15 Best Survey Sites to Make Money
In this Article: The Best Survey Sites to make (real) money. This is a solid side hustle for those strapped for cash.
Across the country, millions of Americans cannot make ends meet. Most are forced to carry two full-time jobs just to provide their family with comfort.
As you can imagine, the unemployment rate still sits in the double digits despite the Government touting the lowest unemployment in history.
Many have turned to the raging gig-economy to make a few extra hundred dollars; however, there is still a large group of the population looking to make an extra buck during these trying times.
One easy solution is to take online paid surveys.
Yes, that’s right, you can take surveys online and get paid for it. The problem is finding reputable sites to make sure you don’t get scammed.
Luckily for you, we’ve gone ahead and done the work. Without further ado, here is an expert roundup of the best paid online survey sites to make money (for real).
Best Survey Sites
The best-paid survey sites are easy to sign up for, legitimate, and are constantly paying out rewards.
1. Survey Junkie
Launched in 2005, Survey Junkie prides itself as the best-paid survey site. Survey Junkie boasts 10 million+ members who routinely enjoy taking online surveys to earn money.
With a solid reputation, great customer service, and consistent payout, Survey Junkie offers a great option for those looking to make extra money.
This includes a remuneration fee that can grow according to the number of surveys you complete.
Sign up and fill out an account to see what surveys you qualify for. Just be honest with your information or you’ll be flagged and removed from the platform!
Where Is It Available? UK, US, and Australia
Payment Method: PayPal and e-gift cards
Age Requirement: 13+
2. Swagbucks
A subsidiary of Prodege LLC, Swagbucks has paid over $400 million in cash and gift cards to its 20 million+ active users since its inception in 2010.
In this platform, users earn points, called Swagbucks, by taking surveys, surfing the web, watching videos, and playing games.
Swagbucks also offers a high-paying referral program — for every person you refer, you get 10% of their Swagbucks for life.
Where it is available: Swagbucks is available to those in the United States, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Spain, India, Australia, and Ireland.
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: 300 Swagbucks, or $3 (1 Swagbuck = 1 cent)
Age Requirement: 13+
Payment Method: PayPal or gift card
3. MyPoints
Since 1996, MyPoints has paid its users over $236 million. Users earn points by completing a variety of microtasks. This flexibility is popular, but high-paid online surveys are the best way to earn real money.
Users can also earn money watching videos, playing video games, referring people to their websites, and reading promotional emails.
You can even get a $10 Amazon or Visa gift card for signing up right now!
Age Requirement: 13+
Where it is Available: US and Canada only
Payment Method: PayPal or gift card
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: 480 points for a $3 gift card or 3,970 points for $25 via PayPal. Rack up 15,800 points and enjoy a fat $500 gift card to a select retailer.
Close Contenders: Top Paid Survey Sites
While Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, and MyPoints are the best, these are also legitimate paid survey sites that are worth considering. Again, the more you download the more money you will make because you can take more paid surveys.
4. Inbox Dollars
Inbox Dollars is an online rewards platform that pays you money for taking surveys, playing games, and watching videos. Inbox Dollars has paid out over $59 million to its registered users since 2000. You can even earn $5 just for signing up.
Age Requirements: 18+
Where it is available: Only in the United States
Payment Method: PayPal, gift cards, prepaid Visa card
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: $30
5. Vindale Research
Since 2006, Vindale has paid out over $8 million to its users. Its reputation continues to grow as more brands partner with the platform to gain new consumer insights.
For each completed survey, Vindale pays between $0.50 and $2.00 cash.
Age Requirement: 18+
Where it is available: Brazil, Australia, United States, and the UK.
Payment Method: PayPal or a check in the mail
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: $50
6. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys was founded in 2012 as Mintvine. Branded Surveys currently boast over 1.7 million members.
Registration is easy and you’ll earn points for various tasks, like creating your profile (50 points).
Users can also earn points by participating in the daily polls, referring a friend and there are also rewards for being active on the platform.
