Course Hero charges money for most features, but the site does offer some free access
Course Hero is not free. The platform offers a limited free tier that lets you view a small number of documents per month, but to unlock most of the site's study materials—textbook solutions, essays, lecture notes, and informed Q&A—you need a paid subscription. The cost varies depending on which plan you choose and how long you commit to it.
The free tier gives you access to browse the site and ask questions, but you hit a document-viewing limit quickly. Once you reach that limit, you cannot see more study materials without paying. This is how Course Hero makes money: by restricting access to its library of student-uploaded and professionally created content.
Key Takeaways
- Course Hero's free tier allows you to view a limited number of documents per month before hitting a paywall.
- Monthly subscription plans range from roughly $15 to $40 per month depending on the length of your commitment and current promotions.
- Annual plans cost less per month than month-to-month plans, but require paying a larger upfront amount.
- Course Hero occasionally runs discounts for new users, so the price you see may differ from the standard rate.
- You can cancel your subscription at any time, though refund policies depend on how long you have been subscribed.
Monthly and annual subscription pricing
Course Hero offers two main subscription lengths: month-to-month and annual. A month-to-month plan typically costs between $15 and $20 per month, though the exact price changes based on promotions and your location. An annual plan usually costs between $120 and $180 per year when paid upfront, which works out to roughly $10 to $15 per month if you divide the total by 12.
The annual plan is cheaper per month, but it requires you to pay the full year's cost at once. If you are unsure whether you will use the service for a full year, the month-to-month option gives you more flexibility, even though it costs more overall. Course Hero frequently runs promotional pricing for new users, so the first month or two may be discounted.
Prices vary by region and change periodically, so the exact amount you see when you visit the site may differ from these ranges. The site displays the current price before you enter any payment information, so you always know the cost before committing.
What the free tier includes and its limits
The free account lets you create a profile, ask questions in the Q&A section, and upload documents to earn credits. You can also view a small number of documents per month—typically between 3 and 5—before the paywall appears. This is enough to test whether the service is useful for your courses, but not enough to rely on it as your main study tool.
Once you hit your monthly document limit, you see a message asking you to upgrade. At that point, you cannot view more study materials without a paid subscription. The limit resets each month, so if you only need a few documents occasionally, the free tier might work for your situation.
What paid subscriptions unlock
A paid subscription removes the document-viewing limit and gives you unlimited access to Course Hero's library. This includes textbook solutions, study guides, essays, lecture notes, and the ability to ask informed tutors questions through the Q&A section. Paid subscribers can also read documents as PDFs and save them for later.
The subscription also gives you access to Course Hero's tutoring feature, where you can message tutors directly about homework problems or concepts you do not understand. Response times vary, but tutors typically reply within a few hours to a day. This is separate from the general Q&A section and is one of the main reasons students pay for the service.
How to check your current usage and manage your subscription
If you have a free account, Course Hero shows you how many documents you have viewed and how many you have left for the month. This counter appears at the top of the page or in your account settings. Once you are close to your limit, the site reminds you before you hit the paywall.
If you have a paid subscription, you can manage it through your account settings. From there, you can view your billing date, change your payment method, or cancel your subscription. Most subscriptions renew automatically on the same day each month or year, so check your settings if you want to avoid an unexpected charge.
Refunds and cancellation policies
Course Hero allows you to cancel your subscription at any time through your account settings. If you cancel, your access continues until the end of your current billing period—you do not lose access when ready. After that date, your account reverts to the free tier.
Refunds depend on how long you have been subscribed. If you cancel within a few days of your first charge, you may be able to request a refund. After that window, refunds are generally not available, though you can always cancel to stop future charges. The exact refund window varies, so check Course Hero's terms or contact their support team if you need clarification on your specific situation.
Alternatives if you want free study materials
If the cost of Course Hero is a barrier, several free alternatives exist. OpenStax offers free, peer-reviewed textbooks in many subjects. Khan Academy provides free video lessons and practice problems across math, science, and other topics. Your school library may also offer free access to study databases and tutoring services that you have already paid for through tuition.
Chegg, another popular study platform, also charges for most features but offers a free trial period. LibreTexts provides free textbooks and study materials for many college courses. Reddit communities like r/HomeworkHelp and r/learnmath connect you with volunteers who answer questions for free, though the quality and speed of responses vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Course Hero for free permanently?
You can use the free tier indefinitely, but it limits you to viewing a few documents per month. If you need regular access to study materials, the free tier will not be enough, and you will need to pay for a subscription.
Does Course Hero offer student discounts?
Course Hero does not advertise a specific student discount program, but it runs frequent promotions for new users. Check the site directly or look for promotional emails, as first-time subscriber rates are often lower than the standard monthly price.
What happens if I cancel my subscription mid-month?
You keep access until the end of your current billing period. After that date, your account becomes a free tier account. You will not be charged again unless you manually resubscribe.
Is Course Hero worth the cost?
That depends on your courses and study habits. If you regularly need textbook solutions, study guides, or tutoring help, the subscription may save you time and money compared to buying textbooks or hiring a tutor. If you only need help occasionally, the free tier or free alternatives might be sufficient.
Can I share a Course Hero subscription with a friend?
Course Hero's terms of service prohibit sharing accounts. Each subscription is tied to one person, and sharing login credentials violates their policy. Both users would need separate subscriptions to use the service legally.