Wouldn’t it be nice to make money from home? It feels great to be able to wake up whenever you want and not spend hours in traffic jams. The idea of influencing the design of new brands, political opinions, and recipes while you work is also quite tempting.
However, legitimate ways to make money from home are hard to find. You need to either put time and effort into building your own business or have skills in high demand to work from home for a company or a project. The interest is enormous, and the competition is growing every day.
Filling out simple online surveys for cash from the comfort of your home is one of the easiest ways to supplement your income. It is becoming more and more popular because it’s one small way to bring in extra cash to your home budget.
Of course, it requires patience and time, but it is easy and even fun. Paid surveys will not make you rich, and the rates are never going to be enough to replace a regular wage. However, they are a great way to make extra dollars to put toward a weekend trip or something new for your wardrobe.
How to Increase Your Profits with Online Surveys
If you sign up for several sites, you are increasing your chances of making more money. Being a member of these, you can expect more variety of work. There are dozens of market research companies looking for new members around the world. They rely on people like you to share their opinion and get money rewards in return. Keep in mind that each site has a limited number of surveys per person each month. To maximize your earnings, sign up for as many survey sites as possible.
You need to be careful because not all of these companies are legitimate. In this article, we share some tricks on how to know if a company is a scam. We have compiled a list of some of the most popular and respected sites where you can join with peace of mind.
Here are our favorite survey websites for making money online with a full guide on how they work, which ones are legitimate, and how to make the most of them. After reading this article, you will be ready to start making money right away.
What are Online Surveys?
They are just what they say—paid online surveys. You get paid to share your honest opinion. Companies want it for market research purposes. These online surveys are one of the easiest ways for companies to do their research among the general public. They incentivize people to give feedback, opinion, experience, etc. This is the incentive that you get when you become a member of one of these sites.
Why would anyone pay for an opinion? You might ask. But the truth is this information is valuable for these companies. The results of these online surveys are later used to develop products, work on brand image, and more. Many companies rely on customer feedback. So, they hire survey companies to research them. The feedback they get helps them make more money because it gives them direction on how to tweak products, ads, etc. That’s why companies pay for your time and opinion—this information is essential for their success. So, the website is the middle-man between you and the big brands doing the research.
When you decide to join a site for online surveys, you need to know that the topics may vary. They cover a wide range of topics, from interests to shopping preferences, political views, hobbies, and everything in between.
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How Does Making Money with Online Surveys Work?
Getting started with online surveys is pretty simple, but it can take some time. Just follow the steps below.
Choose a Company from This List
Read through the list of legitimate online survey companies in this article and pick the one that best suits your interests.
Create a Profile
Go to their site and create a profile. You need to do that for every company you decide to work with. Fill out your profile with as many details as possible. The more complete your profile, the better. Companies segment people according to factors like demographics, education, etc. Therefore, if you don’t fall into any of their categories, they will not send you surveys. Keep in mind that you will have to verify your e-mail address, so use a legitimate one. It is a good idea to create a separate account for your survey sites to keep your inbox clean.
Get Your Surveys
With most companies, you get an e-mail notification when there are surveys available. You can take some immediately; for others, you may need to answer some pre-qualification questions to ensure you fit the group the company is interested in. If you do, you can go ahead and take the survey. Before taking specific surveys, you may have to test a product that you get in the mail.
Complete Surveys
To take the survey, answer the questions they ask you. Sometimes the surveys are pretty straightforward with several multiple-choice questions. Others may require you to answer more specific questions.
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Earn Money
Each site has its own rewards process, and they can be very different. Some companies give you points that you can later redeem for rewards or cash. Others transfer the money right away to your PayPal; some will offer you gifts. Carefully read the payment terms and conditions before you sign up for a survey site.
The process will follow these steps in most survey sites. However, there are also specific offerings, so make sure you do some research before you make your decision.
Making Money with Online Surveys
How much money can you make with online surveys? Like we said earlier, surveys will not make you rich but are a fun way to make extra cash for savings, paying off debt, or investing. Survey rewards are usually on the lower end and can range from $1 to $5. If you take several surveys a day, you can earn a good amount in a month.
