Is Chegg Legit and Safe? A Full Complete Review

Chegg is a popular American education platform that helps students with textbooks, study materials, and homework solutions. It started as a textbook rental service but has grown into a full learning hub offering study guides, tutoring, writing help, and more. Many students use Chegg to save money on books and get extra support when classes get tough. While Chegg is a legitimate and genuine company, users should be careful not to misuse it for cheating or face academic trouble. Overall, it’s a handy study tool if used responsibly and ethically.

What it means when we say “Chegg is legit / safe”

Before diving into specifics, let’s unpack what we mean by legitimacy and safety in this context.

• When I say “legit”, I mean that the company is a real, registered business, operating legally, providing the services it claims, and not a fly-by-night or fraudulent entity.
• When I say “safe”, I mean that from the perspective of users (or customers) you can trust the firm to protect your data, operate responsibly, fulfil its obligations, and not put you at risk of misuse or loss of your rights.
• If I refer to “Chegg is safe”, I’m evaluating whether their systems, processes, and track record support this.
• If I refer to “scam” or “not genuine”, I’m highlighting situations where things don’t add up, risks are high, or operations may be unreliable or deceptive.

So: we want to figure out whether you (or any student/user) can reasonably trust Chegg — “Chegg is legit, Chegg is safe” — or whether you should be more cautious.

How Chegg works

Let’s go through what the company actually does — how it works — so that we understand the context for legitimacy and safety.

Company overview

• Chegg, Inc. is an American educational-technology company based in Santa Clara, California.
• The company provides services for students: textbook rentals and purchases, homework help, online tutoring, writing tools, flashcards, and more.
• Much of its user base consists of students who subscribe to its “study help” or homework help tools (in addition to book rentals).

What they do — in practical terms

When you’re a student facing a tough assignment or textbook cost, Chegg offers:

• Textbook rentals and purchases: You can rent or buy physical or digital textbooks.
• Homework help / step-by-step answers: You can ask questions, get solutions, and access “Chegg Study” style features.
• Writing tools / citations / tutoring: They provide writing help (proofreading, citation help), and online tutoring in some cases.
• Study aids: Flashcards, practice problems, explanation tools that help you learn. prestoexperts.co.uk

Why this matters for “legit / safe”

Because Chegg is large and has many users, and because students rely on it for academic support (which is sensitive and important), its legitimacy and safety matter a lot. If the company is legitimate and safe, you can trust it; if not, you risk wasting money, losing data, or facing academic integrity issues.

Thus: the “how it works” piece shows that Chegg is real, has a substantial role, and isn’t some tiny unknown startup. That’s a positive sign for “Chegg is legit.” But size and role also mean greater risk: for “Chegg is safe” we must check how well it handles those risks.

Features and services of Chegg

Let’s look at key features/services offered by Chegg — to understand what you might be getting and what you should expect.

Features

1. Textbook rental/purchase
   • One of Chegg’s original business lines. You can rent or buy textbooks.
   • For many students, renting reduces cost compared with buying.
2. Homework help / Q&A / study tools
   • Access to a database of solved problems, and the ability to ask questions and get help from “Experts.
   • Flashcards, explanatory tools to help you learn rather than merely copy.
3. Writing and citation support
   • Tools to help with writing essays, citations, grammar, referencing.
4. Tutoring/Online help
   • Some level of live or scheduled tutoring, though particular offerings may vary.

What this means for you (the student)

If you’re using Chegg:

• You might benefit from cheaper textbooks (versus buying full price).
• You might get help when you’re stuck on assignments, problems or writing.
• You will likely pay a subscription for certain features (homework help, writing help) — so you’ll want to weigh cost vs benefit.
• Because you’re using tools related to academic work, you also need to think about academic integrity: Are you using the service to learn, or just copy answers? That matters.

Thus, their feature set is broad, helpful in many cases — but also comes with responsibilities and some trade-offs.

Is Chegg legitimate?

Now let’s assess the legitimacy side: “Chegg is legit” — yes or no? And what indicates that?

Evidence supporting legitimacy

• Chegg is a publicly traded company, with a clearly documented history and corporate information.
• Many students have used Chegg for textbooks and study tools over many years. For example, a forum post from 2010 said: “I have used Chegg for the past 3 years with no problems… they have always been the cheapest prices for my books.
• The site is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) as a business.

Any caveats

• Being legitimate (real company) does not automatically guarantee flawless performance or perfect safety. Even legitimate companies can have issues (more on that later).
• Some users have reported serious dissatisfaction: billing issues, subscriber cancellation difficulties, poor customer service. For example, on Trustpilot, Chegg has a rating of 2.1/5 from many reviews.

