What are the best survey sites?
Have you ever wondered about this?
All of us have tried extra income options at some point in our lives. And the most popular choice for many (and for me) is online surveys. It’s actually fun to earn money while you do your everyday chores like watching TV, doing laundry or cook dinner. Right?!
Online surveys are great for many reasons:
- You get free gift cards and cash.
- You are helping brands to understand consumer needs.
- They don’t take up all your time.
Not all survey sites pay cash, but some do. Taking surveys for cash is great because you can use it right away instead of waiting for the gift cards. It’s quick money. With so many paid surveys available, it can be hard to choose the right ones. In this article, I will share the most popular and reliable surveys that pay well.
Want to get paid to play games, watch videos, and take online surveys?
Swagbucks has paid over 9 million in cash and gift cards for doing everyday things.
Top picks for highest paying survey sites
Survey Junkie – Best choice for getting more surveys and product testing gigs.
Pinecone Research – Top rated for high paying surveys.
MyPoints – Do fun things like watching videos or shop online and get $10 bonus.
Swagbucks – Score a free $5 to sign up plus more ways to make extra money.
InboxDollars – Earn money doing things you love like, watching TV or playing games.
22 Best survey sites in 2023:
#1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is my favorite and it’s a reader favorite too. It has been around for a very long time, and it gives out 7,000 gift cards every day. That’s a lot of gift cards!
Just sign up and complete your profile. The more details you provide, the better chances of getting survey invites. You can do surveys, web search, and shop online, but the one that gets the most “SBs” is watching videos. Redeeming your points is pretty easy with this survey site. You can get paid in gift cards, cash, and sweepstakes entries. You can get an instant $5 FREE when you sign up. My top recommendation if you want to do surveys for money is Swagbucks. Infact, I have earned a LOT of gift cards from Swagbucks over the years and they keep getting better!
Average pay:
Up to $2 per survey
Available in:
Americas, Asia, Europe, and some places in Africa
Bonus:
$5 free when you sign up
Rewards:
PayPal or e-gift cards
Trustpilot score:
4.3
#2. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie has quickly come up as a winner when it comes to getting high-paying surveys. Though you get surveys mostly up to $3, there are chances of getting good-paying surveys of around $70. As with other survey panels, the number of paid surveys you get depends on your demographics. What I like about this survey site – it’s easy to sign up, you can choose the surveys in the dashboard or wait for the invites and most importantly, it pays quickly.
With a low minimum cash out of $10 and payments through PayPal (it also gives out gift cards), this is another great choice if you want to get paid to take surveys. The best part about Survey Junkie is it’s easy to sign up and you don’t have to wait for long to start doing surveys. I got over 10 survey invitations in three days, which is pretty good flow of surveys. To learn more about this survey panel, read our review here.
Average pay:
Up to $3 per survey
Available in:
United States, Australia, Canada
Rewards:
PayPal or e-gift cards
Trustpilot Score:
4.3
Related:
How to Make $1000 a Month Online without a Job
Secret to Making Money with Survey Panels
13 Surprising Ways You Can Make Money Every Day
#3. MyPoints
MyPoints another reader favorite, and it has an amazing bonus of $10 free when you shop online through MyPoints with qualifying purchases. And you can get a quick $5 when you finish five surveys. This survey panel has many things you can do other than just take surveys like reading emails, watching videos, shopping online, searching the web, finding deals, printing coupons, playing games, etc.
With so many ways to earn money, this survey panel is quickly becoming the most popular choice for many survey takers.
You can redeem your points in cash through PayPal or get gift cards. The flexibility to do the surveys on the go with the MyPoints app is the biggest plus for this survey site.
Average pay:
Up to $2 per survey
Available in:
United States and Canada
Bonus:
Get $10 free when you shop online and $5 for doing five surveys
Rewards:
PayPal cash, visa gift cards, and airline miles
Trustpilot score:
4.4
#4. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another legitimate rewards site where you get to do paid surveys, watch videos, read emails, and refer friends. Seriously, InboxDollars has so many things to offer that you won’t run out of ways to make money with this site. This survey site has been around for more than 10 years and has paid over 80 million in cash rewards! Most of the surveys take around 5 to 25 minutes to complete and pay around 50 cents to $5. You can get higher-paying surveys if your demographics match the company requirements. I particularly like InboxDollars because it gives you more opportunities to earn money besides surveys. That makes it worth your time. With InboxDollars you can get paid in cash via check or visa gift card. You can also get cash back when you shop through its portal. Get a $5 FREE bonus when you sign up through this link.
