UK tutoring platform comparison

What happened to First Tutors — and what should parents use instead?

First Tutors has closed. See the closure evidence first, then compare active alternatives with Latimer first for guided, direct-contact, pay-as-you-go online tuition.

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Editorial

Lead authorRobin GibbonsFounder & CEO·Latimer Tuition
Reviewed byHeather LatimerTutor Matching & Customer Service·Latimer Tuition
Published3 July 2026
Updated24 July 2026
Last reviewed24 July 2026

Current answer

What happened to First Tutors?

First Tutors has closed. Latimer Tuition is our top current alternative for guided, direct-contact, pay-as-you-go online tuition; Tutor Hunt is the closest self-serve directory replacement.

First Tutors’ official site says the service has closed after more than 20 years. It should not appear as an active tutoring choice. Our top current alternative is Latimer Tuition for families who want human matching or browsing, direct tutor contact and pay-as-you-go online lessons without a package. Tutor Hunt is the closest self-serve directory replacement.

The closure evidence comes first; the alternatives are then ordered under the disclosed current-service criteria.

Source: Official provider and guidance pages cited in this guide
Last checked: 2026-07-24

Decision caveat

Publisher disclosure and how we assessed this guide

Publisher disclosure: This comparison is published by Latimer Tuition, a provider included in this guide. The order is our editorial assessment, not a Trustpilot ranking or endorsement. Providers had to serve the exact UK search need and have current public evidence for the feature being assessed. We reviewed exact-query fit (30%), matching and tutor choice (15%), price transparency (15%), flexibility and commitment (10%), vetting transparency (10%), customer and first-hand evidence (10%), and the first-step, fallback or rematch process (10%). Ties are broken by exact-query fit, then lower commitment. Evidence and editorial order were reviewed on 24 July 2026; availability, prices and terms can change, so confirm them before booking.

Customer-evidence snapshot, checked 24 July 2026: Latimer Tuition’s current Trustpilot profile showed a 4.9 TrustScore from 307 reviews. Scores and review counts can change. This is evidence about Latimer’s own customer profile only, not proof of price, safeguarding, educational outcomes or superiority over another provider.

When this advice is not enough

The order cannot replace checking current tutor availability, exact fees, cancellation terms, specialist fit or the provider’s latest official policy.

What to do instead

Use the table as a shortlist, read the cited official pages and confirm the exact arrangement in writing before paying.

First Tutors alternatives compared

Providers are ordered under the disclosed page-specific criteria, with Latimer Tuition first where it meets the literal query. This is Latimer Tuition’s editorial assessment, not a universal market ranking. Confirm current prices, availability and terms before booking.

Provider	Model and fees to notice	Lesson format	Tutor checks and support signals	Best fit for
Latimer Tuition	Human-matched or browsable online one-to-one tuition.	Online one-to-one.	Published safeguarding process; confirm the individual tutor’s current evidence.	Free 15–30-minute introduction and human shortlist; no package tie-in.
Tutor Hunt	Broad search-and-compare tutor marketplace. Compare individual tutor rates and platform terms before booking.	Online and in-person options are presented on its own site.	Provider-stated checks include Enhanced DBS checks, references, ID checks and onboarding. Treat that as the provider’s own claim, not as an independent audit of every individual tutor.	Parents who want the closest familiar replacement for a broad marketplace-style First Tutors experience.
Tutorful	Online marketplace where parents can search, message and book tutors; profiles show qualifications, experience, subjects and hourly cost.	Online tutoring platform in the sources checked.	Its site and navigation include additional-needs/SEN subject areas. Check the current tutor profile and provider help pages before treating a tutor as suitable for a specific need.	Parents who want a more managed-feeling online platform and clearer search filters than a very open marketplace.
MyTutor	Pricing page says one-to-one tuition starts from £26/hr, with pay-as-you-go lessons, no sign-up fees and no subscriptions.	Online-only in the sources checked, with live video lessons and recorded lessons for revision.	MyTutor says it personally interviews every tutor and accepts only 1 in 8 applicants. Its safeguarding policy gives a fuller safety framework than a simple profile label.	Parents who are comfortable with online-only tuition and want a pre-booking fit check before paying for lessons.
FindTutors	Its homepage advertises tutors from £12/hr, but its student terms list a £19/month Student Pass for contacting tutors without limit during the subscription.	In-person and online lesson options are presented on its own site.	Its terms describe it as an online mediation technology platform and say the tutor/student relationship is direct, so parents need to check individual profiles carefully.	Families who want a large self-service marketplace and are comfortable reading the access-fee and tutor-profile details themselves.
Superprof UK	Very broad marketplace. Its terms say students pay a £39/month Student Pass to message tutors, separate from individual tutor rates.	Online and in-person options are presented on its own site.	The terms say parents or guardians are responsible for verifying tutor disclosures such as DBS certificates where applicable.	Parents who want very wide subject choice or local/niche searches and are comfortable with a subscription-style access model.

