Tutoring Agency Software vs Solo CRM: Which Do You Actually Need?
TutorCruncher and Teachworks vs OBRI — honest guide for agencies vs independent tutors.
June 12, 2026·2 min read
Buying agency software as a solo tutor is like leasing a bus when you drive a sedan.
In short: Agency software optimizes tutor matching and payroll. Solo CRM optimizes your 12 students' schedules, homework, and payments.
Decision matrix
| You are… | Stronger fit |
|---|---|
| 1 tutor, own students | OBRI |
| 2–3 partners, shared admin | OBRI or light CRM |
| 5+ employed tutors | Teachworks / TutorCruncher |
| Marketplace only | Wyzant / Superprof (not CRM) |
Compare: vs TutorCruncher · vs Teachworks
Features solo tutors pay for but rarely use
- Payroll runs
- Tutor commission splits
- Role-based staff permissions
- Client-tutor matching engine
Features solo tutors actually need
- Recurring schedule
- Homework submissions
- Payment balances
- Parent read-only access
Related: TutorCruncher alternative · What is a tutor CRM