There are hundreds of online Quran academies, and their websites all promise expert teachers and flexible timings. Some are excellent. Some are agencies matching students with whoever is free. These ten checks help you tell the difference, and most of them can be answered before you pay anything.

1. Can you see who the teachers are?

Look for named teachers with photos and clear qualifications, not stock images and "certified tutors". You should know who will be teaching you or your child before you start. Ours are listed on our teachers page.

2. Are the qualifications real and relevant?

Ask specifically: Is the teacher a hafiz? Do they hold an ijazah, and in which narration? Who granted it? What experience do they have teaching your age group? A genuine teacher answers readily. Our guide to what an ijazah is explains what to ask.

3. Will you have the same teacher every time?

Consistency matters, especially for children. A rotating cast of teachers means no one knows your progress well. Ask whether a teacher is assigned to you, and what happens if they are unavailable.

4. Are lessons live and one-on-one?

For reading and tajweed, a teacher needs to hear every word you say. Ask how long you will actually be reading aloud in each lesson. We compare formats in group vs one-on-one classes.

5. Is the free trial real?

A good trial is a genuine lesson with the teacher you would actually have, not a sales call. It should require no card details. See what a free trial should include.

6. Is pricing clear?

You should be able to find out the monthly cost, what it includes, and the policy for missed or rescheduled classes, before you enrol. Ask about registration fees and what happens after any introductory offer. See hidden costs to watch for and what online classes typically cost.

7. Is safeguarding taken seriously?

For children: can parents sit in? Does all communication go through parents? Are lessons recorded, and if so, who sees the recordings? See our safeguarding checklist.

8. Do they report progress?

Ask how you will know what was covered and what to practise. Regular, simple updates are a sign of an organised academy. See how to monitor progress.

9. Do the timings actually work?

"24/7 availability" means little if the good teachers are only free at 3 am in your time zone. Ask for specific slots in your local time before committing. Families in different regions may find our guides for the US, the UK, Canada and Australia useful.

10. What do real students say?

Look for reviews on independent platforms such as Google or Trustpilot, not only testimonials on the academy's own site. Read a few recent ones, including the less positive. Ask the academy if you can speak to a current family.

Red flags

• No named teachers, or the same few stock photos everywhere.
• Card details required for a "free" trial.
• Prices only revealed after you sign up.
• Pressure to commit to long packages immediately.
• Large claims ("10,000 students", "since 2005") with nothing to back them.
• Reluctance to let parents observe lessons.

Judge the trial itself

After the trial, ask yourself: Did the teacher listen carefully and correct patiently? Did I, or my child, learn something new? Did it feel comfortable? Would I happily do this three times a week? If the answer is yes, you have probably found a good fit.

We are happy to be measured against this list. Our classes are live, one-on-one, with named Hafiz and Ijazah-certified teachers, and the free trial needs no card. You can also read what families say on our reviews page.