My verdict on legitimacy

Yes — in my view, Chegg is legitimate. You can reasonably trust that it’s a real company doing real services. So to use the keyword: “Chegg is legit.”

Is Chegg safe?

Here is where things get more complex. Let’s ask: “Is Chegg safe?” — meaning: from the point of view of data security, reliability of operations, and protection of users.

Positive safety indicators

• According to one blog, Chegg is a safe and legal platform used by millions of students worldwide. prestoexperts.co.uk
• The business has been operating for many years, has buy/rent textbook operations, and students have used it without notable major systemic collapse.
• For basic usage (textbook rental/purchase) the risk is relatively low compared to some higher‐risk platforms.

Concerning safety issues / red flags

However — there are some very significant concerns, which I want to spell out carefully, so you and I are fully informed.

Customer service / billing complaints

• Many users complain about difficulties cancelling subscriptions, unexpected recurring charges, and poor customer support. For example: “It can be pretty bad … I asked how to solve one question and they kept suspending and deleting my questions … they kept charging despite cancellation.
• On SiteJabber, Chegg has rating of 1.4 stars from 457 reviews. Many complaints mention billing and refund issues.
• One review summary says: “Customers express significant dissatisfaction … unexpected recurring charges even after canceling their subscriptions.

Security / data privacy issues

• According to Wikipedia, Chegg had a data breach in April 2018 affecting about 40 million users (user names, emails, shipping addresses) though no social security numbers or bank info.
• The company was subject to action by the FTC for lax cybersecurity practices in January 2023.

Academic integrity / misuse risk

• Many universities and academic integrity bodies accuse Chegg of facilitating cheating or contract cheating. Though this is not about safety in the sense of cybersecurity, it’s about risk to the user’s academic reputation. Wikipedia notes: “Chegg has been accused of… facilitating cheating.
• One blog says: “Using Chegg is cheating if your institution regards using it as illicit … it can result in academic misconduct.” prestoexperts.co.uk

My verdict on safety

Given the evidence: Chegg is not unsafe in the sense that it is entirely untrustworthy — but it is not “perfectly safe” either. If you asked me, I’d say:

• It has legitimate services and large scale operations (so you can rely on it existing).
• But the billing, service and customer support issues, plus the data breach history mean that from a “safe-assured” perspective you should set your expectations and proceed with caution.
• And importantly: safety here also means academic integrity – if you rely on the service to copy answers you risk disciplinary issues (which is a kind of “safety” in your academic life).
  So: Chegg is safe, but with caution.

In short: While not a scam, the user experience suggests that you should be careful, especially with subscriptions, cancellation, and making sure you use the service ethically and securely.

Security, risk and trust in detail

Let’s dig deeper into the security, risk and trust aspects — because for a company like this, they are critical.

Data breach and privacy

• Chegg had a breach in April 2018, which exposed user names, emails, shipping addresses of ~40 million users.
• The FTC in Jan 2023 finalized an order with Chegg requiring comprehensive security controls and minimisation of data collection.
• So from a data security standpoint, the company has had serious issues. If you store information, you should be aware of this.

Service reliability and billing

• Many users report issues cancelling subscriptions, being overcharged, and receiving poor customer support. Average ratings are very low.
• For students on a budget, unexpected charges are a major risk.

Ethical/Academic risk

• Even if Chegg as a service is legitimate, how you use it matters. If you use it purely to copy answers instead of learn, you risk academic misconduct. As the blog says: “If your institution regards using Chegg for essays/homework as illicit, then using it may be cheating.” prestoexperts.co.uk
• So from a “risk to you” perspective: yes, there is a risk of disciplinary or reputational harm.

My summary of security/trust

In the world of online services, risk is inevitable — especially when you have services involving subscriptions, user data, and academic contexts. What matters is how the company prepares, responds, and recovers. Chegg has been legitimate and large scale, but the breach and user complaints reveal weak spots. If I were you, I’d trust Chegg conditionally: yes, it’s genuine, but you should be alert and ensure you understand what protections you have.

Pros and cons — the balance

To help you weigh things, here’s a simple breakdown of the major strengths (“pros”) and weaknesses (“cons”) of Chegg, especially around legitimacy and safe.

Pros:

• Chegg is a legitimate, well-known company trusted by millions of students worldwide.
• It offers affordable textbook rentals, homework help, and writing tools.
• When used correctly, it can make studying easier and help you understand tough subjects.
• The platform has improved its data security after past issues.

