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

Most tutoring services in Montreal don’t publish their prices. Not because it’s complicated — because they’d rather you call first. We think you deserve the information before you pick up the phone.

Here are the real tutoring costs in Montreal for 2026, across all types of services — by level of expertise, by type of provider, and most importantly, including what’s often buried in the fine print. Because the true cost of tutoring in Montreal is rarely just the hourly rate on the website.

Tutoring prices in Montreal in 2026

Here’s a realistic picture of what Montreal families are paying by type of service:

Type of service	Hourly rate	Registration fees	Minimum commitment
Independent tutor (word of mouth, Kijiji)	$20 – $35/hr	None	None
Matching platform	$25 – $45/hr	Varies	None
Tutoring agency (student tutors)	$30 – $45/hr	$0 – $150	Varies
Certified teacher / retired educator	$45 – $75/hr	None	None
Learning specialist (orthopédagogue)	$80 – $120/hr	None	None

These ranges reflect what we see across the Montreal market. There are exceptions in both directions — an exceptional independent tutor who charges $50 an hour, a learning specialist who offers reduced rates. But for the vast majority of cases, this is the ballpark.

What makes prices vary

The range is wide — from $20 to $120 an hour — and that comes down to a few concrete factors.

The tutor’s experience and training. A second-year university student helping with grade 8 math doesn’t cost the same as a retired teacher with 30 years of experience. The real question to ask yourself: does your child need the $65/hr teacher, or will a motivated student at $35/hr do the same job?

For the vast majority of elementary and high school needs — homework help, exam prep, support in a specific subject — a good student tutor generally gets the job done. The smaller age gap often creates a dynamic that students appreciate: someone who went through the same program recently and speaks their language.

A certified teacher or learning specialist makes more sense when there’s a diagnosis (ADHD, dyslexia, learning disability) or specific educational needs that regular tutoring can’t address. If your child has a learning challenge, our parent’s guide to academic success also covers the specialized resources available.

The type of provider. An independent tutor has no overhead — they can afford to charge less. On the other hand, there’s no formal vetting, no replacement if it doesn’t work out, no recourse if the tutor cancels at the last minute. You’re managing everything yourself.

An agency charges more because they do the legwork upfront: recruitment, background checks, matching, follow-up, replacement if necessary. Depending on your situation — busy schedule, need for reliability — that may or may not be worth the difference. It’s a choice that depends on your priorities.

The format. Online tutoring is often slightly cheaper than in-home tutoring, since there’s no travel to cover. For teens, it’s often just as effective — they’re comfortable with technology and appreciate the flexibility. For younger elementary students, in-person tends to work better. Our complete guide to tutoring in Quebec explains the pros and cons of each format in detail.

Hidden fees: what people forget to ask about

The hourly rate is the tip of the iceberg. What really changes your monthly budget is often what doesn’t appear in big letters on the “Pricing” page.

Registration or file-opening fees. Some agencies charge between $50 and $150 before the first session even happens. Not all of them — but ask.

Prepaid packages. Several agencies offer — or require — buying a bank of hours in advance. The upside: a reduced hourly rate, and sometimes travel fees are included. The risk: you’re paying for hours you might not use if needs change. Before buying a package, clarify: are unused hours refundable? Partially? Not at all? There’s no wrong answer, but you need to know it before committing.

Travel fees. For in-home tutoring, transportation fees of $3 to $15 per session may be added, depending on the agency and distance. Some packages include them, others don’t. Over a month, that can add $12 to $60 on top of the posted rate.

Minimum session length. Your child needs 45 minutes? Some places bill a minimum of one hour, or even 90 minutes. For an 8-year-old, 90 minutes of tutoring is an eternity.

Cancellation fees. Life happens. Your child gets sick, you have an emergency. Does cancelling less than 24 hours in advance cost you the full session? It’s worth checking.

The best reflex before committing: ask the question “What is the total cost for one month of tutoring at one session per week?” Not the hourly rate. The total cost. That’s where the real differences between services become clear.

How much to budget per month? The realistic calculation

For the vast majority of families, one hour-long session per week is enough. It’s a good pace — frequent enough to maintain momentum, without overwhelming your child’s schedule.

At 4 sessions per month, here’s what it looks like by type of service:

Service	Calculation	Monthly budget
Independent tutor ($30/hr)	$30 × 4	~$120/month
Agency with package (~$35/hr, travel included)	$35 × 4	~$140/month
Agency regular rate (~$40/hr + travel)	$45 × 4	~$180/month
Agency online (~$38/hr)	$38 × 4	~$152/month
Certified teacher ($60/hr)	$60 × 4	~$240/month

Over the school year (10 months), we’re talking $1,200 to $2,400 depending on the type of service you choose.