Some paid survey sites don’t pay in cash. But they may offer you products, so you save money on buying those in the store. Think of this as a great way to get free products for your household, diapers, personal care, and more.
Some companies enter you in a sweepstake when you complete a survey. This can be frustrating because you don’t get a reward right away. However, the prizes are attractive, and you can win a gift card, cash, or products.
How much you make depends on the companies you decide to work with, how many surveys you take, which demographic group you fall into, etc. You get more opportunities if you are in a group that is more targeted by brands.
You need to understand that you can use surveys to make money when you wouldn’t be doing anything otherwise. If you have a free 10–15 minutes a day, you can use them to fill out a survey instead of checking your social media. Don’t take this as a money source that can replace a salary.
Paid Survey Sites Reviews
Clear Voice Surveys
CVS is famous among survey takers because you get a reward quite easily. The surveys are fun, and the rewards are good–Amazon gift cards, prepaid debit on Payoneer, and MasterCard. You need 15 to 20 minutes to fill in the online paid surveys, and the site is available worldwide.
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Global Test Market
Global Test Market is one of the oldest survey platforms, and many users have reported they’ve had a good experience with it. The panel is available in many countries. They are one of the companies that will send regular surveys, so having a separate e-mail is necessary. If you are looking for research panels worldwide, Global Test Market is a good option.
If you sign up with this platform, you should know that you will get a lot of invites because it is very popular. Stay active and do as much as you can. However, keep in mind that you will not qualify for all of the invites that you get.
YouGov
YouGov is a highly trusted and respected panel that focuses on political surveys. They will take you no more than 20 minutes to complete. The surveys are engaging, especially if you have an interest in the topic. When you reach 500 points, you can redeem them from many retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target or get paid cash via PayPal. With YouGov, you will get a minimum of five to six surveys a week, so you will qualify for at least three. Try to complete them all to accumulate your points quickly. The good news is that with this platform, the disqualification rate for surveys is very low.
Survey Junkie
Survey junkie is a popular platform to take paid surveys. After registration, you need to complete your profile. They will ask quite a lot of questions about your job, ethnicity, pets, consumer habits, fashion sense, etc. You need to be patient and fill these in to qualify for the surveys.
You will need about 20 minutes to complete your profile and answer all of the questions. Then you will have access to a page with available surveys, and you can start right there. The minimum amount that Survey Junkie requires you to reach before making a withdrawal is $10.
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National Consumer Panel
The NCP is a survey platform, but it works a bit differently. You will first need to agree to get a barcode scanner in the mail. Then you follow directions and scan the different products you use; you can complete the surveys only after doing this. You will get points to participate, which you can later redeem for gift cards or cash. There is also a cash prize of $20, which is drawn quarterly.
Opinion Outpost
Opinion Outpost is one of the most popular survey sites. The process to sign up is the same as with other sites. You need to complete a detailed profile with a lot of information about your buying style, preferences, and lifestyle. You can expect questions like these: Do you own a car or a motorcycle? What kind of insurance do you have? What type of shoe brands do you prefer? At the top of the page, you have a progress bar that will show you how much is left until you complete your profile. The welcome survey will take you approximately 20 minutes. After that, you will be redirected to your first paid survey.
Swagbucks
Our review of Swagbucks is generally positive. This site is excellent because there are many opportunities for surveys, but they are quite strict about pre-qualifications. So, you can get disqualified for a Swagbucks survey quite often. It will take some time to earn those Swagbucks points, but the rewards are worth it. You will need some patience to start earning with this site. However, that shouldn’t discourage you from joining Swagbucks. A positive feature we need to mention in this short Swagbucks review is that the site’s marketplace has hundreds of options to choose from. These include cash payments, sweepstakes, and gift cards.
CashCrate
CashCrate is very clear about the cash value of each survey. So, you don’t need to try to understand a confusing point system. However, with this site, it can often be hard to determine when you earn money doing surveys, and when you are trying to qualify for survey opportunities. You need to be patient and give yourself time to get to know the platform before you earn cash.
Toluna
Toluna is a bit different from other sites in the sense that it allows survey-takers to pick the topics they are most interested in. You can choose from various topics like travel or gadgets, which makes working on the surveys much more exciting and fun. Unfortunately, this platform offers one of the lowest pays compared to other sites.