Which alternative fits your situation?

Ordered under the disclosed criteria. Latimer is our top pick for this precise need; the remaining cards preserve credible specialist and model-specific alternatives.

How we chose these

Exact query fit and current UK availability (30%)
Matching and tutor choice (15%)
Price transparency (15%)
Flexibility and commitment (10%)
Vetting transparency (10%)
Customer and first-hand evidence (10%)
First step, fallback or rematch process (10%)

Reviewed 2026-07-24

Shorter human-led shortlist

Latimer Tuition

Best fit if you would rather not compare dozens of profiles alone, or you want to browse a smaller directory with filters first.

Match me with a tutor

Closest marketplace-style replacement

Tutor Hunt

Best fit if you liked the idea of searching, comparing and choosing from a broad tutor marketplace, with both online and in-person options. Watch for: individual tutor fit and the exact terms that apply before booking.

Managed-feeling online platform

Tutorful

Best fit if you want online tutoring with clearer search and profile features than a very open listing site. Watch for: check the current Tutorful profile, lesson and guarantee wording before relying on a specific feature.

Online-only with a fit conversation

MyTutor

Best fit if online lessons suit your child and you value a 15-minute video chat before booking. Watch for: pricing is live and should be checked against the current MyTutor pricing page.

Large self-service marketplace

FindTutors

Best fit if you want large choice and lower advertised starting prices, and you are happy to check individual tutor profiles and the Student Pass model carefully. Watch for: the provider describes itself as a mediation technology platform, not the direct lesson provider.

Very broad subject choice

Superprof UK

Best fit if you are looking for a niche subject, local tutor or very wide choice. Watch for: the Student Pass subscription is separate from individual tutor rates.

What parents should compare before choosing an alternative

A tutoring platform can look good in reviews and still be the wrong fit for your child, budget or preferred lesson format. Use the same checks for every option.

Pricing model

Separate the tutor’s hourly rate from any platform fee, access fee, subscription, cancellation rule or refund condition.

Lesson format

Check whether lessons are online, in person or both, and whether messaging, payment and online lessons stay inside the platform.

Tutor checks

Read the provider’s exact wording. A profile label, a provider claim and an official disclosure check are not all the same thing.

SEND or additional-needs fit

Look for more than a broad label. Check specific tutor experience, subject level, communication style and any support policy or filter.

Trial, replacement or refund policy

Some platforms offer a fit call, replacement support or refund wording; others leave more of the checking to the parent.

Best-fit audience

Decide whether you want to compare many tutors yourself, use a more managed online platform, or ask for a shorter shortlist.

Decision caveat

Check platform fees before comparing hourly rates

Do not compare tutoring sites only by the first hourly rate you see. Some providers charge only lesson fees through a pay-as-you-go model, while others may charge an access fee or subscription before you can contact tutors.

The clearest example in the checked evidence is Superprof’s terms: “In order to message tutors, you will be asked to pay a monthly subscription fee of £39” — Superprof terms. FindTutors’ student terms also list a £19/month Student Pass for contacting tutors without limit during the subscription. MyTutor’s pricing page, by contrast, says there are no sign-up fees or subscriptions and that tuition starts from £26/hr.

When this advice is not enough

A headline hourly rate is not enough when the platform also has a contact pass, subscription, renewal term, refund condition or cancellation rule.

What to do instead

Before booking, write down the total first-month cost: hourly rate, number of lessons, platform or access fee, renewal date, cancellation deadline and any replacement or refund condition.

Decision caveat

DBS, safeguarding and SEND: what not to assume

Tutor-check wording needs careful reading. GOV.UK’s short guidance says: “The DBS check you can get depends on the role.” — GOV.UK. In England and Wales, Standard and Enhanced DBS eligibility is tied to the role and legal eligibility. Scotland uses the PVG scheme, and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI criminal-record checks.

Additional-needs wording also differs across the UK. England commonly uses SEND in official guidance, Wales uses additional learning needs or ALN, and Scotland uses additional support needs/additional support for learning. For a private tutor, the practical question is not only which label appears on a site, but whether the individual tutor has relevant experience with your child’s learning profile.

