Before I sign up for an online teaching platform, I first look at what it doesn’t say, not what it promises.
With VIPTeacher, formerly VIPKid, this really matters. It presents itself as a large network of teachers, offering online teaching jobs, curriculum development work, and other opportunities in the education sector.
I’ll admit, it appeals to me.
The description says a lot about the platform. But what about the money? Not a word.
What interests me is something else, the mechanics behind the scenes, the actual pay, and an income you can count on, not their promises. So I’m going to go through the platform’s offerings, how you make money there, and what the pitfalls are, so you’ll know, in the end, whether it’s worth it or not.
Let’s get started.
What is VIPTeacher, and how does it work?
The team behind VIPKid has launched VIPTeacher, a platform and, at the same time, a network of teachers, where those looking for work through online tutoring now gather.
VIPKid has changed its name to VIPTeacher, but the old name hasn’t completely disappeared. VIPKid still appears on the logo, on the application pages, and even in the sections with teacher requirements (everywhere, to be exact).
The confusion is understandable.
Where does the name come from? From the adult classes, which were added alongside the children’s classes. Most teachers still teach children, it’s true, but the adult conversation classes do exist, and sometimes teenagers join in too, because the discussions are more engaging.
Anyone teaching through VIPKid Teach now looks for jobs right here.
And yes, it’s legit, the money really does come in, I’ve made sure of that. The question that matters is whether it’s worth the effort.
The easiest way to figure out if it’s right for you is to see how it works and, most importantly, how much you can earn from it. That way, you’ll clearly see how much time and effort it all requires.
From here on out, here’s how you make money on VIPTeacher.
Teaching jobs in the US or Canada
A job on VIPTeacher doesn’t come from a simple click, but from a full-fledged process. You submit your resume, fill out a questionnaire, and record a teaching demo, all of which are required right from the start.
Those jobs are also the only source of income on the platform, there’s nowhere else to make money. You’ll only see them after you install the app, but I’ll talk about that step separately.
Every job listing on the platform includes the job responsibilities, required qualifications, hourly or project-based pay (when specified), country restrictions, and the required schedule. The pay information isn’t always displayed, it only appears when they choose to show it.
If the employer shows interest, an interview follows. Some also conduct a background check before accepting you.
If you pass that as well, you move on to onboarding, which includes the contract terms, the training schedule, training instructions (not just signed paperwork), and access to the training platform. It’s closer to a real job than just another task to check off a list.
Once you’ve gone through the entire process, you do the work they hired you for. If the job requires curriculum development, you’ll receive an assignment, complete it, and submit it for review.
Once you finish a class or an assignment, you get paid.
I’ll cover the exact payment details in another section.
Client bookings are the second step toward a job.
Once you’ve gone through the entire hiring process, it’s time to set your schedule. Minimum hours? None.
The schedule is yours, and you can set it up however you like.
When someone books an open slot, you’re required to honor the booking, which appears directly in your schedule within the app, and from there you can manage bookings, cancellations, and availability, all in one place.
If you need to change your schedule, let VIPTeacher know in advance. If a student cancels, the slot becomes available again.
Cancellation policies vary by partner. They’re clarified during onboarding so you won’t face any surprises later on if you ever need to cancel a class.
How do you get paid?
No matter how much you’ve earned during the pay period, the money goes straight to you (that’s the first thing I look for on any platform), you don’t have to reach a specific threshold to see it in your account.
You choose your payment schedule, whether weekly, every two weeks, or monthly, and once you’ve taught your classes, the money is paid out in the next payment period, either via direct bank transfer or PayPal, depending on the company you’re teaching for. Once you’ve set your schedule, all that’s left is to teach.
I find it convenient, since you don’t have to worry about how to get your money. HeyCash and Pawns work on the same principle, with secure payment via PayPal, if you’d like to check out other sites for making money online.
How Much Can You Earn with VIPTeacher?
Seven dollars.
That’s what you get paid for a 25-minute class. Double the time, double the pay, and for a full 50-minute class, you’ll make 14 dollars. On top of the base rate, you get an extra $2 if you take a last-minute class, and $5 every time a trial lesson turns into a paying student.
Monthly bonuses are tiered. They depend on how many classes you’ve taught on the platform so far, in total, and how many you’ve taught that specific month. On a weekly basis, you only receive the base rate, without bonuses. They’re included in the monthly payment, along with everything related to your tier.
All told, you’ll earn somewhere between $14 and $22 per hour taught. That’s not bad at all. But the actual amount depends on two things, how many hours you land and how strong your qualifications as a teacher are.
Do you get classes every week? The platform has many partners, and from what I’ve seen while browsing it, the chances are high (that’s what matters most).
Consistency makes the difference, not the base rate.
Who can use VIPTeacher?
The VIPTeacher form is just the first step, not the last.
To get started, create a teacher account. Fill out a form, upload a photo of the documents that prove your qualifications, and then move on to the demo. Record yourself teaching a specific subject, either on the website or through the app.