VIP Voice
This site features a good user experience and a lot of relevant surveys to work on. However, the payout options are quite limited—sweepstake entries and bids on auction items. This means that there’s no guarantee that users will get compensation for their time. That’s why VIP Voice can be a challenge for survey takers.
Inbox Dollars
We’ll start this Inbox Dollars review by saying that this site gives new users a $5 bonus after confirming their e-mail and completing their profile. Still, the overall earnings are very low—the lowest of all sites mentioned here. Next to surveys, Inbox Dollars sometimes redirects to promotion offers where you are asked to enter some data.
Harris Poll Online
Harris Poll is part of the largest and most respected market research companies in the country—Nielsen Group. In the platform, you will be allowed to fill out surveys for some household brands and earn rewards from iTunes, Amazon, Starbucks, and more. Survey takers have reported good results with this company, so go ahead and give it a try.
MintVine
With MintVine, you get to take surveys and test out new products and services. If you like playing the role of beta tester, this might be an exciting opportunity for you. They pay in cash. You need to cover a minimum of $10 in earnings to be eligible for a payout.
Vindale Research
Vindale Research is a great addition to your list of survey sites. It can help you earn some extra dollars, but don’t expect much—this is not among the highest paying websites. However, it is one of the oldest, which means the company has experience and reputation.
You get between $1 and $5 per survey, which isn’t bad. The surveys that take longer and are more detailed will be better paid.
The company also offers product testing, which can pay anywhere between $5 and $75. They will send you a product or a service, and you will have to write an honest review about it.
Pinecone Research
Pinecone Research is similar to other paid survey sites. Once you complete your profile, you will get surveys to fill in, and you will earn points in return.
The best part about this survey site is that you get to test products that are not yet launched on the market. So, your opinion can influence their marketing and advertisements. Once you collect enough points, you can redeem them for prizes or cash.
Pinecone Research gives you a lot of options when it comes to redeeming your points. It is one of the few sites that can send you a check in the mail if you pick this payment method.
American Consumer Opinion
American Consumer Opinion will pay you money to share your opinion on their site. Once you join the panel, you will be asked to complete a survey on new products, test advertising campaigns, and tell companies what you think about their slogans.
The payouts come in the form of points or cash. You can get paid through PayPal, and redemption starts with a minimum of $10 or 1,000 points.
Pro Opinion
Pro Opinion is a little different from other sites. You get to answer questions in a specific field of expertise. The research is used to create articles and expert responses on the website.
After you sign up, you will get access to various surveys on different topics and products. You will be notified by mail. Once you complete the surveys and earn some points, you can redeem them for cash via PayPal, Amazon purchases, or gift cards for a list of retailers.
You can even donate your earnings to organizations like the Red Cross through the platform.
To get started, you will need to complete a very detailed personal profile. The data they’re asking for may include your education level, income, birth date, gender, and more.
If you are patient and complete the profile in detail, you will be matched with a survey that matches your knowledge and expertise.
Wonder
Wonder hires survey-takers to conduct independent research on a wide range of topics. What the site offers is more like a part-time job rather than a side hustle for your free time.
If you meet their criteria and get hired, you will research a wide variety of subjects. This research is used by professionals who pay to use the service.
Earnings depend on your level of skill, the type of research, and the amount of time you spend on it. Keep in mind that you might be required to go into further detail, depending on what the client needs. Still, Wonder is an excellent opportunity to work from home and make extra money.
Vivatic
Vivatic is a site that’s worth considering. It allows you to earn money from reviews, surveys, data entry, and writing. It has more variety when it comes to the choice of tasks.
The reward system is something that deserves attention. You get paid in cash, and your earnings depend on the requirements of every task. However, to cash out, you must reach a minimum of $30.
Vivatic is trustworthy, reliable, and easy to work with. A standard survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. The site is great for people who want to make money from surveys because it offers a long list of opportunities.
Some of the pros of using this website are that it gives you plenty of surveys to choose from, and doesn’t limit you to make money only from surveys. Additionally, compensations are in cash, and the surveys are short and easy to complete.
