![\"\"](\"https:\/\/myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FirstTutors.webp\")
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FirstTutors Reviews and Testimonials<\/h2>\n
FirstTutors has many reviews. For example, its own site shows a 4.6 out of 5 rating from about 8,800 reviews<\/a>. About 93% of those reviewers recommend it. On the FirstTutors site, tutors and students leave comments. Tutors say the platform is easy to use. One tutor wrote: \u201cThe platform is user-friendly<\/a>, secure, and makes it easy to connect with students\u201d. Another tutor said FirstTutors is \u201cvery useful to find the right match between student and tutor\u201d. These comments show many users like the site\u2019s matching tools and safety checks.<\/p>\n However, some reviews point out problems. On Reddit<\/a>, one user said FirstTutors is legit, but the payment system is tricky. You must pay a one-time fee before seeing a tutor\u2019s contact, so you can\u2019t try a tutor first for free. This user also said prices seem quite high. Another reviewer reported the tutor listed was not as advertised and that the finder’s fee was not refunded. Some tutors also report issues: one tutor said their account was suspended after a system error and that support was unhelpful. These reports suggest occasional problems with tutor quality checks and customer service.<\/p>\n Overall, most feedback is positive enough to confirm FirstTutors is a legitimate site<\/a>. A tutor on Reddit wrote, \u201cYes it\u2019s legit, to sign up as a teacher you have to provide ID and references\u201d. The high number of positive reviews (4.6\/5) on its site also points to many satisfied users. In summary, FirstTutors is a real and trusted platform, but like any service it has a mix of praise and complaints.<\/p>\n FirstTutors uses a simple pricing model. There are no monthly fees or lesson fees to the site. Instead, students pay a one-time finder’s (intro) fee<\/a> when they pick a tutor. In the UK, this fee ranges from about \u00a35 to \u00a335, based on the tutor\u2019s rate. For example, one page says \u201cwe ask for a one-off finder\u2019s fee of \u00a39.99-\u00a334.99 and that\u2019s all\u201d. That fee covers checking the tutor\u2019s ID and references. After paying it, students get the tutor\u2019s contact details. The tutor then sets their own hourly rate (tutors in the UK charge about \u00a39\u2013\u00a318 per hour on average A sample chart shows an average UK tutor rate of \u00a318\/hour.<\/p>\n In other countries, the numbers are similar but in local currency. For instance, FirstTutors: Canada<\/a> has a flat $C9.99 intro fee to unlock a tutor\u2019s details. FirstTutors: Australia<\/a> says a $A9.99 introduction fee is charged once you pick a tutor:. (The Aussie site points out there are no subscriptions or per-lesson fees. For US students, there is no dedicated FirstTutors US site, but the UK or Canada fees give a guide: roughly $10\u2013$40 one-time. For Gulf countries and others, the pattern is similar: a small upfront fee (often around the equivalent of $10\u2013$20) based on tutor level. Regular tutoring (the per-hour rate you pay the tutor) varies widely by country, subject, and tutor experience. In general, FirstTutors tutors set rates comparable to local markets (for example, tutors around GCSE or college level range from about $15 to $50 per hour in English-speaking countries).<\/p>\n Students have mixed opinions on the fees. Many find the model clear: you pay one fee and then deal directly with the tutor (so no hidden commissions). FirstTutors itself claims this is more affordable than agencies. Its site notes \u201csome agencies charge an additional \u00a310 for every hour\u2026 but with First Tutors there are no additional fees\u201d. In other words, you pay the tutor only their hourly rate, without extra charges. A Reddit user explained that because FirstTutors only takes the one-time fee, \u201cyou get a better price in the long term as the website isn\u2019t charging a commission on each lesson\u201d. Another student comment on the FirstTutors site said they were happy with a tutor\u2019s help, but did note \u201cHer price is a bit steep though\u201d. This shows some parents find tutor rates on the higher side. Overall, students say pricing seems fair compared to market alternatives. They note FirstTutors\u2019 one-time fee (e.g. ~$10) and tutor rates are in line with local rates, and the lack of monthly or per-lesson fees is a plus.<\/p>\n FirstTutors advertises \u201cno hidden costs\u201d. In practice, after the one-time finder\u2019s fee there are no extra charges on the platform. For example, FirstTutors says there is \u201cno fee on top of every hour a tutor teaches\u201d. There are no membership or subscription fees. You only pay the tutor\u2019s rate for lessons (usually by cash or PayPal, see below). The only mandatory cost is that intro fee to see a tutor\u2019s contact. Note that if you change your mind, this fee is not refundable<\/a>. Several reviews<\/a> note that once the fee is paid, FirstTutors will not give it back, even if tutoring does not happen. Besides that, there are no cancellation fees listed on the site. If a tutor cancels a session, you work it out privately with them. In summary, as long as you use one tutor per fee, there are no surprise charges \u2013 but be sure you want that tutor before paying the fee, since it\u2019s final.