Outschool Reviews: Is It the Right Choice?

Table of Contents

    For all those parents wondering which platform to use for their kids’ studying, Outschool reviews are a treasure trove of precious insights. What are the service’s benefits, weaknesses, and costs? 

    As a tutor with years of experience teaching middle and high school students, I know how important it is to evaluate educational tools carefully. So, I’ve reviewed extensive feedback to give you a clear, honest look at what Outschool offers — and whether it’s the right fit for your child.

    Key Points

    • Range of features: 8/10. One of the best things about Outschool is the variety of its courses. You can find literally anything here, up to cooking and ballet lessons.
    • Learning approach: 8/10. Quite flexible and will suit any style. I liked that focus on interactivity; however, I doubt if the courses here will work well as standalone practices.
    • User interface and experience: 8/10. The platform is glitch-free and easy to navigate. I liked how they handled that number of courses and made all of them accessible.
    • Effectiveness: 7/10. While not generally bad, Outschool has earned some complaints regarding the rigid schedules of its prerecorded video courses.
    • Customer support: 3/10. Outschool reviews often raise issues with how contact options are handled.
    • Pricing model: 6/10. This site presents customized paths for group-based studying, but may fail to fit your budget if you choose a 1:1 format.
    • Average rating: 7/10. While analyzing the service from a teacher’s perspective and exploring reviews of Outschool from parents and K–12 students, I found it to be an excellent supplementary resource with truly rare resources in its catalogue.

    Still, some of the courses here may lack flexibility, and personalized lessons can climb high in price. That’s why you may still want to seek an alternative tool.

    Outschool review: A complete overview of how it works

    Outschool is an accessible learning resource for any kid aged 3 to 18. Its choice of courses encapsulates everything from school subjects like math, English, and science to specialized classes in musical instruments, arts, coding, and diverse life skills.
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    While excellent for broadening kids’ horizons and practicing specific topics, Outschool may not be as effective for homeschooling or learning a particular subject. In this case, niche platforms like Brighterly may be more useful.

    But that was the general grasp. Now, let’s get into detail to answer these common questions:

    • Is Outschool legit?
    • What is the Outschool cost?
    • Is Outschool really good for homeschooling?

    💡For this writing, I did an in-depth testing of the Outschool platform and also closely analyzed Outschool classes reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and other similar sites. My primary aim was to create a complete, unbiased guide and help you decide whether the site fits your case.

    How does Outschool work? Features

    Feature #1: Merged learning formats

    The cool thing about Outschool is that it caters to individual and group learners. Regarding the latter, you’ll get access to tons of courses, locked-in schedules, and no pricing surprises. Plus, the service also offers extended opportunities for 1:1 learners who can practice with experienced tutors.

    But which format is better? As shown by multiple Outschool tutoring reviews, parents extensively compliment group courses but say that personalized learning often gets overpriced. If that’s your option, you’d better seek Outschool alternatives like Brighterly — this tool is not less interactive, yet more personalized, subject-focused, and cost-effective.

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    ⭐️ It’s an 8 out of 10 from me — thanks to the flexible choices and learner-first approach.

    Feature #2: Extended supplementary learning options

    Let me clarify: Outschool can be your complete homeschooling option if you choose individual lessons. Otherwise, course-based learning can lack sufficient structure. 

    But things play differently when you’re looking for extra practice. As shown by Outschool parent reviews and the official data, the total number of courses here exceeds 30,000. Their prices can vary depending on duration and the complexity of the information. 

    But let’s pause for a minute and think, “Are there any free resources?”. And the answer is No. Though I have excellent news for all the math learners here! In the Brighterly collection, you can find hundreds of relevant worksheets for your home practice. The best part? ALL of these resources are absolutely free!

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    ⭐️ 7/10 — excellent for improving specific knowledge, but you’d better search for more affordable resources if homeschooling is your priority.

    Feature #3: Thematic camps and activities

    Outschool definitely has the word to say when it comes to engaging kids. Is your child passionate about dinosaurs? Let them explore the “Jurassic Park Summer Camp”. Looking for some coding opportunities with an emotional context? Participate in the “Weekly Minecraft Coding Beginner Fun”. Up for some Lego building? Exciting that Outschool has that too at the “Lego Club”.

    What I’m trying to say is that this service does its best to build an emotional connection with your kid and make them stay there longer.

    And a bit more about versatility in this Outschool review:

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    ⭐️9/10 — Outschool won’t keep you bored.