They’re not looking for perfection, but rather clarity, engagement, and some basic skills. Four things matter most:
- Choose a clean, simple background
- Keep your face centered in the frame
- Speak slowly and clearly
- Avoid unnecessary words
Easy to say, but not always easy to do in front of the camera.
If you pass the demo, you’ll have a one-on-one meeting with a mentor, teach a simulated class, and if you pass that as well, all that’s left is the background check, with your documents already uploaded. Only after all of this do you start teaching on VIPTeacher. This process is separate from the application you’ll submit later for jobs directly on the platform.
Who can actually apply? U.S. or Canadian citizens, but you can live anywhere in the world.
This usually means a U.S. or Canadian passport. If you have the proper documentation allowing you to work there legally, it’s still worth a try. However, teachers from California, New York, Washington, Connecticut, or Washington, D.C., are not accepted. If you live there, that’s it, there’s no point in looking any further.
That leaves the technical requirements. You need four things to be able to teach:
- Fast and stable internet, preferably via cable
- A laptop or desktop, Mac or PC, or even an iPad
- At least 8GB of RAM and an i5 processor or better, also from Intel
- A webcam, either built-in or external
A Chromebook won’t cut it. You can teach from an iPad, but most teachers prefer a computer, as it’s more stable. You’ll also need the VIPTeacher app, where the classes are held, and a quiet place to teach.
Long story short, that’s how I’d sum up the whole process. If you’re in a hurry to make money, it just won’t work.
Should You Apply for VIPTeacher?
One year. That’s what the drop-down menu under “teaching experience” requires, and if you check fewer years, the app automatically rejects your application without any explanation. Why does it matter so much? Because without that checkmark, you can’t even submit the form.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be classroom teaching. What counts is any experience you’ve had working with children, from Sunday school to camps, preschool, or homeschooling. You don’t even need to have this kind of experience beforehand to start teaching online. Babysitting, tutoring, coaching, or helping younger siblings at home, all count as teaching-related experience. If you’re not sure how to put it into words, ChatGPT or Claude can help you phrase it clearly on the app.
The short answer to the question of whether it’s worth applying is yes. But only if you know from the start what VIPTeacher is and, more importantly, what it isn’t.
It’s a low-risk way to get into online teaching, a reliable source of extra income, and a fallback you can turn to when you need some extra cash. A job for life? No, it isn’t. Nor does it replace running your own teaching business. For most people, it’s not a long-term career (for some it is, but they’re few and far between).
Pay has dropped compared to what it used to be.
That’s why most teachers use it strategically, not as their main source of income. They open classes on VIPTeacher only when their private students cancel, go on vacation, or when they want some extra income without the hassle of marketing, invoicing, and chasing payments.
Treat it as a tool, not a destination, and it still makes sense today.
There are five qualities that set a good teacher apart.
- Quickly realizes whether a student is talkative or shy and adjusts the lesson’s pace accordingly
- Brings movement and visual elements to the lesson
- Isn’t afraid to be a little silly
- Arrives prepared and on time
- Manages their time well
The rest comes naturally.
Can You Use It On Your Phone?
You still earn money entirely from your laptop or desktop.
The app doesn’t change that, no matter how good it looks on your phone.
You do need it, however, if you want access to available jobs. Without installing it, you won’t be able to access the job boards.
It runs on both Android and iOS, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility.
You can manage your bookings either through the web platform or directly from the app, whichever is more convenient for you, and in this regard, the two do exactly the same thing, so it doesn’t matter which one you choose.
Navigation is straightforward. You won’t get lost in the menus.
The app does one thing, it notifies you of new jobs and keeps your reservations up to date. The actual money stuff is handled by the desktop version.
Is VIPTeacher Legit?
VIPTeacher really is what it claims to be, a genuine online tutoring platform where you earn money by teaching tutoring sessions, and I think it’s a good choice if you can get a spot. The rates are competitive, but they also require constant commitment if you want to make serious money from them.
The thing is, no one guarantees you sessions.
Some tutors get lucky and have a full schedule. Others sit around waiting, with no explanation. The industry isn’t stable.
Don’t quit your day job for this money. Treat this income strictly as pocket money.
To get a spot, you have to provide documentation proving you’re a qualified teacher. It’s not for everyone. Without those credentials, you won’t get past the registration stage, no matter how much you want to.
Don’t rely on VIPTeacher as a steady source of income, especially if you’ve taken a break. Right now, there are more tutors than students, more than ever before. The company hasn’t stopped hiring new tutors, and teachers from traditional schools have moved all their classes online, so demand remains the same while supply keeps growing. Support for tutors has dropped to an all-time low, and the pay is low.
They say they’re booming. Whatever. It seems to me that they care more about their social media image than about the actual teaching.
Don’t have the required credentials, or just looking to make a little extra cash? I recommend my list of the top 10 survey and GPT sites, all with good potential for quick earnings. You’ll find something suitable no matter where you are.
Have you tried VIPTeacher? Tell me below what your experience was like.