Average pay:
Up to $5 per survey
Available in:
United States
Bonus:
Get $5 free when you sign up
Rewards:
Cash via PayPal, Amazon gift cards, or other gift cards
Trustpilot score:
4.2
#5. Branded Surveys (formerly Mintvine)
This survey panel pays for surveys and focus groups. Branded Surveys is backed by Branded Research Inc., and it is a very trusted survey panel. Signing up is very easy and can be done quickly with all your details. Branded surveys has a loyalty program. Once you sign up, you earn a bronze badge. You get silver and gold status as you take more surveys and gain more points. These tier levels have many bonus perks that help you to accumulate points quickly. One of the highlights of this survey site is it gives you more opportunities to earn money besides surveys. It has local deals where you score discounts from your local businesses, daily polls which give you small points boost and you can also sign up for some third party trials for free products or services. You can redeem once you have reached 500 points which is equal to $5. Referring friends also give you extra points (50) with Branded Surveys. You can choose to get rewarded for cash via PayPal or gift cards for different retail brands or restaurants, travel, or entertainment venue gift cards.
Available in:
United States, Canada, and United Kingdom
Bonus:
You get 50 points to sign up
Rewards:
Gift cards, PayPal, or branded pay
Trustpilot score:
4.2
#6. Pinecone Research
Pinecone Research one survey panel that is backed by a very authentic company, Nielsen. It has an A+ rating on BBB. Its per survey pay starts around $3, and that’s just the start. You also get higher pay depending on how long you have been an active member. Another plus with Pinecone Research is there is no chance of disqualification as you are only sent the surveys you qualify for with your demographics. You can take online surveys for money and even do product testing. Learn more about this survey panel in our Pinecone Research review.
Average pay:
$3 minimum
Available in:
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Rewards:
Cash via bank transfer, Amazon gift cards, other gift cards, and movie vouchers
Trustpilot score:
2.1
#7. LifePoints
With over five million users and an easy sign-up process, LifePoints definitely has a place in this list of the best survey sites.
Once you register with all the demographic details, you will be rewarded with ten LifePoints. You have the chance to take surveys or participate in product reviews. You will be paid in “LifePoints” which can be redeemed for PayPal vouchers, gift cards, or donations.
The best thing about LifePoints is the low cashout threshold ($5) and that the surveys are open to global survey takers. The surveys are short, and you get paid even if you get disqualified.
Average pay:
Up to $1 per survey
Available in:
Worldwide
Rewards:
PayPal cash, gift cards, or charity donations
Trustpilot score:
4.1
#8. Opinion Outpost
With the Opinion Outpost, you can earn in different ways apart from surveys like doing product testing and mobile surveys. Once you sign up you are ready to start taking surveys. Keep in mind that before taking any survey, you have to answer certain set of questions that decide if you are suitable for that survey. You can also earn by referring your friends.
The payment is made through cash, Amazon gift cards, and sweepstakes. The best thing about this survey panel is even if you get disqualified, you get to enter in sweepstakes.
Average pay:
Up to $5 per survey
Available in:
United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy
Rewards:
Cash via PayPal, Amazon points, mileage plus points
Trustpilot score:
3.4
#9. Survey Voices
Survey voices is a survey aggregator meaning it has a pool of legit surveys. According to the website, the surveys are vetted and you get scam-free surveys and market research studies to earn extra money. Signing up is easy with basic details like your age, education, and employment status. You must be 18+ to join the site. Once you sign up and click on a survey, you will be directed to a third-party site where you do your actual survey.
Average pay:
Up to $2 per survey
Available in:
United States
Rewards:
PayPal, cash, gift cards
Trustpilot score:
3.2
#10. Ipsos i-Say
With Ipsos i-Say, you can do many things like product testing, mobile surveys, focus groups, and even video surveys. It pays through PayPal or visa prepaid cards. You can also enter into sweepstakes with this survey panel. Learn more about this survey panel in our Ipsos i-Say review.
Average pay:
Up to $1 per survey
Available in:
United States and Canada
Trustpilot score:
4.2
#11. Toluna
With over 9 million users, Toluna has been there for a long time. This survey site is famous for product testing opportunities and surveys. You also have the chance to participate in sponsored polls to earn more. The rewards are very diverse with this panel. You can get paid via gift cards, merchandise, or request cash payment through PayPal.The only thing that’s not so great about this survey site is the points expire within 16 months of earning.
Average pay:
Up to $30,000 points per survey
Available in:
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and many more countries
Trustpilot score:
4.0
#12. SurveySavvy
SurveySavvy is one of the survey panels that’s available worldwide. You can participate in surveys and browse the internet through its SavvyConnect app. It pays through direct check, and the minimum payment threshold is only $1.
