TL;DR: Top 5 Best LMS for Tutoring
- Wise – Best in class tools for group and personalized tutoring however only supports Zoom integration for live classes
- Google Classroom – Robust but limited options to customize, you will end up using too many applications
- LearnCube – Platform with interactive features but limited third-party integrations
- TutorCruncher – Comprehensive business management features but can be overwhelming for for those who are not tech-savvy
- Moodle – Opensource with extensive plugins but difficult and expensive to customize and maintain
Do you plan to start tutoring and are looking for an LMS? Or you already have an LMS but it doesn’t support the types of courses that you plan to launch? Are you relying on a combination of Zoom, email, and other tools, but are now realizing that managing your tutoring business this way will be an operational nightmare? Then read on.
Tutoring: 3 unique challenges
While tutoring has its own advantages such as flexibility, scalability, and impact, however it has its own set of unique challenges. Some of which are:
- Personalization and Differentiation: Tutors must tailor their course syllabus and content to meet the specific needs of each student. This may sometimes require individualized lesson plans and constant adaptation based on the student’s progress.
- Engagement and Motivation: Keeping students engaged is challenging. More engagement means better learning outcomes for your students. It becomes critical that tutoring has some elements of gamification or rewarding mechanism that keeps students’ interest piqued. You cannot expect all of your learners to intrinsically motivated.
- Scheduling and Consistency: Coordinating schedules can be difficult, especially when dealing with multiple students or accommodating last-minute changes. Maintaining consistent sessions, minimizing no-shows and ensuring adherence to schedule is key to progress.
While many LMS platforms cater towards self-paced courses, personalized tutoring or group tutoring, only a few support all 3 types in a professional way. Managing learners, engagement, and scheduling in an online setting requires specific features and capabilities that not all LMS platforms may offer.
Lets look at these 5 LMS that support tutoring in detail
1. Most comprehensive LMS for your tutoring business: Wise LMS
Wise is one of the best LMS for all kinds of tutoring businesses. Unlike other LMS, Wise is focused on virtual tutoring – be it group sessions or one-on-one. It doesn’t have one size fits all approach it has features for both, group and one-on-one tutoring.
Some of its key features are Zoom integration for live sessions so that you don’t need to share user id/password with your tutors and meeting links with your students, LMS payment gateway integration for student fee management, session reminders, automated attendance, automatic sharing of session recordings, invoicing, MCQ tests and assessments. Students can directly book sessions based on instructor availability. It syncs with your google calendar. But what sets Wise truly apart are its features around gamification and live class engagement.
On Wise you can have leaderboards and badges for your learners to keep them engaged and excited. You don’t need to use multiple third party apps such as Kahoot or Mentimeter, on Wise you can launch interactive online quizzes, word clouds and live leaderboards inside the sessions itself.
On Wise you can manage all your instructors at a single place, assign different batches to them and easily substitute your instructors when needed. You can manage instructor availability, avoid session conflicts, collate teacher payouts, all at one place. No wonder it’s the LMS of choice for some of the top names in tutoring industry such as Paper, Mentor Match, Toprankers, etc. The best part is all this happens under your branded Mobile, Desktop and web apps.
Read how Break Debate, a debate school in North America, reached half a million dollars in sales with Wise LMS. Wise’s automation features around payments and invoicing make it an ideal tutor management for large businesses or growing tutoring agencies.
Students can also access encrypted recordings for live classes whenever they want. Interestingly, prospective tutors can also sell their pre-recorded lessons on the platform to earn money. In other words, the platform extends a seamless learning experience for students and allows teachers to create, engage and manage online classes with ease
You can try the platform by clicking here.
- Free plan
- Session based pricing at $1 per session
- Enterprise plan: custom prices
Still unsure? Book a free LMS consultation or try Wise for free to see what fits your tutoring business best.
2. Google Classroom
Google Classroom excels in managing your tutoring business by offering easy integration with other Google Workspace tools, such as Forms, Sheets, Docs, Mail, and Drive. This allows for assignments, projects and homework.
Its direct integration with Google Meet as a means you get to do your live sessions on one of the best video classroom softwares. Its user-friendly interface ensures that both students and educators can easily use the platform. Real-time feedback capabilities enable instant communication. The platform’s assignment management system helps keep everyone organized and on track. Additionally, its mobile app ensures accessibility and connectivity.
However some of the cons are: Limited customization options, limited reporting features, and may require additional tools for advanced functionalities. Additionally, when you use Google Classroom it implies that you will use Google Meet. On Meet you may be able to automate attendance but for other tasks it is not as customizable as Zoom. Here is a comparison between Zoom and Google Meet which may help you take a more informed decision.
Try out google classroom by clicking here.
3. LearnCube
LearnCube is designed primarily for tutors and educators who deliver live, interactive tutoring sessions. It is a user friendly platform which has features such as an interactive whiteboard, session recording, multiple language support and custom branding.
However, LearnCube doesn’t have a Zoom integration for its live sessions instead it has an inbuilt video conferencing solution – which can have performance issues at scale.. Additionally, LearnCube tends to be a more costly LMS. It has limited integration with third-party tools as compared to other LMS which can be challenging as you scale. Since migrating from one LMS to another can be big task – one should choose an LMS that solves their long term needs and not just immediate requirements.
