How Much Does Tutoring Cost in Montreal? A Transparent Price Guide (2026)

The price of an hour of tutoring does not tell the whole story. Between the tutor’s profile, travel fees and plans, two services with the same advertised rate can cost very different amounts by the end of the month. The table above shows the rates each company publishes on its own website, with the date they were read and the sources. This article explains how to read them and how to work out what you will really pay.

What the table does not show

The table compares companies. Three other options have no published price, because each person sets their own:

• Platforms such as Superprof: each tutor sets their rate, and the student also pays a subscription to contact tutors.
• The independent tutor found by word of mouth or an ad: the price is agreed directly.
• The special education teacher (orthopédagogue) in private practice: each sets their rate, and the Association des orthopédagogues du Québec, which keeps a directory (in French), does not publish one.

For these three, ask for the rate and what it includes before the first session. And do not forget free help such as Alloprof and school services: our overview of every academic support option covers them, with their limits.

What makes prices vary

The tutor’s profile. A university student, a graduate, a teacher and a special education teacher do not charge the same. At SOSprof, for example, the published price depends on the profile you choose. For homework help, exam preparation or support in a subject, a good student tutor often fits. A special education teacher makes more sense when the difficulty persists despite the usual help or a learning disability is suspected.

The type of structure. An independent tutor often costs less, but you manage everything: no replacement during their exams, no recourse if they cancel, and a receipt only if you ask. A company does that work for you: choosing the tutor, follow-up, replacement when needed. Depending on your schedule and how much you need reliability, the difference is worth it or not.

The format. Online sessions avoid travel fees. For teenagers they often work just as well; for younger elementary students, in person tends to work better.

Fees to watch

Travel fees. For in-home tutoring, several services charge them on top of the hourly rate, per session or per hour. The table shows what each one publishes. Over a month, this line can change the ranking.

Prepaid plans. A plan lowers the hourly rate and sometimes includes travel. In return, you pay in advance for hours you may not use if needs change. Before buying, ask whether unused hours are refundable, fully or partly.

Registration or file fees. None of the companies in the table lists any, but ask any service you are considering.

Minimum session length. Your child needs 45 minutes? Check whether the service bills a full hour at minimum.

Cancellation. A late cancellation can cost the session. Ask for the notice period and the amount.

The best habit: ask “What is the total cost for a month, one session a week, travel included?” That is where the real differences show.

How much to budget per month

The calculation is simple: (hourly rate + travel per session) × number of sessions in the month. Use the figures in the table above for each service you are considering.

An example with our own rates, for one in-home one-hour session a week, in high school, paid per session: $39 plus $3 to $6 of travel depending on distance, so $42 to $45 a session, about $168 to $180 for four sessions. With a plan, the rate drops and travel is included (see our pricing).

Put in perspective, a school year of weekly tutoring often compares with an organized sport or arts activity. And part of it can come back at tax time.

The tax credit

Tutoring that lasts at least 8 consecutive weeks may qualify for the tax credit for children’s activities (line 462). It is not the childcare expense credit (line 455).

Conditions:

• sessions span at least 8 consecutive weeks;
• the child is at least 5 and under 16 at the start of the year;
• family income does not exceed $168,470 (2025 tax year).

The calculation: 20% of eligible fees, on up to $500 of fees per child, so a credit of $100 at most per child, on line 462.

If your child has a learning disability: tutoring fees can also count as a federal medical expense when tutoring is in addition to school, a medical practitioner certifies in writing that it is needed, and you pay a business or person whose trade it is. Ask your accountant how to combine it with the children’s activities credit.

In all cases, keep the receipts. With an independent tutor, ask for them from the start.

How to compare

Our comparison checklist is a free PDF with the questions to ask each service and a grid to fill in during your calls.

Download the comparison checklist (free PDF)

The questions that deserve a clear answer before you commit:

On costs: the exact hourly rate, extra fees (travel, materials, registration), the refund policy for a plan, and cancellation fees.

On quality: how tutors are chosen, whether their criminal background is checked, what happens if the match does not work, and how progress is reported to you.

On logistics: in-home, online or both, minimum session length, minimum commitment, and how soon you can start.

A good service answers these questions without hesitating.

What about TutorAide?

It is our blog, so here are our rates, as they appear on our pricing page.

Per session: $39 an hour for elementary and high school, $43 for CEGEP and university. No commitment. For in-home tutoring, travel fees of $3 to $6 apply depending on distance; online, no extra.

Select Plan: $288 a month for 8 hours, so $36 an hour. Plus Plan: $792 for 24 hours over 3 months, so $33 an hour. Plans include travel. If you are not sure how often your child will need tutoring, start per session and switch to a plan once the pace is set.

No registration fees. If the match does not work, we find another tutor.

Our tutors are university students and graduates, interviewed by our team before they are hired. For most elementary and high school needs, we believe a tutor who went through the same program recently is often the right choice. It is not the only model that works, but it is ours.