Is ADPList Legit? An Honest Look Before You Book

What ADPList is

ADPList is an online mentoring platform where you book 1:1 video sessions with experienced mentors in design, product, engineering, marketing, data and more. Felix Lee founded it in 2021, during the COVID pandemic, and it started life as a spreadsheet. It's run by ADPList Pte. Ltd., and its terms of service are governed by Singapore law. The backers named on the About page include Jakob Nielsen (co-founder, UX Tigers), Siu Rui Quek (co-founder and CEO, Carousell) and Crystal Widjaja (growth advisor). People in 160+ countries completed a session in the last 12 months, according to ADPList's stats page. ADPList also publishes its own research on mentoring in the State of Mentorship report, and keeps a short key facts page.

• What it is: a mentorship marketplace for 1:1 video sessions
• Founded: 2021, by Felix Lee
• Company: ADPList Pte. Ltd., with terms governed by Singapore law
• Format: 1:1 video calls, booked directly on a mentor's calendar

How mentors are vetted

Mentors can't just sign up and start taking bookings. They apply, and every application is reviewed by hand, which can take up to a week. According to the page on how mentors apply, reviewers look for:

• relevant industry experience (5+ years)
• past experience mentoring or leading junior to mid-level colleagues
• a genuine passion for mentoring
• a practice of diversity and inclusion

Once a mentor is approved, their profile shows their professional background, how many sessions they've completed, and reviews written by past mentees.

A review process is a filter, not a guarantee. It can't tell you whether a particular mentor is right for your question. So before you book, it's worth a quick check of your own:

• Read the newest reviews first, since they reflect the mentor today.
• Check that the mentor's LinkedIn matches what their profile says.
• Look for recent experience in the exact thing you need help with.

For more on picking the right person, see our guide on how to find a mentor and ask them.

How booking and pricing work

Booking

Mentees don't go through an application. You browse mentors by expertise, company or location and read their reviews, pick an open slot, meet for a 1:1 video session, and leave a review afterwards. Availability and session length depend on the mentor. The median completed session is 30 minutes, per the stats page, which is enough time for one focused question or one piece of work to look at together.

What it costs

ADPList is free to start, with free sessions available. Most mentors on ADPList volunteer their time. Mentors can also choose to offer paid sessions. You can review the mentor and the session details before you book, so you know what you're agreeing to before you confirm anything.

Is ADPList safe? Your data and your sessions

Safety on any platform comes down to a few concrete things: what happens to your data, what happens when something goes wrong, and who you can reach. Here's what ADPList publishes.

• Recording is opt-in. A session is only recorded if you opt into the Journal feature. You can withdraw consent at any time, which stops further recording and transcription, and you can ask to access, correct or delete your Journal data. See the terms and the privacy policy.
• No-shows are covered. If the other person doesn't turn up, either of you can mark them as a no-show from Upcoming Bookings during the session, and undo it within 24 hours. Here's how.
• The rules are enforced. ADPList can suspend or end accounts that break its terms of service.
• It isn't for children. ADPList doesn't knowingly collect personal information from children under 13.
• There's a real person to contact. Email support@adplist.org or use the help center.

A few habits we'd suggest on any online platform, ours included: keep your sessions on ADPList's own video call, don't share passwords or payment details in chat, and report anything that feels off to support.

What reviewers say

Independent reviews of ADPList are on Trustpilot, where anyone can post. Two of the reviews featured on the ADPList homepage:

“The booking process is simple, the sessions are well organized, and the advice is practical and actionable.”

Nagesh, review on Trustpilot

“I've had many sessions with different mentors, and the quality of the advice I've received has consistently been exceptional.”

Farid, review on Trustpilot

We picked those two, so read the full Trustpilot page for the wider picture. The reviews that will help you most, though, are on the mentor's own profile, written by mentees they've actually met. Quality varies from mentor to mentor, so read a mentor's own recent reviews before you book.

Who ADPList isn't for

ADPList works well for a lot of people, but not for everyone. It's probably the wrong choice if you are:

• An HR or learning and development team running an internal program. ADPList isn't enterprise mentoring software. Tools like Chronus, MentorcliQ, Together or Qooper are built for that.
• Looking for a guaranteed, ongoing relationship with one specific mentor. ADPList doesn't guarantee any mentor's availability. In-demand mentors book out, and continuity depends on you re-booking the people who help you. If you want one person on a set plan, our guide to the best mentorship platforms covers options built around that.
• After a structured, cohort-style program. If you want a fixed path with a set end point, see ADPList vs GMI for how an open marketplace compares with a structured program.
• Under 13. ADPList isn't built for children.

If it sounds like a fit, browse mentors and read their reviews before you book.