Average pay:
Up to $2 per survey
Available in:
Worldwide
Bonus:
You get $5 per month to install SavvyConnect
Rewards:
Check
Trustpilot score:
2.4
#13. Survey Club
With Survey Club, you can participate in studies, product testing, and online focus groups apart from regular surveys. Once you become a member of this survey platform, it matches you with relevant studies that are available in your dashboard. With over 16 million members and A+ rating from BBB, this survey panel is definitely trustworthy. What’s interesting about this survey panel is apart from getting paid in cash and gift cards, you can also earn airline miles.
Average pay:
Up to $3 per survey
Available in:
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Rewards:
Cash via PayPal, gift cards, airline miles
Trustpilot score:
3.7
#14. IPoll
IPoll survey panel gives you a straight-up bonus of $5 free when you sign up with it. It first asks you questions to match you with the right surveys. It also offers some mystery shopping opportunities and is available in over 32 countries.
Average pay:
Up to $1 per survey
Available in:
Canada
Bonus:
You get $5 when you sign up
Rewards:
PayPal, cash, gift cards
Trustpilot score:
1.4
#15. American Consumer Opinion (ACOP)
One of the most favorite and popular survey sites is American Consumer Opinion. It’s been around for a long time and offers legit survey opportunities to its users. If you are wondering how authentic this survey site is, it has an A+ rating on the BBB.You can sign up online and complete information regarding your age, qualifications, and other details. Once you have successfully created your profile you can see available surveys in your dashboard. Shorter surveys pay around 5 to 50 points and longer surveys pay more. Once you reach 1000 points you can cash out or redeem your points. It is open worldwide and pays cash via check and through PayPal. It also has product testing opportunities. This is one of the oldest and best survey sites worth joining.
Average pay:
Up to $0.50 per survey
Available in:
Worldwide
Rewards:
Cash via PayPal, check
Trustpilot score:
2.0
#16. YouGov
YouGov is a more specialized survey panel where you get to participate in surveys related to politics, environments, sports, news and entertainment. With this survey panel, you get paid in cash or gift cards. It is open to most of the countries in the world. The only downside of this survey panel is, the surveys invites are less and have high disqualification rate.
Average pay:
Up to 200 points
Available in:
United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and many more countries
Rewards:
Cash via PayPal, prepaid cards, mobile credits, gift cards, charity donations, AirAsia points
Trustpilot score:
4.5
#17. PrizeRebel
Founded in 2007, Prize Rebel has been a legit and trusted survey site and has paid around $9 million to its members. Getting started is pretty easy once you sign up with all your details like your age, qualification, marital status, etc. There are many short surveys with tier levels like gold, platinum, and diamond depending on your earnings. Prize Rebel offers other ways to earn like watching videos, referrals, and signing up for other offers. You get paid in points and you can redeem them once you reach 500 points.
Average pay:
Up to $0.50 per survey
Available in:
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Rewards:
It pays cash through PayPal, gift cards, and direct deposit
Trustpilot score:
3.9
#18. OneOpinion
This survey panel is available for residents in the US, the UK, and Australia. It also offers some product testing opportunities for its members. You can get paid through PayPal or virtual Visa card.
Average pay:
Up to $2 per survey
Available in:
United States, Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Australia, Canada, and the UK
Rewards:
PayPal, cash, or Visa gift cards
Trustpilot score:
3.5
#19. Valued Opinions
This survey panel has slightly higher payouts than others and I have done a lot of surveys with this site. The number of surveys you receive might be lower and this survey panel does pay through gift cards.
Average pay:
Up to $5 per survey
Available in:
United States, United Kingdom, and Australia
Rewards:
It pays via gift cards or cash.
Trustpilot score:
4.0
#20. Mindswarms
Another unique survey panel where participants give their opinions through video. Payment is through PayPal and is made within 24 hours of completing the survey.
Average pay:
Up to $50 per survey
Available in:
Worldwide
Rewards:
It pays via Paypal
#21. Kashkick
With Kashkick, you can make money doing surveys, watching videos, playing games, surfing the web, and answering quizzes. Kashkick also pays you to refer your friends. You can earn 25% of the amount they earn doing the tasks. With a lot of offers other than surveys and a low payout threshold ($10), it’s easy to earn money through Kashkick.
Average pay:
Up to $2 per survey
Available in:
United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom
Rewards:
PayPal
Trustpilot score:
3.4
Tips for taking online surveys
- Surveys are only extra income options, and they cannot replace your income.
- Always do your research and sign up for as many legitimate and best survey sites as possible to increase your earnings.
