Terms of Service

Effective date: June 1, 2026

Last updated: June 1, 2026

These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the LearnOut platform operated by LearnOut, LLC ("LearnOut," "we," "us," or "our"), including the website at learnout.io, any related mobile applications, and all associated services (collectively, the "Platform").

Please read these Terms carefully before using the Platform. By creating an account, booking a class, or listing a class, you agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated by reference. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

1. Marketplace role

LearnOut is a technology marketplace that connects independent teachers with students for in-person learning experiences. LearnOut is not a party to any agreement between a teacher and a student, is not an employer of any teacher, and does not supervise, direct, control, or monitor any class or teaching activity.

LearnOut does not guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of any class listing, teacher qualification, or student representation. Each user is solely responsible for their own conduct and for evaluating any person they interact with through the Platform.

2. Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years old to create an account, book a class, or list a class on LearnOut.
  • By creating an account, you confirm that you are 18 years of age or older and that all information you provide is accurate and complete.
  • If you are booking a class that a minor will attend, you represent that you are the parent or legal guardian of that minor and you accept these Terms on their behalf. Teachers must obtain separate written parental or guardian consent before permitting minors to participate.
  • LearnOut does not knowingly collect information from or permit account creation by individuals under 18. If we learn that a minor has created an account, we will terminate it.
  • You may not use the Platform if you have been previously banned or removed by LearnOut.

3. Accounts

To access most features of the Platform, you must create an account. You agree to:

  • Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and keep it updated.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of your login credentials and not share them with others.
  • Notify us immediately at support@learnout.io if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.
  • Accept responsibility for all activity that occurs under your account, whether or not authorized by you.
  • Not create more than one account without our prior written consent.

4. Teacher terms

Independent contractor status

Teachers on LearnOut are independent contractors, not employees, agents, partners, joint venturers, or franchisees of LearnOut. Nothing in these Terms creates any employment, partnership, or agency relationship. Teachers:

  • Set their own schedules, prices, class content, and teaching methods.
  • Are solely responsible for their own federal, state, and local taxes, including self-employment tax. LearnOut does not withhold taxes from payouts.
  • Are not entitled to employee benefits of any kind from LearnOut, including workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, or health benefits.
  • Are responsible for carrying any insurance appropriate to their activity, including general liability insurance for classes involving physical risk.

Tax reporting

Stripe, our payment processor, issues Form 1099-K directly to teachers who meet the IRS reporting threshold in a calendar year. LearnOut does not issue tax documents. Teachers are responsible for reporting all income earned through the Platform, regardless of whether a 1099-K is issued. Consult a tax professional for guidance.

Teacher obligations

By listing a class on LearnOut, you represent and agree that:

  • All information in your profile and class listings is accurate, current, and not misleading.
  • You hold all licenses, certifications, and permits required by law for any regulated activity you teach.
  • You will disclose all material risks associated with your class in your listing before students book.
  • You will conduct a safety briefing at the start of every session that involves physical risk.
  • You will maintain a safe learning environment and take reasonable precautions to prevent harm.
  • You will honor your stated cancellation policy and scheduled class dates.
  • You will respond to student inquiries within 48 hours.
  • You will immediately report any safety incidents, injuries, or disputes to LearnOut at support@learnout.io.

Stripe Connect requirement

To receive payouts, teachers must connect a Stripe account and complete Stripe's identity verification. LearnOut may withhold payouts if a teacher's Stripe account enters a restricted or disabled state. Teachers are responsible for maintaining a valid, fully enabled Stripe Connect account. LearnOut will not be liable for delays in payouts caused by Stripe account issues.

5. Student terms

By booking a class on LearnOut, you agree that:

  • You have read the full class description, requirements, and any risk disclosures before booking.
  • You meet any age, experience, or physical requirements stated in the class listing.
  • You will arrive on time and prepared for the class.
  • You will follow the teacher's instructions and any stated safety guidelines.
  • You will treat the teacher, other students, and the venue with respect.
  • You will not bring guests who have not booked and paid for the class without the teacher's prior consent.
  • You understand that LearnOut does not conduct criminal background checks on teachers, and that you assume responsibility for your own assessment of whether a class is appropriate for you.