It’s an investment. But put it in perspective: it’s often comparable to an organized sports league or a specialized camp, and it has a direct impact on your child’s confidence and academic results.

The tax credit: recover part of your investment

Tutoring is eligible for the tax credit for children’s activities (line 462). Note: this is not the childcare expense credit (line 455), which is for daycare — they’re two different credits.

Conditions for tutoring to be eligible:

• Sessions must span a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks
• The child must be at least 5 years old but under 16 at the start of the year
• Your family income must be under $168,470

The calculation:

The credit is 20% of eligible fees, up to a maximum of $500 per child — so a maximum credit of $100 per child. It’s declared on line 462.

If your child has a diagnosis (ADHD, dyslexia, learning disability):

You may also be able to claim tutoring fees as medical expenses — which can result in a more substantial credit. You’ll need a note from your doctor. Talk to your accountant — it’s worth looking into.

In all cases: keep your receipts. Agencies generally provide them automatically. If you’re going through an independent tutor, ask for them — it’s your responsibility to make sure you have them.

How to compare intelligently

We’ve put together a tool to simplify your research. Our Comparison Checklist — Choosing the Right Tutoring Service is a free PDF that compiles the right questions to ask each service you evaluate. It includes a grid to fill in as you go, the key criteria to check, and a few red flags to watch for.

It’s designed to be printed and used while you call or visit the websites of different options.

Download the Comparison Checklist (free PDF) →

The essential questions to ask

Whatever service you’re evaluating, here are the questions that deserve a clear answer before you commit:

About costs: The exact hourly rate, taxes included. Additional fees (registration, travel, materials). The refund policy if you buy a package. Cancellation fees.

About quality: How are tutors selected? Do they undergo a criminal background check? What happens if the match doesn’t work? How are parents kept informed of progress?

About logistics: In-home tutoring, online, or both? Minimum session length? Minimum commitment? How soon can we start?

A good tutoring service will answer these questions without hesitation. If you’re made to feel like you’re asking too many questions, that’s useful information in itself.

What about TutorAide?

In full transparency — this is our blog, so here are our rates.

Regular rate: $39/hour. No commitment. You pay per session. Travel fees of $3 to $6 are added for in-home tutoring, depending on distance. Online, no extra charge.

Plus Package: $33/hour. A prepaid bank of hours that reduces the rate and includes travel fees. The trade-off: if you don’t use all your hours, they remain paid. If you’re not sure how often your child will need tutoring, the regular rate lets you test without risk, and you can switch to the package once the rhythm is established.

No registration fees. No file-opening fees. Free tutor replacement if the match doesn’t work out.

Our tutors are university students — selected, vetted, and trained. We believe that for most elementary and high school needs, a tutor who recently went through the same program is often the best match. That’s our model. It’s not the only one that works, but it’s the one we believe in.

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Ready to start your search?

Whether you choose TutorAide or another service, what matters is finding the right match for your child. The comparison checklist can help you structure your research.

Download the checklist →

And if you’d like to explore what we offer:

Request a tutor →

Questions? Write to us at info@tutoraide.ca — we always respond.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does tutoring cost in Montreal in 2026?

Tutoring in Montreal in 2026 costs between $20 and $120 per hour depending on the type of service. Independent student tutors typically charge $20 to $35, tutoring agencies $30 to $45, certified teachers $45 to $75, and learning specialists $80 to $120. Registration fees, prepaid packages, and travel costs may be added — always ask for the total monthly cost.

How many tutoring sessions per week are needed?

For most students, one hour-long session per week is enough to maintain good progress. That translates to a budget of $120 to $240 per month depending on the type of service. In some cases — exam prep, intensive catch-up — two sessions per week can be useful temporarily.

Is tutoring tax-deductible in Quebec?

Yes. Tutoring is eligible for the tax credit for children’s activities (line 462) if sessions span at least 8 consecutive weeks and the child is between 5 and 15 years old. The credit is 20% of fees, up to $500 per child (maximum credit of $100). Family income must be under $168,470. If your child has a medical diagnosis, you may also be able to claim fees as medical expenses — consult your accountant.

How do I know if I’m overpaying for tutoring?

The hourly rate alone doesn’t tell you much. An independent tutor at $25/hr may seem cheaper than an agency at $35/hr — but the agency often includes background checks, personalized matching, progress tracking, and tutor replacement if needed. Calculate the total monthly cost including all fees, and evaluate what each option actually includes.

What’s the difference between a student tutor and a learning specialist?

A student tutor helps with core school subjects — math, French, English, science — by explaining concepts, helping with homework, and preparing for exams. A learning specialist (orthopédagogue) is a trained professional who works with students who have specific learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyscalculia, etc.). If your child has a diagnosis or regular tutoring isn’t enough, a specialist may be appropriate. Otherwise, tutoring typically meets the need.