How to Choose Tutor Scheduling Software

1. Printed calendars - Printed calendars are the most basic tutor scheduling system available. Using this method you record all tutoring sessions in writing on a printed calendar or possibly in an agenda notebook. Using printed calendars for managing tutoring schedules is probably only effective for independent tutors who only have to manage their own schedule.

Advantages
- Low-cost
- Easy to use

Disadvantages
- Not effective for managing schedules for more than one person
- Changes made to the calendar need to be communicated manually to each person involved so that they can update their own schedules.
- Data from calendar needs to be manually transferred to your billing and accounting system.

2. Computer-based Calendars - Most computers come with calendar software pre-installed and can be used for scheduling tutoring sessions. Computer-based calendars are a step up from printed calendars and can be used for managing schedules for multiple tutors.

Advantages
- Easy to make changes
- Can be used for multiple tutors and can often be synced to calendars on other computers

Disadvantages
- May require software to be installed on other computers for syncing to tutors/customers
- Data from calendar can't be integrated into your billing and accounting system.

3. Web-based Calendars - Web-based calendars are great for tutoring companies especially if you want your tutoring schedules to be accessible by tutors and customers from any computer with an internet connect. Probably the best known example of a web-based calendar that can be used for tutor scheduling is Google Calendar. The advantages and disadvantages listed below will refer to Google Calendar specifically.

Advantages
- Free to use
- Accessible from any internet-enabled computer
- Schedules can be accessed by tutors and tutoring customers from any computer
- Calendar can be synced to other calendar systems or to mobile devices.
- Schedules from different tutors or students can be created separately and viewed separately or together on a single calendar.

Disadvantages
- Data from calendar can't be integrated into your billing and accounting system.
- Setting up separate calendars for each student can be time-consuming, but is necessary if you want clients to only be able to view their own tutoring schedule.

4. Integrated Web-based Scheduling Systems - If you're a full-time tutor or own a tutoring company it makes sense to integrate your tutor scheduling with the rest of your business's administrative processes. Data entered into your tutor scheduling system can be used in other administrative processes such as billing, accounting and tracking tutor hours. A good example of this type of system is TutorPanel. The advantages and disadvantages listed below will refer specifically to TutorPanel features.

Advantages
- Web-based so it can be accessed by tutors, students and parents from any web-enabled computer.
- Setting up schedules for multiple tutors and students is very quick. Each tutor and student can only access their own schedules.
- Data from tutoring schedule is used in the billing process, accounting and for tracking tutor hours. This minimizes time spent re-entering data and reduces chance of clerical errors.
- Can be synced with Google Calendar

Disadvantages
- Unlike the other systems TutorPanel is not free, but it's affordable and the time-savings should pay for the cost.