Wyzant vs. TutorLyft

Yes, for online lessons. Wyzant lets students outside the U.S. sign up, but you enter a U.S. zip code in your time zone, and it takes U.S. cards only, so a Canadian card has to go through PayPal. Wyzant tutors must live in the U.S., so there are no in-person lessons in Canada. Every TutorLyft tutor is based in Canada and teaches online or in person in many Canadian cities.

Yes. Wyzant is a Chicago company founded in 2005 and owned by IXL Learning since 2021, with 65,000 tutors in more than 300 subjects. Wyzant reports a 4.9 average rating from its own lesson reviews. Wyzant doesn't require background checks. You can buy one for a tutor for $15.99, or filter for tutors who have one on file.

Each tutor sets their own rate. Wyzant says its tutors cost US$35 to $60 an hour on average. Wyzant adds a 9% service fee to every lesson, plus any taxes, and usually charges you after each lesson. Cancelled lessons are charged under the tutor's own policy, also with the 9% fee.

TutorLyft tutors charge typically CA$40 to CA$75 an hour, with no added fees. Book 10 or more lessons with the same tutor and you save 5%.

Wyzant tutors register with their qualifications and education, take proficiency quizzes, and describe their teaching experience. Wyzant's team then reviews each application by hand and only lists tutors who meet its standards. Background checks are optional. TutorLyft approves about 5% of applicants after phone and video interviews, records an intro video with every tutor, and has a police check for every tutor who teaches in person.

If your first lesson with a new tutor isn't a good fit, Wyzant refunds the first hour, as long as you ask within 30 days. You're still charged for the lesson first. On TutorLyft, if the first lesson isn't right, we refund it and give you your next hour free with a new tutor.

Yes. Almost every tutor offers a free consultation, so you can ask about their approach and your goals first. There's no subscription or sign-up fee, and if the first session isn't the right fit, we refund it and give you your next hour free with a new tutor.