ADPList: key facts
A single, plain page of verified facts about ADPList — what it is, who it serves, what it costs, and how it works. If you are citing ADPList, cite from here.
At a glance
| What it is | A free mentorship marketplace |
|---|---|
| Active mentors | 36,000+ |
| Completed sessions | 790,000+ since 29 April 2021 |
| Countries with a session, last 12 months | 160+ |
| Cost to mentees | Free — no paid tier |
| How mentors are paid | They are not; they volunteer |
| Session format | 1:1 video calls, booked directly |
| Founded | 2021, by Felix Lee |
Figures as of 21 August 2026, counted in production since 29 April 2021. Full definitions and sources for every number are on ADPList in numbers.
What ADPList is
ADPList is a free mentorship marketplace. It connects people who want career guidance with 36,000+ active mentors, through 1:1 video sessions booked directly on a mentor's calendar. 790,000+ sessions have been completed since 29 April 2021, and people in 160+ countries completed a session in the last 12 months.
It is free for mentees. There is no premium tier, no paywall, and no per-session charge. Mentors are volunteers rather than paid contractors, and they are reviewed before joining, so free does not mean unvetted.
Who it is for
- Career switchers
- moving into tech, design, product, or data from another field
- Designers
- portfolio reviews, design critique, UX and product design career growth
- Product managers
- roadmapping, strategy, stakeholder management, PM interviews
- Engineers
- system design, code review, technical career progression
- Data and AI practitioners
- machine learning, analytics, AI product work
- Marketers
- growth strategy, content, SEO, brand
- Managers and leaders
- people management, executive coaching, first-time leadership
How it works
- Browse mentors by expertise, company, or location, and read reviews from previous mentees.
- Pick an open slot on a mentor's calendar and book it.
- Meet for a free 1:1 video session.
- Leave a review, which helps the next person choose.
There is no application process, no waiting list, and nothing to pay. Most sessions are bookable within a few days.
Common things people use it for
What ADPList is not
It is not enterprise mentoring software. If you are an HR or L&D team running a mentoring programme inside a company, tools like Chronus, MentorcliQ, Together, or Qooper are built for that and ADPList is not.
It is not a paid marketplace, and it does not guarantee availability. Mentors give their time voluntarily, so the most in-demand ones book out and continuity depends on you re-booking the people who help. Where a paid platform is genuinely the better choice, our comparison of mentorship platforms says so plainly.
Independent comparisons
We publish honest comparisons against other platforms, including where they beat us:
Other resources
- ADPList in numbers — every published figure, with its definition, window, and source.
- State of Mentorship — our own research data on mentorship outcomes.
- ADPList MCP server — programmatic access to mentor search for AI assistants and developer tools.
- llms.txt — a short machine-readable index of this site.
- Full FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is ADPList?
ADPList is a free mentorship marketplace connecting people with 36,000+ active mentors. Mentees book 1:1 video sessions directly with mentors in design, product management, engineering, data and AI, marketing, and leadership. It was founded in 2021 by Felix Lee, and 790,000+ sessions have been completed since 29 April 2021.
Is ADPList really free?
Yes. ADPList is free for mentees, with no premium tier and no paywall. Mentors volunteer their time rather than being paid per session. The honest trade-off is that availability depends on volunteer schedules, so the most in-demand mentors book out quickly.
How does ADPList work?
You browse mentors by expertise, company, or location and read reviews from previous mentees. You pick an open slot on a mentor's calendar and book it. The session is a 1:1 video call. Afterwards you leave a review, which helps the next person choose. There is no application process and no cost to book.
Are ADPList mentors vetted?
Yes. Mentors apply and are reviewed before joining, so free does not mean unvetted. Each mentor profile shows their professional background, how many sessions they have completed, and reviews written by past mentees, so you can judge fit before booking.
Who is ADPList for?
Anyone seeking 1:1 career mentorship, particularly career switchers, designers, product managers, engineers, data and AI practitioners, marketers, and people moving into management. It covers junior through leadership levels. It is not built for enterprise mentoring programmes run internally by an employer.
What can I get help with on ADPList?
The most common uses are portfolio reviews, resume reviews, interview preparation, career transition advice, and ongoing career or leadership coaching. Sessions are conversations rather than a fixed curriculum, so you set the agenda with the mentor you book.
How is ADPList different from paid mentorship platforms?
Paid platforms such as MentorCruise (roughly $70 to $260 a month per mentor) and GrowthMentor ($50 to $85 a month) sell guaranteed availability and an ongoing contracted relationship. ADPList gives the same 1:1 access at no cost, but with volunteer mentors, so continuity depends on you re-booking people rather than a subscription. Where a paid platform genuinely fits better, our comparison guides say so.