Cons:

• Chegg faced a data breach in 2018, raising some safety concerns.
• Some users complain about billing problems or hard-to-cancel subscriptions.
• Using Chegg to copy answers can lead to academic trouble.
• Customer support isn’t always fast or helpful.

Final verdict: Is Chegg legit and safe?

Putting all of this together: Yes, Chegg is legit, but the question “Is Chegg safe?” must be answered more cautiously.

I’d summarise as follows:

• If you are a student looking for textbook rentals, study help or writing assistance, you can consider Chegg as a real service. It is not a scam.
• But you should not treat it as risk-free. The safest stance is: use Chegg with awareness — understand your subscription, cancellation rights, how your data is handled, and how you’ll use the service (for learning vs simply copying answers).
• So: If I were you, I’d say: Yes, pick Chegg if you need the service, but read terms, watch your wallet, ask questions, and use it ethically.
  In SEO-style keywords:
• “Chegg is legit” — True.
• “Chegg is safe” — Mostly true, but with important qualifications.
• “Chegg scam” — No, it is not a scam per se.
• “Chegg security” — Significant issues historically.
• “Chegg is genuine” — Yes, it is genuine in its business.

A few practical tips if you’re considering Chegg

Here are a few friendly tips (as if I were talking to you) on what to do if you’re a student interacting with Chegg.

1. Check subscription details
   • Understand how the billing works, when you’ll be charged, how to cancel.
   • Set a reminder for when your trial or subscription ends.
   • Because of reports of cancellations being difficult, take note of cancellation instructions.
2. Use the service ethically
   • Use Chegg to learn, not to just copy answers. That way you reduce risk of academic misconduct.
   • If your assignment rules forbid copy/pasting from such services, respect that.
3. Protect your data
   • Use a secure password for your account.
   • Review your billing statements regularly to spot any unexpected charges.
   • If you ever leave Chegg, cancel subscription and check that charges have stopped.
4. Compare alternatives
   • If textbook rental is what you want, compare Chegg’s rental price vs other platforms.
   • If study help is the goal, compare Chegg vs other websites or tutoring services.
5. Customer support & reviews
   • Before committing to a long contract, check recent reviews specifically about user experience, support, cancellations.
   • Based on user reviews: Many complaints revolve around billing and support, so authenticity of support matters.

Wrapping up

So, to wrap up:

• We’ve seen that Chegg is a major player in the online education support space, with textbook rentals, homework help and writing tools.
• It is legitimate — “Chegg is legit”.
• It offers useful features, but also comes with risk — so you should use it thoughtfully.
• From a safety perspective: yes, you can use it, but set expectations: “Chegg is safe” holds if you manage your usage, billing, and data carefully. It is not risk-free.
• If you treat it as a helpful tool, not a shortcut for cheating, and watch your account/subscription details, you’ll get the most benefit and the least risk.

Is Chegg FAQ

1. What is Chegg?

Chegg is an online education platform that helps students with textbook rentals, homework help, writing support, and tutoring. It’s like having a study buddy who’s available 24/7 when you’re stuck.

2. Is Chegg legit?

Yes! Chegg is a legitimate, publicly traded U.S. company based in California. It’s been around since 2005 and is widely used by students worldwide for affordable learning tools.

3. Is Chegg safe to use?

Chegg is generally safe, but like any online platform, it’s smart to protect your personal info. It had a data breach in 2018, but since then, it’s improved its security measures.

4. Can Chegg get you in trouble?

It depends on how you use it. Using Chegg for learning or understanding problems is fine. But copying answers directly can be considered cheating and lead to academic penalties.

5. Does Chegg give refunds?

Chegg does offer refunds in certain situations, like if your book never arrived or a subscription was canceled on time. Always check their refund policy or contact support quickly.

6. Is Chegg free?

No, Chegg isn’t free. You’ll need a subscription for services like Chegg Study or Chegg Writing. However, you can sometimes get a free trial or discount as a new user.

7. How do I cancel my Chegg subscription?

You can cancel by logging into your Chegg account, going to “My Account,” and selecting “Cancel Subscription.” Make sure to do it before your next billing date to avoid charges.

8. Can teachers see if you use Chegg?

Yes, sometimes. Schools can request data from Chegg during academic investigations. So, if you post your homework question, it can be traced back to your account.

9. Does Chegg sell your data?

No, Chegg doesn’t sell personal data. But it does collect information for service use. Always read their privacy policy to stay informed about what’s shared.

10. Is Chegg worth it?

If you use it to actually learn — yes, Chegg can be super helpful. It can save money on textbooks and help you understand tough topics. Just use it responsibly.