6. Prohibited conduct

You may not use the Platform to:

  • List, offer, or facilitate any illegal activity.
  • Accept payment for classes outside of the Platform ("off-platform payments"). Doing so to circumvent LearnOut fees is grounds for immediate account termination.
  • Post false, misleading, or defamatory content, including false reviews.
  • Discriminate against any user on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, or any other protected characteristic.
  • Harass, threaten, or intimidate any user.
  • Attempt to scrape, harvest, or extract data from the Platform by automated means.
  • Reverse engineer, decompile, or otherwise attempt to extract source code from the Platform.
  • Use the Platform in any way that violates applicable law.

Prohibited class types

The following types of classes may not be listed on LearnOut:

  • Online-only or virtual classes (the Platform is for in-person experiences only).
  • Classes involving illegal substances or activities.
  • Classes that require state licensing the teacher does not hold (e.g., cosmetology, massage therapy, electrical work, medical procedures).
  • Classes that involve unsupervised participation by minors without parental consent procedures.
  • Classes that are primarily promotional for another product or service.

7. Payments and fees

Platform fee

LearnOut charges a platform service fee of 15% of the gross booking amount on each transaction. This fee is deducted from the teacher's payout. Students pay the listed price in full; the fee is not an additional charge to students.

Payment processing

All payments are processed through Stripe. By making or receiving a payment through the Platform, you agree to Stripe's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. LearnOut does not store payment card numbers or bank account details. Stripe's processing fees are separate from LearnOut's platform fee and are deducted by Stripe from the transaction amount.

Teacher payouts

Teacher payouts are processed automatically after a class session is completed, typically within 24 hours of the session end time. Payouts are subject to Stripe's standard transfer timelines (typically 2 business days to a US bank account). LearnOut reserves the right to delay or withhold payouts in cases of active disputes, chargebacks, or suspected fraud.

Cancellations and refunds

  • Teacher cancellations: if a teacher cancels a class or session, all confirmed students receive a full refund automatically. LearnOut's platform fee is also refunded in this case.
  • Student cancellations: refund eligibility is determined by the cancellation window set by the teacher (displayed on the class listing before booking). If you cancel within the refund window, you receive a full refund of the booking price. If you cancel outside the refund window, the refund amount depends on the teacher's late-cancellation policy for that class, also shown on the class listing before booking: either no refund, or a 50% refund of the booking price. Stripe's processing fee is non-refundable.
  • No-shows: students who do not attend a class without cancelling are not entitled to a refund.
  • Discretionary refunds: LearnOut may, at its sole discretion, issue refunds outside the standard policy in exceptional circumstances.

Chargebacks and disputes

If a student initiates a chargeback with their card issuer, the disputed amount plus any fees assessed by Stripe may be deducted from the teacher's future payouts. If a chargeback is resolved in LearnOut's favor, the amount will be restored. Teachers who accumulate excessive chargebacks may have their accounts suspended.

8. Assumption of risk

Many classes on LearnOut involve inherent physical, creative, or other risks. By booking a class, you acknowledge that you have reviewed any risk disclosures provided by the teacher for that class and you voluntarily assume those risks.

For classes flagged as involving elevated risk (physical activities, sharp tools, heat, fire, allergens, or similar hazards), you are required to check an explicit acknowledgment before your booking is confirmed. This acknowledgment — "I understand the risks and take responsibility for my participation" — is incorporated into and forms part of these Terms with respect to that booking.

Teachers are required to disclose all known material risks in their class listings. Students should review this information carefully before booking and contact the teacher with any questions prior to attending.

9. Identity verification and safety

LearnOut requires teachers to complete identity verification through Stripe before payouts are enabled. This verification confirms government-issued identity documents.

LearnOut does not conduct criminal background checks on teachers. Identity verification is not a guarantee of a teacher's suitability, character, fitness to teach, or absence of a criminal record. Students should use their own judgment, read reviews, and contact teachers with questions before booking. If something feels wrong, do not attend.

10. Reviews

  • Reviews may only be submitted by students who have completed a booked and paid session.
  • Reviews must be honest, accurate, and based on your genuine experience.
  • Reviews may not contain defamatory, hateful, or false statements.
  • LearnOut does not edit reviews but reserves the right to remove reviews that violate these Terms.
  • Teachers may not incentivize, solicit, or coerce positive reviews.
  • Attempting to manipulate the review system is grounds for account termination.

11. Communications and messaging

The Platform includes a messaging system for teachers and students to communicate about bookings. You agree to use this system only for legitimate communications related to classes booked on the Platform. You may not use the messaging system to:

  • Solicit off-platform payments or circumvent LearnOut's fee system.
  • Send spam, promotional content, or unsolicited marketing.
  • Harass, threaten, or abuse other users.
  • Share content that is illegal, obscene, or violates the rights of others.