The cons are that there are limited opportunities for new users, the income potential is not very high, and there are no daily surveys.
PrizeRebel
This site has been around since 2007 and has more than 6 million active members. It has paid out over $14 million to its members in prizes, cash, and gift cards. The site is quite easy to use, and the process is the same as with other companies. PrizeRebel uses a point-based system. You earn points from doing surveys, which you can later redeem for cash, gift cards, and even cryptocurrencies.
Earning points is simple. PrizeRebel offers members many different opportunities to earn points by joining mailing lists, watching videos, completing short tasks, taking part in contests, and playing online games. They also have a referral program that can help survey takers supplement their earnings.
Product Report Card
Product Report Card allows you to test products. The more you test, the more money you earn. What makes this site different from most other companies is their seven-step profile signup. It can be long and frustrating for new members.
If you are patient enough and complete the profile, you will be able to test products from favorite brands like Ikea and Microsoft. Product tests can indeed be more time-consuming than surveys, but the compensation is better. Of course, the site gives you access to paid online surveys as well, so you can do that or even participate in online focus groups. You need to answer a few questions about your favorite products or services. This will earn you rewards that you can redeem for cash, free products, or Amazon gift cards.
Jobs2Shop
Jobs2Shop is a little different from other survey sites because it focuses on product testing and free trial offers. If you have signed up for several survey sites and you want to add something different into the mix, Jobs2Shop is a good option. It is only available for U.S. residents above the age of 18.
Members can earn good compensation for their product reviews and trials. Don’t worry—there are also surveys, but they are not the focus of this site. Members can also earn money for reading e-mails, mystery shopping, and playing games. The payments take place once a month via PayPal for users who have reached a minimum of $25.
Panda Research
Panda Research has been in the industry since 2005 and is currently owned by a big company in this business. The site looks a bit outdated, but that doesn’t stop its members from coming back again and again.
Members have reported that this site offers high rewards. Of course, this depends on the surveys and their complexity. Panda Research offers multiple ways to earn money—receiving coupons, participating in giveaways, referring your friends and family, and reading e-mails. Payments are processed twice a month, and the minimum threshold is $50.
A downside of this site is that they pay in increments of $50, so if you have $130, you will only be able to get $100. This can be frustrating, but in general, the site is simple and easy to use, which makes it a preferred option.
Opinion City
As with other paid online survey sites, you can register for Opinion City for free and start doing surveys. Once you have completed your profile, you will be matched with the surveys that fit your data. Many of the surveys come from popular and loved brands such as Best Buy or Pepsi. Typically, these surveys take 15 to 20 minutes to complete, and the paycheck at the end is quite good compared to other sites.
i-Say
IPSOS i-Say is a company established in 1975. They are one of the oldest, most prominent, and most reliable research companies in the world. The i-Say is their online division used daily by hundreds of thousands of survey takers.
To become a member, you must create a free account and fill out a profile survey, which is shorter than that of most other companies. The best part is that it is not too detailed and requires only some basic data.
The site is user-friendly and easy to navigate. You can view new entries in the survey panels or through e-mail notifications. In i-Say, you can find both surveys and polls. With polls, you won’t earn any points, but they provide an entry to the regular drawings the company organizes.
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Other Ways to Earn with i-Say
However, there are plenty of ways to earn extra points in addition to surveys. There is a referral program where you get points for every person you bring to the site. Additionally, there is a loyalty program that gives you extra points based on the number of surveys you fill in, and more.
The point system is easy and straightforward. Each point is worth a cent. A survey can award up to 200 points, and you need 1,000 in your account to request a cashout. The money will be sent via PayPal.
You can redeem your points in e-gift cards and other prizes from brands like Target, Starbucks, and Visa.
Some of the pros of using i-Say are that it is a worldwide trusted company, it has a user-friendly dashboard, and members get points even if they don’t qualify. Additionally, there are regular prize drawings and many reward options. However, the payouts are pretty slow, and the company offers only surveys and polls.
Mindspay
Mindspay is a research market company based in the United States. The company pays members not only to complete surveys but also to sign up for trial offers. It is easy to earn extra money through this site. You can earn up to $50 for reviewing services and products alongside filling out surveys, which pay anywhere between $3 and $75.
