At a glance
- A good tuition agency in Singapore sends you real tutor profiles to choose from within a day, publishes its hourly rates, replaces a tutor for free if the fit is wrong, and gives you its terms in writing before the first lesson.
- Below: seven checks to use on any agency, ten agencies compared on what they state on their own websites, and the questions to ask before you commit.
Disclosure: The Singapore Syllabus publishes this guide and is one of the agencies listed. Details for the other agencies come from their own websites, read on 26 September 2026. The links are under Sources so you can check them yourself.
What makes a good tuition agency in Singapore
A good home tuition agency saves you the search without taking the decision away from you. It should show you several real tutors, tell you what each one costs, and make it easy to change tutor if the first one does not suit your child. Use these seven checks on any agency, including us.
| Check | What good looks like | What to ask |
|---|
| Speed | Tutor profiles within a day of your request | When will I see tutor profiles? |
| Choice | Several real profiles with qualifications, experience and hourly rate | How many tutors will I see, and can I see their rates? |
| Published rates | A rate table by level and tutor type on the website | What will I pay per hour for my child's level? |
| Replacement | A free replacement, stated in writing | What happens if the tutor is not a good fit? |
| Written terms | Cancellation notice, trial lesson and payment terms before the first lesson | Can you send me the terms in writing? |
| Tutor checks | Qualifications you can see, and certificates checked | How do you check a tutor's qualifications? |
| Response time | A named contact who replies the same day | Who do I message, and how fast do you reply? |
10 Singapore tuition agencies compared
Listed alphabetically. Each row shows what the agency states on its own website: how fast it sends tutor profiles, whether parents choose from several tutors, whether rates are published and whether a free replacement is stated. "Not stated" means we could not find it there, not that the agency does not offer it.
| Agency | Since | Speed | Choice | Rates online | Free replacement |
|---|
| Elite Tutor | 2011 | Within 48 hours or less | Yes, a shortlist | Not on homepage | Yes |
| FamilyTutor | Not stated | 12 to 48 hours | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Genius Mind Home Tuition | 2012 | Within 24 hours | Yes | Yes | Mentioned, cost not stated |
| MindFlex | Not stated | Under 6 hours | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| Premium Tutors | 2019 | Within 12 hours | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| SmileTutor | Not stated | Within 24 hours | Yes, plus a directory | Yes | Not stated |
| Start Tuition | 2013 | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Not stated |
| The Singapore Syllabus | August 2023 | Within 16 hours | Yes, 2 to 4 with rates | Yes | Yes |
| Tutor City | 2010 | Within 24 hours | Yes, plus a directory | Yes | Not stated |
| TutorNow | Over 20 years | Not stated | Not stated | Yes | Not stated |
What each agency is known for
- Elite Tutor: established in 2011. Its FAQ says parents get a shortlist within 48 hours or less and that replacing a tutor is free.
- FamilyTutor: sends a set of tutor profiles for parents to choose from, and states a free replacement.
- Genius Mind Home Tuition: running since 2012, with phone support from 9am to 10pm daily.
- MindFlex: states the fastest turnaround in this list, under six hours, and publishes rates by tutor type.
- Premium Tutors: founded in 2019; says profiles arrive within 12 hours and parents choose the tutor.
- SmileTutor: states a pool of 50,000+ tutors and has a tutor directory where parents can browse profiles and show interest.
- Start Tuition: running since 2013, with a detailed request form and published rates.
- The Singapore Syllabus: sends a private WhatsApp catalogue of 2 to 4 tutor profiles, each with credentials and an hourly rate, within 16 hours. Covers every subject and level from PSLE to IB and IGCSE, publishes its 2026 rates, and re-matches for free if the fit is wrong.
- Tutor City: running since 2010, with an online portal to browse and shortlist tutors.
- TutorNow: more than two decades in home tuition, with a published rates page.
Red flags to watch for
- The agency will not tell you the tutor's qualifications or hourly rate until you commit.
- You are pushed to decide before you have seen more than one tutor.
- There are no written terms for cancellations, trial lessons or replacements.
- The tutor who arrives does not match the profile you were sent.
- Nobody replies for days after you raise a problem.
Are tuition agencies regulated in Singapore?
No. There is no licence or public register for home tutors or tutor matching agencies. The Ministry of Education's registration rules for tuition centres do not cover home tutors or agencies that provide matching services (MOE parliamentary reply, 6 July 2021). A government review of screening for people who work with children includes in-home tutors (MOE, 7 February 2024). Until that changes, the checks above are the best protection a parent has.
Agency, direct hire or tuition centre?
An agency shortlists tutors and handles replacements. Hiring a tutor directly can cost less but leaves the vetting and any replacement to you. A tuition centre teaches in groups on a fixed timetable. See agency vs hiring a tutor directly and home tuition vs tuition centre vs online.
How much does home tuition cost in Singapore in 2026?
Most families pay between S$30 and S$150 an hour, depending on the level and the tutor. Undergraduate tutors cost the least, full-time tutors sit in the middle, and ex-MOE or NIE-trained teachers cost the most. Our 2026 rate table breaks this down by level.
Common questions
What is a good tuition agency in Singapore?
One that sends you real tutor profiles to choose from within a day, publishes its hourly rates, replaces a tutor for free if the fit is wrong, and gives you its terms in writing before the first lesson.
How quickly should a tuition agency send tutor profiles?
Most established agencies say within 24 hours, and some say within 6 to 12 hours. The Singapore Syllabus sends a shortlist of tutor profiles within 16 hours.
Should I use a tuition agency or hire a tutor directly?
Use an agency if you want tutors shortlisted and replaced for you. Hire directly if you are comfortable checking qualifications and finding a replacement yourself.
Are home tutors in Singapore regulated?
No. There is no licence or public register for home tutors or matching agencies, so ask to see qualifications and get the terms in writing.
How much does a home tutor cost in Singapore?
About S$30 to S$150 an hour in 2026, depending on the level and whether the tutor is an undergraduate, a full-time tutor or an ex-MOE or NIE-trained teacher.
Is The Singapore Syllabus a tuition centre?
No. It is a home tuition agency. Tutors teach one-to-one at your home or online, for every subject and level.
Get a shortlist
Tell us your child's level and subject and we will WhatsApp you a shortlist of tutor profiles with rates within 16 hours. Get my tutor shortlist, or compare tuition rates first. Every match comes with a free re-match if the fit is wrong.
Sources
Agency details were read from each agency's own website on 26 September 2026:
Regulation:
If an agency's details have changed, tell us and we will correct this page. Confirmed corrections are logged at /corrections within three working days.
