StudyGuru vs MyTutor: Comparing Online Tutoring Platforms
Both StudyGuru and MyTutor offer online tutoring for UK secondary school students. This page compares the two platforms across pricing, tutor vetting, lesson experience, and safeguarding so you can decide which is the better fit for your family. We aim to be fair and factual throughout.
Who this page is for
- Parents researching online GCSE maths tutoring platforms in the UK
- Families who have used MyTutor and want to explore alternatives
- Anyone comparing tutoring platforms on price, safety, and lesson quality
- Parents who want transparency about what they are paying for
Quick Comparison
| Feature | StudyGuru | MyTutor |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory offer | £15 Starter Pack (4 sessions at £15 each) | Check website for current offers |
| Standard pricing | From £24/hour | Varies by tutor — check website |
| DBS checks | Enhanced DBS via Update Service or fresh uCheck application | Enhanced DBS required for all tutors |
| Tutor vetting | 7-step process incl. live teaching assessment; ~1 in 14 accepted | Interview process; ~1 in 8 accepted |
| Lesson platform | Purpose-built interactive whiteboard + HD video | Interactive whiteboard + video lesson space |
| After-lesson reports | AI-generated summary + practice tasks after every session | Optional tutor-written lesson reports |
| Subjects (GCSE) | STEM: Maths, Sciences, English, Further Maths | Wider range including humanities |
| Exam boards | AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC | Multiple boards covered |
| Payment timing | Authorised 24hrs before, captured 24hrs after lesson | Charged at time of booking |
| Contract required | No — pay as you go | No — pay as you go |
| Group lessons | Not currently offered | Available (schools and families) |
When to Choose StudyGuru
StudyGuru may suit your family if you value a low-risk entry point. Our £15 Starter Pack gives you 4 full sessions at £15 each, so you can try tutoring before committing to standard rates. StudyGuru is designed around parent visibility: after every lesson you receive an AI-generated summary covering what was taught, your child's progress level, and specific practice recommendations. All tutors must complete an Enhanced DBS verification — either through the DBS Update Service or via a fresh application through our partner uCheck — and every tutor completes a live teaching assessment before being approved. If you want a purpose-built interactive whiteboard rather than screen-sharing tools, and prefer payments taken after lessons rather than upfront, StudyGuru is designed with that in mind.
When to Choose MyTutor
MyTutor is a well-established platform with a large pool of tutors, which can mean more availability across a wider range of subjects. MyTutor offers group tutoring options for both schools and families, which StudyGuru does not currently provide. If your child needs tutoring in a niche subject outside of STEM, MyTutor may have broader subject coverage. MyTutor also has a longer track record in the UK market, which some families find reassuring. MyTutor also offers a free 15-minute meeting with a tutor. Check their website for their current pricing and introductory offers.
Pricing & Fees
StudyGuru pricing starts from £24 per hour after the Starter Pack, with tutor rates ranging from £24 to £74 per hour depending on the tutor's experience band. New customers can claim the £15 Starter Pack (4 sessions at £15 each, regardless of tutor band). The price shown is the total price — no additional fees, subscriptions, or hidden charges. MyTutor pricing varies by tutor and subject, with rates starting from around £26/hour. Check the MyTutor website for their current rates and any introductory offers they may have. Both platforms operate on a pay-per-session model without long-term contracts. For a full breakdown of tutoring costs, see our GCSE maths tutoring prices page.
Safeguarding & Vetting
StudyGuru requires every tutor to complete our 7-step verification process: identity verification, right to work confirmation, Enhanced DBS verification (via the DBS Update Service or a fresh application through uCheck), physical certificate upload, database verification, a 20-minute live teaching assessment with trained assessors, and final safeguarding team approval. Approximately 1 in 14 applicants are accepted. MyTutor also requires Enhanced DBS checks for their tutors and reports an acceptance rate of approximately 1 in 8 applicants. We recommend checking their current safeguarding policy on their website for the most up-to-date information on their vetting process.
Lesson Experience
StudyGuru lessons take place on a purpose-built interactive whiteboard with integrated HD video. Students and tutors can write, draw, and solve problems together in real time on a shared canvas. After each session, parents receive an AI-generated lesson summary with progress levels and practice recommendations. MyTutor uses their own online lesson space. Both platforms support real-time collaboration. The best way to evaluate the lesson experience is to try both — StudyGuru offers a free 15-minute intro call to help you decide.
Payments & Cancellations
On StudyGuru, payment is authorised 24 hours before each session and captured 24 hours after completion. This means you are only charged for lessons that actually take place. There are no signup fees or cancellation penalties — cancel before payment is taken and you will not be charged. We accept all major credit and debit cards via Stripe. Check the MyTutor website for details on their payment timing and cancellation policy.