- Give honest opinions to keep getting more surveys.
- Always multitask when you are doing surveys; doing them alone may not be worth your time.
- Though there are many legit surveys, you need to keep in mind that you will not qualify for every survey invitation you get. Market research companies need people with certain demographics to get the right feedback about its products.
- Being honest is the best way to land more survey opportunities. Many surveys reward you with points even if you are screened out. Try signing up for these surveys as they are totally worth your time.
- Always check if a survey site has a BBB page and reviews on Trustpilot. Better Business Bureau has many survey websites listed with reviews and complaints. It’s the best way to figure out if it’s worth your time.
FAQ about best survey sites
Do online surveys really pay?
They do depending on which ones you choose and how much time you spend doing them. The real key to making the most from doing paid surveys is signing up for the most legit and high-paying ones. I do online surveys when I am doing other tasks and have received free gift cards.
How much do they pay?
How much you make from online surveys depends on a lot of things like which ones you sign up for and how many surveys you do. The pay also depends on the length of the surveys, longer surveys usually pay more.
Also keep in mind that every survey you take does not end up in payment. For example, you might be invited to do a “screener” where you answer basic questions. This screener will decide whether you are an ideal candidate for taking the survey. If you are not, then you don’t move ahead. Some of the survey companies pay for screeners and some don’t.
You can earn anywhere between $20 to $300 a month if you are a member of good surveys sites and also take up other opportunities like focus groups, watching videos, web searches, etc.
How do you get paid?
Most of the survey sites pay you in points that can be redeemed for various things like gift cards, cash via PayPal or bank transfer, charity donations, airline miles, etc.
Are there any best survey sites that pay instantly?
Some of the elite surveys offer bonus in cash/points when you sign up giving you good pocket change. Here are the surveys that pay sign up bonuses:
How to earn more with online surveys?
- Check your email regularly and fill out the screener questionnaires. You can miss the opportunity to do high-paying surveys if you don’t check your email. Most of the survey sites send invites in the email and quota for these fill up fast. Once the company has enough surveys from the required demographic, it closes the survey. So you should respond to the survey invites as soon as you get them.
- Give priority to high-paying surveys. This is pretty clear as you don’t want to waste time on surveys that pay you 20 or 30 cents. If you are just interested in doing surveys only, then opting for high-paying ones is a smart strategy. Choosing survey sites that have high-paying surveys also gives you the best ROI for your time.
- Having a complete profile means a chance of getting more surveys. Companies want to know more details about you to match you with the right surveys. Filling out details about your lifestyle, shopping habits, family income, etc. could land you more surveys. The best part is some of the survey sites can even give you bonus points to complete your profile.
- Sign up for sites that offer you more than surveys. There are so many ways to earn than just surveys. Reward sites like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and MyPoints give you more ways to earn like watching videos, reading emails, getting cashback, playing games, etc.
How do I know if it’s a scam?
There are certain signs that you can spot when you land on a scammy survey site.
- There is no real company behind the survey site. Market research companies get feedback from consumers about brands and services through surveys. There is always a company behind a survey site. If that is not the case, then that’s a big red flag.
- If the survey promises an insane amount of money, then it’s a no-no. Surveys are only meant for extra income. They cannot replace your main income. Any survey site that says it can give thousands of dollars a month is a sure scammy site.
- Another important thing to look out for if you are on a new survey site is if they have a “Contact” page or “About” page. Any legit website will have both of these pages and a clear way to contact them.
- When a survey site asks for personal information that is more than your general demographics then it’s a fraud. The usual questions about demographics are around age, income range, lifestyle questions, qualifications, etc. Asking for banking information, credit card details, etc. is a sign that there is something fishy about the site.
Can you make a living doing surveys?
Maybe not. Online surveys are only extra income earners. They can give you extra cash if you sign up for good surveys. I personally like surveys because they can be done while you juggle your household chores, your full-time job, or even watching TV.
Is doing surveys for money worth your time?
It depends on how you do them. Doing surveys while you do your other tasks is how you can make them worth your time. You can just do your web browsing through Swagbucks or play games through InboxDollars while doing laundry, etc. Multitasking is a great way to make most of paid surveys.
Final thoughts
Making money online can look easy but finding scam-free options is a daunting task. Online surveys that pay cash are difficult to find, but if you search hard, you can find the some of the best survey sites that are really worth your time. There are many ways to make money online or offline, apart from surveys. If surveys aren’t your thing, then keep exploring and find flexible side jobs or hustle as a freelancer. It all depends on your money goals and your schedule.
Which surveys do you like and why? Please share in the comments.
