Private Quran Tutor vs App: What Parents Should Know

Private Quran tutors have been the traditional choice for teaching children Quranic recitation. But in 2026, AI-powered Quran apps like Thurayya offer a compelling alternative — especially for young children (ages 3-8) learning at home. Here's an honest comparison.

Cost Comparison

Private Tutor: £15–40 per hour, 2–3 times per week = £120–480/month.
Thurayya App: Subscription-based, typically £5–10/month for unlimited practice.

Over a year, a private tutor costs £1,440–5,760. Thurayya costs £60–120. The savings are significant, especially for families with multiple children.

Availability and Flexibility

Private Tutor: Fixed schedule, often evenings or weekends. Tutor illness, holidays, or cancellations disrupt learning. Commute time if not online.
Thurayya App: Available 24/7. Children practice whenever it suits the family schedule. No commute, no cancellations.

For busy families, the flexibility of an app is transformative.

Consistency and Repetition

Private Tutor: 1–2 hours per week. Children need daily practice to build fluency, which tutors can't provide.
Thurayya App: Unlimited daily practice. Children can recite the same surah 10 times in a row if they want. Repetition is key to memorization.

Daily practice with Thurayya builds muscle memory and fluency faster than weekly tutor sessions.

AI Speech Feedback vs Human Correction

Private Tutor: Provides real-time tajweed correction, personalized advice, and spiritual mentorship.
Thurayya App: AI listens to recitation and corrects pronunciation instantly. No waiting, no judgment. Children feel safe to make mistakes and try again.

For young children (3-8), the non-judgmental AI feedback in Thurayya is often more effective than human correction, which can feel intimidating.

Safety and Safeguarding

Private Tutor: Requires vetting, DBS checks (in the UK), and safeguarding protocols. Online tutors may be located abroad with varying standards.
Thurayya App: No stranger interaction. Children learn independently in the safety of home. Parents control access and monitor progress.

For parents concerned about safeguarding, apps eliminate the risk entirely.

The Best of Both Worlds

The ideal setup? Use Thurayya for daily practice at home, and supplement with a weekly private tutor for personalized guidance and spiritual mentorship. This gives children consistent daily practice (app) plus human connection and advanced tajweed instruction (tutor). Compare the options yourself: Thurayya vs Private Quran Tutor.