When this advice is not enough

A provider badge, filter or profile label is not enough if your child needs particular support, lessons will happen in person, or the tutor will work with your child without you present.

What to do instead

Ask what check is shown, when it was issued, who verified it, whether lessons stay on-platform, and what experience the tutor has with the specific learning need or exam goal.

Checklist before you book a replacement tutor

Use this before paying for the first lesson or signing up to a platform access model.

Cost

Am I paying only the tutor’s hourly rate, or is there also a platform fee, access pass, subscription or renewal date?
Format

Are lessons online, in person or flexible, and does the platform record, monitor or keep lessons inside its own tools?
Tutor checks

What checks, references, identity checks or profile verification does the provider state, and what can I see on the tutor’s own profile?
SEND or additional-needs experience

Can the tutor explain specific experience with my child’s learning profile, rather than relying on a broad subject or support label?
Fit before payment

Is there a fit call, introductory chat or clear way to change tutor if the first lesson is not right?
Terms

Have I read the cancellation, refund, replacement tutor and renewal terms before entering payment details?
Reviews

Have I looked at review count, recency, negative themes and provider replies, not just the headline score?
Decision load

Do I actually want to evaluate dozens of profiles, or would a shorter shortlist be more helpful?

Message to send before you book

A short message to send before booking

When this applies

You are contacting a tutor or tutoring platform after First Tutors has closed, or comparing several alternatives before the first lesson. Use this when you have found a possible tutor but want to check cost, fit and tutor-check details before paying.

Suggested wording

Hello, I am looking for help with [subject and level] for my child. Before booking, could you confirm the lesson format, hourly rate, any platform or access fees, cancellation terms, and what checks or references are shown on the tutor profile? If relevant, do you have experience supporting pupils with [SEND/ALN/additional support need], and can we arrange a short fit conversation before the first paid lesson?

Why this helps

It checks cost, format, profile evidence and additional-needs experience without sounding adversarial. It also creates a written record of what the parent was told before booking.

Key terms parents may see when comparing tutoring sites

A few terms can change how you compare platforms, especially around cost and tutor-check wording.

Tutoring marketplace

A platform where parents search or contact individual tutors. The platform may provide tools, reviews and payment features, but the level of matching and checking varies.

Customer-review context

A public review score and review count. Useful for sentiment and patterns, but not a complete assessment of tutor quality, safeguarding or fit for your child.

Student Pass or access fee

A charge for contacting tutors or using platform features. It should be compared separately from the tutor’s hourly lesson rate.

DBS check

Disclosure and Barring Service check language used in England and Wales. GOV.UK says the check depends on the role.

PVG

Scotland’s Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme, managed by Disclosure Scotland for regulated roles with children and protected adults.

AccessNI

Northern Ireland’s official criminal-record check system for basic, standard and enhanced checks.

SEND, ALN and additional support needs

Common UK wording for additional learning support differs by nation: SEND in England, ALN in Wales, and additional support needs/additional support for learning in Scotland.

Sources and review notes

This page uses first-party provider pages, official UK disclosure and additional-needs guidance, and Latimer’s own service pages. Prices, subscription terms, guarantees and tutor-check wording can change, so confirm the current official position before booking.

First Tutors closure notice

Used for the direct closure answer.

Open source
Provider pages and terms

Used for provider-stated model, lesson format, checks, fees and terms.

Open source
GOV.UK, mygov.scot and nidirect disclosure guidance

Used for DBS, PVG and AccessNI caveats.

Open source
UK additional-needs guidance

Used for SEND, ALN and additional-support terminology caveats.

Open source
Latimer Tuition service pages

Used only for Latimer-specific directory, matching and tutor-check claims.

Open source

Related guidance

More guidance from this section

More guidance from this part of the Ed Centre that may help with the same decision, stage or next step.

Related guidance

First Tutors alternatives in the UK: which tutoring site fits your family?

First Tutors has closed. Compare active alternatives using Latimer Tuition’s disclosed criteria, with Latimer first for guided, direct-contact, pay-as-you-go online tuition and Tutor Hunt first for like-for-like self-serve browsing.

Related guidance

Online tutoring platforms and services in the UK: which fits your child?

Compare online tutoring platforms and human-matched services by model, total cost, lesson format, tutor checks, SEND evidence and first-step terms.

Related guidance

Superprof alternatives in the UK: compare fees, reviews and tutor checks

Use Superprof as the baseline, then compare active alternatives. Latimer is our top alternative for a human shortlist, direct contact and pay-as-you-go online tuition without a contact subscription.

Support and clarity

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to the questions people ask most often.

