Tutorful is a popular UK tutoring marketplace with a strong safety record and recorded lessons. iTutorOnline shares a lot of its values, transparency, verified tutors, and a focus on the student, but the fee structure works differently. Here is the comparison.
Quick answer: Tutorful adds a service fee on top of each tutor's rate (effectively 20–35% of the lesson price) and stands out for enhanced DBS checks and recorded lessons. iTutorOnline charges one flat 15% commission with the €5 per hour fee already in the shown price — simpler and usually cheaper — with ID-verified tutors across Europe.
How Tutorful works
Tutorful lets you book, pay for, and attend lessons through its platform. Tutors set their own hourly rate, starting from around £20, and you can book instantly. Its First Lesson Guarantee means that if you do not click with a tutor, Tutorful helps you find another and covers that next lesson.
On fees, Tutorful does not describe itself as taking a commission. Instead, it adds a service fee on top of the tutor's rate, paid by the student. In practice, tutors report that the combined effect works out to roughly 20% to 35% of the lesson price.
On safety, Tutorful is strong. It requires an enhanced DBS check before listing a tutor, has a dedicated safeguarding officer, and records lessons so students can revise and parents can review.
How iTutorOnline works
iTutorOnline uses a single, clearly stated fee rather than a service charge layered on top.
- Flat 15% commission. Tutors keep 85%. There is no separate service fee stacked onto the price.
- The price you see is the price you pay. The €5 per hour platform fee is already included in the displayed rate, with no booking or transaction fees added at checkout.
- Verified tutors. Every tutor passes ID and age verification, with optional diploma verification. Lessons run in an encrypted video room with a whiteboard you can revisit afterwards.
- GDPR-compliant by design. As a European platform, data protection and secure, regulated payments are built in.
Who each platform is best for
Tutorful is a solid choice for UK families who value recorded lessons and enhanced DBS checks, and who do not mind a service fee added on top of the tutor's rate.
iTutorOnline is the better fit if you want a single, low, transparent fee with nothing added at checkout, verified tutors across Europe, and the freedom to pay only for the lessons you take.
Fees at a glance
| iTutorOnline | Tutorful | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee model | Flat 15% commission | Service fee added on top |
| Effective cost | 15% | Roughly 20% to 35% |
| Price shown | Final price, fee included | Tutor rate plus service fee |
| Verification | ID + age, optional diploma | Enhanced DBS check |
| Lesson recording | Revisitable whiteboard | Recorded lessons |
The bottom line
Tutorful and iTutorOnline both take safety and transparency seriously, which is refreshing. The deciding factor is cost: iTutorOnline's flat 15% with the fee already included is simpler and usually cheaper than a service fee stacked on top. If you want to know your total before you book, iTutorOnline makes that easy.
FAQ
How much does Tutorful cost per lesson? Tutor rates start around £20 per hour, but a service fee is added on top, paid by the student — tutors report the combined effect at roughly 20% to 35% of the lesson price.
Does Tutorful take a commission? It frames it as a service fee added to the tutor's rate rather than a commission; effectively 20–35%. iTutorOnline charges a flat 15% with the €5 per hour fee already in the displayed price.
How does safety compare between Tutorful and iTutorOnline? Tutorful: enhanced DBS checks, a safeguarding officer, recorded lessons. iTutorOnline: ID and age verification for every tutor, optional diploma verification, encrypted lessons with a revisitable whiteboard under European data-protection standards.
Is Tutorful or iTutorOnline better for me? Tutorful for UK families valuing DBS checks and recordings. iTutorOnline for one low transparent fee and verified tutors across Europe.
Compare the real cost yourself. Find a tutor or see our pricing. See also how much tutoring costs.