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First Tutors alternatives UK: who is trying to fill the gap?

A neutral guide for tutors comparing directories, finder-fee sites, marketplaces, paid profiles and managed tuition after the First Tutors closure.

Editorial

  • Lead authorRobin GibbonsFounder & CEO·Latimer Tuition
  • Reviewed byHeather LatimerTutor Matching & Customer Service·Latimer Tuition
  • Published
  • Last reviewed

Current answer

Quick answer: what should tutors know now?

For tutors looking for First Tutors alternatives in the UK, there is not one neat replacement. The current First Tutors notice says:

“After more than 20 years of trading, First Tutors has made the difficult decision to close.” — First Tutors

That matters because First Tutors was understood by many tutors as a directory-style way to be found by students, not simply as a managed tuition agency. The current landscape is therefore a mix of different models: a newer directory/finder-fee entrant such as Tutorperch, existing service-fee or subscription platforms such as Tutorful and Superprof, platform-fee marketplaces such as MyTutor, listing or paid-visibility sites such as FindTutors, and managed tuition or agency-style services.

The useful question for tutors is not “which platform is the single replacement?” but “which model am I joining, who pays, when is the fee taken, and what does the platform actually manage?” The examples below are grouped to illustrate different models, not to recommend or rank providers.

What changed when First Tutors closed?

The closure created a practical gap for tutors who wanted a directory-style profile rather than a fully managed agency relationship. These points are worth keeping separate:

The notice confirms closure, not the reason.

The First Tutors notice confirms that the service has made the decision to close after more than 20 years. It gives contact addresses for existing queries and data privacy enquiries, but it does not explain why it closed. Source: First Tutors.

The reported date is a public report, not the reason.

A Tutorperch article published on 8 May 2026 reported that First Tutors had announced closure, that profiles were no longer accessible, and that no reason had been published. Source: Tutorperch.

Company status is not the same as service status.

Companies House lists EDUNATION LIMITED, company number 06071367, as active and incorporated on 29 January 2007. That is useful company-status context only; it does not show that the First Tutors service is operating. Source: Companies House.

The gap is about control as well as leads.

A tutor who liked a directory model may want profile visibility, direct contact and control over lesson arrangements. A tutor who prefers a managed model may value matching, scheduling, payment handling and support. Those are different choices.

Directory, marketplace, agency or managed tuition?

Use this table to decode what a replacement-style platform is actually offering before you compare prices.

A comparison of common tutor-platform models, who usually pays, when fees are taken, what the platform handles and the main tutor caution.

ModelWho usually paysWhen the fee is takenWhat the platform handlesTutor caution

A listing site where students browse tutors and then unlock contact or start a conversation.

Often the student or parent pays an introduction or unlock fee; some sites also charge tutors for verification or profile features.

Usually before or at the introduction, rather than every lesson.

Often limited after the introduction. Lessons, invoices and payments may be arranged directly.

Check whether there are paid ranking features, verification fees, rules about contacting students, and refund terms.

The tutor sets a stated hourly rate and the platform adds a separate service fee for the student.

The student pays the service fee on top of the tutor rate.

Usually when lessons are booked or paid through the platform.

The platform may manage booking, payment and student support, depending on its terms.

The tutor rate may stay intact, but the student’s total price can affect conversion and retention.

Students pay a recurring subscription to contact tutors.

Usually the student or parent pays the subscription; some platforms may also offer paid tutor options.

On subscription purchase and renewal.

May provide contact, messaging and optional payment tools.

Renewal terms matter. A student’s subscription cost may affect how many tutors they contact and how quickly they expect replies.

Lessons, payments or bookings stay connected to the platform, which earns a fee from transactions.

The fee may be charged to the student, the tutor, or both, depending on the terms.

Usually per transaction, booking or lesson.

Often manages payment flows, platform rules and sometimes lesson tools or dispute processes.

Do not rely on hearsay percentages. Use the current terms to see the official fee wording.

Tutors can pay for extra visibility, profile features or access to potential students.

The tutor pays for the profile feature or visibility service.

Usually upfront, monthly, or when buying access to leads.

Often still acts mainly as a listing or intermediation site.

Ask whether unpaid profiles can still be found and how paid visibility is labelled to users.

