Ever since COVID closed the world for a number of months, online educational opportunities have boomed! Tutoring is no exception, but the market has become over saturated, and it is difficult to know what is credible, and what is… well, crap. Whether it's catching up on challenging subjects or expanding knowledge beyond the classroom, choosing the right platform can significantly impact a child’s academic success.
Nowadays, you can google online tutoring services or ask around on social media and be flooded with options. This blog will help you weed through your options to find the right tutor for your child that meets learning, budgeting, and relationship needs!
We will explore the benefits of online tutoring, how to search for a tutor that is the right fit for your family, and the top 7 companies recommended for 2025. There is definitely one clear winner for the best online tutoring service, and we will go into detail about what sets them apart from the competition.
Benefits of Online Tutoring
Flexibility & Convenience
- Work from anywhere in the wold!
- Time saver - no driving required.
- Children often do not need a parent near them while working.
Access to Qualified Tutors Worldwide
- Connect with highly skilled educators from anywhere
- Rural areas can access specialists in niche subjects like dyslexia therapy or advanced mathematics.
Individualized Learning
- Specialized tutors can accommodate learning needs and tailor lesson.
- Real-time feedback for both students are parents.
Full Access to Progress Tracking
- Online tutoring platforms allow access to full lesson notes.
- Tutors working in online environments expect email and text communication.
In addition the the benefits mentioned above, online tutoring has been proven to be effective! Students that receive online tutoring or intervention make the same academic gains across subjects as would their peers who are being tutored in person.
Online tutoring is also beneficial for children of various ages. It can be customized to feed the needs of the child based on their attention span, age, and interests. By working online, tutors have access to all kind of fun games and activities that they can customize to maximize learning potential while also making learning fun.
How to Choose the Right Online Tutor for your Family:
Take your time when interviewing and searching for the right fitting tutor. Here are some important things to keep in mind throughout your search:
Tutor Qualifications and Experience
Anyone can say they are a tutor, but you should look for someone with teacher experience and full certifications in the programs they use.
Platform Features and Tools
Look for interactive tools like virtual whiteboards, video conferencing, and progress tracking dashboards. Tutors should also be open to giving their personal contact information should you need to reach out to reschedule a lesson, or choose a time to conference about progress. Pricing Plans and Value for Money
Balance affordability with quality. Free trials and flexible payment options are a plus. However, sometimes, you get what you pay for. Be wary of the cheapest options because their credentials may also be on the lower end.
User Reviews and Ratings
Read customer reviews to get a sense of other parents’ experiences with the platform. Social media is a great way to ask for referrals, but it can be overwhelming. Google reviews are another great place to start!Trial Lessons and Reasonable Contract Terms
Some companies or individuals offer trial lessons to make sure that they are the right fit for your student. You should also carefully read contracts to make sure the policies about late cancelations and the number of required sessions is fair.
When searching for a tutor, you have the option to contract with an individual, or a company. There are benefits to both, but it is also possible to find a company that provides you with the benefits of a individual while also offering the benefits of a large team. Often times, families will work with an individual for a few months, then there will be the need for a schedule change or the tutor decides to cut down their hours. This can be frustrating for families, and cause the child to lose important time and consistency in their intervention.
Companies that offer consistent schedules with the same tutor, while also having a large team of teachers available as subs or replacements is a win-win. You should talk to companies about how often they experience teacher turn-over, and what their process is should you want or need to change to a different provider. If they can offer a seamless transition, that is a huge benefit!
Top 7 Online Tutoring Platforms
- Pricing: $55–$70 per hour
- Pros: Ability to work with all grade levels. Specialized in learning disabilities, neurodivergent affirming and engaging sessions, highly qualified tutors with various specialities and advanced certifications.
- Cons: Private instruction this specialized tends to come with a higher price tag. However, LD Expert is below the national average in their cost of dyslexia intervention.
Why It Stands Out:
Students have consistency with their teacher, but teachers are also part of a highly specialized team of colleagues. Unlike general online tutoring platforms, LD Expert specializes in working with students that have learning differences (LDs) such as
ADHD, Dyslexia, Written Expression difficulties, and other LDs. Their teachers are highly trained with advanced certifications and they use only research based interventions.
- Pricing: $35–$100/hour
- Pros: Wide range of subjects and grade levels. Easily searchable due to high marketing budgets.
- Cons: Pricing can be on the higher end, and teachers are still individuals and not a team. There is not much oversight, and parents do not have access to communicate with the owners of the company as it is just a way to connect parents to individual tutors. If a tutor decides to change their schedule, or the needs of your family chance, you will have to begin your search again starting back at square one.
- Pricing: $10–$50/class
- Pros: Fun, engaging classes with a variety of subject types. Focus on enrichment subjects like coding and art - which is very appealing to many children’s interests.
