First-party sources checked • 6 August 2026

    The best IB and AP tutoring companies in 2026

    There is no single best company. The right fit depends on the exact course, tutor model, price, and follow-up your family needs. We compare seven providers by those practical differences, include ourselves, and link detailed guides with official sources.

    Proud IB graduate holding a diploma after exam success
    Editorial disclosure and source links included
    7
    providers compared
    5
    decision criteria
    6
    detailed guides
    Official
    sources linked
    Short answer

    The best IB and AP tutoring companies, by need

    The leading IB and AP tutoring companies in 2026 are Bespoke Learning, TutorChase, Lanterna Education, Crimson Education, Spires, MyTutor, and TYCHR. Each is best at something different. Choose on the priority that matters most to your family.

    • Best for a dedicated educator and written reports: Bespoke Learning.
    • Best for breadth of curricula: TutorChase.
    • Best for IB only: Lanterna Education.
    • Best for university admissions: Crimson Education.
    • Best for choosing a tutor yourself: Spires.
    • Best for low-commitment introductions: MyTutor and TYCHR.

    How we compared them

    Five practical questions decide whether a tutoring company fits your course and family.

    Who actually teaches

    Are tutors experienced teachers, subject specialists, or relatable near-peer university tutors?

    Price and transparency

    Is pricing public and clear, or quote-only? What does an hour really cost?

    Subject and curriculum fit

    Does it cover your exact subject now? Bespoke IB Maths and Sciences are coming soon and are IB-only.

    Tools and reporting

    What reaches the student and family after the session: a report, recording, resources, or advisor support?

    Trial and commitment

    Can you try the teaching, meet the tutor, pay as you go, or review a package before committing?

    The best company for each need

    Find your priority, then start with the company built for it.

    Best for a dedicated educator and written reports

    Bespoke Learning

    That is us

    One subject-matched educator, rubric-led planning, and a written report after every session that students and parents can read.

    Indicative price: $109 single lesson; 3-session package $299; 20-session package $1,599

    Best for breadth of curricula

    TutorChase

    A large, vetted tutor pool across IB, A-Level, AP, GCSE, and admissions, backed by its own IB resources platform.

    Indicative price: AP advertised at £30–£80/hr; the exact rate depends on the tutor and subject

    Best for IB only

    Lanterna Education

    An IB specialist since 2004, with graduate, teacher, and specialist tutor tiers across a large network.

    Indicative price: Prepaid packages from 3 to 180 hours, starting at £58/hr

    Best for university admissions

    Crimson Education

    Built for top-university admissions, pairing a strategist with subject tutors and tracking the whole plan.

    Indicative price: Personalised and quote-based; no current public subject-tutoring rate card identified

    Best for choosing a tutor yourself

    Spires

    A marketplace where tutors bid on your request, so you compare many options and pick, with recorded lessons to review.

    Indicative price: School-level tutoring from £25/hr; displayed rates include platform fees

    Best for low-commitment introductions

    MyTutor and TYCHR

    MyTutor offers a short free tutor meeting. TYCHR advertises a free 60-minute teaching trial with no card required.

    Indicative price: MyTutor from £26/hr; TYCHR publishes $45, $65, and $95 hourly tiers

    Public prices were checked on 6 August 2026. They vary by tutor, subject, package, region, currency, and tax. Each detailed guide links the official provider pages used. Confirm the final offer before paying. Company names are used for comparison only.

    Compare a specific provider

    Looking at one company in particular? Read the honest, head-to-head alternatives guide.

    What families say about us

    Real feedback from students and parents.

    Tout simplement le professeur d'Anglais que tout élève rêve d'avoir. Je suis ravie d'avoir pu être son élève au lycée !

    M

    Marie-Léa François

    IB Student

    Great learning support. Highly recommended!! My son went from not being sure about what to do and how to being proud of the work he handed in. THANKS A LOT.

    M

    Magda Munar

    Parent

    A. is an outstanding French teacher—patient, engaging, and incredibly skilled at explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Thanks to him, I've made real progress.

    B

    Bruno P.

    French Language Student

    Where we fit

    Dedicated educators and reporting families can see

    Bespoke currently supports IB and AP languages and humanities plus the IB core, with a written report after every session. IB Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics are coming soon at SL and HL. Those STEM launches are IB-only; AP STEM is not currently offered.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the best IB and AP tutoring company in 2026?
    There is no single best company, because the right one depends on the exact course and service model. Bespoke Learning is a strong fit for a dedicated educator and written reporting. TutorChase offers broad curricula, Lanterna is IB-only, Crimson is admissions-first, Spires offers professional tutor bids, MyTutor starts at £26, and TYCHR publishes tiered plans with a free 60-minute trial.
    How should I choose an IB or AP tutoring company?
    Start from your priority. Decide whether you care most about tutor quality, price, subject coverage, or reporting. Then check who actually teaches, whether pricing is transparent, whether your exact subjects are covered including TOK and the Extended Essay, and what feedback you receive after each session. Ask for a free call or trial before you commit.
    How much does IB and AP tutoring cost?
    Published structures vary. Spires starts school-level tutoring at £25 per hour, MyTutor starts at £26, TutorChase advertises £30–£80 for AP, TYCHR publishes $45, $65, and $95 tiers, Lanterna packages start at £58, and Bespoke Learning offers a $109 single lesson or packages from $299. Crimson is quote-based. Confirm the exact tutor and final rate before paying.
    Are cheaper IB tutors worth it?
    They can be. A near-peer tutor may be ideal for confidence and accessibility, while an experienced teacher may fit complex assessment work better. Compare exact curriculum experience, teaching fit, reporting, and total cost instead of treating price as a proxy for quality.
    Which company is best for TOK and the Extended Essay?
    Look for a true IB specialist, since TOK and the Extended Essay need someone who knows the criteria. Lanterna and Bespoke Learning both support the IB core directly. Bespoke Learning supervises the TOK essay, the TOK exhibition, and the Extended Essay as part of its IB tutoring.
    Are these prices accurate?
    These figures were checked against official provider pages on 6 August 2026. Prices change and may vary by tutor, subject, package, region, currency, and tax. Each detailed alternatives guide links its official sources, and families should confirm the final rate before paying.

    Not sure which company fits? Let's talk it through.

    Tell us the exact curriculum, subject, assessment, and deadline. We will confirm current availability and explain the next step before you commit.