    Summing it up a bit, “Is Outschool worth it?” A solid YES. Plus, it suits multiple learning purposes. Try this one if you aim to improve in several subjects without jumping platforms.

    Outschool disadvantages

    For this article, I’m committed to providing an honest Outschool review, which means we should also discuss the flip side of this resource. Even though it obtains a 4.4 average client score on Trustpilot, some users still found points to complain about. Let’s take a closer look at them.

    Cons #1: Refund and cancellation issues

    Surprisingly, the Outschool refund policy raises multiple concerns among users. As stated on the official website platform, they will refund you the full price if you cancel your class at least 24 hours before the scheduled time.

    However, I could find the review of Outschool, which described major issues with the whole process.

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    If you cannot tolerate this concern, I’d like to introduce you to the Brighterly math tutoring platform. It’s a math-only resource known for its tailored interactive lessons and individual approach towards each kid.

    Brighterly is a good option to consider instead of Outschool, since I haven’t spotted any significant financial matters while searching through its feedback.

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    Cons #2: Over-the-top prices

    Expanding on the financial issues, Outschool is widely known for its hefty price tags and multiple hidden fees. As shown by the Outschool Google reviews and the information I could find on Trustpilot, the platform has lately imposed lots of extra charges with little to no refund opportunities, as mentioned.

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    Now, let’s contrast this with Brighterly’s comprehensive list of payment options. With them, you always know the sum to budget and won’t face any unexpected fees – follow the link to view the pricing details.

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    Cons #3: Incompetent customer support

    Some of the parent reviews for Outschool describe massive difficulties when communicating with customer support. Just for your knowledge, the helpline here is accessible via a live chat, which is a big pro in terms of convenience. But regarding its efficiency? Outschool, you should do better.

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    By contrast, at Brighterly reviews, I couldn’t find any doubts regarding the helpline. So, the backup here is better anyway.

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    Outschool reviews from parents: Learning approach and its usefulness

    The mode of learning at Outschool depends on the course you choose. However, one thing remains the same anyway — interactivity and focus on gamification. This service features both prerecorded courses and live lessons.

    Plus, Outschool aims to provide tailored recommendations based on your child’s progress and requirements. So, you can start with a single course and then build on the knowledge you have received.

    Regarding 1:1 lessons, those are always adjusted to personal needs. Tutors closely analyze what’s required and make up tailored schedules. What I find remarkable at Outschool is that you choose a teacher here rather than a program. You can scroll through the list of tutors and compare their hourly rates, read their reviews on Outschool, and contrast the class durations that they suggest. 

    It’s another level of flexibility, as everything remains super adjustable. Still, note that some professionals may set over-the-top prices.

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    This Outschool feature gets 7/10 from me — while I like the approach and methodology overall, I find it scarcely effective as a standalone resource.

    Multiple Outschool reviews show that parents adore this service for after-school activities. Thus, its effectiveness is proven regardless of learning styles. However, prices can climb high here, so it’s a minus point. Alternative sites like Brighterly can work better in terms of fixed costs.

    Outschool reviews: User interface and experience

    For this review, I scrolled through the official Outschool site. When I just started, I doubted whether they could conveniently position that massive number of courses to help people find what suited them best. But you know what? Outschool hasn’t disappointed me.

    It features a user-friendly dropdown menu, which makes your search more specialized with these choices:

    • Tutoring (By Grade Tutoring, Private Lessons, 1:1 Coaching, etc.)
    • Core Academics (Mathematics, English, Science, etc.)
    • Electives (Arts, Music, World Languages, etc.)
    • Just for Fun (Learner Favorites, Games and Trivia, For a Rainy Day)
    • Summer Camps

    Once you click on any of those, you’ll see the variety of courses. To adjust the search, you can further pick:

    • Your kid’s age
    • Preferred studying time
    • Class size
    • Cost

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    Even with the highly customized requirements I applied in the above example, I could still find many fun activities to participate in.

    ⭐️ My estimation is 8 out of 10 for usability. Frankly, I’d like to put a ten here, but while exploring Outschool reviews on Reddit, I found some complaints about downtimes and bugs in the site’s mobile versions. 

    I can find some points to criticize Outschool, but the friendly UX is not one of them. I was slightly disappointed by those mobile users’ reports, though.

    Outschool classes reviews: Platform’s effectiveness

    Due to its many-sided and varied approaches, Outschool helps kids achieve even the most ambitious learning objectives. While scrolling through multiple Outschool reviews, I mentioned that most customers are happy about their results. Here’s just one example.

