Tutoring platform commission is the number most tutors look at first, and the one most often misunderstood. A “20% commission” and a “50% commission” can leave you with similar take-home pay, depending on whether the platform deducts commission from your rate or adds it on top. This guide explains the two main models, works through examples, covers subscriptions and other fees, and shows how to compare platforms on what you actually keep.

Key takeaways

• Deducted commission: the platform takes a share of the student’s price, so you receive less than your listed rate.
• Commission on top: you receive your full rate, and the platform adds its commission to the student’s price.
• Compare platforms on take-home pay per lesson, and on how competitive your price looks to students.
• Count subscriptions and other fees as well as commission.
• On Tutopiya, a 40–50% commission is added on top, so you keep 100% of your hourly rate.

The two commission models

	Commission deducted	Commission added on top
Who pays it	Effectively the tutor	The student
What you receive	Listed rate minus commission	Your full rate
What the student sees	Your listed rate	Your rate plus commission
Effect on competitiveness	Your listed price matches what students pay	Students see a higher price than your rate

Worked examples

Commission deducted (illustrative 25%)

	Amount
Rate shown to the student	$20/hr
Platform keeps (25%)	$5
Tutor receives	$15/hr

Commission added on top: Tutopiya’s model

Tutopiya’s Tutor Marketplace Terms give these examples:

	Developed market (50%)	Other markets (40%)
Tutor rate	$10/hr	$10/hr
Student pays	$15/hr	$14/hr
Tutor receives	$10/hr	$10/hr

In both models, what matters is your take-home pay and what students are willing to pay.

Beyond commission: other costs

Cost	Where it appears	What to check
Tutor subscription	Some platforms, including Tutopiya	Price, what’s included, refund policy
Payment processing	Some platforms deduct it	Who pays transfer fees
Currency conversion	International payouts	Your bank’s rates and fees
Unpaid trial lessons	Many platforms	How many trials you’ll run per regular student
Software you’d otherwise buy	Independent tutoring	Whether the platform includes it

Tutopiya’s subscription is SGD 10/month, SGD 20 for 3 months or SGD 90/year, and it’s non-refundable. It includes Microsoft Teams, Tutopiya’s learning resources, past papers and AI tools, and access to tutoring opportunities on the marketplace.

How to compare platforms on what you keep: step by step

1. Write down your target rate.
2. For each platform, calculate take-home per lesson under its model.
3. Estimate the student’s price on each, because it affects bookings.
4. Add monthly fixed costs: subscriptions and software.
5. Estimate unpaid time: trials, admin and messaging.
6. Calculate monthly take-home at a realistic number of lessons.
7. Read the terms on rate changes. On Tutopiya, you set a starting rate, and later changes are requested and approved by Tutopiya.

What commission pays for

Commission isn’t just a cost. It funds the services that replace your own marketing and admin: finding students, processing payments, support, scheduling and tools. When comparing, ask what each platform provides for its fee.

Browse subjects on the IB DP tutor jobs hub and the Cambridge IGCSE tutor jobs hub.

A worked monthly comparison

Here’s an illustrative comparison for a tutor teaching 40 lessons a month, using round numbers:

	Platform A (25% deducted)	Tutopiya model (on top)
Tutor’s rate	$20/hr shown to students	$15/hr tutor rate
Tutor receives per lesson	$15	$15
Student pays per lesson	$20	$21–22.50 (40–50% added)
Tutor receives for 40 lessons	$600	$600
Monthly tutor subscription	None (illustrative)	About SGD 6.70–10

The take-home is the same here, but the student price and fixed fees differ. Run this comparison with your own rate and realistic lesson numbers before choosing.

How tutoring with Tutopiya works

Tutopiya is a 1-on-1 online tutoring marketplace for Cambridge IGCSE, Edexcel IGCSE, IB and International A Level students. Tutors receive 100% of their agreed hourly rate for completed lessons, paid on the 15th of each month into their own bank account. Trial lessons last an hour and are unpaid. Commission rates, and tutor rates, may be revised under Tutopiya’s terms. Full details are on the Tutopiya Become a Tutor page.

Common mistakes tutors make with commission

• Comparing percentages without the model. On top and deducted aren’t comparable directly.
• Ignoring the student’s price. It affects how many bookings you get.
• Forgetting subscriptions and fees.
• Not counting unpaid trials.
• Not reading rate-change rules.

Talk to us

For the bigger picture, read tutoring platform or go independent?. For income planning, see how much online tutors really earn. Questions? Contact our team.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between commission deducted and commission added on top? +

With deducted commission, the platform takes a percentage of the price the student pays, so the tutor receives less than the listed rate. With commission added on top, the tutor receives their full rate and the platform's commission is added to the price the student pays.

How does Tutopiya's commission work? +

Tutopiya adds a 40–50% commission on top of the tutor's hourly rate, paid by the student. It's 50% for students in developed markets and toward 40% in other markets. The tutor receives 100% of their agreed rate for completed lessons. Rates and commission may be revised under Tutopiya's terms.

Is commission-on-top always better for tutors? +

Not automatically. You receive your full rate, but students see a higher price, which affects how competitive you look. Compare what you'd take home per lesson and how many bookings you're likely to get, including any subscription or other fees.

Ready to Become a Tutor?

Teach IGCSE, IB, and A-Level students worldwide from home. Tutopiya connects specialist tutors with families around the world — keep 100% of your hourly rate, use AI-powered resources, and apply in minutes.

Become a Tutor