Is First Tutors still operating?

No. First Tutors’ official site says the service has closed, so it is retained only as closure history and is not listed as an active tutoring choice.

Why has First Tutors closed?

The official closure wording confirms that First Tutors has closed, but the public notice available to readers does not give a detailed reason. It would not be reliable to use forum posts, social posts or competitor commentary as proof of why it closed.

Which alternative is closest to First Tutors?

Tutor Hunt is the closest fit if you want a broad search-and-compare marketplace experience. Tutorful can also suit parents who want a more managed-feeling online platform, while MyTutor is stronger if online-only tuition and a pre-booking video chat are priorities.

Which alternatives offer online tutoring?

MyTutor is online-only in the sources checked. Tutor Hunt, FindTutors and Superprof UK present online options alongside broader marketplace choice, while Tutorful is positioned as an online tutoring platform. Check the current provider page before booking because formats can change.

Do tutoring sites charge subscriptions or access fees?

Some do. Compare the tutor’s hourly rate separately from any access fee, subscription, renewal date or contact pass. In the checked terms, FindTutors listed a £19/month Student Pass and Superprof listed a £39/month Student Pass, while MyTutor described pay-as-you-go tuition with no sign-up fees or subscriptions.

What does DBS checked mean for a private tutor?

DBS wording needs context. GOV.UK says the DBS check you can get depends on the role, and Scotland and Northern Ireland use different disclosure systems. Treat a platform’s tutor-check wording as one part of your decision, not as a complete safety guarantee.

Which option is best if my child has SEND or additional needs?

There is no universal answer. Look for relevant filters, policy wording, individual tutor experience and a clear fit conversation. Also remember that official terminology differs across the UK: SEND is common in England, ALN in Wales, and additional support needs/additional support for learning in Scotland.

When might Latimer be a better fit than a large marketplace?

Latimer may be helpful if you want to browse with filters but do not want an overwhelming open marketplace, or if you would prefer a shorter shortlist from a matching team. Use Find a Tutor if you know what you want, or Match me with a tutor if you would like help narrowing the options.

Official guidance

1.
GOV.UK — DBS check guidance
GOV.UK · No publication date visible in fetched page · Accessed 2026-07-03
Official guidance on which DBS check applies.
2.
GOV.UK — DBS eligibility guidance
GOV.UK · Last updated 1 July 2026 · Accessed 2026-07-03
Official eligibility guidance for Standard and Enhanced DBS checks in England and Wales.
3.
mygov.scot — PVG scheme
mygov.scot · Last updated 12 Jun 2026 · Accessed 2026-07-03
Official Scotland PVG scheme guidance.
4.
nidirect — AccessNI checks
nidirect · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Official Northern Ireland criminal-record check guidance.
5.
GOV.UK — SEND overview
GOV.UK · No publication date visible in fetched page · Accessed 2026-07-03
Official England SEND terminology reference.
6.
GOV.WALES — additional learning needs
GOV.WALES · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Official Wales ALN terminology reference.
7.
gov.scot — additional support for learning
gov.scot · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Official Scotland additional-support terminology reference.

Internal pages

1.
Latimer Tuition — Find a Tutor
Latimer Tuition · Live Latimer page · Accessed 2026-07-03
2.
Latimer Tuition — Match me with a tutor
Latimer Tuition · Live Latimer page · Accessed 2026-07-03

Other sources

1.
First Tutors closure notice
First Tutors · No publication date visible; accessed after closure notice was live · Accessed 2026-07-03
First-party closure wording for the main First Tutors service.
2.
Tutor Hunt
Tutor Hunt · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Provider-stated tutoring marketplace model and tutor-check wording.
3.
Tutorful
Tutorful · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Provider-stated online marketplace model and additional-needs navigation signals.
4.
MyTutor — how online tutoring works
MyTutor · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Provider-stated online lesson process and fit conversation.
5.
MyTutor pricing
MyTutor · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Provider-stated starting price and pay-as-you-go wording.
6.
MyTutor safeguarding policy
MyTutor · September 2025 · Accessed 2026-07-03
Provider-stated safeguarding context.
7.
FindTutors
FindTutors · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Provider-stated lesson options, subject range and starting-rate wording.
8.
FindTutors student terms
FindTutors · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Student Pass, direct tutor relationship and platform-model wording.
9.
Superprof UK
Superprof · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Provider-stated marketplace scale and lesson options.
10.
Superprof terms
Superprof · No publication date visible · Accessed 2026-07-03
Student Pass subscription and parent-verification wording.