Requirements: At least 13 years
Where it is available: UK, Canada, and United States
Payment Method: Branded Pay (USA only), Amazon gift cards, PayPal cash, and virtual credit cards.
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: 10,000 points which are equivalent to $10
7. PineCone Research
PineCone Research is an exclusive survey website and product testing platform owned by The Nielsen Company.
PineCone Members are called Panelists and once you join, you’ll start to receive surveys via email. They might even send you products to test. Each survey pays between $3 to $5 and some product testing can pay up to $6.
Users must be invited and then qualify to join through a link from a panelist or a banner ad.
Requirements: 18+
Where it’s available: United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany
Payment Method: PayPal, Amazon gift cards, restaurant, iTunes, and Walmart gift cards
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: $1
8. LifePoints
Life Points users earn points by completing surveys and simple tasks. With over 5 million members. Each survey pays between 20 and 100 points.
Requirements: 16+
Where it is available: United States, India, South Africa, Mexico, Hong Kong, China, and 35 more countries.
Payment Method: PayPal, Starbucks or Google Play gift card, AT&T minutes
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: 2,400 points, or $24 via PayPal; 1,080–1,200 points for other payment options
9. One Opinion Survey
One Opinion helps conduct surveys on behalf of some of the world’s leading research companies. Founded in 2011 and currently owned by Dynata, One Opinion offers a simple sign-up and rewards system via points.
Requirements: 13+ years
Where it is available: Germany, Italy, France, The Netherlands, Australia and Canada
Payment Methods: PayPal and gift cards
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: 25,000 points = $25
10. Ipsos i-Say
Formed in 1975, Ipsos has over 3 million members and has over 15,000 employees in various parts of the world. Ipsos allows users to easily sign up and start earning money by taking surveys. Each completed survey is worth 45 to 90 points.
Requirements: 18+
Where it is available: United States, Canada, and the UK. Also available in Germany, France, Finland, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey
Payment Method: PayPal, Target, Amazon, Starbucks, and Facebook e-cards.
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: 500 points, or $5
11. Opinion Outpost
Owned by Survey Sampling International, Opinion Outpost connects users to studies conducted by research platforms. User reviews have claimed these surveys are fun and interactive. There are even games at the end of surveys that offer an opportunity to claim additional points.
Requirements: 18+
Where it’s available: United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Italy, Spain, Canada, and Germany
Payment Method: PayPal, Amazon, and iTunes gift cards
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: 50 points or $5
12. Survey Club
Established in 2005, Survey Club is one of the oldest market research firms. Survey Club is free to join and easy to register. Simply fill in basic information, complete your profile, and off you go.
The downside of Survey Club is you have to sign up for third-party survey sites (like Survey Junkie, LifePoints, and PineCone Research) to increase your earning potential.
Requirements: 13+
Where it’s Available: United States, Canada, UK, Australia
Payment Method: PayPal, gift cards, cash sweepstakes
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: $20
13. Toluna
Unlike other platforms, Toluna lets you choose surveys in categories that interest you. And after signing up, you’ll receive a $500 bonus once you complete your registration.
Toluna offers multiple platform types of varying lengths and point values.
Requirement: 16+
Where it’s available: 21 countries including the United States, Canada, France, Mexico, and the United Kingdom
Payment Method: Gift cards or sweepstakes
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: 10,000 points for cash, 30,000 points for a $10 gift card
14. Valued Opinion
With over 3 million members, Valued Opinion provides opinions on products for major brands like Amazon and Target. Valued Opinion is regarded as one of the easiest to use and highest-paying survey sites.
Sign-up is free and most surveys taken on the platform award between $1 to $5. Sometimes you may also be sent unpaid surveys to help identify your unique interests. You can also participate in product testing.
Requirements: 13+
Where it’s Available: United States
Payment Method: Amazon, iTunes gift cards, etc
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: $10
15. Harris Poll Online
Founded in 1975, the Harris Poll is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious survey platforms.