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    However, I have also spotted some issues, most of them concerning prerecorded lessons. The thing with those courses is that they may lack live interaction, forcing kids to study according to rigid schedules without the option of skipping any course part. 

    Personally, I think that it’s the essence of what you get when committing to this kind of studying. Anyway, it’s always a good idea to consider this peculiarity.

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    ⭐️ Rating: 7/10. As shown by most reviews of Outschool, kids manage to achieve great results while studying here. Still, there are some pain points you should take into account.

    While it’s an excellent platform overall, some Outschool reviews made me ponder the real effectiveness of this site.

    Reviews Outschool: Connect support

    Multiple Outschool reviews on Reddit and Trustpilot highlight that the customer support is the bitter part, which can significantly damage the overall experience. 

    As already stated, the primary communication channel here is online chat, which is of much convenience in its essence. However, while searching through Outschool math reviews and other related feedback, I found multiple complaints about communication efficiency, the speed of problem resolutions, and the overall poor response rate. Take a look at the critique below.

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    Before I reveal my final score, I should list one more Outschool online classes review, just to be completely transparent.

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    ⭐️ Rating: 3/10. Unfortunately, several Outschool reviews show significant concerns regarding their communication channels, which is reflected in the low score.

    In case of problems, I advise you to address the extended FAQ section whenever you need support. They have included many valuable articles, so it’s probably a more stress-free way to solve issues.

    Outschool pricing: Does it provide good value for money?

    The most certain thing about Outschool pricing is that there’s no set value here. But first things first: this service uses a credit system to estimate prices (instead of dollars), which can confuse users. 

    What are Outschool credits?

    These are special “currencies” used on the platform. Sharply speaking, one credit here equals $0.45. When starting with Outschool, you should choose a suitable payment plan with a specific number of credits.

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    So, how much does Outschool cost? Let me break this down a bit.

    What’s the Outschool price?

    Each learning option you see at Outschool has a price tag attached. For example, you should be ready to pay:

    • 4-90 credits/class when studying in a group. The final tag will depend on the complexity of the subject and course (exam preparations, for example, will be more expensive on average). However, note that some classes can last 25 minutes while others will take up to 1 hour.
    • As verified by parents who review Outschool, the same scattering also applies to individual lessons. Here, tutors autonomously set prices and lesson durations, so you can be flexible with your choice. As said, tariffs vary; however, you’ll usually have to pay between 20 and 100+ credits for a single class.

    How reasonable are Outschool prices?

    Both my impression and most reviews Outschool has earned are mixed in this regard. On the one hand, the variety of courses allows everyone to find something for themselves and their budgets. Here’s the proof.

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    On the other hand, some parents doubt whether the prices here are reasonable.

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    ⭐️ Rating: Considering all the above information, I give Outschool’s pricing an average of 6/10. I value their variety of options. Still, it’s not as budget-friendly as some of its competitors.

    All in all, I recommend Outschool for group classes but advise you to look elsewhere for individualized learning.

    Outschool math reviews: Comprehensive comparison

     

    Outschool

    Brighterly

    Kumon

    IXL

    Trustpilot rating 4.4/5 4.7/5 3.3 1.4/5
    Best for

    Pre-K-12

    K-9 K-12 Pre-K-12
    Focus Math, English, Social Studies, Science + rare courses like cooking, dance, and coding Math Math & Reading Math, Languages, Spanish, Social Studies, Science
    Standout feature

    – Effective small-group learning format

    – 1:1 lessons

    – Flexible prices

    – Unique opportunities you won’t find elsewhere

    – Curriculum recognized with awards

    – Customized worksheets available at no cost

    – Complimentary knowledge assessment tests

    – Key learning takes place through worksheets

    – Sequential studying in steps

    – Customized learning options

    – Affordable pricing

    – Continuous support

    – Ample practice opportunities

    Personalization 👍 👍 👍 👍
    Fee From $4/class From $17.4/lesson From $150/month per subject + extra fees From $9.95/month

    Just in case you need an extra push, please read these Outschool tutoring reviews written by me:

    Outschool reviews: What parents really think of the platform

    You already have a general grasp of the Outschool reviews from parents. And now, when you have a vision of pros and cons, it may be the right time to get into further detail. I’ve gathered some of the most informative feedback about Outschool, so let’s continue.

    TL;DR: Most reviews of Outschool pinpoint the excellent results achieved with this platform. Additionally, they mark the unique learning possibilities accessible here.