How Tutors Are Vetted at StudyGuru
Every tutor who teaches on StudyGuru must pass a rigorous 7-step verification process before they can accept a single booking. The process begins with identity verification and a right-to-work check, confirming the tutor is legally permitted to work in the UK. Next comes the Enhanced DBS verification — we check the tutor's existing DBS certificate via the Update Service, or arrange a brand-new Enhanced DBS application through our partner uCheck if they do not have one. The tutor must also upload a physical photograph of their DBS certificate, which our team cross-references against the database check. The step that sets StudyGuru apart is the live teaching assessment. Every applicant completes a 20-minute observed lesson with one of our trained assessors, who evaluates their subject knowledge, teaching style, ability to explain concepts clearly, and safeguarding awareness. This is not a checkbox exercise — approximately 1 in 14 applicants make it through to final approval by our safeguarding team. The result is a smaller but carefully selected pool of tutors you can trust with your child. Both StudyGuru and MyTutor require Enhanced DBS checks, but the live assessment stage is unique to StudyGuru.
Real Parent Scenarios
If your child is falling behind in GCSE maths and you need targeted support: StudyGuru's GCSE maths tutoring covers both Foundation and Higher tier across AQA, Edexcel, and OCR. After each lesson, you receive an AI-generated summary telling you exactly what was covered and where your child stands. If you are unsure which tier your child should be working at, the tutor can advise during the free intro call. If you have tried another platform and found the tutor was not the right fit: It happens. StudyGuru's live teaching assessment means every tutor has been observed and approved before they appear on the platform. If you still feel the match is not right, we will help you switch tutors at no cost. There is no lock-in to any specific tutor. If your child needs exam preparation with a structured approach: StudyGuru tutors work with specific exam board mark schemes and question styles. The AI-generated practice tasks after each session mean your child has targeted revision material between lessons, not just generic worksheets. For families preparing for summer exams, see our mock exam preparation page.
What Makes the Lessons Different
StudyGuru lessons are built around our purpose-built interactive whiteboard. Unlike screen-sharing tools or generic video calls, the whiteboard lets both the tutor and student write, draw, annotate, and solve problems on the same canvas in real time. This is particularly valuable for maths, where working through equations step by step is more effective than watching someone talk through a slide deck. Integrated HD video means the tutor and student can see each other throughout the session, maintaining the personal connection that makes one-to-one tutoring effective. After every lesson, our AI analyses the session and generates a detailed summary for parents covering: what topics were taught, your child's current progress level (Struggling, Progressing, or Confident), key moments from the lesson, and specific practice recommendations. The AI also generates personalised practice tasks based on what was covered, so your child has targeted revision material between sessions. All of this is visible in your parent dashboard, where you can track progress over time, see current vs target grades, and monitor exam dates. MyTutor offers lesson recordings and tutor-written reports, which is a different approach — the best choice depends on whether you prefer automated consistency or tutor-authored feedback.
Common Concerns Addressed
Is online tutoring as effective as in-person?Research consistently shows that one-to-one tutoring is effective regardless of format, and online tutoring removes travel time, increases scheduling flexibility, and gives parents direct visibility into what happens in each session. StudyGuru's interactive whiteboard is designed specifically for collaborative problem-solving, not just video chat. How do I know my child is actually making progress? On StudyGuru, you receive an AI-generated lesson summary after every single session, with specific progress levels and practice recommendations. Your parent dashboard tracks progress over time so you can see trends, not just individual snapshots. What if my child does not like the tutor? We match families with tutors based on subject, level, and availability. If the tutor is not the right fit for any reason, let us know and we will help find a better match at no extra cost. The free intro call lets you and your child speak with the tutor before committing to paid sessions. Is my child safe during online lessons? Every StudyGuru tutor has passed an Enhanced DBS check and live teaching assessment. All sessions take place on our platform with moderated messaging — there is no exchange of personal contact details between tutors and families.
Making the Switch from MyTutor
Switching from MyTutor to StudyGuru is straightforward and there is no overlap period required. Start with a free 15-minute intro call to discuss your child's current level and goals with a StudyGuru tutor. There is no commitment at this stage. If you decide to proceed, the £15 Starter Pack gives you 4 full sessions at a reduced rate so you can experience the platform properly before committing to standard pricing. There are no contracts, no minimum sessions, and no cancellation penalties on StudyGuru. You can continue using MyTutor alongside StudyGuru if you prefer, or switch entirely — the choice is yours. Many families find that the AI lesson summaries and progress tracking give them a clearer picture of their child's development than they had before.
Trust & Safety
Enhanced DBS Checks
Fresh Enhanced DBS arranged via uCheck for every tutor
7-Step Vetting
Identity, qualifications, DBS, live teaching assessment, and safeguarding approval
Pay After Lessons
Payment captured 24 hours after each session via Stripe
Secure Platform
All sessions on our platform with moderated messaging
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Get Started?
£15 Starter Pack · 4 sessions · No commitment
Not ready to commit? Start with a free intro call