Another great option with Mindspay is that members can read e-mails that pay up to 25 cents each or take part in the referral program and earn money for every person they bring to the platform.
Each month on certain dates (usually twice a month), your earnings will go straight into your PayPal account. The bad news is that Mindspay is restricted only to U.S. residents who are 18 years or older. The site is fun and straightforward to use, and you can make extra money to pay off bills or buy something nice.
Survey Club
Survey Club is one of the most visited survey platforms out there. It has more than 15 million members. This company started in 2005 and has built a reputation for providing a wide variety of paid surveys and other money-making opportunities like prizes and sweepstakes. You can register for free and participate in new opportunities when they are available.
Survey Club acts as a middle man, so don’t be surprised if you are asked to sign up for other sites when you become a member. The money you earn for completing a survey depends on how long and detailed it is. The longer the survey, the more money you can earn. The surveys range from a few cents to several dollars. The minimum payout threshold is $10. Once you reach it, you can redeem your earnings via Payoneer or an Amazon gift card.
Panel PayDay
Panel PayDay is a bit different from most survey sites on this list. They don’t offer their own paying surveys but connect their members to other survey companies. However, unlike other sites, Panel PayDay offers higher payouts for surveys, which makes earning extra cash a little bit easier.
On this platform, you can find surveys that pay between $1 and $25 after completion. There are also many opportunities to join discussion groups that pay between $30 and $100. The members earn additional dollars for signing up with partner survey companies. While it is different from the typical survey site, Panel PayDay is worth checking out if you need to make some extra money.
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Valued Opinions
Valued Opinions is another legitimate site for online surveys. They are a worldwide community of survey takers with more than 3 million users. The online survey site offers a good variety of surveys regularly. However, the platform hasn’t been updated recently, and visitors have started to complain about various technical issues. One of them is that the survey can cut you off if it has reached the limit of people needed. The payouts are reasonable compared to other sites but still on the low side.
How to Tell If a Survey Site is Legitimate
Sadly, among the survey sites, there are many scams. Not all of them are legitimate, so you need to be careful and do your research before signing up for a site.
These fake sites give the industry a bad image. Since making money by completing surveys sounds like a great gig, there are companies out there trying to take advantage of people who want to give this opportunity a try. However, there are reputable, legitimate survey sites with a long history that are worth your time and trust.
How do you tell if a site is legitimate or not? There are three common signs that a site is a scam.
If the site:
- Charges you to join, you should be suspicious because most legitimate sites are free.
- Asks you to enter your credit card or social security number to join.
- Gives unrealistic promises that you will get rich or make a lot of money per month.
If you come across sites with any of the above signs, it’s best to stay away. Use the list above to choose a site that catches your interest. These are tried and tested, so stick to them.
Although there are a lot of options to make money completing online surveys, don’t get overwhelmed. Start with the sites we’ve reviewed and if you like them after you get an idea of how this industry works, you can go searching for more opportunities.
How to Make the Most of Survey Sites
Even with all of the drawbacks of online surveys, some people find them attractive and are excited to try them. The good news is that it’s free to join and you can do so from anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.
We’ve provided you with a list of legitimate survey sites with good reputations. But we will not leave you with that. We want to make sure you make the most of them, so we have prepared a few tips to get you started.
Here is how to make the most of this money-earning opportunity.
Diversify
Sign up for as many online survey sites as possible. In this way, you will ensure that you always have surveys to answer instead of waiting for them to send you surveys. Some companies send those once a month, so no need to wait. You can always unsubscribe if you are not happy with the service. If the panel offers different money earning opportunities, do try them out. Relying only on surveys may not be the best option.
Check Your E-mail
When you sign up for survey sites, make sure you check your e-mail regularly. Some websites publish surveys on their dashboard first before sending a notification to your e-mail, so it’s a good idea to check those too. Some surveys are open for a limited time, so it’s crucial to stay on top of things to not miss anything.