<\/p>\n Here is how payments work on FirstTutors. After you choose a tutor and agree to use them, the site will ask you to pay the finder’s fee.<\/a> This fee is shown in your account header. You can pay it online (by credit card) in the members area. If you cannot pay by card, the FAQs say you can do a bank transfer for the same amount. Once you pay, the tutor\u2019s contact (email\/phone) is sent to you. You then contact the tutor directly. First Tutors does not handle lesson payments<\/em>. You agree with the tutor how to pay them (for example, cash for in-person lessons or PayPal for online lessons). The site suggests tutors mention their preferred payment method. There are no payment plans, subscriptions, or promo codes \u2013 you pay per tutor connection. FirstTutors also often runs basic discount campaigns (for example, a new-user promo for the finder’s fee) but these are rare and small. In short, after the one-time fee, all payment is between student and tutor by the method they agree on.<\/p>\n FirstTutors does not<\/em> offer free trials of tutoring. You cannot book a lesson on credit. Instead, the model is: you browse and contact tutors for free, but you only pay when you decide to hire someone. This decision is final: once you pay the contact fee, you get the details and then start lessons directly. The Australian site explains: you can search and contact tutors at no charge, and pay a small $9.99 fee only once per tutor<\/a> introduction. In other words, you do not pay anything unless you pick a tutor. But there is no trial session \u2013 the fee unlocks the tutor\u2019s info immediately. If you want a free sample, you could talk to a tutor in messages first (free), but you won\u2019t get a lesson until you pay the fee. No \u201cfree lesson trial\u201d is provided by FirstTutors.<\/p>\n FirstTutors\u2019 official policy is that the finder\u2019s fee is non-refundable<\/a>. The site doesn\u2019t explicitly state this in the FAQs, but support responses and user feedback make it clear. For example, a tutor (Saba) wrote that the \u00a319.99 fee a student paid \u201cgoes directly to First Tutors\u201d and \u201cno part of this fee was or will be paid to me\u201d. She noted that FirstTutors \u201cdecided not to refund\u201d the fee when the student complained. Another student review said exactly this: after lessons turned out to be wrong, \u201cI contacted First Tutors for a refund\u2026 They refused to give me my money back\u201d. FirstTutors does mention a \u201ctutor satisfaction guarantee\u201d on its site (meaning they will help if things go badly), but in practice students report that once the intro fee is paid, it is rarely returned. The bottom line: expect that you will not get that fee back if you cancel. However, FirstTutors\u2019 support may offer to help find a replacement tutor under special cases. According to one FAQ, if a tutor doesn\u2019t work out, you can contact support to discuss options<\/a>. Still, don\u2019t rely on refunds \u2013 plan carefully before paying.<\/p>\n Some students look at other tutoring sites either because of fees, subjects, or features. Here are a few alternatives to FirstTutors, including My Engineering Buddy<\/strong>:<\/p>\n In general, alternatives differ in how they charge (subscriptions, per lesson, or commissions) and what subjects they cover. FirstTutors stands out by focusing on local home tuition with one-time fees and no lesson commissions. Depending on your needs (e.g. engineering help, language lessons, or instant Q&A), one of the above might be a better fit than FirstTutors.<\/p>\n Using FirstTutors is easy. First you sign up for free and fill out a profile<\/a>. Then you can search for tutors by subject, level, and location. The site shows tutor profiles with experience, teaching info, hourly rate, and student feedback. You can send messages to many tutors at no cost and ask about lessons. Once a tutor accepts you and you agree on a lesson plan, FirstTutors will ask you to pay the intro fee. This is a one-off payment (about $10\u2013$35) that unlocks the tutor\u2019s contact details. After paying, you get the tutor\u2019s phone\/email and can arrange sessions directly. Lessons happen either in person or online, as you choose. You then pay the tutor for lessons by cash, PayPal, or another agreed method. The site does not handle lesson payments, only the intro fee. In short, students browse, message tutors, pay once to connect, and then learn directly with the tutor.<\/p>\n How to join:<\/strong> Tutors sign up for free by creating a profile with their subject<\/a>s, experience, and rates. You must provide ID and references. There is no cost to join and advertise on the site. You can teach any hours you want and choose whether to meet students at their home or online.<\/p>\n Earnings:<\/strong> Tutors keep 100% of their earnings. FirstTutors does not charge a commission on hourly rates. (They only charge the student the one-time intro fee, which goes to the company.) You set your own hourly price (in UK it can start from \u00a38 per hour:). Your actual earnings depend on how many students you find and how often you teach.