A private tutor is a private instructor who teaches a specific educational subject or skill to an individual student or small group of students. Such attention allows the student to improve knowledge or skills far more rapidly than in a classroom setting. Tutors are often privately hired and paid by the student, the student's family or an agency. Many are used for remedial students or others needing special attention; many provide more advanced material for exceptionally capable and highly motivated students.  The tutor can also let the student work on his own, and can be there if the student has any questions.

Online tutoring is a new way for a student to receive help, either scheduled or on demand. Sessions are done through a proprietary application where a student and tutor can communicate. Common tools include chat, whiteboard, web conferencing, teleconferencing and other specialized applets which make it easier to convey information back and forth. For example, there may be a specialized applet designed specifically for mathematics which allow the use of symbols.

On-line tutoring has been gaining popularity over the past couple of years due to the ease of being able to connect to a tutor at moment's notice when help is required. This is especially effective when a student is studying for a test that is scheduled for the next day at school and is stumped on a particular problem. Not all online tutoring companies offer an on-demand tutoring service.

Online tutoring programs can vary in costs and services.  Some online tutoring programs will have one-in-one sessions with the student, which gives them the attention that is neceesarry to excel in the classroom.  Other online tutor programs will assign students to a cohort where they are able to work with their peers and communicate to an instructor through a group format.