A more hands-on service that may select tutors, match students, organise communication and support the relationship.

Usually the family pays the agency or managed service; the tutor may be paid under that provider’s arrangements.

Often linked to lessons or a managed service arrangement.

More active than a directory: matching, administration, scheduling, support or quality checks may be part of the service.

You may get more support, but you may have less control over pricing, matching and direct client relationship.

Current examples of different fee models

These examples were checked on 15 May 2026 and are included to show how different models work. Provider fees and terms can change quickly, so treat this as a dated snapshot, not an endorsement, ranking or promise about enquiry volume.

Named provider examples showing source-backed fee models checked on 15 May 2026 and tutor cautions.

Provider exampleModel illustratedCurrent fee flow from sourcesWhat this means for tutorsSource note and checked date

Tutorperch

Newer UK directory/finder-fee example.

Tutorperch describes itself as “A UK directory of independent tutors. Free to browse, free to message.” Its pages say students pay £9.99 once to unlock contact details, tutors can list free, tutor verification costs £3, and there is no commission after the introduction.

This is close to a directory-style choice: the tutor keeps control of direct lesson arrangements after contact, but should still read the verification, refund and listing rules.

Checked 15 May 2026: Tutorperch home; Tutorperch list as a tutor; Tutorperch FAQ.

Tutorful

Service-fee platform example.

Tutorful says: “For tutors, using Tutorful is completely free.” It says tutors set their own hourly rate, Tutorful does not take commission from tutor earnings, and a service fee is added on top for the student.

The tutor’s displayed hourly rate is not the same as the student’s total cost. A higher student total can still affect demand even when the tutor does not pay commission from earnings.

Checked 15 May 2026: Tutorful tutor-cost article.

Superprof

Subscription access, with optional on-platform lesson payment commission.

Superprof terms say: “In order to message tutors, you will be asked to pay a monthly subscription fee of £39”. The terms also say the pass renews after 30 days unless cancelled, and that lessons paid through the platform carry a 10% commission from the tutor hourly rate unless waived by Premium Pass.

The first cost may sit with the student, but tutors should understand how renewals, on-platform payments and any premium tutor options affect contact and pricing.

Checked 15 May 2026: Superprof terms.

MyTutor

Platform-fee marketplace example.

MyTutor terms describe customers paying tutor fees plus platform fees. The terms say platform fees are charged per transaction and may be up to 49% of total payments to MyTutor or customer total fees.

Use the official terms rather than shorthand claims about a fixed tutor commission. The platform-fee wording matters when comparing net earnings and student price.

Checked 15 May 2026: MyTutor terms.

FindTutors

Listing/intermediation and paid-visibility example.

FindTutors invites tutors to sign up free. Its tutor terms say FindTutors never provides tutoring itself, phone-validated teachers can publish up to three free adverts, and paid services include visibility, Verified Teacher and Potential Students features.

A “free listing” can still sit alongside paid discovery or lead-access products. Tutors should check what a free profile can realistically do without paid add-ons.

Checked 15 May 2026: FindTutors homepage; FindTutors tutor terms.

Key terms tutors will see on replacement platforms

The same platform can use more than one of these models, so read the terms as well as the headline claim.

Tutor directory

A listing site where tutors publish profiles and students browse or message. The platform may not manage lessons, payments or ongoing tutoring after an introduction.

Finder fee or introduction fee

A one-off fee paid to unlock contact details or make an introduction, rather than an ongoing cut of each lesson.

Commission or platform fee

A fee connected to a lesson, booking or payment. It may be taken from the tutor, added for the student, or built into the total transaction depending on the platform.

Service fee

An extra charge paid by the student on top of the tutor’s stated hourly rate. Tutorful is the example used in this guide.

Subscription unlock

A recurring student payment that gives access to contact tutors. Superprof is the example used in this guide.

Free listing

A profile or advert that does not cost the tutor to create. Free listing does not automatically mean free ranking, free verification or free access to every lead.

Paid profile or sponsored listing

A paid visibility feature. It may make a tutor easier to find, but it can also mean unpaid profiles appear lower or receive fewer enquiries.

Managed tuition or agency model

A more hands-on service where the provider may help choose tutors, match students, manage communication, schedule lessons or provide ongoing support.

