Course Hero

Overview

Course Hero is a study platform where students and educators share course-specific learning resources, alongside textbook explanations, AI help, and expert tutors. It suits students who want several forms of course support in one place. Its main trade-off is that free unlocks expire after 30 days, while regular monthly access requires Premier.

Founded in 2006, Course Hero covers a broad range of subjects and also serves educators who share materials and collaborate on instruction. Its usefulness depends in part on whether its course materials fit the classes a student is taking.

Key features

A course-focused study library

The library includes practice problems, study guides, videos, class notes, and textbook solutions with explanations. Textbook Solutions offer step-by-step explanations verified by educators, a useful choice when a learner needs to understand how an answer is reached rather than only locate a document. Document uploads and image question input provide additional ways to seek help.

Tutors and AI assistance

Expert tutors provide homework help 24/7. Generative AI creates step-by-step explanations from tutor answers and Course Hero library materials, with human reviewers and automated systems used for quality. AI content is labeled, and Course Hero warns it may be inaccurate or offensive; learners can verify answers with a human tutor. That makes the AI a starting point, not a substitute for checking important answers.

Browser integration

The Chrome extension lets learners highlight text on the web and ask Course Hero questions through a right-click menu or panel. It is a practical route from online reading to a question, but it is specifically a Chrome extension. Course Hero works best in Firefox, Chrome, Safari, or Edge.

Pricing

Basic: 0.00 USD per free, billed as a no-cost Basic Membership. It allows browsing study documents, pay-per-question homework help, and earning unlocks by contributing materials. Uploading original study materials earns access to documents, textbook solutions, and Q&As for 30 days. This is the sensible starting point for occasional use, but earned access is temporary rather than a continuing monthly allowance.

Premier: 9.95 USD per month, billed as low as $9.95 per month. It includes 30 course-specific resources per month, Ask AI, expert tutors, and textbook solutions. Premier members receive 30 unlocks per month and up to 40 tutor questions depending on membership. Those limits matter to students who expect frequent help; Premier is a more predictable fit than relying on uploads, but it is not unlimited access. There is no free trial.

Premier Plus: Custom pricing. It includes QuillBot Premium and Symbolab alongside Course Hero access, which may suit learners who want those bundled tools as well as study resources. Premier Plus includes are not a reason to choose it if those other tools are not useful to you.

Platforms

Course Hero is available on Android, iOS, the web, and as an extension. Its mobile apps broaden access beyond a desktop browser, while the Chrome extension adds question access from web text.

Who it's for

Course Hero is strongest for students who want course-related documents, educator-verified worked textbook explanations, tutor help, and AI assistance within one service. Educators may also find a role in sharing resources and collaborating on instruction. It is less compelling for someone who needs unlimited monthly access or expects uploads to unlock materials permanently.

Pros and cons

• Pros: A broad mix of notes, videos, study guides, practice problems, and textbook solutions supports different kinds of course work.
• Pros: Educator-verified step-by-step textbook explanations and 24/7 expert tutor help offer routes beyond self-serve documents.
• Pros: Basic membership costs 0.00 USD per free, and original contributions can earn 30-day unlocks.
• Cons: Earned unlocks last 30 days, so contributing materials does not provide permanent access.
• Cons: Premier caps monthly use at 30 unlocks and up to 40 tutor questions depending on membership.
• Cons: AI explanations may be inaccurate or offensive, so learners need to review them and use human tutors to verify when needed.

Alternatives

For a broader directory of services in this category, see Homework Help Software.

Choose Gauth instead if a free-to-download AI-powered math solution is the priority; its Gauth PLUS offers more expert interactions, and it has a free trial. QuestionAI is an option for learners seeking unlimited problem solving and image uploads through its yearly subscription, billed $4.90 USD/month. Choose Pearson AI Tutor if its paid monthly, quarterly, or annual plans better match your preferred billing term.

QANDA may suit learners looking for unlimited AI questions, video solutions, AI quiz creation, written-solution feedback, and ad-free solution search. Solvely is another freemium option with a free trial. StudyX may be a fit for learners who want AI notes, flashcards, quizzes, live transcription, AI chat, and an ad-free experience, and it offers a free trial. Homework Rabbit is another freemium option on Android and web. Quizard AI is a freemium option available on Android, iOS, web, and as an extension.

Verdict

Choose Course Hero if you want a course-oriented library backed by educator-verified textbook explanations and access to tutors, with AI help as an additional route. Its combination of study materials and human support is the main reason to choose it; look elsewhere if you need uncapped access or lasting unlocks without a paid membership.