Be Honest
Do your best to be honest when taking online surveys. Some sites may penalize you for entering contradictory information or if your responses are inadequate. Don’t try to trick the system by telling it you are someone you’re not. You can be vague if you want to keep things to yourself, but be honest. The companies using this research rely on your honest opinion, and it needs to be consistent. If there is sensitive information that you don’t feel comfortable sharing, then be short about it while still keeping it honest. If the information is optional, then skip it.
Don’t Overshare
Leave the survey immediately if you are asked to provide an ID or credit card number, driver’s license details, or social security number. Be careful when sharing private information with survey sites. It’s okay to answer questions about commercials or products, but don’t share information that may not be worth the risk. Don’t fall for the trap that they need your bank details to transfer your earnings. Most legitimate companies use PayPal or offer gift cards as payout options. If you feel you are forced to give any banking information, leave the site.
Update Your Profile
Don’t forget to update your profile information often. Survey companies are looking for targeted demographics, which means specific income levels, ages, and geographical locations. So, it’s imperative to make sure your information is correct and updated. If you change address or jobs, have another child, get married, or buy your first home, be sure to update your profile.
Don’t Pay to Join
Don’t ever pay to join a site. All the sites we’ve listed above are free. No matter what a site promises, don’t pay for becoming a member if you have free and legitimate alternatives.
Legitimate survey sites will never charge you to sign you up. If you see a company that does that, stay away. This is one of the signs the company is a scam and can’t be trusted.
Watch Out for Scams
This brings us to our next tip, which is quite essential. Always check the survey sites before signing up. If they sound too good to be true, be extra diligent with the background research. If they promise you unrealistic earnings or that you will be sent expensive products, better stay away.
Check out the signs we’ve provided above and always refer to them before you decide to become a member of a site out of this list.
Install Anti-Malware
Before becoming a member of a survey site, install anti-malware software. This is a necessary step in case the survey site redirects you to a third-party client with a spammy website. This step is just a precaution to keep your computer clean of any spam and viruses.
Cash In
It’s best to cash in immediately after reaching the minimum required amount. This is an excellent way to test the site’s payment options and payment flow. In case you are looking to build up a bigger amount to get one of the rewards, you will need to be patient and wait.
Keep in mind that some sites may have restrictions on when you can withdraw your earnings. Additionally, they may restrict how long earnings are valid for, and what you can exchange your points for. Make sure you are aware of these restrictions beforehand by reading the payment terms and conditions.
Take Breaks
Don’t forget to take breaks from the survey sessions. Don’t make them too long because you can easily end up stuck in front of the screen for hours. Take a short break every 15 to 20 minutes and look away from your screen. Stand up, walk around, and then get back to it.
Don’t sit in front of the computer before going to bed, because this can make falling asleep harder.
Don’t Give Up
If you decide surveys are not your cup of tea, that doesn’t mean you cannot make money from home. Don’t give up, and be sure to continue trying new opportunities. You can still make extra cash with blogging, freelancing, selling stuff, etc. Some of these methods may take more time, but they will pay off in the end.
The Bottom Line
So, there you have it—a comprehensive list of trusted, legitimate survey sites plus a ton of tips on how to get started and make the most of them. Making money by taking surveys has never been easier and more accessible, so now is a great moment to try.
The best online survey sites will reward you for everything from watching videos, to opening e-mails, completing online surveys for money, and giving your opinion of products and services. So, there are many opportunities to earn extra cash.
As we already mentioned, taking surveys for money won’t make you rich, but it can supplement your income. The amount you earn from these sites depends on how much time you invest.
To Keep in Mind
One major drawback is that the income potential is limited to the surveys available to you. On some days, you may have a lot of surveys to complete, but on others, there won’t be anything in your inbox. Choose a reputable website and follow the useful tips in this article to maximize the amount of money you earn by completing these surveys. This is a great way to use your spare time and a better alternative to browsing social media.
If you are willing to put in the time and effort and share some personal information, then taking online surveys is something you should try. You can reinvest the money or prizes you earn from completing surveys into yourself. Additionally, you can learn some skills online that will allow you to take other gigs in the future.
We hope this list of online survey sites will help you make your choice quickly and efficiently so that you can concentrate on taking your first surveys and earning those dollars!
Have you tried doing surveys for money online? Share your experience and the sites you enjoyed working with.
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