Harris Poll members earn rewards known as points. Each survey is worth 75 to 150 points, with longer surveys offering more. Even if you are disqualified while attempting to complete a survey, you will receive 15 points.
Across the Nation, some of America’s most beloved brands have turned to Harris Poll to uncover consumer insights to better position their product. Who knows, your insight could help Nike, Coca-Cola, or Target with their marketing efforts.
Requirements: 13+
Where it’s available: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US
Payment Method: Amazon, Walmart, iTunes, ESPN e-gift cards
Minimum Amount to Cash Out: 1250 points, is equivalent to $10
Why Do Companies Pay You to Take Online Surveys?
Most online paid survey platforms work with established businesses to help them gain insights about their new products before the products are launched.
These companies need consumer opinions to help predict how their products will perform and learn if any modifications are needed.
These survey websites help companies make better decisions with the manufacturing and marketing of their products.
Companies will gain valuable feedback from the surveys, including their target market as they gather demographic information like age, gender, interests, and preferences.
What Online Survey Platform Pays the Most?
You’re not going to get rich taking surveys online, but you can indeed earn some real money if you’ve got the time available. In order to earn, you’re going to have to log a lot of hours online taking these surveys. For the best bang for your buck, we recommend:
- Survey Junkie
- MyPoints
- Swagbucks
How Much Money Can I Actually Make Taking Surveys Online?
Again, you’re not going to make much, but if you’ve tried all other options, it’s better than nothing. You will have better luck starting a side hustle than taking surveys.
Problems that may arise are that some platforms aren’t very transparent as far as how many points you’ll earn for a given survey and how many you need to meet the minimum payout requirement. Sometimes it seems simple on the surface but will really require taking a lot of surveys to make any actual money.
Another common frustration is being disqualified for certain surveys. Some platforms filter out surveys you don’t qualify for and only show you those that you are a good match for, but some do not.
What Paid Survey Sites Are Legitimate?
All of the survey websites listed above are legitimate. They do indeed pay you to take surveys. However, they do not pay much, and you’ll need to invest the time to earn anything. Taking paid surveys is great for college students who want to make money.
Sites like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, Inbox Dollars, Vindale Research have built a high level of trust online and have higher ratings.
Tips to Making the Most Money Taking Online Surveys
1. Join the Best Paid Survey Websites
Payout amounts vary. Save time and only join sites that will pay you quickly and make things more worthwhile.
2. Complete Your Profile
Completing your profile matches you with surveys that you qualify for. This information includes your demographics, preferences, and interests.
Don’t skip this step!
3. Answer Honestly
Companies enlist the services of these survey websites to get feedback on their products. Lying to complete the survey faster isn’t a good practice. Some platforms may even test your honesty and re-ask questions you’ve answered previously.
If your answers don’t match, you may get yourself banned and forfeit your earnings.
4. Check Your Email Often
Since some of these survey platforms boast of millions of users, there is plenty of competition for slots in the surveys. This means many will fill up quickly, and to earn more money, you’ll need to be active and open your emails regularly.
That way you can secure your spot and gain points/dollars.
5. Complete Other Tasks
On many of these sites, there are other tasks like referral programs, watching a video, or playing a video game that will fetch you extra points. Add in these easy tasks whenever you have free time to boost your earning potential.
What to Watch Out for When Taking Online Surveys
Taking online surveys can be frustrating. It’s no one’s dream to spend hours taking surveys and maybe earn just a few dollars. You also want to make sure you’re being safe.
Beware of special offers that end up spamming your inbox and giving away your private information.
On that note — don’t share any intimate details, like your social security number or home address. No survey panel should ask for your bank information, credit card number, or family information. Share only demographic information, interests, and preferences.
Also, no credible survey platform will charge you anything to join. Every platform listed above is entirely free.
Taking surveys should not be considered a viable option as a primary source of income. You are not going to make a lot of money here.
The payouts are small compared to the time you will spend taking them.
But if you are not busy and do not have any other options, it could bring in some meager income rather than just wasting time doing nothing.