Checklist before you create a profile somewhere new

Before joining any First Tutors alternative, map the cost and control points. This is especially important for newer platforms and for sites that combine free listings with paid upgrades.

  • Find out who pays first.

    Is the first payment made by the student, the tutor, or both? Is it an unlock fee, subscription, lesson fee, service fee or verification charge?

  • Separate one-off fees from ongoing fees.

    A one-off finder fee is very different from a monthly subscription, paid visibility plan or per-lesson platform fee.

  • Check whether lessons and payments stay on the platform.

    If the platform handles bookings and payments, read the cancellation, payout, dispute and off-platform contact rules.

  • Ask how profiles are ranked.

    A free profile may still compete with sponsored listings, paid badges or paid access to potential students.

  • Understand verification wording.

    Identity verification, safeguarding checks, DBS, PVG and AccessNI are not the same thing. Ask what was checked, by whom, when, and for which UK nation.

  • Read review and testimonial rules.

    If you want to move old reviews, ask whether the platform accepts them, what evidence it needs, and how imported reviews will be labelled.

  • Look for renewal and cancellation terms.

    Subscription access models and paid profile products can renew. Know when a student or tutor can cancel and whether refunds are offered.

  • Keep your own records.

    Keep copies of your profile text, terms accepted, review evidence, verification dates and fee pages at the point you join.

Questions tutors can adapt

Questions to ask before joining a new platform

When this applies

You are considering a new directory, marketplace or agency-style service and want the fee model in writing.

Suggested wording

Hello, I am considering creating a tutor profile on your platform. Before I join, could you confirm:

  1. Whether tutors pay any listing, verification, subscription, commission, profile-upgrade or lead-access fees.
  2. Whether students or parents pay an unlock fee, subscription, service fee or platform fee.
  3. Whether lessons and payments must stay on your platform, or whether tutors arrange lessons and payment directly after an introduction.
  4. How unpaid profiles appear compared with paid or sponsored profiles.
  5. What identity, safeguarding, DBS, PVG or AccessNI checks you carry out, who verifies them, and how long any badge remains valid.
  6. Whether previous reviews can be imported, what evidence is required, and how imported reviews are labelled.

Please point me to the current terms or help page that confirms these points.

Why this helps

It asks for the money flow, platform role, visibility rules and verification wording before you rely on a new profile for student enquiries.

Sources used for current terms and checks

Provider fees and verification wording can change quickly. These were the main source pages used at the 15 May 2026 review date for this guide.

  • First Tutors closure notice

    Closure wording and contact addresses.

    Open source

  • Companies House: EDUNATION LIMITED

    Company-status context only.

    Open source

  • Tutorperch closure article

    Public report on the closure and review-recovery issue.

    Open source

  • Tutorperch home page

    Directory, unlock and no-commission wording.

    Open source

  • Tutorperch tutor-listing page

    Tutor listing, verification and profile-review wording.

    Open source

  • Tutorperch FAQ

    Fee flow, refunds, direct payment and disclosure terminology.

    Open source

  • Tutorful tutor-cost article

    Tutor-side free model and student service fee.

    Open source

  • Superprof terms

    Student Pass, subscription renewal and on-platform payment commission.

    Open source

  • MyTutor terms

    Tutor fees, customer fees and platform-fee wording.

    Open source

  • FindTutors homepage

    Tutor sign-up and listing context.

    Open source

  • FindTutors tutor terms

    Intermediation, free adverts and paid visibility services.

    Open source

  • GOV.UK / DBS

    DBS scope and eligibility wording.

    Open source

  • mygov.scot / Disclosure Scotland

    PVG scheme wording for Scotland.

    Open source

  • nidirect / AccessNI

    AccessNI check types for Northern Ireland.

    Open source

  • ASA / CAP testimonials guidance

    Evidence expectations for testimonials and endorsements.

    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.

Support and clarity

Frequently asked questions

Straight answers to the questions people ask most often.

What happened to First Tutors?

The current First Tutors notice says the service has made the decision to close after more than 20 years of trading. A Tutorperch article published on 8 May 2026 reported that profiles were no longer accessible and that no reason had been published. The available sources do not support speculation about the reason for closure.