    What users love about Outschool

    • Great for any subject
    • Experienced tutors
    • Intuitive interface

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    “We use it every week for my 8-year-old. There’s a great tutor on there who works one-on-one. I let her know what we’re working on for reading/math, and she reviews it with him.” — Reddit review

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    “I use Outschool for my gr.1 kiddo, as the primary base for his schooling. He attends a Montessori class with a full curriculum (two days of math, two days of spelling/language/one day of science). He also does phonics and writing classes, and a Lego club. Every class he is in seems pretty full!” — Reddit review

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    “We absolutely love and use Outschool. We have been taking the classes for about 3 years now. While we focus on academic courses, we also use some for enrichment.” — Reddit review

    Common complaints about Outschool

    • Shady refund policy
    • Hefty prices
    • Sometimes trivial lessons

    For further info, check these parent reviews for Outschool:

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    “I quit using Outschool. They really know how to make their good customers stop spending money and leave! That is for sure!” — Reddit review

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    “I would not do a whole curriculum on Outschool. Maybe some singing classes, some art classes. If you are having a hard time with ELA and math, then maybe you need to look at your teaching style and start making it fun.” — Reddit review

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    “The site is not user-friendly. It is different than the other website I used before.” — Trustpilot review

    Verdict: Is Outschool worth it?

    Now, the time has come for your final decision. This article was long, but let’s whap it up a bit. Here are my final scores for Outschool:

    • Learning approach: 8/10.
    • User interface and experience: 8/10.  
    • Effectiveness: 7/10.
    • Customer support: 3/10.  
    • Pricing model: 6/10. 

    Which makes the final mark 7!

    Now, some details…

    Outschool is worth considering if you:

    ✅ Search for rare courses

    ✅ Want a single service to cover all of your educational needs

    ✅ Prefer course-based studying instead of individual lessons

    Look for Outschool alternatives if you:

    ❌ Crave 1:1 lessons for a reasonable price

    ❌ Look for more repetitive drill-based tasks

    ❌ Want to get prompt help whenever needed

    Looking for an Outschool alternative?

    In this guide, we’ve clarified that most of the Outschool parent reviews are positive. Still, you should carefully consider these negatives:

    • Most group courses are prerecorded
    • Course schedules are set and won’t be adjusted to your needs
    • Sometimes pricing gets over-the-top

    Are these points crucial in your case? If yes is the answer, then seeking an alternative may be your best choice. Let me remind you about Brighterly — the service that shines in the points where Outschool flops. Particularly, the site offers:

    ✅ Tutor-based personalized lessons

    ✅ Game tasks

    ✅ Fixed predetermined prices

    Professional tutors

    Math tutors at Brighterly are the top reason to start your path here. Trained in both their subjects and kids’ psychology, they guarantee effective knowledge retention through interactive tasks and real-world context. Trying to tackle any issues like ADHD or studying traumas? Brighterly has specialized staff to address these, too.

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    Once your kid registers on this platform, they must pass a diagnostic test. Based on the results shown, tutors compile a customized math program. All plans are created based on individual background and needs.

    Effective schedules aligned with the Common Core

    Any math class at Brighterly will contain these three features:

    • The 1:1 approach allows teachers and students to stay focused and avoid distractions. This method also builds better trust.
    • STEM-based curricula show kids how and when they can apply theoretical knowledge.
    • Aligning with Common Core principles means the plan follows the academic program children learn at school.

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    No-cost materials

    Outschool can hardly list any free resources. Brighterly is quite different in this regard. It offers:

    • Math worksheets — printable resources you can use for home knowledge checks and revision.

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    • Math tests 1-9 — these specialized test sections allow you to check your kid’s math knowledge immediately. Just pick your grade and ask them to complete several convenient questions.

    Next steps: Achieve better academic results with Brighterly

    Now, when having dozens of honest Outschool review chunks at hand, you know that this site is a goldmine of unique learning opportunities. Whether you prioritize home studying or want some supplementary practice, there’s something to fit your needs.

    So, is Outschool worth it? Yes, but with some exceptions. If you seek tailored, flexible, and affordable math classes in a 1:1 format, you might want to consider other alternatives like Brighterly.

    Currently, the platform lists 200,000+ active users and is commonly chosen for its:

    • Focus on personal needs
    • Ongoing schedule adaptability
    • Predetermined price tags
    • Gamification and real-world context

    Try Brighterly for free today and see how it can work out for you tomorrow! Book your 1st free math lesson today! to test out the benefits.

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