<\/p>\n Schedule:<\/strong> You decide your availability each week. You can teach a few hours or many, on any schedule that suits you. There is no fixed commitment to FirstTutors; it\u2019s all on-demand tutoring. The more hours you teach, the more you earn.<\/p>\n Reviews:<\/strong> After about a month of lessons with a student, FirstTutors asks the student to leave feedback on the tutor\u2019s page. Good reviews help attract more students. You can see your ratings and respond to messages from potential students in your members area.<\/p>\n Apply here:<\/strong> If you want to be a tutor, you can join at the FirstTutors Tutor Registration<\/a> page. It walks you through setting up your profile.<\/p>\n FirstTutors is run by EduNation Ltd, based in Preston, UK. It was founded in 2005<\/strong><\/a>. The site was one of the first of its kind, and its founders aimed to make tutoring more open and fair. Today the company says its mission is to make the tuition market \u201cmore open and merit-based, meaning anyone can find tutors without paying high agency fees.<\/p>\n FirstTutors has grown into a large platform<\/a>. It reports having over 60,000 tutors in the UK<\/strong> alone. (It also has dedicated sites for Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK) The tutors cover a very wide range of subjects \u2013 from core school subjects like Maths and English to niche areas like art, music and languages. Students can find help for primary, secondary, college, university and adult learning levels. In addition to one-on-one tutoring, the site supports both home tuition and online lessons. Key features include ID and reference checks on all tutors for safety and a feedback system so students can post reviews. The company is now part of Edunation, which is a subsidiary of Chegg (a major education company), giving it strong backing.<\/p>\n FirstTutors sets itself apart with a straightforward model and scale. Its main claim is that you can pick your own tutor and only pay a single intro fee. This means no extra commissions or hidden hourly fees \u2013 one reviewer noted this means better long-term prices. The site also highlights its huge tutor network (60K+ in UK) and easy matching tools. Other USPs: it offers 7-day support, a secure members area, and it appeared in major media (BBC, Guardian, etc.) which boosts its reputation. In practice, these claims largely hold up: many users do find it cheaper than agencies and appreciate the transparency. Tutors enjoy keeping full pay and having many leads. The platform\u2019s large database means students often find multiple tutors for their needs. All in all, FirstTutors\u2019 self-service, low-fee approach is its unique angle, and many reviews support that it delivers on that promise.<\/p>\n No service is perfect, and FirstTutors has some downsides. The big one is the payment system. As users noted, you must pay before getting tutor details, which some find annoying. The one-time fee is non-refundable, so if things go wrong you can lose money. Another issue is quality control: in rare cases the tutor\u2019s profile may not match their skills, leading to disputes. Customer support gets mixed reviews too \u2013 while FT promises quick help, some users said support fell short when problems arise. Finally, some parents find tutor rates or fees \u201ca bit steep\u201d. In summary, drawbacks include the strict non-refund policy<\/a>, occasional mismatched tutors, and potential hassles with fees \u2013 all things to watch out for if using the site.<\/p>\n Focus:<\/strong> FirstTutors is a broad tutor directory for many subjects, while My Engineering Buddy<\/strong> (MEB) is all about engineering and advanced courses.<\/a> MEB offers one-on-one tutoring like FT, but also does homework and assignment help (writing lab reports, projects, etc.). If you need help in mechanical, civil, electrical or computer engineering, MEB has tutors targeted for that. FirstTutors has plenty of math and science tutors too, but they may not offer full homework solutions.<\/p>\n Quality & Cost:<\/strong> Both claim high quality. FirstTutors vets tutors with ID checks and collects feedback. MEB also hires \u201ctop tutors<\/a>\u201d and boasts 97% satisfaction. However, MEB admits its services are expensive. FirstTutors\u2019 one-off fee is relatively low, but tutors set their rates individually (often lower than specialized services). MEB likely charges more per hour or assignment, reflecting its niche focus.<\/p>\n Which is better?<\/strong> For broad tutoring needs (many subjects, local or online), FirstTutors wins on variety and flexible pricing.<\/a> For engineering students needing deep help or someone to do assignments, My Engineering Buddy may be a better fit, even if it costs more. In short, FT is great for general tutoring with no commission fees, while MEB is strong for specialized engineering help.<\/p>\n FirstTutors offers support by email and phone<\/a> every day. It says its office hours are 8am\u20137pm daily, aiming to reply \u201cwithin one hour\u201d Users can contact support if any issue arises (tutor change, technical glitch, etc.). The company does have a \u201csatisfaction guarantee\u201d in theory, meaning they will try to help if a tutor doesn\u2019t work out. In practice, reviews suggest response quality varies: some students got quick help, while one tutor reported their support experience was \u201cunacceptable\u201d when an account was suspended. The refund policy is strict \u2013 as noted above, the intro fee is usually not returned if you cancel or a tutor drops out.