggests Tutor Hunt is paying attention to AI in tutoring, but the platform itself remains a human-tutor marketplace. By contrast, some competitors have begun experimenting with AI enhancements. Students interested in AI-assisted learning might need to look at other new platforms; Tutor Hunt currently sticks to its traditional model. Any future AI integration (such as AI-based tutor matching or AI chat helpers) has not been publicly detailed by Tutor Hunt yet.
FAQs
- Is Tutor Hunt legit? Yes. Tutor Hunt has been operating since 2005 and is widely used in the UK. It has thousands of positive reviews (Trustpilot ~4.7/5). All tutors are verified, and the company offers secure payment processing. It is considered a legitimate tutoring marketplace.
- How much does Tutor Hunt cost per hour? There is no fixed price set by the platform. Tutors set their own hourly rates, which in the UK tend to range from about £30 to £40/hr. You pay exactly the tutor’s rate (which already includes Tutor Hunt’s commission) after each lesson.
- Are there hidden fees? No. Contacting tutors and registering are free. There is no subscription or admin fee. The only cost is the tutor’s rate per lesson. Tutor Hunt simply takes a percentage of that rate behind the scenes (approximately 25–33%). If you cancel a lesson properly, no charge applies.
- Can tutors set their own fees? Yes. Tutors on Tutor Hunt choose their hourly rate when they create a profile. The site then displays that rate to students (including Tutor Hunt’s fee). Tutors usually start in a recommended range (for example £15–£35/hr) and can raise their rate as they gain experience.
- Does Tutor Hunt offer a free trial lesson? No, there is no official platform-wide free trial. Tutor Hunt itself marks “Offers Free Trial: No”. Some tutors may voluntarily give a free introductory lesson, but this is up to each tutor, not guaranteed by the site.
- What is Tutor Hunt’s refund policy? Tutor Hunt promises to refund its own service fee if you are not satisfied with a tutor. This means the platform’s commission would be returned. You must follow the site’s process to cancel a lesson or request a refund. Exact terms are in the company’s policies, but the basic idea is: if the tutor did not meet expectations, Tutor Hunt will refund its part.
- How do I sign up as a tutor on Tutor Hunt? You register for free and create a detailed profile with your qualifications, subjects, and availability. You may need to provide verification (DBS check in the UK). Once approved, students can contact you. You get paid after each lesson, and you keep the majority of the fee.
- How does Tutor Hunt compare to My Engineering Buddy? Both connect students with tutors, but My Engineering Buddy focuses on engineering and STEM homework, while Tutor Hunt covers all subjects in general. MEB offers tiered pricing ($20–$35/hr) and a $1 trial, plus 24/7 support. Tutor Hunt has a broader tutor pool (300+ subjects) and is mostly UK-based. Pricing on MEB is in USD and often lower for advanced subjects, whereas Tutor Hunt’s UK tutors charge roughly £30–£40/hr. In short, MEB is a strong alternative especially for STEM, but Tutor Hunt offers more variety in subjects.
Conclusion
In summary, Tutor Hunt is a well-established, UK-based tutor marketplace with mostly positive reviews. It offers wide subject coverage and verified tutors, and no upfront fees for users. Its main downsides are the high commission (built into prices) and lack of a standard free trial. For many students, it works as advertised: you find a tutor and pay only for lessons. However, alternatives like My Engineering Buddy can be attractive. My Engineering Buddy’s tiered pricing ($20–$35/hr), targeted STEM focus, and low-cost trial make it a compelling option for engineering and college students. If you want a broader range of subjects or local UK tutors, Tutor Hunt is solid. If you need more affordable STEM help, My Engineering Buddy (or similar) may be a stronger choice.