Try LearnCube here.
4. TutorCruncher
Less of an LMS, TutorCruncher is a business management platform for tutoring companies, offering features such as automated scheduling, billing, and CRM tools. It helps streamline operations, automate administrative tasks, and provide detailed analytics. It can help large tutoring businesses to manage their clients and tutors at a single place.
However, given its extensive and complex features which at times may seem like an overkill the platform ends up being extremely difficult to use. Additionally, the platform lacks the features and automations to serve group tutoring use-cases. The platform’s cost and revenue share model may be prohibitive for tutoring businesses.
You may also want to read about the 5 alternatives to TutorCruncher.
Link to try out TutorCruncher.
5. Moodle
Moodle is a highly flexible and customizable open-source LMS that supports all kinds of tutoring or training. It offers tools for assignments, forums and collaborative activities. Moodle’s extensive plugin ecosystem allows for additional functionalities tailored to specific needs. Its user-friendly design and adaptability make it suitable for various use cases. Its strong community support provides resources and plugins to enhance the learning experience further.
However, we would recommend to go for Moodle only if you have a medium to large tech team. Moodle’s open-source nature means that customization and maintenance will be complex and time-consuming. The interface is less modern compared to other platforms, and there may be a need for technical expertise to manage and optimize the system effectively.
Sign up on moodle here.
Have a look at Moodle pricing here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): LMS for Tutoring
1. What should I look for in an LMS for tutoring?
When selecting an LMS for tutoring, consider features like live session support, scheduling tools, student engagement mechanisms, and administrative automation. Platforms like Wise LMS offer a comprehensive suite of tools that cater specifically to tutoring needs, including gamification, automated reminders, and seamless scheduling.
2. How can an LMS help scale my tutoring business?
An LMS can streamline operations, reduce administrative workload, and enhance the learning experience, making it easier to manage more students and tutors. For instance, Wise LMS provides automation features, engagement tools, and centralized management, enabling tutoring businesses to scale efficiently while maintaining quality.
3. What is the best LMS for one-on-one tutoring?
Wise is a highly recommended LMS for one-on-one tutoring due to its robust features tailored for personalized sessions. It offers seamless Zoom integration, automated scheduling, attendance tracking, and session reminders, ensuring a smooth experience for both tutors and students.
4. Can I use Google Classroom for group tutoring sessions?
Yes, Google Classroom supports group tutoring through its integration with Google Meet. However, it may require additional tools for advanced functionalities like gamification, detailed analytics, and comprehensive scheduling features.
5. Does LearnCube support third-party integrations?
LearnCube offers an inbuilt video conferencing solution and interactive features but has limited third-party integrations. This might be a consideration if you rely on external tools for your tutoring sessions.
6. Is TutorCruncher suitable for non-tech-savvy users?
TutorCruncher provides comprehensive business management features, which can be overwhelming for users who are not tech-savvy. It may require a learning curve to utilize its full potential effectively. If you are considering alternatives, do look at this blog on TutorCruncher alternatives.
7. How customizable is Moodle for tutoring purposes?
Moodle is an open-source platform with extensive plugins, offering high customizability. However, customization and maintenance can be complex and may require technical expertise or a dedicated team.
8. How does Wise LMS enhance student engagement through gamification?
Wise LMS incorporates robust gamification features to boost student engagement. It offers interactive elements such as badges, live leaderboards, and real-time polls and quizzes within sessions. These features motivate learners by rewarding active participation and fostering a competitive yet collaborative learning environment.
9. What automation features does Wise LMS offer to streamline tutoring operations?
Wise LMS provides a suite of automation tools designed to simplify administrative tasks for tutors and institutions. Key features include:
- Automated Scheduling: Two-way calendar sync with Google Calendar to manage instructor availability and avoid scheduling conflicts.
- Session Reminders: Automatic WhatsApp and email notifications to reduce no-shows.
- Attendance Tracking: Automatic recording of attendance, saving time and ensuring accuracy.
- Invoicing and Payments: Automated invoicing and payment processing to streamline financial operations.
These automation features allow tutors to focus more on teaching and less on administrative duties, enhancing overall efficiency.
A UK based tutoring service was able to streamline their tutoring and reduce admin work by switching to Wise. Read how Study Smart UK automated tutor booking and billing.
Choosing the right LMS for your needs involves more than finding a platform that supports just your primary use case, whether it’s group tutoring, personalized tutoring or blended learning. It’s essential to select an LMS that not only excels in your core area but also offers versatility for other use cases such as self-paced learning, in-person tutoring, and more. Opting for a flexible LMS ensures that as your tutoring services evolve, your platform can adapt and provide a seamless experience for you, your teachers and your students. By considering these factors, you can invest in a solution that supports your current needs and grows with you in the future.
Connect My Expert, a leading tutoring services provider that does upwards of 1200 sessions in a month, shared the key challenges of running a tutoring business, and the key features to focus on while selecting a tutoring LMS. Read about Connect My Story’s Tutoring LMS journey.
Want to book a free consultation on how to choose an LMS – feel free to book a meeting with the author here.
