MyTutor is a well-known UK platform that pairs school pupils with tutors drawn mainly from UK universities. iTutorOnline takes a broader, lower-cost approach across Europe. Here is how the two stack up.
Quick answer: MyTutor pairs UK pupils with university-student tutors at roughly £26–£33 per hour, but its platform fee can reach up to 49% of payments — tutors keep a little over half. iTutorOnline charges a flat 15% (tutors keep 85%), verifies every tutor's ID across a Europe-wide pool, and includes its €5 per hour fee in the displayed price.
How MyTutor works
MyTutor recruits tutors from a set of UK universities, interviews them, and lets them teach pupils one-to-one or in small groups online. Tutors set their own prices, with most charging somewhere around £26 to £33 per hour.
The detail that surprises people is how that fee splits:
- The platform fee is large. The rate a student pays includes MyTutor's platform fee, which the terms allow to reach up to 49% of payments. After VAT and commission, tutors typically take home a little over half of the listed price.
- Safeguarding via DBS. Tutors need a recent DBS check or pay to have one done, with the cost recouped from early lessons. This is a genuine safety strength, and it reflects MyTutor's focus on UK school-age pupils.
If you specifically want a current UK university student or recent graduate as a tutor, MyTutor is built for exactly that.
How iTutorOnline works
iTutorOnline is not limited to one country's university students, and it keeps far more of the lesson fee with the tutor.
- Flat 15% commission. Tutors keep 85% of what they earn. Compared with a platform fee that can approach half the lesson price, that is a large difference, and it tends to keep listed rates lower.
- The price you see is the price you pay. A €5 per hour platform fee is already included, with no subscriptions or booking fees.
- Verified tutors across Europe. Every tutor passes ID and age verification, with optional diploma verification. You are not restricted to one talent pool, and you choose who you learn with.
Lessons run in an encrypted video room with a revisitable whiteboard, and many tutors offer a free first 30 minutes.
Who each platform is best for
MyTutor is a strong choice for UK families who specifically want a relatable near-peer tutor from a top university, with DBS checks built into the process.
iTutorOnline is the better fit if you want a wider range of tutors across Europe, a much lower commission that helps keep prices down, and the same verification reassurance without being tied to one country's student pool.
Fees at a glance
| iTutorOnline | MyTutor | |
|---|---|---|
| Tutor take-home | 85% of the rate | Roughly half, after fee and VAT |
| Platform fee | €5/hr, included in price | Up to 49% of payments |
| Tutor pool | Verified tutors across Europe | Mainly UK university students/graduates |
| Verification | ID + age, optional diploma | Interview + DBS check |
| Student model | Pay per lesson | Pay per lesson |
The bottom line
MyTutor does one thing well: relatable UK university tutors with strong safeguarding. iTutorOnline offers a wider pool, verified tutors, and a commission that leaves far more value with the tutor and, in turn, with you. If a low fee and a broad choice matter most, iTutorOnline has the edge.
FAQ
How much does MyTutor cost per hour? Most tutors charge around £26 to £33 per hour. That rate includes MyTutor's platform fee, which can reach up to 49% of payments — tutors typically take home a little over half.
What commission does MyTutor take compared to iTutorOnline? MyTutor's fee can approach half the lesson price. iTutorOnline charges a flat 15%, so tutors keep 85% — which also tends to keep listed rates lower.
Are MyTutor tutors safer because of DBS checks? DBS checks are a genuine safeguarding strength for UK pupils. iTutorOnline verifies every tutor's ID and age, with optional diploma verification, and keeps lessons and payments on-platform.
Is MyTutor or iTutorOnline better for me? MyTutor for UK families wanting a near-peer university tutor with DBS checks. iTutorOnline for a wider verified pool across Europe and a much lower commission.
Want a verified tutor without the heavy platform cut? Find a tutor or read our pricing. See also how much tutoring costs.