How to Accept Card Payments as a Private Tutor in the UK

by Mark Neale, Co-Founder & CEO

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To accept card payments as a private tutor in the UK, you need a payment processor (like Stripe, PayPal, GoCardless, or a tutoring platform like Tutonomi). This guide explains the options, fees, and how to set up card payments so pupils can pay easily after each lesson.

Why card payments matter

Most tutors start by accepting bank transfers. It's simple: give pupils your bank details, they transfer the money, done.

The problem emerges as you grow. Bank transfers require pupils to remember to pay, you to remember to check, and both of you to track which lessons have been paid for. It works fine with one or two pupils. With five or ten, you're spending hours every month chasing late payments and reconciling who owes what.

Card payments solve this by making payment automatic. The lesson happens, the card is charged, the money arrives in your account. No invoicing, no chasing, no admin.

The trade-off is fees. Payment processors charge a percentage of each transaction (typically 1.5-3% plus a fixed amount per transaction). But for most tutors, the time saved on admin is worth far more than the fees cost.

This guide walks through your options and how to set them up.

Your options for accepting card payments

There are three main approaches: payment processors, Direct Debit, or tutoring platforms with built-in payments.

Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, Square)

These companies provide the infrastructure to accept card payments. You integrate their service into your website or send payment links to pupils.

Stripe

How it works: Stripe provides payment processing infrastructure. You need either a website with Stripe integration, or you can send payment links via email.

Fees: Around 1.5% + 20p per transaction (UK cards). Slightly higher for international cards.

Setup complexity: Moderate. You need to create a Stripe account, verify your business details, integrate it into your website (or use payment links), and manage invoicing yourself.

Best for: Tutors who have their own website and want full control over the payment process.

Limitations: Requires technical setup. Doesn't handle scheduling or lesson management. You need to send payment requests manually or build automation yourself.

PayPal

How it works: Pupils pay via PayPal (either with their PayPal account or by card through PayPal).

Fees: Around 2.9% + 30p per transaction for UK payments. Slightly higher for international payments.

Setup complexity: Easy. Create a PayPal Business account and send payment requests via email.

Best for: Tutors who want the simplest possible setup and don't mind slightly higher fees.

Limitations: Higher fees than Stripe. Some pupils don't like using PayPal. Payment requests must be sent manually.

Square

How it works: Originally built for in-person card payments (card reader), but also offers online invoicing.

Fees: 1.75% per transaction for in-person payments (with card reader), 2.5% + 25p for online invoices.

Setup complexity: Easy for in-person payments (buy a card reader), moderate for online.

Best for: Tutors who teach in person and want to take payment immediately after the lesson.

Limitations: Less common in UK tutoring than Stripe or PayPal. Still requires manual invoicing.

Direct Debit (GoCardless)

Direct Debit is different from card payments but achieves the same goal: automatic collection.

How it works: Pupils set up a Direct Debit mandate once. You can then collect payments automatically on a schedule you control.

Fees: Around 1% + 20p per transaction. Lower than card payments.

Setup complexity: Moderate. Requires pupils to complete a Direct Debit mandate (online form).

Best for: Regular, recurring lessons where you want the lowest fees.

Limitations: UK-only. Initial setup requires pupil action (completing mandate). Less familiar to pupils than card payments. Payments take 3-5 working days to arrive (slower than instant card payments).

Tutoring platforms with built-in payments

Some platforms designed specifically for tutors include payment processing as part of the service.

Tutonomi

How it works: Pupils add their card once, then payment happens automatically after each lesson. No invoicing, no chasing, completely automatic.

Fees: Card processing fee (lower than Stripe-powered alternatives), no monthly platform fee.

Setup complexity: Very easy. Invite pupils, they add their card, payments happen automatically.

Best for: Tutors who want automatic payment collection without manual invoicing or technical setup.

Limitations: UK-focused (though expanding). Designed for individual tutors rather than agencies.

Other tutoring platforms

Platforms like TutorBird and TutorCruncher also offer payment processing, typically powered by Stripe. This comparison of tutor management apps covers the full range of options.

