How AlongSide Works
Start to Finish

Describe what you want to do — change your brakes, reef tank setup, learn to weld — and post it as an Ask. The moment you post, AlongSide suggests qualified Guides matched to your Ask — invite them directly, or let Guides in your area apply with tiered offers. You can also skip the post and message a Guide straight from their profile.

Guides submit offers with tiered Levels: Talk Me Through, Watch Over, Side by Side, Hands Together, or Done For You. Each Level has its own price. You'll get an email the moment an offer lands.

Review the Guide's pitch, portfolio, and pricing. Accept any Level, send a counter-offer to negotiate price, or decline. The negotiation stays in the app until both sides agree.

Once you accept an offer, a pending Session is created and the Guide is notified. The Guide reviews and confirms. You both get a confirmation email with the full Session details.

After confirmation, you authorize payment. Your card is held — not charged — until the Session is marked complete. Free sessions skip this step entirely.

Show up, do the work, ask every question. The Guide guides, demonstrates, or works alongside you depending on the Level you chose. You leave with real skills and a completed Ask.

After the Guide marks the Session complete, both parties receive a review request. Members rate the Guide on expertise, teaching, communication, and value. Guides rate Members on preparedness, communication, and respect.

48 hours after Session completion, your held payment is captured and transferred to the Guide's bank account. The Guide receives an email confirmation. Disputes can be raised before the 48-hour window closes.