- Cons: Most sessions are for groups, and not individuals. Not a comprehensive tutoring service for core subjects. Most teachers on this site do not have specialized certifications.
- Pricing: $26–$85/hour
- Pros: 24/7 availability, immediate help or assistance.
- Cons: Not individualized, and you are not assigned to a specific teacher consistently. Parents have much less control over who is helping them with homework, and the tutors are not necessarily certified.
- Pricing: $30–$100/hour (varies by tutor)
- Pros: Directly connect with tutors; flexible scheduling.
- Cons: You can get a huge range of quality in tutors. Additionally, tutors are still individual businesses, so if the child’s schedule or the tutor’s schedule changes, parents are back at square one. There is also little to no administrative oversight on tutors. If you are looking for customer service that has the feel of a family, this may not be the company for you.
- Pricing: $20–$40/hour
- Pros: Affordable plans, tailored to students in online schools.
- Cons: There is a very limited number of tutors for specialized subjects, and tutors are not always certified or even educators. Additionally, some of the reviews mention that some sessions are not with a live teacher, and the explanations are difficult to understand.
- Pricing: $49/hour
- Pros: Pay-per-minute tutoring, certified teachers.
- Cons: Interactions with teachers are limited to one time. Longer sessions can be more expensive, and teachers have the incentive to make sessions much longer. There is also an application process, and you have to sign-up and subscribe to even see the options available to you.
Tips for Parents and Educators to Maximize Online Tutoring Benefits
1. Use a laptop - not a chromebook, ipad, or a phone
Laptops have many more functions than other devices.
2. Maintain Regular Communication with Tutors
Keep in touch regularly, and ask for frequent progress monitoring.
3. Create a Distraction-Free Environment
Have a specific spot in your home that is distraction free.
A Clear Winner
Of the top 7 companies listed above, there is one clear winner that takes the prize for best service and most qualified tutors - and that is The LD Expert.
LD Expert understands the importance of building a relationship with students. Not only do we want students to learn and grow, but it is also crucial to recognize that learning and growth only happens when students feel safe, and their emotional, physical, and social needs are met. LD Expert prioritizes relationship building with students, and strives to make learning educational and fun!
The hiring team at LD Expert also has the highest standards for building a team that is fully credentialed in the programs they use. Finding a tutor that is highly qualified and has experience is very important when searching for a tutor. Being able to trust a company to weed-out the less qualified individuals is highly beneficial and will save you time. Since they have a large team of teachers, they can meet most scheduling needs. They serve students during the school day by contracting with districts or private schools, homeschool students, and privately with families after school hours. They also have tutors across multiple time zones, so they can truly meet your family's specific scheduling needs.
Finally, we all know that private specific intervention for learning differences like dyslexia, can be expensive. LD Expert fairly prices their lessons so that they are at or below the national average, while providing education that is well above average! You can rest assured that you are getting the best of the best when you contract with LD Expert.
Conclusion
Picking the right tutoring platform online is crucial for your child’s education. Identify the most significant concerns for you: pricing, support, or the availability of subjects. Consider scheduling a free consultation with companies that offer it, like LD Expert.
Knowing what questions to ask when interviewing tutors is also important (check out our free resource here). You will want to make sure that they have experience that matches the needs of your child, and that they have gone through the required trainings and certification processes to be able to deliver the highest possible quality instruction.
Be sure to choose a tutor that focuses on your child’s individual needs and offers personalized intervention. Finally, the child’s relationship with their tutor will be the best predictor of their success - so remember to choose someone who understands and practices relationship building!
FAQs
What age is best for online tutoring?
Online tutoring services can benefit children as young as five, especially for foundational skills like reading and math. Typically, students that are between the ages of 4 and 6 tend to do better with shorter sessions. It is recommended that tutoring sessions not last longer than 30 minutes at this age.
How do I ensure my child stays engaged during online sessions?
Choose a tutor that prioritizes their relationship with your child, and knows how to make sessions engaging. They should also understand how to support your child’s physical and sensory needs for movement during their session. If a child needs to spin in their chair, take a movement break. stand while working, or even sit on a bouncy ball during their lesson - that should be accepted and supported!
Are online tutoring platforms safe for children?
Yes, reputable platforms use secure systems and background-checked tutors to ensure safety. Be sure to ask about this when you interview tutors!
Can online tutoring replace traditional classroom learning?
No - Tutoring is supplemental to traditional learning. If you are looking for comprehensive instruction, you will need to specify that when meeting with tutors/companies to make sure they can provide that. Certain tutoring companies also provide comprehensive instruction or all subjects, or even individual subjects. However, this is a different type of expectation of the tutor and required significantly more prep time. Thus, the price tag will also likely reflect the amount of work required for this type of teaching.
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