The Hidden Cost of Tutoring Platforms
Every major tutoring platform takes a cut of your earnings. But the fee structures vary wildly—from 0% to 33%—and the way they're calculated can be confusing.
This guide breaks down exactly what each platform charges and what it means for your bottom line.
Platform Fee Comparison Table
| Platform | Commission Rate | How It's Calculated | Trial Lesson Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Preply** | 33% → 22% | Decreases with hours taught | $0 (platform keeps it) |
| **Wyzant** | 25% flat | Same rate regardless of volume | N/A |
| **italki** | 15% flat | Same rate always | Free lessons common |
| **Varsity Tutors** | Undisclosed | Platform sets your rate | Included in pay |
| **Tutor.com** | N/A | Fixed pay ($13-39/hr) | N/A |
| **Cambly** | N/A | Fixed pay ($10-12/hr) | N/A |
| **TutorBoost** | 0% | Marketing fee instead | Yours to keep |
| **Care.com** | $37-147/mo | Subscription, no commission | Yours to keep |
Detailed Platform Breakdowns
Preply: 33% to 22% Commission
Preply has a tiered commission structure:
- First 20 hours: 33% commission
- 20-200 hours: 28% commission
- 200-400 hours: 25% commission
- 400+ hours: 22% commission
The catch: Trial lessons (typically $1-5) go 100% to Preply. You work for free.
Example: $30/hour tutor teaching 20 hrs/week
- Year 1: ~28% average = $8,736 to Preply
- Year 2+: ~24% average = $7,488 to Preply
Wyzant: 25% Flat Commission
Wyzant keeps it simple: 25% on everything, forever.
No volume discounts. No loyalty rewards. Every lesson, Wyzant takes a quarter.
Example: $50/hour tutor teaching 20 hrs/week
- Annual gross: $52,000
- Wyzant takes: $13,000
- You keep: $39,000
italki: 15% Flat Commission
italki has the lowest commission of major language platforms.
How it works:
- You set your rate
- italki takes 15% of every paid lesson
- You can offer trial lessons (your choice)
Example: $25/hour tutor teaching 25 hrs/week
- Annual gross: $32,500
- italki takes: $4,875
- You keep: $27,625
Varsity Tutors: Undisclosed
Varsity Tutors doesn't publish tutor pay rates. Reports suggest:
- Pay ranges from $15-50/hour
- Platform likely takes 40-60%
- No control over your rates
- Students pay $73-99/hour
Example (estimated): Student pays $85/hour
- You might receive: $30-40/hour
- Varsity Tutors keeps: $45-55/hour
Tutor.com: Fixed Pay Model
Tutor.com pays tutors $13-39/hour regardless of subject.
- Students pay $39/hour (subscription) or $79/hour (pay-as-you-go)
- You receive a fixed rate
- No commission—but limited earning potential
TutorBoost: 0% Lesson Commission
TutorBoost takes a different approach:
- 0% commission on lessons
- You pay for ad management (15% of ad spend on Free tier, 0% on Pro)
- Optional $15/month Pro subscription
Example: $50/hour tutor, $150/month ad spend
- Monthly teaching income: $4,000
- TutorBoost fees: $20 + ~$30 (ad fee) = $50
- You keep: $3,950 (98.75%)
Annual Cost Comparison
Let's compare a tutor earning $50,000/year gross across platforms:
| Platform | Annual Platform Fees | You Keep | % Kept |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Preply (Year 1)** | ~$14,000 | $36,000 | 72% |
| **Preply (Year 3+)** | ~$12,000 | $38,000 | 76% |
| **Wyzant** | $12,500 | $37,500 | 75% |
| **italki** | $7,500 | $42,500 | 85% |
| **TutorBoost** | ~$2,400 | $47,600 | 95% |
| **Independent** | ~$1,800 | $48,200 | 96% |
Over a 5-year career, the difference could be $50,000+
Hidden Costs to Consider
Preply's Free Trial Trap
Preply's trial lessons cost students $1-5 but tutors get $0. If you do 4 trials/month, that's 4 hours of unpaid work.
Wyzant's No-Show Policy
If a student doesn't show, you might not get paid. Factor in ~5% no-show rate.
Platform Dependency Risk
What happens if the platform changes terms, raises fees, or shuts down? Your student list disappears with it.
Payment Delays
Most platforms hold funds for 3-14 days. That's your money not earning interest.
Which Fee Structure is Best?
Best for Beginners: italki (15%)
Low fees + built-in student base = good starting point for language tutors.
Best for Established Tutors: TutorBoost (0%)
Once you know tutoring works for you, stop paying commission forever.
Best for Academic Tutoring: Wyzant or Independent
Wyzant has the biggest US academic market, but 25% adds up fast.
Best Long-Term: Independent or TutorBoost
Both let you build equity. Platforms only rent you access to students.
Breaking Free from Platform Fees
The math is clear: commission-based platforms are expensive.
Alternatives:
1. TutorBoost — We run your ads, you keep lesson income
2. Independent marketing — Run your own ads, referrals, content
3. Hybrid approach — Use platforms for baseline, build independent alongside
FAQ
Why do platforms charge so much?
They provide student acquisition and infrastructure. Whether that's worth 25-33% depends on your marketing ability.
Can I negotiate platform fees?
Generally no. Fees are standardized across all tutors.
Are higher-fee platforms worth it?
Sometimes. If a platform brings you students you couldn't get otherwise, 25% of something beats 0% of nothing. But long-term, building your own pipeline is smarter.
How do I transition away from platforms?
1. Keep teaching on platforms initially
2. Build your external presence
3. Start your own marketing (TutorBoost helps here)
4. Gradually shift students and acquisition
*Stop paying 25-33% forever. TutorBoost lets you pay no commission on lessons. [See how it works →](/onboarding)*