Can agencies use OBRI?

OBRI targets independent tutors. Agencies with 5+ staff usually need TutorCruncher or Teachworks.

What about homework and parent access?

OBRI includes a homework workflow and parent portal on paid tiers — common reasons solo tutors switch from agency software.

Is OBRI an agency tool like TutorCruncher?

No. OBRI is intentionally built for solo and small-practice tutors, without the agency broker layer, payroll, or per-seat pricing.

Can OBRI bill clients and pay tutors?

OBRI tracks payments from your students to you. It does not handle agency-style payouts to sub-tutors — that is where TutorCruncher fits.

Head-to-head comparison

OBRI vs TutorCruncher — Solo Tutor CRM vs UK Agency Platform

TutorCruncher powers UK tutoring agencies with payroll and multi-tutor ops. This page compares it with OBRI for independent tutors who need homework, scheduling, and flat pricing.

Best for: Solo tutors and duos who invoice families directly — not agencies matching tutors and running payroll.

In short

Yes for solo tutors and tiny practices. TutorCruncher remains stronger for UK agencies with multiple employed tutors and payroll complexity.

OBRI

Free up to 3 students. Paid from $9/mo flat.

TutorCruncher

Agency-tier pricing (typically hundreds per month depending on tutors and setup).

FeatureOBRITutorCruncher

Free plan for solo tutors

Built for 1–3 teacher practices

Multi-tutor agency payroll

Tutor matching / dispatch

Student homework portalLimited

Lesson scheduling

Payment / debt tracking

Parent progress portal

Flat subscription (no per-seat scaling)

Ukrainian + English UI

Why tutors switch from TutorCruncher to OBRI

You are the only tutor on the account but pay agency-level fees.
You need homework submissions, not commission accounting.
Setup time for TutorCruncher exceeds value for a 6-student practice.
You want to start free while validating income.

The bottom line

TutorCruncher is agency software — built for businesses that broker tutors to clients, with payroll, margins, and multi-role permissions. It is genuinely strong for that model and overkill for a solo tutor.

OBRI is the independent-tutor counterpart: no agency layer, no per-seat pricing, just your students, lessons, homework, and payments at a flat rate. If you run an agency that pays tutors and bills clients, stay with TutorCruncher. If it is you and your students, OBRI is lighter, cheaper, and faster to set up.

How to switch from TutorCruncher in 4 steps

1Export your client and lesson data from TutorCruncher.
2Create a free OBRI account and import students via CSV.
3Rebuild recurring lessons and set up direct payment tracking (no broker margin).
4Transition active students, then close TutorCruncher once billing reconciles.

Who should choose what

Choose OBRI if

Solo and independent tutors who do not broker other tutors and want flat, simple pricing.

Stick with TutorCruncher if

Agencies that connect clients with multiple tutors and need payroll, margins, and role permissions.

Quick answers

Is OBRI a TutorCruncher alternative?: Yes for solo tutors and tiny practices. TutorCruncher remains stronger for UK agencies with multiple employed tutors and payroll complexity.
Can agencies use OBRI?: OBRI targets independent tutors. Agencies with 5+ staff usually need TutorCruncher or Teachworks.
What about homework and parent access?: OBRI includes a homework workflow and parent portal on paid tiers — common reasons solo tutors switch from agency software.
Is OBRI an agency tool like TutorCruncher?: No. OBRI is intentionally built for solo and small-practice tutors, without the agency broker layer, payroll, or per-seat pricing.
Can OBRI bill clients and pay tutors?: OBRI tracks payments from your students to you. It does not handle agency-style payouts to sub-tutors — that is where TutorCruncher fits.

Helpful resources for tutors

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