You can get online tutoring work by joining a tutoring marketplace such as Preply, italki or Superprof, applying to tutoring companies that hire tutors, or finding your own students through social media, schools and referrals. Students, graduates and professionals can all tutor, and you don’t always need a teaching degree: strong subject knowledge, clear explanations and reliability matter most. Marketplaces bring students to you but take a commission, while your own students keep more of the fee but take longer to find. This guide compares the options, what each needs, and how to get your first students.
Ways to tutor online
| Route | Examples | How you get paid | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutoring marketplaces | Preply, italki, Superprof, Verbling | You set a rate; the platform takes a commission | Language and school-subject tutors starting out |
| Tutoring companies | Companies that hire tutors for set courses | Fixed hourly pay | People who want a steady schedule |
| Freelance platforms | Upwork, Fiverr | Per session or package, minus platform fees | Professional skills, coding, exam prep |
| Your own students | Referrals, social media, local schools | Directly, with no commission | Tutors with a reputation or a niche |
Platforms’ commission rates, requirements and the countries they accept tutors from change. Check each platform’s tutor page before applying.
What subjects are in demand
- Languages, especially English conversation, business English and exam preparation such as IELTS.
- Maths and sciences for school exams such as GCSE, IGCSE, O and A Levels and SAT.
- Coding and data skills, including Python, web development and spreadsheets.
- AI tools for work, a growing area as employers ask for AI literacy. See the most in-demand skills for 2027.
- Music, design and test preparation for specific university entry exams.
How to start tutoring online, step by step
- Choose a narrow offer, such as “O Level physics revision” or “conversational English for professionals”, rather than “any subject”.
- Check your setup: a laptop, a reliable internet connection, a headset with a microphone, good lighting and a quiet space. Have a backup plan for power cuts, such as a charged laptop and mobile data.
- Create a strong profile: a clear photo, a short intro video, your qualifications or results, and exactly who you help.
- Apply to two or three platforms that accept tutors from your country.
- Start with a fair introductory price to earn your first reviews, then raise your rate as reviews come in.
- Prepare reusable materials: lesson plans, worksheets and practice questions save time and improve results.
- Ask happy students for reviews and referrals. They are the fastest way to grow.
Tutoring as a student
University students often tutor school students in subjects they recently aced. It fits around classes, builds communication skills and adds experience to your CV. Start with younger students or exam subjects you scored highly in, keep sessions short and focused, and agree on a schedule you can keep during your own exam periods. Our guide on how many hours a side hustle takes can help you plan.
Online tutoring from Pakistan
“Online tutoring jobs in Pakistan” is a popular search, especially from students. You can tutor local students over video calls, often for O and A Level subjects, or join international platforms that accept tutors from Pakistan. Before you join an international platform, check that it accepts your country and offers a payout method that works for you, such as Payoneer. Be careful of “tutoring jobs” that ask for a registration fee or payment to receive students. Legitimate platforms earn through commission on lessons, not by charging you to apply.
How to set your rate
Look at tutors with similar experience in your subject on the platform you use, start a little below the middle while you earn reviews, and remember the platform’s commission. If a platform keeps a share of each lesson, divide the amount you want to receive by the share you keep to find your listed rate. For packages sold on Fiverr or Upwork, our Freelance Fee Calculator shows your take-home pay after fees.
Official links and sources
Rules, fees and requirements change, so check the official pages before you start:
- Preply: become a tutor: requirements, commission and accepted countries
- italki: teach on italki: how to apply as a community tutor or professional teacher
- Superprof: tutor listings by subject and city
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a degree to tutor online?
Not always. Many marketplaces accept tutors without a teaching degree if they show strong subject knowledge, while some companies and professional tutoring roles ask for qualifications or experience.
Can students do online tutoring?
Yes. University students often tutor school subjects they know well, as long as they meet the platform’s age and eligibility rules.
Which online tutoring platform is best for beginners?
Marketplaces such as Preply and italki are popular with new tutors because they bring students to you. Check which ones accept tutors from your country and compare their commissions.
Are online tutoring jobs that charge a fee legitimate?
Be very careful. Legitimate platforms take a commission from lessons and don’t charge you a fee to receive students.
Platform requirements, commissions and eligibility change and vary by country. This article is general information, not financial advice.