Are there websites like First Tutors in the UK?

Yes, but “like First Tutors” can mean different things. Tutorperch is a current newer directory/finder-fee example. Tutorful, Superprof, MyTutor and FindTutors illustrate other models such as service fees, subscription access, platform fees and paid visibility. They are not all direct equivalents.

What is the difference between a tutor directory and a tutor marketplace?

A directory usually helps students find and contact tutors, then leaves lessons, invoices and payments to the tutor and student. A marketplace more often keeps bookings, payments or platform fees connected to each lesson or transaction. Always read the current terms because platforms can combine models.

Do tutor platforms charge commission?

Some do, some do not, and some use different fee names. As checked on 15 May 2026, Tutorperch said it took no commission after introduction, Tutorful said it did not take commission from tutor earnings and instead added a service fee for the student, Superprof terms described a 10% commission where lessons were paid through the platform unless waived by Premium Pass, and MyTutor terms used platform-fee wording rather than a simple tutor commission figure. Recheck current terms before relying on any fee claim.

What should tutors check before joining a new platform?

Check who pays, when fees are charged, whether lessons and payments stay on-platform, whether free profiles compete with paid visibility, what verification actually covers, how reviews are evidenced, and whether subscriptions or paid features renew.

Are DBS, PVG and AccessNI the same?

No. DBS wording applies to England and Wales in this guide’s context, while Scotland uses the PVG scheme and Northern Ireland uses AccessNI. A platform badge should not be treated as a guarantee of safety or current suitability.

Can tutors move First Tutors reviews to another platform?

Possibly, but only if the receiving platform allows it and has a clear evidence process. Review and testimonial claims need careful handling because ASA/CAP guidance says marketers must hold documentary evidence that testimonials or endorsements are genuine.

Sources and references

Sources and references

Official guidance

  • 1.
    Companies House

    Companies House / GOV.UK · · Accessed

    Company record for EDUNATION LIMITED, including company number, active status, incorporation date and SIC code.

  • 2.
    GOV.UK / DBS

    Disclosure and Barring Service / GOV.UK · Accessed

    Official DBS source for check levels, scope and eligibility wording.

  • 3.
    mygov.scot / Disclosure Scotland

    mygov.scot / Disclosure Scotland · · Accessed

    Official Scottish source for PVG scheme wording.

  • 4.
    nidirect / AccessNI

    nidirect / AccessNI · Accessed

    Official Northern Ireland source for basic, standard and enhanced AccessNI checks.

  • 5.
    ASA / CAP

    ASA / CAP · · Accessed

    ASA/CAP guidance used for testimonials, endorsements and evidence wording.

Other sources

  • 1.
    First Tutors

    First Tutors · Accessed

    Primary closure notice used for the quoted closure wording and contact addresses. It does not explain why the service closed.

  • 2.
    Tutorperch

    Tutorperch · · Accessed

    Tutorperch article used for its dated account of the closure and its review-recovery context.

  • 3.
    Tutorperch

    Tutorperch · Accessed

    Provider page used for Tutorperch’s directory and finder-fee model, unlock-fee wording and no-commission wording.

  • 4.
    Tutorperch

    Tutorperch · Accessed

    Tutor-facing page used for Tutorperch listing cost, verification fee and profile-review wording.

  • 5.
    Tutorperch

    Tutorperch · Accessed

    FAQ used for Tutorperch fee flow, refund, direct-payment, verification and UK disclosure terminology.

  • 6.
    MyTutor

    MyTutor · · Accessed

    Terms used for MyTutor tutor-fee, customer-fee and platform-fee wording.

  • 7.
    Tutorful

    Tutorful · Accessed

    Tutorful support article used for tutor-side pricing and the student service-fee model.

  • 8.
    Superprof

    Superprof · Accessed

    Terms used for Superprof Student Pass, renewal and optional on-platform payment commission wording.

  • 9.
    FindTutors

    FindTutors · Accessed

    Provider homepage used for FindTutors sign-up and listing context.

  • 10.
    FindTutors

    FindTutors / TUS MEDIA S.L. · Accessed

    Tutor terms used for FindTutors intermediation, free adverts and paid visibility services.