<\/p>\n Compared to MEB, FirstTutors\u2019 support is more formal. MEB operates on WhatsApp<\/a> and chat, which many students find fast and personal. MEB\u2019s long history and word-of-mouth success (almost all inquiries come by referral suggest its support is solid. On refunds, MEB\u2019s service agreement is private; it likely also keeps fees once a tutor is booked. In summary, FT has official round-the-clock support, but mixed feedback, while MEB emphasizes a hands-on, personal support model. Students should weigh which style suits them.<\/p>\n FirstTutors operates in many countries. It has region-specific websites <\/a>for the UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and more. Each site shows tutors in local currency and often nearby locations. The platform is only in English, but tutors in non-English-speaking countries sometimes mention language skills. FirstTutors also lets you find tutors for in-person home lessons or online ones anywhere. Its mobile-friendly site works globally.<\/p>\n My Engineering Buddy also serves multiple regions,<\/a> but more narrowly. The company specifically lists students in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Gulf countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia. MEB uses English as well and provides 24\/7 support via chat. Compared to FirstTutors, MEB is less about local face-to-face help and more about online service. FT\u2019s broad reach means you can use it almost anywhere in the English-speaking world, while MEB focuses on markets with demand for engineering help.<\/p>\n FirstTutors has shown interest in technology and growth. It posted articles about artificial intelligence in education<\/a>, noting that many tutors already use AI tools. For example, a 2023 blog by FirstTutors reported that nearly 25% of tutors use AI for research and 15% for lesson planning. The company says it \u201cbelieves AI in education will continue to evolve\u201d and sees AI as a \u201cvaluable asset\u201d to support learning. This suggests FirstTutors may integrate AI tools or recommendations in the future. Additionally, FirstTutors is part of the EduNation\/Nerdy group<\/a> (related to Chegg), which is actively expanding educational services. While the site itself hasn\u2019t announced new features, being backed by a major edtech firm hints at future improvements. For now, their focus seems to be on combining human tutors with modern tech to \u201cenhance\u201d education.<\/p>\n FirstTutors is a well-established tutoring network with strengths and weaknesses. It gives students a huge choice of tutors, clear pricing (one fee, no commissions) and a user-friendly site. Many users have good experiences: tutors appreciate keeping full pay, and parents often find good local tutors. On the downside, the one-time fee can be seen as steep by some, and it is not refunded even if problems arise. The platform\u2019s support has room to improve in rare cases. For students focused on STEM, especially engineering, My Engineering Buddy<\/strong> is a smart alternative. MEB offers expert help and homework support<\/a> that FirstTutors does not, and users rate it very highly. In short, FirstTutors is strong for general tutoring needs, but if you need specialized engineering help or assignment assistance, My Engineering Buddy may be the better choice. Overall, we recommend comparing both: use FirstTutors for broad, no-commission tutoring, or MEB for in-depth engineering help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Introduction FirstTutors is an online tutoring site. It started in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":1901,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1873","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1873","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1873"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1873\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2040,"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1873\/revisions\/2040"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1901"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1873"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1873"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1873"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}FirstTutors Pricing<\/h2>\n
Pricing Range<\/h3>\n
What students say about FirstTutors Pricing<\/h3>\n
Hidden costs<\/h3>\n
How pricing works<\/h3>\n
Free Trial<\/h3>\n
Refund policy<\/h3>\n
FirstTutors Alternatives<\/h2>\n
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![\"MyTutor\"](\"https:\/\/myengineeringbuddy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/MyTutor.webp\")
<\/p>\nHow it Works?<\/h2>\n
For Students<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nFor Tutors<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\nFirstTutors Company Information<\/h2>\n
USP of FirstTutors<\/h3>\n
Drawbacks of FirstTutors<\/h3>\n
Comparison with My Engineering Buddy<\/h3>\n
Customer Support and Policies<\/h3>\n
Global Reach and Localization<\/h3>\n
FirstTutors\u2019s future plans<\/h3>\n
FAQs About FirstTutors<\/h3>\n
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Conclusion<\/h3>\n