Fees: Monthly subscription (£10-35/month) plus Stripe fees (1.5-3% + 20-30p per transaction).

Best for: Tutors who want an all-in-one platform and don't mind paying monthly fees on top of transaction fees.

What to consider when choosing

Total cost

Don't just look at transaction fees. Consider:

Transaction fees per payment
Monthly subscription (if any)
Your time spent managing payments

A platform with higher fees but automatic collection might cost less overall than a cheaper option where you spend 5 hours a month chasing payments.

Automation vs. control

Payment processors (Stripe, PayPal) give you control but require manual work (sending invoices, tracking payments). Tutoring platforms automate everything but give you less control over the payment flow.

Pupil experience

Card payments are familiar and trusted. Direct Debit is less familiar to many families and requires completing a mandate. Choose what your pupils will actually use.

How quickly you need the money

Card payments: Usually in your bank within 1-3 working days
Direct Debit: 3-5 working days from when you initiate collection
Some platforms: Instant to your account

Setup complexity

If you're not technical, avoid options that require website integration or complex setup. Payment links or platform-based solutions are simpler.

How to set up card payments

The specific steps depend on which option you choose:

For Stripe:

Create a Stripe account at stripe.com
Verify your business details and bank account
Either integrate Stripe into your website OR use Stripe payment links
Send payment links to pupils after each lesson (or set up automatic invoicing)
Money arrives in your bank account 1-3 days after payment

For PayPal:

Create a PayPal Business account
Verify your details and link your bank account
Send "Request Money" to pupils after each lesson
Money arrives in your PayPal account instantly, then transfer to your bank (1-3 days)

For GoCardless:

Create a GoCardless account
Verify your business details
Send Direct Debit mandate links to pupils
Once mandates are set up, schedule payments (one-off or recurring)
Money arrives in your bank 3-5 working days after collection

For Tutonomi:

Create a free account at tutonomi.com
Add your pupils
Pupils receive an invite to add their card
After each lesson, payment happens automatically
Money arrives in your bank account within a few days

Tax note: All card processing fees are allowable business expenses. You can claim them on your Self-Assessment tax return, which effectively reduces the cost by 26-29% through tax relief. See this guide on expenses for more details.

Frequently asked questions

Are card payments safe? Yes. Reputable payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, GoCardless) are regulated and use bank-level security. They handle the card details, not you, which protects both you and your pupils.

Do I need to be registered as a business to accept card payments? No. You can accept card payments as a sole trader (self-employed individual). You will need to provide your business details when setting up an account with any payment processor.

What if a pupil disputes a payment? Payment processors have dispute resolution processes. If a pupil disputes a charge (chargebacks), you'll need to provide evidence that the lesson took place (lesson notes, communication confirming the lesson). This is rare but worth keeping good records in case it happens.

Can I accept cash as well as card payments? Yes. You can offer multiple payment methods. Some pupils prefer cash or bank transfer, particularly for in-person lessons. Card payments work best for online tutoring or when you want automatic collection.

Do I need a business bank account? Not legally required, but recommended once you're earning regularly. Payment processors can pay into either a personal or business account. Check with your bank whether personal accounts are suitable for receiving business payments.

What about international pupils? Card payment processors (Stripe, PayPal) can accept international cards but usually charge higher fees (3-4% instead of 1.5-3%). Currency conversion fees may also apply. Direct Debit (GoCardless) is UK-only.

A note on making payment collection simpler

Setting up card payments is one thing. Managing them ongoing is another.

If you use a payment processor directly (Stripe, PayPal), you need to:

Send payment requests after each lesson
Track which pupils have paid
Chase late or missed payments
Reconcile payments against your lesson schedule

This takes time every week. For tutors with 5+ pupils, it adds up to several hours a month.

Tutoring platforms that automate payment collection handle all of this for you. The lesson happens, the payment is collected, the money arrives in your account. No invoices, no chasing, no tracking.

Tutonomi is built specifically for this. It's completely free to use with no monthly subscription, charges lower card processing fees than Stripe-powered alternatives, and handles payment collection automatically. Setup takes about 10 minutes, and then payment becomes something you don't think about.