LearnOut does not monitor messages in real time but may review message content in connection with a dispute investigation or safety concern.

12. Intellectual property

LearnOut's property

The Platform and all of its content, features, and functionality — including the LearnOut name, logo, design, software, and text — are owned by LearnOut or its licensors and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works from any part of the Platform without our prior written consent.

Teacher content

Teachers retain ownership of their original class descriptions, photos, and curriculum materials ("Teacher Content"). By posting Teacher Content on the Platform, you grant LearnOut a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to display, reproduce, and distribute the Teacher Content for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform, including on social media and in marketing materials. This license ends when you delete the content or close your account.

User reviews

By submitting a review, you grant LearnOut a perpetual, irrevocable, non-exclusive license to display and use the review content on the Platform and in marketing materials.

13. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, LearnOut is not responsible for:

  • Injuries, death, property damage, or other losses that occur during or arise from any class.
  • The quality, safety, accuracy, or legality of any class listing or teacher representation.
  • Disputes between teachers and students.
  • Teacher qualifications, certifications, background, or fitness to teach.
  • Interruptions, errors, or unavailability of the Platform.
  • Any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, or consequential damages.

Aggregate liability cap: In no event shall LearnOut's total cumulative liability to you for any claims arising out of or related to these Terms or the Platform exceed the greater of (a) the total platform fees paid by you to LearnOut in the twelve months preceding the claim, or (b) one hundred dollars ($100).

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitations of liability. In such jurisdictions, our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

14. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless LearnOut and its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from: (a) your use of the Platform; (b) your violation of these Terms; (c) your violation of any third-party right; or (d) any class you teach or attend. This obligation survives termination of your account and these Terms.

15. Termination

LearnOut may suspend or terminate your account and access to the Platform at any time, with or without notice, for any violation of these Terms or for any other reason at our discretion.

You may close your account at any time by contacting support@learnout.io. Account closure does not affect any obligations that arose before closure, including outstanding payouts owed to teachers or refunds owed to students.

Upon termination: (a) your right to use the Platform ceases immediately; (b) pending teacher payouts for completed sessions will be processed on the normal schedule; (c) pending student refunds for cancelled sessions will be processed automatically; (d) active bookings may be cancelled at LearnOut's discretion with full refunds issued to students. Sections 1, 7, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17 survive termination.

16. Dispute resolution

Please read this section carefully. It affects your legal rights.

Disputes between users

LearnOut is not obligated to resolve disputes between teachers and students. However, we provide a dispute mechanism through the Platform. To file a dispute, contact support@learnout.io within 14 days of the class date. LearnOut's decision regarding platform disputes is final with respect to payout release but does not constitute a legal judgment.

Disputes with LearnOut

Informal resolution first: before initiating any formal proceeding, contact us at legal@learnout.io and give us 30 days to attempt informal resolution.

Small claims court: either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court if the claim qualifies and remains an individual (non-class) claim.

Binding arbitration: if informal resolution fails, disputes will be resolved through binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Consumer Arbitration Rules (adr.org). Arbitration will be conducted in Cook County, Illinois, or remotely if both parties agree. For claims under $10,000 initiated by a user, LearnOut will pay all AAA filing fees. Each party bears its own attorneys' fees unless the arbitrator finds a claim frivolous.

Class action waiver: all disputes must be brought on an individual basis. You waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration. If this waiver is found unenforceable for a particular claim, that claim must be brought in court and not in arbitration.

17. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Subject to the arbitration agreement above, any legal action not subject to arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Cook County, Illinois, and you consent to the personal jurisdiction of those courts.

18. Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email at least 14 days before the changes take effect. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree to the updated Terms, you must stop using the Platform and may close your account.

19. General

  • Entire agreement: these Terms and the Privacy Policy constitute the entire agreement between you and LearnOut regarding the Platform and supersede all prior agreements.
  • Severability: if any provision of these Terms is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full force.
  • No waiver: our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of our right to enforce it in the future.
  • Assignment: you may not assign your rights under these Terms. LearnOut may assign these Terms in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.

20. Contact

For questions about these Terms of Service:

These Terms of Service were last reviewed by LearnOut on June 1, 2026. They do not constitute legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for questions about your specific situation.