Updated 10 October 2026.
Disclosure: The Singapore Syllabus publishes this guide and is one of the agencies listed. Details for the other agencies come from their own websites, checked again on 10 October 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 only what the agency states on its own website, checked on 10 October 2026: the year it started, how fast it says tutor profiles arrive, its published hourly rates, and what it says about the trial lesson and replacing a tutor. "Not stated" means we could not find it on the agency's own pages, not that the agency does not offer it.
| Agency | Founded | Tutor profiles | Published rates (per hour) | Trial lesson | Replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Tutor | 2011 | A shortlist within 48 hours or less | S$20 to S$120 | Not stated | Free |
| FamilyTutor | Not stated | 12 to 48 hours, on WhatsApp | S$25 to S$150 | First lesson must be completed once a tutor is confirmed | Free |
| Genius Mind Home Tuition | 2012 | Within 24 hours, on WhatsApp | S$25 to S$120 | Not stated | Change or stop with no additional charges |
| MindFlex | Not stated | Under 6 hours | S$25 to S$130 | Paid, at the first lesson's fee | Free |
| Premium Tutors | Not stated | Within 12 hours | S$25 to S$120 | Offered, cost not stated | Not stated |
| SmileTutor | Not stated | Within 24 hours | S$25 to S$130 | First lesson must be completed once a tutor is confirmed | Can ask for a different tutor, cost not stated |
| Start Tuition | 2013 | Not stated | S$25 to S$150 | Can be arranged, cost not stated | No penalty, no minimum period |
| The Singapore Syllabus | August 2023 | 2 to 4 profiles within 16 hours, on WhatsApp | S$30 to S$150 | Paid, at the tutor's usual rate | Free re-match |
| Tutor City | 2010 | Within 24 hours | S$30 to S$150 | Not stated | Not stated |
| TutorNow | No year, "over two decades" | A phone call within 24 hours | S$25 to S$130 | Not stated | Offered, cost not stated |
Every agency here publishes a rate table by level and tutor type. The ranges above are the lowest and highest hourly figures in each table, and the tables cover different levels, so compare the row for your child's level on each site.
What each agency is known for
- Elite Tutor (since 2011). Its FAQ says a shortlist of tutors usually arrives "within 48 hours or less" and that replacing a tutor is free, with lessons already given still paid. It publishes reference rates by level and tutor type. Best for: parents who want the free replacement stated in the FAQ.
- FamilyTutor (founding year not stated). It says tutor profiles arrive in 12 to 48 hours, and its FAQ says a few sets of profiles are sent on WhatsApp. It states it will replace a tutor without additional charge. Its FAQ asks for 24 hours' notice to cancel or postpone a lesson. Best for: parents who want to pick from several profiles, with a free replacement stated.
- Genius Mind Home Tuition (since 2012). It says tutor profiles arrive on WhatsApp within 24 hours, publishes rates by level and tutor type, and lists phone support daily from 9am to 10pm, including public holidays. Its FAQ says changing or stopping a tutor incurs no additional charges. Best for: parents who want to phone someone, 9am to 10pm daily.
- MindFlex (founding year not stated). It states the shortest turnaround in this list, under 6 hours, and publishes rates by level and tutor type. Its FAQ says you pay only the first lesson's fee if you do not continue after the trial, and that a change of tutor costs nothing extra. Best for: urgent requests (it states under 6 hours).
- Premium Tutors (founding year not stated). Its homepage says tutor profiles arrive within 12 hours, offers a trial lesson, publishes rates by level and tutor type, and states no minimum number of lessons. Best for: a quick shortlist with no minimum number of lessons stated.
- SmileTutor (founding year not stated). It says tutor recommendations arrive within 24 hours and has a "View Tutors" page where parents can browse available tutors and show interest. Its FAQ asks for 24 hours' notice to postpone a lesson. Best for: parents who want to browse tutor profiles themselves.
- Start Tuition (since 2013). It publishes a detailed rate table on its homepage, says a trial can be arranged, and its FAQ says a tutor can be changed with no penalty and no minimum period first. Best for: parents who want to change tutor early if the fit is wrong.
- The Singapore Syllabus (founded August 2023, Paya Lebar Square). It sends 2 to 4 tutor profiles on WhatsApp within 16 hours, each with credentials and an hourly rate, and the parent chooses the tutor. The first lesson is a paid trial at the tutor's usual rate, usually within 5 to 10 days, and a re-match is free if the fit is wrong. There is no contract and no minimum number of lessons, and lessons need 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule. It covers every subject and level, from primary to JC, IB and IGCSE, including languages, at home or online for the same rate. Its rate bands are on the rates page. Best for: parents who want to compare 2 to 4 profiles with rates and choose the tutor themselves.
- Tutor City (since 2010). It says tutor profiles arrive within 24 hours, publishes rates by level and tutor type, and has a "Search Tutors" page to browse and shortlist tutors online. Its FAQ says you can stop at any time and pay only for lessons taught. Best for: parents who want to search and shortlist tutors online.
- TutorNow (over two decades, no year stated). Its FAQ says a coordinator phones within 24 hours to confirm your needs before matching, and that you may change the tutor. It publishes rates by level and tutor type. Best for: parents who prefer a phone call to talk through their needs first.
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 checking qualifications 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?
Home tuition rates run from S$30 to 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 rate table breaks this down by level.
Looking for a specific level or subject? See our guides to the best JC tuition in 2027, PSLE tuition, science tuition and math tuition.
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 10 October 2026:
- Elite Tutor: homepage, FAQ, rates
- FamilyTutor: homepage, FAQ, rates
- Genius Mind Home Tuition: homepage, FAQ, rates
- MindFlex Home Tuition: homepage, FAQ, rates
- Premium Tutors: homepage and rates, FAQ
- SmileTutor: homepage, FAQ, rates
- Start Tuition: homepage and rates, FAQ
- The Singapore Syllabus: rates, how it works
- Tutor City: homepage, FAQ, rates
- TutorNow: homepage, FAQ, rates
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.
